Where Ambulances Live, the Walls Work Hard 

The Challenge: Walls Built for a Punishing Environment

EMS facilities—particularly ambulance bays—subject their interior surfaces to a level of daily stress that most building materials aren't designed for. Vehicles enter and exit repeatedly throughout the day. In Manitoba winters, that means road salt, slush, and moisture tracking in constantly. Equipment and stretchers make contact with walls. Crews wash down vehicles and surfaces as part of routine protocols. 

As Kevin described it: "Ambulance bays in particular are exposed to moisture from vehicles, snow and road debris in winter months, as well as frequent washing of vehicles and equipment. Walls can experience impacts from equipment or stretchers, while ceilings and wall surfaces need to withstand regular cleaning and disinfecting." 

The consequences of choosing the wrong material are predictable and costly: staining, surface damage, repainting cycles, and the ongoing maintenance burden of keeping a degrading surface looking presentable. "Traditional materials can sometimes be prone to damage, staining, or require repainting and ongoing maintenance to keep the facility looking clean and professional." For a health authority managing multiple facilities, that maintenance overhead adds up—and its time and resources that could be better spent elsewhere. 

The Solution: A Surface That Matches the Demand

When evaluating materials for their EMS facilities, Southern Health–Santé Sud was looking for something specific: durable, moisture-resistant, impact-tolerant, and easy to clean—with a bright finish that would maintain a professional appearance without constant upkeep. 

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard checked every box. As Kevin noted, "Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard was selected because it offered a durable, moisture-resistant surface that is well suited to operational environments like ambulance bays. The product provides a smooth, bright surface that is easy to clean and maintain. It also offers good resistance to moisture and impacts compared to more traditional wall finishes, which made it a practical choice for areas where vehicles and equipment are constantly moving in and out." 

The non-porous PVC surface means that moisture doesn't penetrate, mold doesn't take hold, and cleaning agents work at the surface level rather than being absorbed. In a healthcare environment where infection control is a background concern in everything that matters. 

Ile des Chênes, Manitoba EMS Facility

Rock Lake, Manitoba EMS Facility

Morris, Manitoba EMS Facility

Portage, Manitoba EMS Facility

The Outcome: Less Maintenance, Better Performance

The Trusscore panels have performed reliably across the EMS facility network. "Since installation, the material has held up well in the EMS facilities. It has proven to be durable in areas with regular vehicle traffic and daily operational use. From a maintenance perspective, it has required very little upkeep. The surfaces have remained in good condition and have not required the level of repair or repainting that can sometimes be associated with more traditional wall systems." 

The ease-of-cleaning benefit has been particularly meaningful for staff. "The smooth surface allows staff to quickly wipe down walls and maintain a clean environment. The bright finish also helps improve the overall lighting in the ambulance bays, which contributes to a cleaner and more professional-looking facility." 

For a construction manager responsible for a distributed network of operational buildings, that combination—minimal maintenance demand, sustained appearance, and easy day-to-day cleaning—translates directly into operational efficiency. Kevin summed it up plainly: "Overall, the material has supported our goal of maintaining functional, durable, and easy-to-maintain EMS spaces."