INTERIOR DESIGN SOLUTIONS
To blend in – or to contrast? Most wall protection products can either be specified in colours and tones that contrast with the surrounding wall surfaces, or that blend in with them. The advantage of wall protection that blends in is that this will not compromise the particular style that you are seeking to establish. For example, if the aim is to create a deliberately non-clinical environment, the best option may be ‘invisible’ protection that performs its job unnoticed. Alternatively, contrasting wall protection can, in some cases, prevent damage. This is due to the fact that it helps to warn people of potential hazards or projections, such as lamppost covers. One type of wall protection that should definitely stand out, however, is handrails. Designed to provide pedestrians with guidance and support, while also offering a degree of surface protection from wheeled traffic, handrails and combination rails should have a light reflective value (LRV) of at least 30 points’ difference to the surface that surrounds them, as this ensures ease of recognition.
Other requirements for handrails include that they should be easy and comfortable to grip, slip-resistant, and not cold to the touch. This is in line with Approved Document M – Volume 2, and BS 8300-2:2018.
Protecting vital medical equipment Wall protection not only protects the fabric of the building – it also helps to prevent damage to vital medical equipment. The act of pushing the bed against the wall can cause damage to such equipment, while the raising, lowering, and tilting of the bed can clash with overhead trunking. To address this, correctly projected protection will help to keep the bedhead away from the trunking, and indeed anything plugged into it. At Gradus, we have designed special Bed Head Protectors to provide maximum protection against such damage. Their angled profiles, when attached to the walls, make them ideal for
SureProtect Design is also available with a bespoke print option, which can be used to portray any design the customer wishes, such as a relaxing landscape in a theatre.
keeping beds and other moveable objects away from wall impact. Extender options are available for increased protection.
Impervious surfaces ‘for ultimate hygiene’
In certain areas of any healthcare building, of course, the main priority is hygiene. As well as being able to withstand impact from medical equipment that is moved around, wall protection in clinical environments must be impervious to bacteria and moisture, in line with HBN 00-10. For such areas, it is essential that the surface is smooth and easy to clean, as well as able to cope with the heavy- duty cleaning chemicals frequently used in such areas. Consider a solution that can also be thermoformed on site to produce bespoke profiles, such as corner guards or ‘U’-shapes, if required.
Similarly, bathrooms in healthcare facilities require effective wall protection – particularly in the case of rooms that include hoists or wheelchairs to help patients with disabilities. Here, robust
cladding that can withstand not just impact, but intensive chemical cleaning, is again the best option. As with clinical environments, the solution should be smooth and easy to clean, presenting a tougher alternative to ceramic tiles, and removing the need for grout, which can harbour bacteria.
Waiting rooms and family rooms Finally, the main consideration when specifying wall protection for waiting rooms and family rooms should be the sensory experience of the user. For these rooms, it is key that – as well as providing an effective barrier to scuffs and scrapes – cladding creates a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere, ideally with no trace of a clinical feel. To meet this requirement, Gradus SureProtect Design is available in a range of contemporary finishes that help to create a modern, aesthetically pleasing interior – from warm wood- effects to modern, metallic styles. SureProtect Design is also available with a bespoke print option, which can be used
A corridor incorporating both corner and wall guards. 58 Health Estate Journal January 2020
Sheet wall protection can be cut into bespoke designs.
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