SLUICE ROOMS
For contractors, designers, and developers working in healthcare environments, the message is clear: sluice room design must be integrated at concept stage and not retrofitted when space is already constrained.
into project overruns, rework, reputational damage, and unplanned costs. The solution is simple in principle: design it correctly from
the beginning.
The Stanbridge CS Compact Superior Bedpan Washer Disinfector Machine.
Mandatory equipment: designing for compliance When designing a sluice room, there are fundamental items which must be included without fail to meet minimum equipment and hygiene standards set by CQC regulators. These must not only be present, but they must also be positioned and serviced correctly. The three crucial pieces of equipment which must be present in a compliant sluice room are:
1. Bedpan Washer Disinfector or alternative human waste disposal method
The Bedpan Washer Disinfector is the central piece of equipment within the sluice room. It ensures that bedpans and urinals are thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated. By automating this process, it reduces the risk of infection, protects healthcare staff, and maintains strict Infection prevention standards. Operating with high temperatures to decontaminate with steam it delivers consistent, safe, and efficient disinfection, making it a central tool in patient care and infection control. To install and operate the machine correctly it requires: n Cold water supply. n Drainage installed with appropriate falls and gradients.
n Electrical supply.
Designers must consult manufacturer technical data at early stage to confirm service requirements, dimensions, and clearance zones. Crucially, the machine’s position influences the entire layout. Services cannot simply be ‘brought in later’ without consequence to suitability or project costs.
2. Dedicated hand wash basin A clinical hand wash basin is a compulsory item to include within a sluice room. It must: n Be separate from any manual sluice or janitorial sink combination and for the sole use of Hand washing only.
n Include appropriate splashback protection.
n Support hands-free operation where required.
n Be in support of correct workflow. 172 Health Estate Journal October 2026
Selecting domestic-grade finishes for a healthcare sluice is a false economy.
The cost of retrofitting vs designing from the start Sluice rooms are often compromised because spatial allowances are made late in the process. By the time mechanical and electrical services are fixed, walls are up, and plumbing routes are defined, relocating utilities to accommodate compliant equipment becomes expensive and disruptive. Common late-stage problems include:
n Insufficient drainage capacity for a washer disinfector. n No dedicated hot and cold water supplies in the correct location.
n Electrical points positioned incorrectly for equipment layout.
n Inadequate space to maintain clean/dirty segregation. n No clear handwash provision within workflow.
At that stage, contractors may be forced to reconfigure
Its position is strategic. Staff should wash hands immediately after handling contaminated items and again before leaving the room. Placing the basin behind the washer or in a corner that forces backtracking undermines infection control practice
3. Racking and storage for clean, ready to use utensils Appropriate storage racks are required for clean bedpans and utensils. These racks should: n Be clearly segregated from dirty processes. n Be made from wipeable, corrosion-resistant, stainless- steel material.
n Allow air circulation where necessary. n Be mounted securely to prevent movement.
Proper racking and storage are essential. They establish and maintain the integrity of the clean zone, supporting infection control, workflow, and patient safety.
Materials matter: specifying for durability and hygiene Sluice rooms operate in high-moisture, high-use environments. Material specification is not an aesthetic decision; it is a hygiene and lifecycle decision.
n Why stainless steel is recommended Stainless steel is widely recommended for healthcare environments due to: n Corrosion resistance. n Non-porous surface. n Ease of cleaning. n Durability under chemical exposure. n Long lifecycle performance.
Unlike coated metals or lower-grade materials, stainless steel does not rust or degrade when exposed to aggressive cleaning agents. It withstands thermal disinfection processes and regular wipe-down protocols. When specifying sinks, worktops, racking and cabinetry,
contractors should prioritise healthcare-grade stainless steel solutions.
n Wall and floor finishes Other material considerations include: n Seamless, coved flooring to eliminate dirt traps. n Impervious wall cladding. n Hygienic junction detailing. n Slip-resistant finishes.
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