Mercy Health Center, Oklahoma City, OK, has renovated and expanded its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to incorporate the most current technology and care unit design. Keeping in mind that one newborn of every ten will require special medical attention, the renovation includes expansion of special care nursery beds from 28 to 42 and the inclusion of space and amenities for family comfort and convenience.

Design for the 21,000 sq. ft. renovation was provided by Rees Associates, Inc., Oklahoma City, and features prominent curves and complex radiuses in hallways, nurses’ stations and common areas. Approximately 1,400 linear feet of 3 5/8” and 6” Flex-C Trac, Flex-C Angle and Flex-C Arch by Flex-Ability Concepts were utilized to meet design objectives by simplifying the creation of the curves and radiuses.

Installation of the Flex-Ability Concepts products was done by United Acoustics Inc., Oklahoma City. United Acoustics has an on-going relationship with Mercy Health Center and is also a frequent user of Flex-C Trac, according to President David Penland. “In this day and age, labor costs are key,” Penland said. “Advances in the drywall and ceiling industry come along pretty infrequently. Flex-C Trac has made a very positive impact on the industry and what we do. It really increases productivity and ease of installation. We seldom use the track bender we purchased several years ago.”

United Acoustics’ field superintendant on the job was Ron Palmer. “Architects seem to be designing more curves than ever, particularly in healthcare applications,” said Palmer. “This job had radius eyebrows, ellipses, compound curves and just about everything you could imagine. The Flex-C Trac really simplifies the job and it’s easy to use. I can put any of my guys on it.”

Palmer is an enthusiastic supporter of Flex-C Trac’s Hammer-Lock feature. “It’s a tremendous time saver,” Palmer said. “You just flatten the tabs with a hammer. For most of the light gauge work we do, you don’t need to put screws in.”