INTERIOR DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Protecting walls and brightening up spaces
Maria Morgan, Product manager for Wall Protection at Gradus, outlines how good wall protection can contribute – by reducing wear and tear, and creating a more pleasant environment for patients, staff, and visitors alike.
The need for wall protection solutions in healthcare buildings has never been greater. This is made clear by the fact that, every 24 hours, the NHS sees more than one million patients. Such high volumes of traffic naturally cause scrapes and scuffs to walls, corners, and doors – to say nothing of the constant flow of trolleys, wheelchairs, and beds. This damage costs large amounts of money in maintenance and repairs, and impacts on the appearance of the buildings’ environments – which can be perceived by some as a reflection of the care being provided. To insure against this, a wide range of easy-to-clean wall protection products are available. These prevent everyday damage to walls, corners, and medical equipment, reducing long-term expenditure on maintenance, repair, and refurbishment. In addition, they play a role in the aesthetics of the interior, protecting it from blemishes, and making it more attractive through their ability to be specified in a range of colours and finishes that complement practically any design scheme.
‘Zoning’ into different areas The best and most cost-effective approach when specifying wall protection for healthcare estates is to ‘zone’ the building into different areas, each defined by the volume and type of traffic it experiences. Some ‘zones’ will be bombarded by wheeled traffic made up of trolleys, medical equipment, wheelchairs, beds, and catering trollies – whereas others may host relatively light pedestrian footfall. The amount and type of traffic that each zone experiences dictates the type of wall protection system it requires. Only with careful planning based on a range of factors will you be able to get the right solution for your requirements.
Keeping corridors free from unsightly damage
Corridors and circulation areas are typically the busiest areas of any healthcare facility. To keep the walls looking good for longer – and reduce the need for frequent repairs and repainting – it is wise to consider installing a range of
It is now widely accepted that creating a positive environment in healthcare settings has a significant impact on patients’ wellbeing, potentially leading to fewer infections, therapeutic benefits, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stays.1
wall protection solutions that work together. This is recommended for all corridors, but especially for higher-traffic areas. A key requirement for corridors is wall cladding. When installed to half the height of the wall, wall cladding will resist most direct impact damage, as well as the many scuffs and scrapes caused by the constant flow of traffic. A solution that is through-coloured will conceal the effects of impact and abrasion, by ensuring that any surface damage appears as the same colour as the rest of the cladding. Equally essential to a comprehensive wall protection system are wall guards. These should be installed in the areas of the wall that receive the most contact, where they will provide robust protection through a combination of vinyl covers, aluminium retainers, and internal bumpers designed to absorb and dissipate impact. Wall protection systems also play an important role in helping visitors and staff navigate their way around the building. It is good practice to use colour within each zone to provide people with a visual cue about where they are and where they should go. It’s also recommended to ensure that you install wall guards with vinyl covers and other components that can be easily replaced, as this makes future maintenance easier.
Vulnerable corners
Gradus Bed Head Protectors have angled profiles – to protect beds and other moveable objects against wall impact.
The most vulnerable areas of any building, though, are the corners. When left exposed, corners in healthcare facilities can be easily damaged by everyday wheeled or pedestrian traffic, again leading to unsightly damage and higher maintenance bills. To combat this, consider high-impact corner guards that feature aluminium retainers to provide a reinforced defence against high-impact damage, combined with shock-absorbent vinyl covers that can be easily replaced if damaged. While most corner damage occurs at lower heights, it is worth considering full-height corner guards, since some trolleys and carts reach up to two metres in height.
January 2020 Health Estate Journal 57
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