The HEPACART Blog

Why Temporary Wall Systems Are a Must-Have for Safe Healthcare Construction

Written by HEPACART | Jun 23, 2025

Renovations are part of keeping your healthcare facility safe, efficient, and up to standard, whether you’re updating aging infrastructure, expanding a wing, or managing an urgent repair.

However, construction in an active care environment comes with added pressure. You’re not just coordinating contractors and timelines. You’re protecting patients, supporting staff, and making sure critical areas stay operational and compliant.

Temporary wall systems like the STARC® customizable barrier are designed specifically for healthcare environments. They help you contain dust, reduce noise, and maintain infection control, so you can move projects forward without disrupting care.

6 Reasons Why Temporary Hard Wall Systems are Essential for Healthcare Renovations

1. Contain Dust at the Source to Protect Patients

Every renovation project brings added pressure to your infection control strategy, especially in high-sensitivity areas like ICUs or oncology units. Construction stirs up dust, debris, and airborne particles that can increase the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

According to the CDC, 1 in 31 hospitalized patients develops an HAI, and when containment falls short, those risks grow.

That’s why a stronger approach matters. Temporary hard wall systems are built specifically for healthcare environments. Unlike plastic sheeting or temporary drywall, they create a durable, sealed barrier that fully encloses the work zone and holds up over time.

These systems help your team stay compliant with ICRA Class IV standards while maintaining a clear separation between construction and patient care, reducing disruption without compromising safety.

2. Speed Up Installation Without Cutting Corners

You’re managing timelines, coordinating vendors, and prioritizing patient safety, all while trying to avoid delays and downtime. Traditional drywall slows you down with multiple steps: framing, cutting, mudding, sanding, painting, and cleanup. That’s a lot of labor, especially when projects are phased or need to pivot fast.

Temporary wall systems simplify everything. STARC® hard wall panels are prefabricated and can be installed quickly without a mess. The telescoping panels seal to the ceiling, create an airtight barrier, and lock into place with basic tools.

Experienced crews can install up to 100 feet per hour, and since the system is reusable, you can reconfigure or relocate walls as needed, without demolition or added labor.

3. Reduce Costs Across Projects with Reusable Barriers

You’re always looking for smarter ways to stretch your capital and maintenance budgets. On paper, drywall might look like the cheaper option, but over time, it adds up. You’re buying materials, paying for skilled labor, and then tearing it all down when the next phase starts. That means more cost, more waste, and more hassle.

Temporary wall systems offer better long-term value. Many can be rented or reused, and some providers include delivery, installation, and teardown in one turnkey package. That means less coordination on your part—and no disposal fees.

Reusable wall systems like  STARC® have been shown to reduce installation time by up to 80% and lower waste disposal costs by as much as 60% compared to traditional drywall. If your facility takes on renovation projects regularly, this kind of efficiency adds up, saving time, labor, and budget across multiple jobs.

4. Solve Complex Layouts with Modular Flexibility

No two projects are the same, and no two healthcare spaces are either. Whether you're updating an outpatient clinic or renovating a multi-floor hospital wing, you need containment solutions that fit your space and your workflow.

Temporary wall systems are built to adapt. With multiple panel sizes, door options, corner connections, and negative air integration, you can configure a setup that matches the exact dimensions and needs of your project.

If you're working in phases or need to adjust during the renovation, these walls can be reconfigured quickly, without slowing down your team or disrupting operations. And because they’re reusable, you’re not just solving today’s problem—you’re setting yourself up for success on future projects, too.

5. Create Quiet, Contained Spaces in Patient Areas

You’re not just managing construction, you’re protecting the healing environment your patients count on. Noise, clutter, and disruption can impact how patients feel about their care, and in some cases, even slow recovery.

That’s why your containment setup matters. Temporary wall systems like STARC® RealWall™ don’t just contain dust; they also help reduce noise, with a foam core that blocks up to 25 decibels of sound. That means less disruption for patients, families, and staff during construction.

Because the panels are clean, neutral, and professional-looking, they help preserve the visual calm that healthcare environments depend on. When you’re doing construction in a space where people are trying to heal, that difference matters.

6. Project Professionalism with a Clean, Finished Look

When someone walks past your construction zone, whether it's a patient, a visitor, or a hospital executive, you want them to see that the work is being handled with care.

Temporary wall systems reflect that confidence. Instead of exposed drywall or plastic taped to the ceiling, they provide clean, finished surfaces, secure access points, and a clear separation between occupied spaces and active work zones.

That first impression matters, especially when safety, infection control, and public perception are part of the equation. These containment systems demonstrate that your team takes the work seriously, and in a healthcare setting, that level of professionalism doesn’t go unnoticed.

Smart Places to Use Temporary Wall Systems in Healthcare

Temporary walls solve more than one problem, and they’re useful in more places than you might think.

You know better than anyone that healthcare construction rarely happens in empty spaces. Patients still need care, staff still need access, and you still need to keep operations running. 

That’s where temporary wall systems prove their worth, helping you contain active work zones without shutting down essential services.

They’re ideal for projects in:

  • ICU and patient wings, where containment and noise control are critical.
  • Sterile environments like operating rooms are where infection control is a top priority.
  • High-traffic areas like hallways, nurse stations, and elevator lobbies.

They’re also a smart solution when the unexpected happens. If a leak, system failure, or emergency repair requires fast action, these walls can be installed in hours, not days, helping you respond quickly without compromising safety or workflow.

Wherever there’s renovation inside an occupied healthcare facility, temporary wall systems give you the control, flexibility, and confidence to manage it well.

Keep Safety at the Center of Every Renovation

Every renovation comes with pressure, protecting patients, keeping projects on schedule, and maintaining infection control standards. You need more than a dust barrier. You need a solution that supports the way you work.

Temporary wall systems like STARC® help you manage construction without compromising the safety, reputation, or functionality of your facility. They install quickly, contain risk effectively, and help you stay ahead of compliance.

Whether you're planning ahead or responding to an urgent repair, these systems give you the control to move forward with confidence.

Download the HEPA vs. ULPA Guide to take the next step in strengthening your infection control strategy, and see how effective containment and air quality management work together in clinical settings.