SLUICE ROOMS
Sluice rooms generate humidity and odour. Proper extraction is essential to maintain negative pressure where required to ensure air-borne bacteria does not enter other areas. Again, this must be engineered early.
When a room is poorly designed, staff are forced to improvise. Improvisation leads to shortcuts, and shortcuts increase the risk of infection. To avoid this, construction teams should observe clinical workflows during the design phase, gaining insight into how the space will actually be used.
n Reputational damage. n Expensive remedial works.
Common compliance failures include:
n In operable layout. n No dedicated hand wash basin. n Inadequate space for separation. n Domestic-grade finishes. n Poorly maintained or incorrectly installed Bedpan Washer Disinfectors. n Lack of ventilation.
For developers working to tight commercial timelines, failing inspection due to preventable design oversights is entirely avoidable. Early collaboration with infection control
advisors, equipment suppliers, and specialists, mitigates this risk.
Margot Glover
Margot Glover is the current managing director of Stanbridge Limited, a leading provider of infection control solutions. Joining the company in 2008 as business development manager, she became sales director in 2010 and assumed overall responsibility of the company in 2019. With a strong background in sales and business growth, Margot is also deeply passionate about training and delivering infection control and prevention programs. Her expertise in this field has been instrumental in driving Stanbridge’s mission to improve healthcare standards, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of innovation and quality in infection prevention & sustainable methods of disposal.
Engaging specialists at design stage Sluice room specialists understand the spatial and service implications of equipment selection. Engaging the services of our specialists early can provide you with: n Accurate room planning: ensuring every piece of equipment fits seamlessly while maintaining accessibility and safety.
n Confirmed service requirements so plumbing, electrical, and drainage needs are identified and integrated from the outset.
n Workflow-optimised layouts designed to minimise staff movement, reduce contamination risk, and streamline daily operations.
n Clear compliance alignment guaranteeing that all installations meet current healthcare and regulatory standards.
n Reduced redesign risk saving time, cost, and frustration by avoiding last-minute changes during construction or refurbishment.
Waiting until procurement stage removes flexibility and limits options.
The operational perspective: designing for staff efficiency A well-designed sluice room is not just about passing inspections; it is about making life easier for the staff who use it every day and the safety of the residents and patients. An efficient layout: n Reduces unnecessary movement. n Minimises manual handling risks. n Speeds up turnaround times, which allows for more time dedicated to patient care.
n Encourages correct hygiene practices. 174 Health Estate Journal October 2026
Lifecycle thinking: beyond initial installation and planning for the long term When selecting equipment, it is important to think beyond the initial installation. A sluice room should be designed not just for day-one functionality, but for years of safe, efficient use. Consider factors such as durability, ease of maintenance, and adaptability over time. Ask questions like: n Can the bedpan washer or other equipment be serviced without tearing down walls?
n Are valves, isolation points, and service connections easily accessible?
n Will the materials stand up to repeated exposure to cleaning products over a decade or more?
n Is there flexibility to replace or upgrade equipment as technology or clinical needs evolve?
By planning with the full lifecycle in mind, you reduce future disruptions, avoid costly retrofits, and ensure the room continues to support staff and patient safety for years to come.
Designing only for day-one compliance is short-sighted. Designing for lifecycle resilience protects the client’s investment.
The commercial case for early planning Planning sluice rooms early is not just good practice; it makes financial and operational sense. Early integration can: n Reduce costly changes and redesigns. n Streamline commissioning and handover. n Lower overall project risk. n Help contractors demonstrate proactive infection control.
In competitive tenders, showing that you understand how the room will actually function (and not just what the drawings say) can set your bid apart. Today’s healthcare clients expect contractors to appreciate operational realities, ensuring the facility works efficiently from day one.
Elevating the status of the sluice room Infection prevention begins with environment. The sluice room may be out of sight to patients, but it is central to safe care delivery. For contractors, architects, and developers working in hospitals, the lesson is clear: do not leave sluice room design to the end. Integrate it at concept stage. Plan the workflow. Confirm utilities early. Specify robust materials. Install mandatory equipment correctly. Design for compliance, durability, and efficiency. When the sluice room works properly, no one notices.
When it does not work properly, everyone does. By proactively addressing the design of a sluice room
within the planning stage of a hospital build, you can be sure you are delivering a compliant build that exceeds your clients’ expectations and safeguards the long-term operation within the facility, and provides a foundation which, with the appropriate ongoing maintenance, will aid infection prevention and control for many years.
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