Materials Used in Hospital Construction: Durability – Cleanliness – Safety

In hospital construction, building materials are not merely elements used to complete a project. Each selected material has a direct impact on the level of medical safety, as well as on infection control capability and the long-term operational efficiency of the hospital.

Unlike conventional civil buildings, hospitals are environments with a high density of users, continuous 24/7 operations, and a high risk of cross-contamination. Therefore, requirements for materials used in hospital construction are always more stringent and are governed by numerous specialized standards.

Among these, the three criteria of durability – cleanliness – safety are considered the core principles throughout the entire process of modern hospital design and construction. Join TECO in exploring in detail the materials used in hospital construction in the article below.

Requirements for materials used in hospital construction are always more stringent than in other fields.

Three mandatory criteria when selecting materials for hospital construction

Durability – Ensuring service life and long-term operational performance

Hospitals are facilities operated at very high intensity. Floors, walls, doors, corridors, and elevators must withstand heavy loads and continuous use. Therefore, materials used in hospital construction must have high durability and strong resistance to wear and tear.

Selecting low-quality materials can lead to early deterioration, resulting in the need for repairs and renovations while the hospital is already in operation. This not only increases costs but also disrupts medical examination and treatment activities.

Cleanliness – Effective infection control

The “cleanliness” criterion in hospital construction goes beyond aesthetics. Material surfaces must minimize the adhesion of dust, bacteria, and mold. At the same time, materials must withstand frequent cleaning and disinfection using specialized chemicals.

Materials with many gaps, joints, or porous surfaces are often unsuitable for medical environments, as they can easily become breeding grounds for bacteria.

Safety – Protecting patients and medical staff

Safety is a mandatory criterion in all hospital construction items. Materials must be slip-resistant, limit fire spread, emit no toxic substances, and have no adverse impact on human health.

This factor is directly related to operating license approval and project acceptance.

Safety criteria for materials used in healthcare construction.

Classification of materials used by hospital functional areas

Each functional area within a hospital has its own specific usage characteristics. Therefore, materials must be selected to suit each individual space.

Examination and treatment areas

These are areas that come into direct contact with patients on a daily basis, including examination rooms, treatment rooms, and procedure areas. Preferred materials include antibacterial vinyl flooring or medical-grade rubber flooring. These flooring types have seamless surfaces, are easy to clean, and are slip-resistant.

Walls and ceilings typically use antibacterial paint or specialized cladding panels. This helps limit bacterial adhesion and facilitates easy cleaning. Doors should use powder-coated steel doors or medical-grade composite doors, ensuring durability and effective disinfection capability.

Materials for examination and treatment areas.

Administrative and reception areas

Administrative and reception areas are the first points of contact for patients and their families. These spaces must ensure a friendly, aesthetic environment while still complying with medical standards.

Materials used in these areas usually have lower technical requirements than treatment areas but still need to be easy to clean and highly durable. Technical tiles or vinyl flooring combined with high-quality water-based paint are common choices in hospital construction.

Waiting areas, corridors, and pharmacies

Corridors and waiting areas experience high traffic density. Therefore, flooring materials must be slip-resistant, highly abrasion-resistant, and capable of reducing noise.

Antibacterial vinyl flooring, corridor handrails, and impact-resistant corner guards are indispensable components. For pharmacy areas, materials must ensure hygiene, be easy to clean, and be resistant to chemical exposure.

Hospital corridor areas.

Laboratory and diagnostic imaging areas

Laboratory and diagnostic imaging areas house highly precise medical equipment and require stable operating environments. Therefore, materials used in hospital construction in these areas must provide sound insulation, vibration resistance, and reduced electromagnetic interference.

Commonly prioritized materials include HPL-coated panels, acoustic technical ceilings, and specialized soundproofing systems. These solutions help reduce noise, minimize environmental interference, and ensure accurate testing and diagnostic results. In addition, material surfaces must still meet antibacterial and easy-clean requirements in accordance with medical standards.

Isolation and decontamination areas

Isolation and decontamination areas have the highest biosafety requirements in hospitals. Materials used in these areas must comply with strict medical standards to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.

Materials must have non-porous, waterproof surfaces, resist bacterial adhesion, and withstand high-frequency disinfection. Common materials include porcelain tiles, stainless steel, and specialized epoxy coatings. These materials enable fast and effective cleaning and sterilization while ensuring durability and safety throughout hospital operations.

Standards required for materials used in hospital construction

To ensure safe operation and obtain operating licenses, materials used in hospital construction must comply with various technical standards. Some applicable international standards and Vietnamese regulations include:

• ISO 14644, which specifies requirements for cleanrooms, dust control, and airborne microorganisms. This standard is particularly important for operating rooms, laboratories, and isolation areas.

• ASTM E2180, a standard for testing the antibacterial properties of materials. This serves as a basis for evaluating the suitability of floors, walls, and contact surfaces in medical environments.

• QCVN 09:2013/BXD, which stipulates general technical requirements for construction works, including items related to hospital buildings.

• TCVN 9014:2011, a specialized standard for materials used in hospitals, serving as a reference for the design, construction, and acceptance of medical facilities in Vietnam.

Standards for materials used in hospital construction.

Conclusion

In hospital construction, materials do not only determine the durability of the building. They also directly affect the quality of medical examination and treatment, as well as the level of medical safety. Material selection must be carefully considered based on three core criteria: durability – cleanliness – safety.

Applying appropriate materials for each functional area and complying with international standards and Vietnamese regulations will help hospitals operate efficiently, sustainably, and meet the increasingly high demands of modern healthcare. Contact TECO for detailed consultation on hospital construction solutions.