Cover story – advertising feature
user and assist their movement within the washroom. The elderly or people with reduced mobility can easily lose their balance and fall. If they reach for the nearest handhold, whether this is a bar, a riser rail, or even a shower mixer, it must support the additional force required to arrest their fall. Similarly, the mixer body must be at an ambient temperature to prevent burns, and the type of fixings subsequently becomes very important. DELABIE’s recessed thermostatic sequential shower mechanism is inaccessible to the user and Be-Line®
grab bars have concealed
fixings which prevent unwanted removal. In the event of the user falling, grab bar dimensions also take on a greater significance. If the user slips, their arm may get trapped between the wall and the grab bar, resulting in a fracture. By limiting the gap between the bar and the wall, this can be avoided.
User comfort must not be neglected when considering design and function. For example, to provide full support, the profile of the grab bar or support rail must allow a firm, natural hold. If the profile is too angular, the hand cannot grasp the bar properly. Similarly, if the diameter is too small or too large, the forearm muscle is activated rather than the shoulder muscle, placing unnecessary strain on the user. Likewise taps, showers, and WCs should also be easy to operate e.g. non-contact, electronic controls or ones with long levers which can be operated by a fist or elbow. Inclusive washrooms should economise on user effort while maximising user safety.
Hygiene considerations Hygiene in inclusive washrooms is essential, especially for those in constant use. Taps, WCs, grab bars, and even soap dispensers, should have simple designs with hard- wearing surfaces with minimal joins where dirt and bacteria can accumulate. Sanitaryware and accessories that are manufactured in one-piece have a distinct hygiene advantage over complex designs. The straight sections of grab bars should
be extruded in one piece to avoid seams where the hands have most frequent contact. Smooth, uniform surfaces such as stainless steel or high-density nylon offer excellent hygienic properties. They will both withstand intensive use and regular cleaning so the surface remains smooth and bright, maintaining the attractive appearance of the washroom. Design also plays an important role in
May 2023
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
Matching, stylish accessories improve residents’ wellbeing
hygiene. Complex shower seat structures have multiple niches where soap and dirt can build up, allowing bacteria to develop. Simple, clean lines reduce such niches and facilitate cleaning. The seat profile is equally important, as water must be able to drain away to avoid pooling. Any standing water, especially soapy water, provides a slip hazard and encourages bacterial growth.
Anti-bacterial coatings A key design trend that is emerging in the non-domestic care sector is for coloured grab bars. Most coloured grab bars are painted, allowing manufacturers to have one manufacturing process yet offer a wide range of finishes. The paint has an anti- microbial component which kills bacteria. The active ingredient is on the surface, but when the product gets scratched, the anti- bacterial qualities disappear. In high-traffic installations, the paint can be damaged and will sometimes peel off, depending on the paint quality and/or the humidity levels in the washroom. Over time, niches can form where bacteria can adhere, increasing the risk of contamination. Some grab bars are coated with an anti- microbial adhesive film. Once breached, the user is in direct contact with the actual finish of the grab bar. Very often this is painted steel with no anti-bacterial qualities. DELABIE’s NylonClean grab bars incorporate an anti-bacterial treatment which protects against the appearance of mould. The active ingredient is integrated into the material during the manufacturing process. Therefore, the antibacterial property will not degrade and cannot be removed over time by UV rays or even successive cleaning with chemical products. NylonClean’s anti-bacterial efficiency is long-lasting and is proven by an
independent laboratory. Particular attention has been paid to the design of the NylonClean grab bars to reduce the number of joins and seams. The straight sections which have the most frequent contact with hands are extruded in one piece. This means fewer niches where bacteria can develop, reducing the build-up of dirt and the appearance of a tell-tale black line in the seams. Specifying inclusive washrooms in the
care sector no longer means compromising on style. Domestic trends for design are filtering through to the non-domestic sector – the key is to incorporate stylish designs that will withstand intensive use while maintaining user safety and hygiene standards. In environments subject to intensive use, attractive products with easy-to-clean surfaces are more likely to promote residents’ wellbeing. There is no compromise on functionality or ergonomics, ensuring safety for all users of accessible washrooms in the care sector. n
Carole Armstrong
Carole Armstrong is the marketing and communications manager for DELABIE UK Ltd. Initially based at the head office in Picardy, France, she has been with the company for 14 years and is responsible for technical translations, media relations, and events in the UK market. DELABIE is the European market leader for tapware and sanitary accessories providing innovative, hygienic, and sustainable solutions for the public and commercial sectors, including healthcare, education, leisure, and catering.
01491 824449
www.delabie.co.uk
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