Storms during the 2004 hurricane season in the west coast of Florida affected two hospitals to the point that patients had to be evacuated in one and critical lift systems shut down in the other due to flooding. Though over 150 miles away, officials at Memorial Hospitals (Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Hospital East), in Hollywood and Pembroke Pines, Florida, became concerned for their facilities.
August 9, 2010 - Windows & Exterior Walls
Storms during the 2004 hurricane season in the west coast of Florida affected two hospitals to the point that patients had to be evacuated in one and critical lift systems shut down in the other due to flooding. Though over 150 miles away, officials at Memorial Hospitals (Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Hospital East), in Hollywood and Pembroke Pines, Florida, became concerned for their facilities.
Hospital administrators started asking if the Memorial hospitals could withstand category 4 winds and testing began to evaluate the hospitals' wall system.
It was discovered that Memorial Hospital West would be more susceptible because the construction was entirely metal stud/sheathing construction, though the framing, in most cases, met current standards.
To meet the need for new cladding at the hospitals, Sto Corp. was called upon to develop a system that would meet Missile level "E" standards for essential structures and created StoTherm Storm Systems. The cladding system protects against damage from wind and windborne debris, with a DP rating of 166 psf attainable, depending on the makeup of the existing construction.
The hospital used 350,000 feet of StoTherm Storm Systems in renovating its exterior. Memorial Hospital East, a larger hospital than West, saw damage from Hurricane Wilma, so the existing wall systems was removed and many layers, including StoTherm Storm Systems, a 20 ounce mesh on the block, three inches of foam, another 20 ounce mesh, then 4.5 ounce mesh embedded in primer adhesive were put on to protect it from future storms and water intrusion. Memorial Hospital West's project only included coating over existing wall systems.
The new cladding system also helped improve the look of the hospital. The buildings had been built over four decades with different looks. Now the campus has a unified and contemporary aesthetic.
