LIGHT FANTASTIC

It is estimated that 14.6 million people in the UK are disabled, representing 22% of the total population. The RNIB also says that more than two million people in the UK have a visual impairment that is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives.

With so many people needing a different approach to the design of their spaces, inclusive bathroom design has never been more important.

BATHROOMS = INCREASED FALL RISK

Research on falls indicates that two areas in the home that are particularly hazardous for falls that lead to injuries are bathrooms, and indoor or outdoor stairs or steps. The importance of good lighting cannot be underestimated in these areas, as being able to see a space clearly benefits movement, balance, gait and stability and ultimately improves a person’s overall safety.

Kate Sheehan, Occupational Therapist underlines the importance of good lighting in the bathroom in particular. “Tasks carried out in a bathroom often require close working like shaving and make up application, or intimate personal hygiene such as wiping after going to the toilet or washing between the toes,” she said. “All of these actions require the occupational therapist to maximise the client’s ability to perform the task and lighting is a critical part of the assessment and specification.”

THE RIGHT MIX

Key factors to safe movement around the bathroom space include the following:

Ambient lighting with LEDs: LED lights are highly energy efficient and provide shadow free illumination, ideal for those with visual impairment issues or those with dementia. To maintain ambient light levels in the bathroom, LED ceiling lights should be spaced to maximise coverage and minimise shadowing.

Narrow beam LED downlights: To highlight tasks such as shaving, washing and showering narrow beams of light are needed. Most LED downlights on the market have a beam angle of 60°, however for those with low vision or mobility issues, a specialist task light with a 30° beam angle is required.

Easy to use light switch or pull cord: either a rocker switch or easy to hold pull cord is advised. For those with visual impairment issues, a cord in a highcontrast colour is ideal.

Mirror lighting: lights over mirrors or embedded within the frame as a decorative feature are ideal for those looking for task-specific lighting for shaving or make-up application.

WHAT LIGHTS TO PUT WHERE?

For a standard sized UK bathroom (sized approx. 8ft by 6ft or 2438mm x 1829mm), it is recommended that two ambient LED ceiling lights are used, as well as task lights - distributed in the following way (with the user no closer than 300mm to any given task light):

Toilet: 1 task light

Hand basin: 1 task or mirror light

Shower: 3 task lights (for a space of 1500mm x 1500mm) and/or Bath: 3 task lights

To help make the lighting design process easier, AKW has created a bathroom lighting pack. It contains everything needed to light a standard UK bathroom and the products conform to all relevant industry standards. It can also be tailored to suit specific bathroom design requirements.

Good bathroom lighting can mean the world to those struggling with mobility, dementia or visual impairment issues. With a little time and investment, well thought out public and private bathroom lighting has the potential to promote independence as well as to help reduce accidents.

For those looking for guidance on this subject, AKW has created a lighting accessible bathrooms guide in conjunction with occupational therapists. It is free to download at akw-ltd.co.uk/lighting, and ideal for those looking to promote best practice lighting design.

Below: See the difference without (l) & with (r) task focused lighting

Seven Characteristics Of Good Lighting

According to the Thomas Pocklington Trust, a sight loss charity, significant lighting improvements can be achieved by:

• Tailoring the lighting to specific needs; creating a visual environment that supports a person’s chosen ambience and activities.

• Sufficient for tasks, orientation and movement; creating a safe minimum level of natural/artificial light for ambient and task-specific purposes.

• Even light levels and minimum glare; minimising glare, deep shadows or sharp changes in light levels. To minimise glare, the bright areas of light sources should not be directly visible from normal directions of view.

• Adjustable for flexibility; incorporating switching, dimming or different lighting elements for specific needs or visitors.

• Energy efficiency and sustainability; appropriate lighting should be selected to meet user needs without wasting energy. Simple installation to minimise disruption; use existing wiring and fittings, or alter switches to more user friendly versions before implementing any major changes.

• Adaptable for the future; choose adaptations that respond to changing needs, new occupants and lighting innovations.