A wall system’s sound attenuation, or ability to reduce sound pressure, can be measured in laboratory conditions through a test published by ASTM, under Standard E90 – Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements.
Hard Dust Barriers
Reusable hard dust barriers from STARC solve what traditional plastic sheeting cannot in the most sensitive environments. Originally a cheap and quick containment option, plastic sheeting tears easily, is often left inadvertently “unzipped” or “unsealed” (defeating any safety goals) and has limited re-use.
Tampa Hospital: Dust Barrier vs Plastic Sheeting
Plastic Dust Barrier Alternatives
Reusable construction dust barriers from STARC solve what traditional plastic sheeting cannot in the most sensitive environments. Originally a cheap and quick containment option, plastic sheeting tears easily, is left inadvertently “unzipped” or “unsealed” (defeating any safety goals) and has limited re-use.
How STARC’s reusable hard dust barriers help:
- A safer alternative. No accidental punctures, unzipped plastic barriers to release construction contaminants.
- Faster installation with simple lift and drop connections. Avoid cumbersome poles or taping of plastic seams.
- Durability to withstand the rigors of a construction site.
- Blends into the surroundings instead of calling attention to the construction zone. Occupants feel safer around hard barriers.
Standards and Certifications
STARC’s hard wall dust barriers for temporary installations help raise the standards of safety on the job site common to permanent wall installations:
- Infection Control: Exceeds ICRA Class IV and Class V
- Fire and Life Safety:
- NFPA 241
- ASTM E84 – Smoke and flame spread
- ASTM E119 – One Hour Fire barrier
- Sound Attenuation: ASTM E90
ICRA 2.0: Matrix for Safer Healthcare Renovations
By JANET HAAS, PhD, RN, CIC, Principal Consulting Epidemiologist, Innovative Infection Prevention
Infection Control Precautions During Occupied Healthcare Renovations
Ensuring adherence to infection control precautions and prevention measures during an occupied healthcare renovation project is notoriously challenging – and critical. To help, we collected actionable advice for ICRA compliance and construction containment from industry experts. For more safety during occupied renovation expert advice, check out our recent blog post and watch our recent panel discussion.
ASTM E119 and ASTM E84: Understanding Fire Resistance Ratings
When conducting an occupied renovation in a hospital, a one-hour fire-rated temporary construction wall is often required by national or regional jurisdictions, particularly when a working sprinkler system is not in place. Requirements and testing specifications can vary by state, city, hospital and even by project – and can get a little complicated. One thing is clear: questions from our customers about fire-rated temporary walls have spiked significantly over the last few years. We suspect the rise in inquiries is driven by a combination of factors, such as increased fire-rated barrier requirement awareness and a realization of the lack of options.
SRA and ICRA: Developments in Healthcare Construction Safety
By Janet Haas, Principal Consulting Epidemiologist at Innovative Infection Prevention We are honored to welcome our infection prevention advisor, Janet Haas, as a guest author to help us understand these healthcare construction safety developments. Dr. Haas is currently Principal Consulting Epidemiologist at Innovative Infection Prevention and an associate editor of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC). She previously served as Director of Epidemiology at 3 academic medical centers, and as 2018 APIC President. Prior to beginning her nursing and infection prevention professional journey, Janet also worked as a Journeyman Millwright Mechanic and was a member of the Carpenter’s Union.
How To Control Dust on Site with a Construction Dust Barrier
When hospitals erect temporary dust walls for renovation, their number one consideration is installing the most effective dust barrier to protect the health and wellness of patients, visitors, and staff.
Why Sound Management Matters In Healthcare
Written by Gearhart and Associates, LLC. for STARC Systems, Inc. Gearhart and Associates are industry experts in Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) training, Infection Control and Prevention Strategies, and Facilities Risk Management.
Containment Systems 101: From Poly to Drywall, What Is The Most Effective?
Written by Gearhart and Associates, LLC. for STARC Systems, Inc. Gearhart and Associates are industry experts in Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) training, Infection Control and Prevention Strategies, and Facilities Risk Management.
LiteBarrier™
Considered the most durable modular wall system in its category, LiteBarrier features a slim aluminum frame and fiberglass-reinforced polymer partitions – ideal for projects requiring a quick turnaround. When the project calls for a temporary partition wall with door, LiteBarrier is your best option for an easy-to-use, modular…
RealWall™
If your project requires reusable modular walls that deliver the look and feel of a traditional wall while significantly reducing renovation noise, RealWall™ is the best solution available. A go-to favorite among contractors for healthcare, airports, data centers, bio/life sciences, office space and education, RealWall is the …
FireblockWall™
Stops fire. Saves time. Imagine a reusable one-hour fire-rated modular containment system that installs four times faster than drywall. That’s FireblockWall, the durable temporary wall system that uses the same lift-and-drop connections and telescoping tracks that made RealWall and LiteBarrier preferred solutions among contrac…