Rather than building a traditional veterinary clinic, the client required a new veterinary hospital with the supporting facilities and on-site capabilities to manage pet emergencies from the surrounding suburbs. The animal hospital required consultation rooms along with minor treatment rooms, operating theatres, X-Ray machines and MRI’s.

DMA Engineers was engaged by the client to carry out the electrical services design for the new animal hospital. Healthcare environments present a lot of challenges which influence the way design is approached. Key consideration needed to be given to ensuring all areas were kept sterile to prevent the transfer of bacteria. We took this into consideration in the design by selecting clean room lighting fittings to seal the areas.

The electrical services design needed to keep both staff and the sick or injured animals safe. Ensuring animals did not come into contact with anything that may harm them dictated the physical layout of the building and the way its services and other contents were located. Our team focused on keeping animal safety top of mind throughout the design process.

It was imperative that all power outlets and electrical appliances were out of animal reach. As a result of this, power and communication outlets were mounted at or above 1200mm. The X-Ray and MRI machines, which were designed for examining humans, were altered for animal suitability.

Our contribution to the project ensured the vet hospital was constructed to a high standard, attracting a positive first impression from customers. The safe and streamlined design gave the client and customers confidence that the animals being treated at the facility would receive a high standard of medical care.