Washroom Making a clean break
Keeping washrooms in offices and other commercial buildings clean and hygienic is essential not just to create a good impression on visitors, who often use such areas as a marker by which to judge the rest of the building, but also for the health and wellbeing of staff. Trevor Bowers, managing director at leading washroom manufacturer Washroom Washroom, discusses how specifying appropriate materials and including specially designed features will ensure facilities managers are able to provide clean and hygienic washrooms.
n high traffic environments such as offices, germs and bacteria can spread quickly so it’s vital to be able to keep key areas such as washrooms clean and hygienic at all times. A clean, well-maintained washroom space can in turn help to promote healthy, hygienic habits among users further minimising the spread of germs. Choosing particular materials for a washroom area is one way of helping to effectively maintain hygiene standards throughout facilities with ease. Specifying Solid Grade Laminate (SGL) for cubicle doors, which is not only extremely durable, but also provides a hygienic, easy-to-clean surface, is one example of this in practice. The solid surface construction of SGL means that with no substrate, it removes the need for independent edging which could come off, looking unsightly over time. Increasingly important within the commercial office setting is the provision of adequate staff shower facilities to cater for the growing number of workers walking or cycling into the office. Using materials such as SGL or glass, which are both easy to clean and resistant to moisture, in addition to anodised aluminium, will ensure washroom areas remain clean and well-maintained. For vanity units, Staron, which is manufactured with a blend of natural minerals and pure acrylic resin, making it highly durable, is an ideal option as it is
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easy to clean and is also both nonporous and stain-resistant. Staron is designed so that it can be joined with no visible seams or crevices creating an integrated smooth finish, which not only looks the part, but is also easy to clean and maintain. Alternatively, Silestone, which is available in over 60 different colours or three different textures and is manufactured from natural quartz, is highly resistant to stains and scratches and has the added benefit of its antibacterial protection ensuring maximum hygiene for surfaces. A popular choice within the commercial sector is the use of Solid Surface Corian for vanity units. Corian, which has an ultra-durable solid surface structure and is easy to clean, can be manufactured in a wide range of colours and cut to any shape or size, allowing designers to create a luxury space, without compromise. On a recent commercial project, Washroom installed Corian vanity troughs, designed with a slight slope in order to divert water directly into a central drain while on another project, a bespoke bag shelf design was incorporated into the unit. Reducing the need for end users to touch surfaces by installing infrared sensors on flushes and taps will improve the overall cleanliness and hygiene of washrooms in the commercial sector. Installing such products not only helps protect end users and keep the washroom clean, but adds to the overall style of the area too. Taking this to a new level, Washroom recently installed state- of-the-art new Dyson Airblade integrated taps during a refurbishment project at the View from the Shard visitor attraction in London. The effortlessly stylish Airblade Tap, which features infrared motion sensors for hygienic use, was designed by renowned British
Building & Facilities Management – December 2013
engineering group Dyson and combines hot and cold water outlets with a high speed hand dryer all in one unit. Consumables are another key aspect of washroom hygiene, but can cause a headache for facilities managers as many dispensers are difficult and time-consuming to access and, from a design point of view, can clutter up surfaces making the washroom look untidy. With this in mind, on several recent commercial projects Washroom installed concealed units, with space for consumables such as liquid soap and paper towels housed behind mirror units designed to open easily to allow access for refilling. Waste bins for paper towels can also be incorporated into vanity units, taking away the need for standalone bins. In any washroom there will always be the need for ongoing maintenance, whether planned or reactive, so ensuring this can be carried out easily and with minimal disruption is essential. The use of a specially designed integrated duct panelling system, which can be fitted in sections on site to a secure aluminium framework, helps to create an attractive smooth finish, not only making cleaning easier, but also allowing for easy access for future maintenance and repairs. Washroom’s bespoke integrated duct panel system offers a practical solution and can be manufactured in a wide range of colours, adding to the overall design by creating a smooth appearance with clean lines and boxing off any unsightly fittings. By taking time to consider the needs of end users at the outset, particularly the need to ensure washrooms remain hygienically clean and well-maintained, facilities managers can achieve this while also saving valuable time.
For more information on the range of services and products offered by Washroom Washroom, please visit
www.washroom.co.uk, call 0845 470 3000 or email
sales@washroom.co.uk
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