Like many other countries, the UK construction industry has been significantly affected by changes in government, economic pressures, sustainability regulations, and increasing material costs. Construction and engineering firms are looking for more cost-effective yet sustainable systems, especially in healthcare construction, where demand for resilient, future-proof facilities is high.
At Capcon, we are driving innovation with smarter, more sustainable drainage solutions that are cost-effective, yet robust enough to protect buildings from extreme weather events. Especially when implemented early in the design and planning stages, siphonic drainage can offer a future-proof solution tailored to a project’s specific needs. This ensures that clashes with key mechanical and electrical systems in drainage layouts can be more easily avoided, providing greater certainty and resilience.
Mitigating Risk Through Drainage That Lasts
That ability to avoid clashes between mechanical and electrical systems reflects Capcon’s broader capacity to identify and resolve issues early and plan ahead of time. As demonstrated by the estimated £15 billion cost of remediating RAAC across UK public buildings, delaying the implementation of long-lasting, preventative measures can have severe consequences. Everything from safety, service continuity, and budgets can be compromised, especially when paired with poor or irregular maintenance.
At Capcon, we mitigate this risk by always thinking long-term, which means looking at installation as just the beginning of an asset’s lifecycle management. This approach protects infrastructure against both escalating repair costs and critical failures, factors that can be crucial for preserving operational and structural integrity and, within healthcare environments, public health.
Siphonic Systems as a Strategic Infrastructure Asset
Siphonic drainage has the potential to play a far greater role in delivering resilient, sustainable water management across modern healthcare facilities. With hospitals often featuring large flat roofs, expansive car parks, and critical internal infrastructure, efficient rainwater management is essential for long-term performance. As more sites adopt green and blue infrastructure, such as landscaped roof terraces, siphonic systems offer a low-profile, sustainable means to remove water quickly. By reducing strain on mains water, our systems remove leaks and enable rainwater reuse for non-potable functions, including cooling, cleaning, and irrigation.
This emphasis on long-term water management is demonstrated in our work on Project Oriel, a state-of-the-art hospital currently under construction in central London for Bouygues. Specifically designed to be as sustainable as possible, the building’s landscaped roof terrace required an innovative drainage system capable of managing its layered build-up and surface load, something traditional, gravity-based systems cannot offer. The added capacity our systems offer ensures we can manage runoff far more effectively, an essential consideration in healthcare settings, where even minor failures can lead to operational disruption.
Capcon’s role within this complex urban development reflects our broader commitment to delivering adaptable, long-life infrastructure. In environments where available treatment space needs to be maximised and performance margins are narrow, our siphonic drainage systems meet current needs while allowing for future upgrades or reconfiguration. With public buildings facing significant remediation expenses due to historic oversights like RAAC, our work at Oriel demonstrates the value of investing in forward-looking infrastructure, namely by ensuring resilience, functionality, and continuity for decades to come.
Realising Long-Term Value Through Smarter Rainwater Strategy
As the UK prepares for its next wave of hospital developments, integrating innovative, high-velocity rainwater drainage solutions like Capcon’s would represent a critical shift toward more resilient infrastructure. When it comes to rainwater management, embedding this system early in the design process helps prevent the kind of costly, reactive remediation efforts seen during the RAAC crisis and towards proactive, long-term resilience.
Protecting Infrastructure Through Innovative Drainage Solutions
As dedicated rainwater specialists, we understand the impact that proactive drainage strategies can have on a project’s long-term resilience and operational integrity.
Contact us today to learn more about our siphonic drainage systems.
*Images for illustrative purposes only
