feature HEALTHCARE age. With more individuals suffering from serious physical limitations, it is becoming critical that healthcare facilities are designed to be accessible for all. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations set forth strict accessibility requirements for public buildings, encompassing everything from doorways and walkways to restrooms. When specifying for new or retrofitted spaces today, it’s smart to go beyond these requirements and incorporate the principles of universal design. Instead of offering specialized products that segregate users who may perform activities differently, universal design allows individuals of all abilities to use the same product, thus streamlining spaces, especially smaller ones such as restrooms. Consider the seven key principles of accessible design when specifying fixtures: • Equitable use. The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. • Flexibility in use. It accommodates a wide range of preferences and abilities. • Simplicity and intuition. The design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, or skills. • Perceptible information. Necessary information is communicated to the user, regardless of sensory limitations. • Tolerance for error. The design minimizes hazards, accidents, or unintended actions. • Little physical effort. It can be used with minimal effort. • Size and space for approach and use. Regardless of the user’s stature and mobility, the design is appropriate for approach, reach, manipulation, and use. The space with the most accessibility-related dangers is the restroom. Incorporating ADA requirements and the principles of universal design ensures that a facility is safe for all who use it. When creating an accessible restroom, mount bathroom sinks no higher than 34 inches above the floor, with knee clearance that is 27 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 19 inches deep. Clear floor space and insulated pipes are also a must. Bathroom faucets should be lever-operated, push-type, touch-type, or sensor-operated and usable with one hand without the need for grasping, pinching, or twisting the wrist, or for use of force greater than five pounds. In the stall, flush valves, like faucets, should require no tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. Toilets should measure 17 to 19 inches from the top of the toilet seat to the floor to provide a comfortable sitting position for all users. If the facility has a shower, incorporate easily movable shower controls and a hose that’s at least 60 inches long. Grab bars are a great way to assist with movement within a bathroom stall or shower. However, they must withstand at least 250 pounds of weight for optimum safety. 10
COMMERCIAL BUILDING PRODUCTS
MAY 2013
cations than most currently available products. It features robust bearing washers in addition to double O-ring seals that protect against leaks and facilitate arm movement. Installing the wrong products can bring headaches. Major causes for concern could range from parts and service issues with manufacturers to malfunctions and vandal resistance to pressure variances and hard water. By thoroughly researching a manufacturer’s portfolio of products, it’s easier to successfully create a highperforming restroom environment that will keep fixtures operational with minimal maintenance.
5. Aesthetics Oversized lever handles are much easier to operate for patients with limited dexterity. An added bonus is clear identification of the hot- and cold-water controls, designed to prevent accidental burns.
Additional accessibility considerations include increasing lighting; widening walkways and doorways; incorporating objects that are wide, long, and have a flat grasping shape; and providing adequate support systems and barriers to create a safe and accommodating facility.
4. Functionality and reliability Most healthcare facilities span several thousand square feet. Servicing such a large area requires selection of reliable plumbing fixtures that will reduce operational problems and increase overall performance. Specifiers must select products that are easy to maintain in order to sustain a high level of performance for even the busiest restrooms. Models that can be serviced above the deck provide additional flexibility and greatly simplify installation and maintenance. Proper lifecycle planning helps facility managers avoid incurring additional and often unforeseen expenses on their maintenance budgets. Therefore, select fixtures that feature exceptional warranties and require minimal maintenance. Specify products in high-traffic environments that can withstand the constant use—and occasional misuse—such as the M•Dura heavy-duty manual flush valves from Moen Commercial, North Olmsted, OH. Virtually maintenance-free, the solid-brass construction offers long-term durability and a solid return-on-investment. The valve’s piston technology works at water pressures as low as 15 psi, so fluctuations won’t cause malfunctions that can lead to costly repairs. With premium sealing, the technology delivers precise flush volume over its entire lifecycle. A stainless-steel, self-cleaning filter protects the piston from clogs and damage from line debris. Also available is a bedpan-washer model that provides a better, more ergonomic solution for healthcare appli-
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Creating an atmosphere that is comfortable and reminiscent of home is a helpful step in the recovery process. Regardless of the space—a waiting area, patient room, or restroom—make sure it’s just as serene as it is hygienic when selecting fixtures and materials. Incorporating muted colors, decorative finishes, and a mixture of soft and natural lighting contributes to a more peaceful and home-like environment, which is desired by patients and visitors. For example, serenity is a key design theme of the Cleveland-based Sydell & Arnold Miller Family Pavilion, home of Cleveland Clinic’s Heart and Cardiovascular Institute. Each patient bathroom has elements that feel more like a master bath than a public restroom: gray mosaic-tile floors and white tile walls, plus personal touches for each patient such as individual shower caddies and soap dispensers. Faucets and showerheads should be pleasing to the eye and deliver the same delightful experience as they do in a residential setting. The difference is truly in the details, including the finish options selected for restrooms. Chrome is no longer the only option fit for use in commercial facilities. Brushed nickel is now available on a number of plumbing products, including faucets and showerheads. It’s a perfect match with stainless-steel accessories commonly found throughout these spaces, and the finish is designed specifically for high-traffic commercial facilities. These new options will help create a modern, upscale appearance, especially in convalescence applications. By considering these five important factors, the resulting restroom spaces will be environmentally friendly, hygienic, accessible, reliable, and stylish. Kristin Meyers is marketing and product manager for Moen Commercial, North Olmsted, OH.
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