Interior design


vertical blinds may be chosen. They can be adjusted to lightly obscure the view of what is going on inside or fully closed when necessary to maintain privacy. Vertical blinds can also be used as an alternative to voiles, for example, behind curtains in a reception area to filter light. When it comes to practicality, the chain or wand control of a blind does need more dexterity than pulling curtains – perhaps a trickier ask for arthritic fingers. Frustrations and rough handling could lead to breakages that are simple but a little annoying to fix. For vertical blinds, as the construction uses multiple strips of fabric (louvres) hanging lengthways, they will not collect dust in the same way a venetian blind would, but they are generally more laborious to clean than curtains, so they should not be installed in spaces where regular cleaning is anticipated.


Ensuring compliance with fire retardancy regulations Whatever curtain or blind is chosen, they must adhere to fire retardancy regulations. The CQC Regulation 15 for premises and equipment includes a Fire Safety Risk Assessment (FSRA) for residential care premises.5


PVC roller blinds work well in bathrooms and kitchen areas


It identifies curtains as a source of fuel for a fire, and notes that fabrics used for curtains, drapes and roller blinds should meet British Standard BS 5867 part 2 type B. This can include fabrics that have been treated to be flame retardant, and fabrics that are inherently flame retardant. When sourcing curtains or blinds, choosing an inherently flame retardant fabric is usually the best option. Fabric that has been treated to be fire retardant can lose its fire retardancy properties when it is washed, whereas inherently flame retardant fabric can be washed many times without any impacts on its fire retardancy properties. And this should not be a limiting factor to your design – the choice of inherently fire retardant fabrics is vast. If a CQC inspection is due, do consider checking curtains and blinds to identify


whether they are fire retardant. How would you know if a curtain is fire retardant? Most retail off-the-shelf curtains and blinds have no fire retardancy properties as the regulations are different for domestic settings. Take a closer look at the curtain or blind. Those that have been made of a fabric that has been tested for fire performance flammability by a UKAS accredited organisation, as is required by the FSRA, will usually have a label stating that the fabric is compliant with BS 5867 and note the part and type that it meets. If you do not see the label, get in touch with a specialist who can help you find fire retardant replacements. Whether your refurbishment is part of a care home’s natural cycle of maintenance, a complete renovation, or the CQC has picked up a fire safety issue, window dressings need not be a last minute panic. Find a specialist who can help you source curtains, blinds, and soft furnishings that are compliant, attractive, and will help to provide a comfortable and safe environment for your residents.


References 1 https://panaz.com/innovation/dementia- care/


2 https://dementiaallianceinternational.org/ blog/colour-and-pattern-in-dementia-care- environments


3 https://www.hunterlab.com/blog/how-our- perception-of-color-changes-as-we-age/


4 https://dementiaallianceinternational.org/ blog/colour-and-pattern-in-dementia-care- environments


Vertical blinds can be used as an alternative to voiles April 2025 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com


5 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ media/5a78f45fe5274a277e690c37/fsra- residential-care.pdf


Look for a label that states that the fabric is compliant with fire retardancy legislation


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Brendan Pocock


Brendan Pocock began his career in his father’s retail interiors shop, where he saw a gap in the market for a contract curtain and blind specialist that provides retail-quality products and services. Today, Bridge is the UK’s go-to contract curtains and blinds supplier, with Brendan’s expertise and values central to its vision, quality and service.


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