CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN
Acoustics Providing an environment with minimal noise is essential in healthcare facilities. Noise in such buildings can have a variety of sources including alarms, machines, wheeled traffic (moving beds, wheelchairs, and carts), HVAC systems and people. This noise can be harmful if it causes increased levels of stress or disturbs rest and sleep of the patients.
Sleep is an important part of recovery and general wellbeing for anyone. Research has shown that despite the need for rest and recovery during acute illness, hospitalisation is a period of acute sleep deprivation for older adults due to environmental factors. Sleep loss in hospital is associated with worse health outcomes and non-pharmacological interventions have shown promise in improving sleep loss.4 Research by acoustical engineers at John Hopkins
University found that noise in hospitals has significantly increased since the 1960s; average daytime hospital sound levels have risen from 57 to 72 dB, while average night-time levels have increased from 42 to 60 dB.5
All
One of the key priorities for all hospitals is to ensure that patients, visitors, and staff are protected from the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
quality of life can all be compromised, but appropriately designed environments – including the correct specification of floor coverings – can help keep them safe. Currently, there are around 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK, a figure that is projected to rise to 1.6 million people by 2040.3
Dementia is an umbrella term
that covers a range of conditions that affect the brain, with each of the different types of dementia having different sets of symptoms and effects. This can include issues with memory, thinking, reasoning, language, movement, and motor control. Dementia can also affect perception, so people may have problems seeing things in three dimensions and judging distances. In collaboration with the Dementia Services Design
Centre (DSDC), Forbo has developed a portfolio of solutions that work with their set of guidelines to ensure that everyone can navigate a building safely: n It is recommended that a difference of 30 degrees in Light Reflectance Values (LRV) is achieved between surfaces – such as floors, walls, and doors.
n Adjoining floor areas must be similar tonally to prevent the perception of a step that is not there and could cause a fall. Flooring LRVs should be within eight degrees of each other (although less is better).
n The transition strips between flooring should also match the tones of both flooring surfaces, with an ideal difference of no more than three degrees of LRV. Greater tonal difference can again create the illusion of a change in floor height.
n For flooring, a matt finish with a simple, plain design is recommended. Flecked, striped, or patterned effects or flooring that incorporates a logo should be avoided as these can cause confusion and hallucinations. Also, glossy or sparkly flooring could be perceived as a wet surface.
30 Health Estate Journal February 2026
these levels exceed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of 35 dB upper limit for sound levels in patient rooms. As such, creating a comfortable acoustic environment can play an important role in supporting safety, health, and wellbeing for all occupants. In recognition of the effect noise can have on individuals, manufacturers are constantly striving to develop innovative acoustic products to meet customer demand and regulatory requirements. Building elements such as acoustic ceilings, partitions, and flooring can all offer significant contributions to noise reduction. In fact, floor coverings can help in two ways: impact sound reduction (noise generated by traffic contacting the floor surface that is transmitted through the floor to rooms below) and reducing in-room impact noise. In specifying acoustic products, it is important that they not only meet the sound reducing objectives but also the functional and design requirements. There are many floor coverings available on the
market for healthcare buildings that meet these various considerations, but one of the most popular choices is vinyl, thanks to the fresh and striking colour tones and performance characteristics. Understanding the relevant building codes and
healthcare regulations regarding flooring materials will ensure compliance and that all safety and healthcare standards are met. It is also worth conducting acoustic testing or consulting with flooring experts to assess the suitability of various flooring materials for your specific healthcare facility. This can help identify potential acoustic issues and guide the decision-making process. Paying attention to the installation method and subfloor
preparation to minimise noise transmission between floors will also ensure the acoustic performance of the flooring.
Health first Some might say these are givens in a hospital setting, but the right flooring can impact heavily on each of these areas.
n Infection control One of the key priorities for all hospitals is to ensure that patients, visitors, and staff are protected from the risk of healthcare-associated infections caused by bacteria (germs), which should be in accordance with the requirements set out in The Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. When it comes to infection control, there is no better
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