Medical facilities are specialized environments with unique design requirements and operational considerations. Identifying and procuring Division 11 equipment for these essential facilities during the design and development phase of the construction project is a top priority so details like structural supports, plumbing, and hard-wired electrical connections are incorporated into the architectural drawings from the beginning.
This article will:
- Review the Importance of Planning for Division 11 Equipment
- Define Division 11 Medical Equipment
- Present Common Examples of Division 11 Medical Equipment
- Explore How to Procure Division 11 Medical Equipment
Importance of Planning for Division 11 Equipment
Early identification of Division 11 equipment by the facility owners, architects, and equipment planners is essential for medical construction projects to ensure:
- Proper integration with building design
- Coordination with trades
- Budget and cost control
- Preservation of the project timeline
- Acquisition of quality equipment
Division 11 Equipment
Division 11 equipment is defined as equipment that is attached to the physical structure or utility services in such a way that to install, relocate, or remove the equipment later would require structural, electrical, or plumbing modifications. Anything mounted or that attaches behind a wall, under the floor, or on the ceiling is considered Division 11 equipment. Space requirements and utility connections for this equipment are included in architectural drawings to ensure the area is prepared for the later installation of the equipment by the contractor or in some cases, the vendor.
By its nature, Division 11 equipment should be the first equipment sourced and ordered. Although this equipment may not be physically installed until later in the project it is best practice to place orders with medical equipment distributors or vendors early and store the equipment in offsite warehouses to ensure availability for scheduled installation.
Common Examples of Division 11 Medical Equipment
Although not exhaustive, here is a representative list of medical equipment commonly identified as Division 11 in construction bids and awards.
OR Time Clocks
Actual clocks will not be installed until the end of the project, but the mounting and wiring will be roughed in as walls are constructed.
Lab Fume Hoods
Structural supports and ventilation connections for hoods are also roughed in during construction in preparation for vendor installation of the hood.
Scrub Sinks
Contractors install the sink carriers and rough in plumbing connections in preparation for the installation of the scrub sink.
Mounted equipment
Any equipment that is mounted on ceiling tracks or booms are defined as Group 1 This includes:
- Surgical lights
- Radiology equipment
- Some types of endoscopy equipment
- Patient Lifts
- Curtain Tracks
- Some lasers
- Semi-recessed dispensers
Equipment requiring hard connection to plumbing systems:
Equipment requiring plumbing connections is classified as Division 11. Some examples of this equipment are:
- Ventilator equipment – medical gas systems
- Anesthesia equipment medical gas systems
- Some surgical tools – medical gas systems
- Operating tables/Autopsy tables – biohazard waste management systems
- Large Autoclaves – water supply and drainage
- Radiology/Imaging equipment – chilled water systems
- Endoscopy units – water supply and drainage systems
- Dialysis machines – water filtration systems
It is important the vendors, contractors, and equipment planners remain in communication to ensure the equipment connections match flow meters and suction regulators.
Equipment requiring hard-wired connections to electrical systems and/or cabling systems:
- Patient monitors
- EHR Systems
- Nurse Call
- Infusion pumps
- Smart IV pumps
- Surgical Robots
- In-floor scales for the ER
- Laundry
Laboratory equipment is another example of Division 11 medical equipment requiring hard connections to mechanical systems. This equipment includes:
- Explosion Proof Refrigerators
- Incubators
- Analyzers
- MRI machines
- Lasers
- Autoclaves
Properly identifying Division 11 equipment early in the planning process is important for setting in motion a “well oiled” construction project. Choosing the right equipment distributor is essential.
Partnering with CME Corp. for Division 11 Medical Equipment
CME specializes in helping general contractors procure contractor furnished Division 11 equipment included in the construction bid and associated award. We are uniquely positioned as the only equipment distributor, nationally, able to support the entire procurement process with a team of dedicated Project Managers (PM), regardless of whether the owner or contractor is directly purchasing the equipment. From purchase order to invoicing, your CME PM is the single point of contact for everything related to your project.
Using our proprietary CME360 Project Management Hub CME project managers consolidate purchase orders to help contain hidden costs and scheduling issues associated with multiple orders. CME PMs track orders to ensure all items have been purchased and delivered to our warehouses for storage until delivery to the new hospital site.
Our Direct-To-Site service teams take it from there and can receive, inspect, assemble (if needed), and deliver equipment as scheduled based on the timeline established by the construction project manager. If during the inspection at our warehouse we identify items that are damaged or defective in any way we will work with the manufacturer to secure a timely replacement.
In addition to procurement project management and Direct-to-Site services CME is also a reliable source for biomedical services.
CME Biomedical Equipment Technicians are available to compliment in-house resources with biomedical startup services required for large construction or renovation projects. CME start up biomed services guarantee that every device is tested and ready for service.
Our BMETs can also work with your facility to establish equipment maintenance plans aimed at ensuring the reliability of medical equipment, compliance with regulations, and extending the service life of the equipment.
Click CHAT to begin a conversation with a CME expert about how we can support your construction or renovation project.
About CME: CME Corp is the nation’s premier source for healthcare equipment, turnkey logistics, and biomedical services, representing 2 million+ products from more than 2,000 manufacturers. With two corporate offices and 35+ service centers, our mission is to help healthcare facilities nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment specification, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate and expand on schedule.
