Quick read

• In a first for NSW healthcare projects, new light scanning technology is giving Fairfield Hospital millimetre-precise plans of the existing buildings to help guide future development.
• The scanning project was completed over 6 days and collected more than 700GB data.
• The team scanned about 600 internal spaces as well as the grounds, gardens and parking areas.
• Traditional surveying, drone photography, soil testing and other studies were also completed.

In a first for NSW healthcare projects, new light scanning technology is giving Fairfield Hospital millimetre-precise plans of the existing buildings to help guide future development.

The technology relies on a state-of-the-art body-worn scanner which bounces light off the walls, providing accurate floor plans instantly.

Health Infrastructure project director Joshua Scharfegger said the new technology helps manage a key challenge for the project.

“At the start of a redevelopment, we need accurate drawings of existing structures on which to base our planning,” Josh said.

“Existing plans may be old, unreliable or out of date, but this new technology gives us accurate plans to guide future decision-making.”

The new technology is also incredibly fast, allowing a room to be measured in a few seconds, and because it does not photograph people, the team was able to quickly and easily scan both occupied and vacant rooms without disturbing staff, visitors or patients.

“We had great support from the hospital staff which enabled us to complete the entire hospital scanning project in just six days,” Josh said.

“Over the course of the project, the team scanned about 600 internal spaces, as well as the loading dock and key services areas, the kiosk, entries, roads and grounds.”

For many hospital staff, seeing the scanning team and security escort around the hospital was their first introduction to the project.

“It’s a very exciting time for the hospital, and now we’re starting to see contractors on site, it’s given staff and patients confidence that the redevelopment is starting,” Fairfield Hospital A/General Manager Cara Egan said.

The building scanning was one of a range of master planning site investigations which also included soil sampling and drone surveys.