washrooms


Well-designed facilities with


durable sanitary fittings will keep unintentional vandalism at bay


will pre-empt such problems and provide facilities that are fit for purpose. Taps and showers intended for


washrooms subject to intensive use, such as in hospitals, must, therefore, be made of robust and durable materials. Push-button controls and


mechanisms should have no fragile moving parts. Delabie’s electronic sensors are


designed and tested to withstand impact, even though they are also designed to be non-touch. And accessories such as soap


dispensers, paper towel dispensers and grab bars for accessible toilets are made from 304 stainless steel – the surface reacts spontaneously with oxygen, forming a protective layer and guarding the surface against corrosion.


Secure fixings Water controls with secure fixings will withstand a heavy-handed user and also more-deliberate vandalism. For example, there are tapware


Damage limitation


Damage, either intentional or unintentional, can be a major issue in hospital washrooms, causing closures and disruption and costing huge amounts to put right. Carole Armstong of Delabie UK explains how manufacturers can help with the problem


I


n public facilities, such as hospital washrooms, there is a wide variety of technology, and a lack of familiarity


may result in unintentional breakages, or even injury to a person, if the user does not know how an electronic tap works or how to adjust the temperature. Frustration or impatience may also


manifest in increasingly-abusive behaviour, and sanitary fittings are a convenient target. But there are things that can be done


to mitigate the problem. Aesthetics play a large part. Washroom facilities with an obvious


lack of maintenance – broken tiling, soap dispensers with no soap, WCs or urinals with water stains – will lead to contempt for the facilities. In contrast, attractive surroundings with well-maintained fixtures and clean,


46 healthcaredm.co.uk


bright surfaces are more likely to elicit respect and care from users.


Fit for purpose System considerations need to be factored in, too. Pipe size, dynamic pressure and flow


rates play an important role. Failing to adapt the WC flush to


system pressure, for example, will cause over spray, leading to wet floors and creating a hazard for users. Similarly, excessive splashing from an


incorrectly-positioned shower head or an undersized basin will result in surfaces becoming discoloured, joint integrity may fail, materials may warp with the damp, and hygiene becomes a major concern. Products that can be easily adjusted to system conditions during installation


ranges that fix firmly in place via threaded rods with a horseshoe bracket and back nuts to tighten onto the working surface. Cross-wall fixings and anti-rotating


pins provide an additional level of stability that will withstand any torsion or twisting. And fully-recessed models with


tamperproof or concealed fixings leave no opportunity for even the most-determined vandal to access the mechanisms. Consideration is often given to how


to prevent overt vandalism, but facilities managers and building owners need to consider the impact of unintentional vandalism. And manufacturers, in turn, need


to create water controls and sanitary fittings that will minimise the impact of involuntary damage.


www.delabie.com


1. Stainless steel soap dispenser 304 stainless steel has a self-repairing surface 2. TEMPOFLUX 2 dual flush WC valve Recessed WC valves are difficult to access 3. BINOPTIC electronic tap: Shock-resistant sensors withstand repeated impact


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