Hellesdon Hospital
Designed for demands of healthcare, fermacell® fibre gypsum boards deliver modern healthcare interiors.
Project at a glance
Location
Norwich, UK
Project Size
40,000m2
Architect
Murphy Philipps LLP
Installer
IHP, Middlesex Ltd
Product
fermacell® Fibre Gypsum Boards
Year
2026
Healthcare Facilities For The Future
The development of the River Centre at Hellesdon Hospital in Norwich designed by Murphy Philipps LLP delivered a modern, purpose-built healthcare facility designed to meet the complex demands of clinical environments. Delivered by Integrated Health Projects (IHP) – the joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine – the scheme required robust, compliant internal systems capable of achieving high standards in fire safety, acoustics, and durability.
As part of the internal package, approximately 40,000m² of fermacell® fibre gypsum systems were installed across walls, ceilings, and beam encasements. Standard boards (12.5mm and 15mm) were used for partitions, 10mm boards for ceilings, and A1 fire-rated panels for structural protection.
Healthcare environments present unique challenges for internal wall systems. Requirements for hygiene, impact resistance, fire performance, and acoustic separation are significantly higher than in most commercial projects. The specification of fermacell® fibre gypsum boards provided a single, high-performance solution capable of meeting these demands efficiently.
High Fire & Acoustic Performance
The River Centre required partitions capable of achieving stringent fire and acoustic ratings in line with healthcare regulations. fermacell™ systems delivered fire resistance from 30 up to 120 minutes, alongside acoustic performance in the range of Rw 60–64 dB, critical for ensuring patient privacy and effective ward separation.
These consistent performance characteristics allowed the design and delivery teams to meet compliance requirements across clinical rooms, corridors, and secure areas without the need for complex multi-layer build-ups.
Robustness & Impact Resistance for Healthcare Environments
Hospital interiors are subject to constant use, including trolley movements, equipment impact, and high traffic volumes. fermacell® fibre gypsum boards provide severe-duty impact performance, making them suitable for demanding environments such as mental health wards and high-dependency areas.
The system’s homogenous structure enabled strong load-bearing performance without the need for pattressing, simplifying detailing while improving long-term durability and reducing maintenance requirements.
Supporting HTM Compliance & Hygiene Standards
The project was required to comply fully with Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) guidance. fermacell® systems supported this through:
High levels of strength, stability, and durability
Resistance to hard and soft body impacts
Performance under crowd pressure and repeated use
Delivery of smooth, hard surfaces and suitable for clinical cleaning regimes
This ensured that all partition systems met the demanding safety, hygiene, and operational standards expected in NHS healthcare facilities.
fermacell® fibre gypsum boards come with strong impact-resistance performance, giving healthcare providers confidence that walls can withstand everyday knocks and bumps. 75mm stud partitions = severe duty and 2 kn crowd load.
Dead load hanging load capability of 150kg per linear metre without additional pattressing, allowing fixtures such as whiteboards, shelving, and lockers to be fixed directly. This greatly simplifies design and installation for healthcare interiors.
Can be installed quickly before the building envelope is closed and requires fewer supplementary materials, helping hospital projects meet tight construction or refurbishment timelines
fermacell™ systems have been rigorously tested for high‑performance applications, including use in tall, complex hospital structures. we provide single layer systems that can offer EI60 up to 15m high, achieve 54 dB Rw and have a dead load hanging load capability of 150kg per linear metre.
Carbon Storing
Using recycled materials and work seamlessly with timber construction, fermacell® fibre gypsum boards contribute positively to carbon‑efficient building strategies. Their long lifespan and durability further support sustainable outcomes by reducing maintenance and replacement cycles.
I had the opportunity to lead the delivery of the Norwich project as Senior Project Manager for the internal package, where fermacell™ systems were used throughout within a healthcare setting. Given the nature of the facility, there was a strong focus on fire performance, acoustic control, robustness, and overall compliance with healthcare requirements. The fermacell™ partition systems performed very well in this respect, achieving fire ratings from 30 minutes up to 120 minutes depending on the build-up, along with strong acoustic performance in the range of Rw 60–64 dB, which was key for patient privacy and ward separation. From a delivery point of view, one of the biggest successes on the project was the very low level of defects. Overall, the systems proved to be reliable, practical, and well suited to a healthcare environment where performance and durability are critical. I would be more than happy to work with Fermacell and James Hardie systems again on future projects.
Tudor Moisa MCIOB FRSA FSIDip
Senior Project Manager, Middlesex Ltd
Trust it. Build with it.
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