Hospital Uses Hilti Firestop Speed Sleeve to Help Protect Frontline Workers During COVID-19
Hilti Firestop Speed Sleeve Used to Run Ventilator Tubes and Cables Through Walls
"We use Hilti products throughout the hospital,” said Bryan Costa, an engineer on staff at Riverside. “For running new data cabling through existing smoke and fire walls, you can't beat the Hilti Firestop Speed Sleeve.”
The Hilti CFS-SL GA Firestop Speed Sleeve is designed to be integrated into a firestopping system to address the specific needs of specialised cabling environments. Its simple twist mechanism results in industry-leading airflow control. This helps facility managers reduce the spread of potentially harmful airborne pathogens. Inside the Speed Sleeve, the inner fabric liner twists close for a custom fit around the cables. Although not designed to hermetically seal openings, it does effectively help restrict the passage of air, an essential factor for life safety of the facility.
The Speed Sleeve installation allowed hospital engineers to position ventilators and IV pumps outside patient rooms, reducing the potential exposure of COVID-19 to its healthcare workers. This also enabled the medical team to monitor ventilators more effectively, with less downtime and more efficiency. Additionally, hospital officials say it’s helped them save protective gear, another crucial need to help reduce the spread of the virus.
“Equipment safely placed outside a room reduces the need to wear personal protective equipment, helping us conserve our supply,” said Robert Maynard, Business Process Improvement Manager at Riverside. "It's a thinking-outside-the-box type of concept. The Speed Sleeve is designed to seal around the wires, stopping airflow between the two spaces. It works very well," said Maynard, who is also a licensed registered respiratory therapist with many years working in critical care. "It can reduce trips into a patient’s room."