Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre | BAM UK & Ireland
This case study explores Raybloc’s involvement in supporting BAM UK & Ireland on the new Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre, delivered for University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. The project combined BAM UK & Ireland’s construction expertise, the Trust’s commitment to improving community diagnostic access, and Raybloc’s specialist shielding knowledge to support diagnostic imaging environments within a modern healthcare facility.
Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre Case Study
The Challenge
The Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre has been developed to provide a wide range of outpatient diagnostic services in a convenient city centre location. The facility is supports the local community with access to diagnostic tests including CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound and other clinical services.
For a project of this nature, radiation shielding is not simply a product requirement. It is a critical part of the building’s clinical safety strategy.
The imaging rooms needed to be designed and constructed in line with the required radiation protection specification, while fitting within the wider construction programme of a brand-new healthcare facility. This required careful coordination betweenthe shielding package, building fabric, door openings, wall build-ups, operator screens and service penetrations.
Unlike a standard refurbishment or isolated imaging room, this project formed part of a major community healthcare development designed to improve diagnostic access and support more efficient patient pathways across Plymouth and the surrounding areas.
The shielding solution therefore needed to be practical, compliant, durable and carefully integrated into the wider clinical environment.
Supporting BAM UK & Ireland with Specialist Radiation Shielding
BAM UK & Ireland’s role in delivering this facility is central to the wider mission of creating a modern, accessible and patient-focused diagnostic centre for Plymouth.
Raybloc worked to support BAM UK & Ireland with the radiation shielding requirements for the Plymouth CDC project, providing technical coordination, manufacture, delivery and installation of key shielding elements.
As part of this process, Raybloc assessed the room drawings and helped plan how key interfaces, junctions and services entering the room would be shielded to maintain continuity across the controlled areas.
As with many healthcare projects, one of the key requirements was maintaining shielding continuity across the full room build-up. This included the relationship between lead-lined wall panels, doorsets, operator screens, penetrations and adjoining construction details.
In diagnostic imaging environments, even small gaps or poorly coordinated interfaces can become significant issues. By providing a coordinated shielding package, Raybloc helped support BAM with a solution that could be integrated into the construction programme and aligned with the project’s clinical requirements.
The Solution
Raybloc supplied and installed a package of radiation shielding products for the Plymouth CDC project, supporting diagnostic imaging areas including CT and X-ray environments.
The scope included lead-lined wall panels, lead-lined doorsets, lead-lined internal windows, X-ray operator screens and installation works carried out by Raybloc’s specialist team.
For CT and X-ray areas, Raybloc supplied lead-lined plasterboard panels with Code 3, Code 5 and Code 6 lead equivalence, designed to provide the required radiation protection within the wall construction. These panels were supplied with lead strips to support shielding continuity between board joints.
Raybloc also provided lead-lined doorsets for the imaging rooms, including single and unequal pair doorsets supplied pre-hung with Code 3 and Code 5 lead equivalence. The doorsets included laminate door finishes, hardwood primer-painted frames and architraves, heavy-duty lift-off hinges, handles, flush bolts, door closers, vision panels with interstitial blinds and Raybloc flush-mounted two-stage LED warning lights where specified.
In addition, Raybloc supplied lead-lined internal windows and X-ray operator screens with Code 5 lead equivalence, lead glass viewing sections, laminate finishes, worktop provision, PC plinth and storage shelf. These products were designed to support staff protection while maintaining practical visibility and workflow within the imaging environment.
Specifications and Requirements
Wall Shielding, Installation and Assurance
Raybloc® lead-lined plasterboard panels
- -12.5mm plasterboard, square edged
- -Code 3, Code 5 and Code 6 lead equivalence supplied across CT and X-ray areas
- -Lead-lined wall areas supplied for CT and X-ray room use
- -Supplied complete with lead strips for joint continuity
- -Installation of lead-lined wall panels by Raybloc
- -Service and electrical penetration protection considered within the shielding package
- -10-year material and workmanship guarantee
- -10-year radiation shielding warranty on Raybloc-installed products
Lead- Lined Doorsets
- Raybloc® lead-lined single and unequal pair doorsets
- -Pre-hung construction
- -Code 3 and Code 5 lead equivalence supplied across X-ray and CT imaging rooms
- -Laminate door finish
- -Hardwood primer-painted frame and architraves
- -Heavy-duty lift-off hinges
- -Locks, handles and flush bolts where specified
- -Door closers to the main leaf where specified
- -Vision panels with interstitial blinds where specified
- -Raybloc flush-mounted LED two-stage warning lights where specified
Internal Windows
- Raybloc® lead-lined internal windows for CT Room 1 and CT Room 2
- -Standard lead-lined internal window construction
- -Code 5 lead equivalence, 2.24mm Pb
- -Hardwood primer-painted frame and architraves
- -Structural opening size: 1998mm x 1098mm
- -Lead glass viewing section size: 1898mm x 998mm
- -Designed to provide protected visibility between the CT room and operator/control area
Operator Screens
- Raybloc® X-ray operator screens
- -Code 5 lead equivalence, 2.24mm Pb
- -Main and wing panel configuration
- -Lead glass viewing sections
- -White laminate post-formed worktop
- -PC plinth and storage shelf
- -Laminate finish coordinated with project requirements
The Benefits of Installing Control Booths, Windows and Doorsets from Raybloc
This project highlights the importance of early coordination between the main contractor, healthcare project team and specialist radiation shielding manufacturer.
By supporting BAM UK & Ireland on the Plymouth CDC project, Raybloc helped deliver shielding solutions that were practical, compliant and suited to the demands of a modern diagnostic healthcare facility.
The project achieved:
- -Radiation shielding support for diagnostic imaging environments
- -Coordinated installation of lead-lined walls,windows,doorsets and operator screens
- -Practical consideration of penetrations and shielding continuity
- -Durable product finishes suited to clinical use
- -Staff protection through integrated operator screen design
- -Warning light integration within the lead-lined doorset package
- -Specialist installation support from Raybloc’s experienced team
Most importantly, the project contributed to the wider purpose of the Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre: helping provide local people with improved access to vital diagnostic services in a modern, purpose-built environment.
Raybloc is proud to have supported BAM UK & Ireland, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and the wider project team with specialist shielding solutions for this important facility.
About Raybloc Radiation Protective Products
Community Diagnostic Centres require radiation shielding partners who understand how to support fast-moving healthcare projects without compromising compliance, coordination or long-term performance.
For CDC projects, Raybloc brings together the key elements needed to deliver safe and practical diagnostic imaging environments, including lead-lined doorsets, wall panels, operator screens, internal windows, warning lights, penetration detailing and specialist installation support.
Because CDCs often include multiple imaging rooms within one purpose-built facility, the shielding package must be carefully coordinated with the contractor, design team, RPA requirements, equipment layouts and site programme. Raybloc’s experience in healthcare shielding allows these requirements to be translated into clear, buildable and compliant solutions.
The Plymouth Community Diagnostic Centre project demonstrates why Raybloc remains a trusted partner for CDC developments: supporting main contractors and NHS teams with practical shielding expertise, reliable manufacture, coordinated installation and products designed to protect staff, patients and the wider community.