Incorporating Safety Into Existing Washrooms

Incorporating Safety Into Existing Washrooms

It’s not all about complete renovations. Sometimes you might have inherited a poorly equipped washroom at new premises, or maybe regulations have changed since your last refit. Whatever your predicament, sometimes a few cost-effective upgrades can significantly improve the safety and usability of your washrooms.

Let’s presume your washroom services - that’s your mains and hot water feed, waste pipes and electricity points - are all absolutely fine. The lights and light switch locations don't need adjusting, and the number of washbasins, toilets and urinals are adequate. Replacing what’s left is relatively just cosmetic and straight-forward to do.

You might be looking to make some safety alterations because vulnerable people will use the facilities, or maybe you’ve noticed a few too many sharp corners and leaky taps. The fact is, there’s always a good reason to improve the safety in the washroom environment, particularly in commercial properties.

Removing ligature points

If your washrooms will be used by vulnerable people, then you’ll need to remove any ligature points. A ligature point is anywhere that can be used to attach a cord or rope to be used for self-strangulation. Showerheads are the main points here, as are coat hooks. Alternative, anti-ligature shower heads can be installed easily, often it is as simple as removing the old fitting and replacing with the new.

Anti Ligature Shower Head

Exposed pipework will need to be taken into consideration here too, as overhead pipework could also be used as a ligature point. In most cases, simply boxing in will be sufficient, which can be done very easily and in washroom appropriate materials to withstand the damp, humid environment.

Flooring

This is one of the larger alterations in this series, but arguably the most important. It’s inevitable that in a room where water is abundantly used, the floor, at some point, will get wet and pose a risk for slips and falls. Floor tiles can be sourced that carry anti-slip features and can be fitted very easily by a tiler, or skilled handyman.

However, one of the more popular choices is to have an anti-slip safety flooring fitted, which goes down very much like lino. The floor covering actually laps up the bottom edges of the wall, creating a curved, waterproof skirting board, which prevents the spread of water should there be a leak or large spill.

Reconsider your toilets

The toilet itself can also be improved on in vulnerable environments. Shatter-resistant toilet seats are useful to combat vandalism, but also mean users can break them off into sharp pieces, which can cause injury. There are actually toilets produced that are designed to not even need a toilet seat.

Mirrors

Mirrors can be fitted very securely to the wall and in many cases are stuck to the wall amid tiles. We offer shatter-resistant safety mirrors, which can also be fitted easily, and even have options that house an integral paper hand towel dispenser.

Vandal Resistant Mirror

Protecting little fingers

If the washrooms are to be used by young children, measures can be taken to ensure we protect their little hands. Cubicle doors can be fitted with a little clearance where the door shuts against the partition, allowing just enough room so as not to completely squash fingers. Where possible, it’s a good idea not to have a strong self-closing door hinge as this can bring the door closed with some force.

Many nurseries take to using a U-shaped piece of foam around the edge of the door, so that when it closes shut it leaves a gap, creating that same protection against trapped fingers.

Water can scold – take control

The temperature of hot water from the tap can be somewhat ferocious, particularly if coming through a combi boiler when the heating is switched on. You need to control the temperature of the water that flows out the taps accurately, which can be done easily via a TMV3 valve (thermostatic mixer valve). These clever devices blend cold and hot water feeds to the desired temperature and prevent users from accidental scalding.

Upgrading taps

If you currently have separate hot and cold taps, this could be an opportunity to consider the installation of mixer taps, and more conveniently sensor taps. Sensor taps don't need to be touched to be activated and deliver a controlled burst of water (meaning taps cant accidentally be left on too). They are great for users with impaired mobility who struggle with turning traditional taps and some models have the TMV3 valve integral to their design.

If your site will be used by the vulnerable, or if vandalism is a high concern, we also offer deck mounted sensor taps, which can’t be prised away from the counter.

Grab rails and disabled users

If your washroom is to be used by anyone with any disabilities, then grab rails should be installed. These should be installed near to a washbasin, on the inside of an ambulant cubicle, and throughout a designated disabled washroom or cubicle. The red pull cord is also easily retrofitted into a washroom and is essential for modern disabled washroom facilities.

So whatever condition your washrooms might be in, know that safety can be improved with a few swift upgrades, not an entire renovation. Freshening up your washroom in this way, where pipework and other services remain in situ, can also be done with little disruption, and minimal downtime for your facilities.

If you’d like to talk about how you could improve safety in your washrooms, get in touch on 01202 650900 and we’ll be happy to advise.

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