A bed head unit should be specified by room type, not copied unchanged across an entire hospital. A general ward, treatment room and higher-acuity room may call for different service quantities and layouts. The room schedule is the document that turns those differences into a quote a supplier can check.

Start with the room, not the unit

Begin by listing every room that will receive a bed head unit. For each, record the room number, department, bed position, wall construction and available mounting length. Note whether the room is new-build or a retrofit, as this affects fixing methods and service routing. Then, for each room, list the required services: medical gas outlets, electrical sockets, lighting, switches, nurse call devices, and any accessory rails or modules. The quantities and types must come from the clinical team and the project engineer, not from a generic template.

Questions to resolve before contacting suppliers

For each room, ask: What services are required, and in what order should they appear? Where will the bed be placed, and does the layout allow staff to reach all outlets without obstruction? Are there any wall constraints that limit mounting length or require special fixings? How will services be connected—from above, below, or within the wall? What finish and labelling standards apply? Which items should be supplied loose versus pre-assembled? These questions should be answered by the qualified facility team and documented in the room schedule.

Comparison dimensions for evaluating proposals

When reviewing supplier quotations, compare them against your room schedule on these dimensions: completeness of the bill of materials (are all required modules included?), clarity of the layout drawing (does it show module order and dimensions?), mounting method (does it suit the wall construction?), service access (can maintenance be performed without removing the unit?), and labelling (does it match your facility's standards?). Also check what is supplied loose versus assembled, as this affects installation time. Any deviations should be clarified in writing before order placement.

Practical RFQ checklist

Use this checklist to prepare your request for quotation:

• Room schedule with room numbers, types, and bed positions

• Required services per room, with quantities and types

• Preferred module order and layout constraints

• Wall construction details and mounting restrictions

• Finish and labelling requirements

• Service connection points and routing

• Items to be supplied loose versus assembled

• Required documentation: layout drawing, bill of materials, installation instructions

Decision boundaries and what to verify

Before finalising, confirm that the proposed configuration meets the project's regulatory and clinical requirements. Verify that the supplier's layout drawing matches your room schedule exactly, and that the bill of materials includes all necessary components. Check that the mounting method is suitable for your wall type and that service access will not be blocked. Request model-specific documents to confirm dimensions, materials, and compliance with applicable standards. Where information is missing, ask the supplier to provide it in writing. Do not rely on verbal assurances.

Kersai's bed head unit range can support a discussion once the room schedule is ready. Ask for a model-specific layout drawing and a bill of materials before approving the order.