The electrical distribution system in medical organizations, like hospitals and clinics, acts as a vital organ by providing power, fresh air, light, purified water, and several other essential elements, necessary to keep the medical institution running.
One of the primary duties of the manager of a medical institution is to oversee the operation and functioning of the electrical distribution system, to ensure the smooth running of the organization. As easy as it may sound, it is quite a difficult and challenging task to stay updated about the developments and requirements of the electrical system of a medical institution on a daily basis.
This is where commercial electrical services come into the picture to help with the electrical installation and maintenance of a medical organization. A quality electrical service will help the health facility manager monitor and manage the vast electrical distribution system in a building easily, regardless of the size of the establishment. However, before we delve into the nitty-gritties of choosing a quality commercial electrical service, let us understand the role an electrical system and network play in the running of a modern hospital.
Nearly all sections of a modern hospital or clinic depend upon the electrical system for daily functioning. From supporting the critical machinery to running the HVAC of a hospital, the electrical system is responsible for providing filtered, clean, and reliable power supply all day long.
“Electrical systems in hospitals are more complex than those found in other buildings,” says consulting electrical engineer, Hugh O. Nash Jr. He further states that apart from the reliability of electrical power supply, the safety of patients and hospital staff is also a great concern for the manager of any health facility. Hiring a commercial electrical installation and maintenance service provider will help the manager monitor the electrical system efficiently and eliminate issues in the nascent stages of the problem itself, before the matter gets out of hand.
Given that the electrical distribution system in a hospital building is one of the essential functioning elements, here are a few factors you must consider while choosing a quality commercial electrical service for electrical installation design, electrical wiring and maintenance, and other associated services.
Before you approach a commercial electrical service, it is important to understand your business requirements. Do you need electrical installation design along with wiring services? Do you need help only with the lighting or with all the electrical systems in your organization?
Defining your needs will not only facilitate an open and honest dialogue but will also eliminate any chances of any misunderstandings occurring between you and the electrical services company. A definitive approach will help the electrical service company focus directly on the immediate problem rather than wasting time on things that can be resolved later.
There are many electrical service companies in the market which cut down their prices substantially to bring more business to the house. However, it is important to understand that a lower price does not guarantee quality service. So it is always important to choose quality over price.
Regardless of the size of an electrical distribution system in a building, it will be foolish to pay for inferior electrical service and bring in another firm to re-work the electrical installation and maintenance. This will not only be a waste of money but also time and in a hospital, time can play a crucial role in life and death situations. So, rather than focusing on lower prices, consider whether the shortlisted companies have good references and a proven track record in the market.
No matter how good the work is, never hire an electrical services company that is neither insured nor licensed for the services they are offering. A legitimate license and insurance prove that the electricians have the required knowledge base and experience for the work they are doing.
Acquiring certain certifications also demonstrates that the electricians are abreast with the latest developments in the electrical community and are competent enough to complete the work they have been hired to do. Insurance plays a critical role in case of accidents and is one of the standard requirements that an electrical services company must meet for safety and quality purposes.
If you require both electrical installation and design services, it is best to opt for oneelectrical service company rather than two. Designing and installing the electrical distribution system of a medical establishment can be considered as quite a larger project. Therefore, streamlining the operations by opting for one company for both the services will avoid confusion and chaos. This streamlined approach helps in establishing one point of contact for planning and discussion. This approach not only resolves confusion and chaos but also relieves the pressure on the health facilities manager, who now has to manage just one company to get the electrical installation and design work done.
The amount of time an electrical services company has spent in the industry is an essential indicator of the quality of services they are offering to the clients. The longer they have been in the market, the better they will be at their work, for two essential reasons:
While you are shortlisting electrical service companies, make sure to check the references from past clients and online reviews on the company’s website, as well as online review sources like Yelp. The reviews will provide you with an unbiased opinion about the company and the quality of the services that they offer.
Concluding Note:
Given that hospital machinery and equipment are incredibly dependent on electricity for functioning properly, it is essential to design and set-up a quality electrical distribution system in the building, with the help of a reputed electrical services company. The above-mentioned factors will help you choose the best services for your medical institution, in order to enable the establishment to function efficiently and safely.