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Flooring Promotes Accessibility
by IdeaSoil
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As construction progressed and designers and hospital staff turned their attention to finishes for the $225-million, nine-story facility, they again considered the patient experience, along with best practices of green design. Recalled Hereau, “One of the major focuses of our design was, in addition to making it patient focused, to be certain that it was resilient and a very sustainable building. We tried to keep all of those things in mind at all times. As we were choosing products, they needed to be things that were comfortable for patients and staff to use.”
THE FLOORING CONTRIBUTION
Nora flooring from Nora Systems Inc., Salem, NH, was installed to help the facility meet goals for a patient-centered and sustainable design. Installed throughout the hospital, Norament Grano provides comfort for staff members who spend long hours on their feet, while helping to reduce noise that can interfere with recovery.
Concerned about patient and staff sensitivities to allergens and chemicals within a newly constructed building, Hereau also appreciated a flooring product that does not release any emissions into the air.
Colorful patterns in the floor also serve an important function. “One of the things that our patients really enjoy is that we worked with designers to place metrics into the floors,” she said. “So, as they’re walking or rolling, patients can see how much progress they’ve made just by looking at the pattern on the floor. We also worked with Nora to design our logo, ‘Find Your Strength,’ into the floor tile at various places in the building. Patients love the logo, and they use that graphic reminder to inspire them to do more.”
Just as important is the floor’s smooth finish. Many wheelchairs have very small front caster wheels and, when turning, can catch on the smallest corner or edge.
According to David Cohen, director of environmental services, the flooring also offers resiliency that is important. “For staff, it improves their comfort; it improves the ergonomics of the workflow of their job on a daily basis. For patients, who tend to spend a lot of time in hallways, either in wheelchairs or walking around as part of their therapy, the floor has a little bit of give to it, so it makes it a more comfortable experience for them as they roll or walk through the corridors.”
LOW MAINTENANCE Cohen continued, “In a setting like this one, long-term maintenance of the fl ooring is probably our biggest issue, where cleanliness is concerned. So, we wanted to get away from VCT fl ooring and install something that does not require fl oor fi nishes and some of the harsh chemicals that we’d become accustomed to in our older buildings. So far, the Nora fl ooring has been very successful along these lines. In fact, ...daily mopping is really all that’s been required to maintain the fl oor fi nish. At the same time, we’re realizing some cost savings by eliminating the fl oor strippers and fi nishes that we used on our older VCT fl oors. What’s more, the fl oor stands up to the abuse of stretchers, wheelchairs, patients, and staff.” CBP
DATA CACHE
Want more information? The resources below are linked in our digital magazine at cbpmagazine.com/digital/mar2014.
Circle 10 on the Reader Service Card.
View a video that shows you the hospital interior and discusses the role the fl oor plays in the design.
Download pdfs and spec sheets on Norament Grano fl ooring used in the hospital.
Hear disability resources coordinator Betsy Pillsbury talk about the design process.
Left. The Univ. of Manitoba, Winnipeg, chose lockers from Scranton Products to update and renovate fi tness-facility locker rooms.
Above. Tufftec lockers are impact, dent, and graffi ti resistant and impervious to moisture.
Rusty Lockers Kicked Out In Renovation Banks of maintenance-free lockers provide quality storage and durability for a Canadian university.
Founded in 1877 as Western Canada’s fi rst university, the Univ. of Manitoba, Winnipeg, is the province’s largest and only research-intensive, post-secondary institution, serving more than 27,000 students.
A massive renovation program for the campus included upgrades for the main locker rooms at the
Frank Kennedy Centre, which houses a six-lane saltwater pool and diving area, three gymnasiums, a cardio and free-weight training area, indoor track, squash and racquetball courts, dry sauna, cycling and circuit-training studios, and a gender-neutral community changing room.
“This project was long overdue,” said Simon Wang, facilities manager/director, who is responsible for the maintenance of more than 500,000 sq. ft. of athletic and recreational facilities and equipment. “The centre opened in 1972 and the locker rooms had not been updated in more than 40 years. As a result, we had to redo nearly everything to accommodate the quality demanded by our students, staff, alumni, and community members. We elevated the entire look and feel of the women and men’s locker rooms with new flooring, countertops, mirrors, fountains, sinks, benches, toilets, privacy showers, and, of course, lockers.”
According to Wang, replacement of the existing metal lockers was a necessity. They were badly rusted and dented after four decades of non-stop use. The project’s architects and design team conducted an exhaustive search for suitable, long-term alternatives that culminated with the selection of 3,000 Tufftec lockers from Scranton Products, Scranton, PA.
Engineered for strength and durability, Tufftec’s HDPE material withstands harsh daily use while remaining virtually maintenance free. The lockers are impact, dent, and graffiti resistant and impervious to moisture. They feature ergonomic handles, several hardware and lock options, and standard horizontal venting or lattice mesh venting. With 25% to 100% post-consumer recycled content, the lockers are naturally resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew.
Designed to endure the wear and tear of athletic and recreational environments, the lockers are Children & Schools Greenguard Certified for indoor air quality, 100% recyclable, and contribute to LEED credits.
“We took a good, long look at all the alternatives and ultimately decided on Tufftec,” explained Wang. “Long-lasting durability was the driving factor. We wanted a product that wouldn’t rust and would be easy to clean. Tufftec met these criteria and added a 25-year warranty. So far, we’ve only needed to spot clean the surfaces, doors, and hardware, and wet mop and vacuum inside the lockers as needed. The locker’s gray tones also blend very nicely with the new look our members want and deserve, which is a priority since facility memberships include locker rentals.”
Looking to the future, Wang is also counting on the lockers to withstand the increased traffic that will accompany the opening of the university’s new 100,000-sq.-ft. Active Living Centre, slated to open in 2015. The world-class health, wellness, and fitness facility will provide improved and accessible space for as many as 1,200 users at a time.
Added Wang, “We chose only the highest-quality materials that would last for decades and match our ongoing commitment to excellence and achievement.” CBP
DATA CACHE
Want more information? The resources below are linked in our digital magazine at cbpmagazine.com/digital/mar2014.
Circle 14 on the Reader Service Card.
Download a brochure about Tufftec lockers.
See more information about Tufftec lockers at the Scranton website.
EDITORS’ CHOICE
High-impact workspace flooring
Norament xp:
Floor covering for high-impact, high-traffic areas Stain and slip resistant Hammered-surface look
Norament xp is said to be an ultra-durable floor covering for high-impact and high-traffic workspaces. Offering enhanced stain and slip resistance, the product has application in operating rooms, emergency departments, and cGMP facilities. Increased surface density and impact resistance are reported to eliminate chipping and travel-path wear. Noise-reducing properties provide a quiet environment. The flooring is available in 3 1/2-mm tiles and 13 standard colors. The floor’s hammered surface features a confetti design.
Nora Systems Inc., Salem, NH Circle 55
Resin, glass patterns Strand and Wander are additions to the Varia Ecoresin and pressed-glass collections. The resin panels contain 40% recycled content. Strand is a linear pattern with subtle variations and is available in brick, lake, and iron colors. Wander is a loose grid of sheer, twisting ribbons and is available in colors including maize, coastal, dove, and night.
3form, Salt Lake City Circle 56
Design-inspired grout TEC Design FX grout is stain proof and ready to use. Available in crystal, silver, and bronze, the grout has a reflective effect and is said to accentuate the natural beauty of glass, mosaic, and metal tile, while also complementing ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone. The grout is approved for interior and exterior use.
H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc., Aurora, IL Circle 58
Self-leveling compounds Schonox subfloor-leveling products pour over uneven wood subfloors to produce smooth, sound substrates. AP and APF compounds provide a smooth surface for installing a wide variety of laminate, vinyl, ceramic, and other floor coverings without using underlayment panels and boards.
HPS North America Inc., Florence, AL Circle 57
THERE’S MORE ON OUR WEBSITE You can find more Interiors products on our website. Go to www.cbpmagazine.com
Sealants RDI industrial sealants include R5 window and door insulative, water-based acrylic duct, and noise-proof acoustical. The products are said to provide excellent adhesion and flexibility and clean up with water.
