Healthcare
Key Regulations and NHS Guidelines
| HTM64 | Health technical memorandum 64: sanitary Assemblies |
A Department of Health document that provides design guidance for health buildings. Split into General Pattern - non clinical sanitary assemblies for use by patients, staff and visitors Hospital Pattern - Clinical Sanitary assemblies for use by staff |
| HBN 00-002 | Health Building Note 00-002:Volume1, Part B, Sanitary spaces |
Provides best practice guidance on the design and installation of sanitary facilities in healthcare buildings. Sanitaryware from HTM64 are put into rooms that are safe, accessible and fit for purpose. The document focuses on patient facilities. |
| BS6465 | British Standard 6465-1:2006 Sanitary installations, part 1 |
Provides information on scale of use provision for sanitary appliances in staff and visitor areas of hospitals. Other areas are covered in HTM64 and HBN 00-002 |
| HFN 30 | Infection Control in the Build Environment | Includes comments on hospital mixer taps, recommending that swan neck mixers should no longer be used and recommends the thermostat be positioned as close to the outlet as possible to avoid a dead-leg |
Infection Control
To become infected is a simple process; firstly there must be a place for the bacteria to reproduce, then a method of transmission and finally a vulnerable host. Breaking the chain of infection at any point will eliminate it.
The control of infection is of prime concern in any healthcare establishment. By installing purpose designed sanitaryware and fittings in the correct way it is possible to create a better nvironment to fight infection.
Clinical Basins
One way to counter infection is to reduce the number of reservoirs in which water can sit and promote the growth of bacteria. Hospital basins should not have overflows. Sanitaryware should avoid unnecessary crevices that are difficult to clean.
Wall hung Pans
Wall hung pans create the feeling of space whilst making cleaning far easier.
Rimless Pans
It is recommended practice to install rimless pans in hospitals. Rimless pans are completely open for cleaning allowing cleaners to access the whole bowl more effectively.
Hospital Mixer Taps
Hospital mixer taps with built in thermostats avoid the traditional dead leg of water between the mixer and the thermostat, which can produce legionella.
