Showering In Inclusive Design
Judith Gibbons from Bristan explains why a well designed, thermostatic shower should be a vital part of any inclusive design installation.
The bathroom can be a potentially hazardous place for the less able so it’s vital that careful consideration is given when specifying products for a customer with disabilities.
Thankfully, there are now plenty of products that will help people maintain their independence when in the bathroom and, thanks to a huge effort by manufacturers in recent years to introduce products that are both functional and stylish, there’s every opportunity for people with disabilities to achieve a bathroom they can be proud of. After all, no one wants their bathroom to look like it belongs in an institution.
A well designed shower is one such product and, if selected carefully, can help provide your customer with the independence they need for washing. Advances in inclusive design mean that there are many stylish showers now available on the market with a host of ‘easy to use’ benefits that wouldn’t look out of place within a contemporary bathroom.
The main concern with showers is making sure that the water temperature is maintained at a safe level which is why a thermostatic shower is a must for this application; it takes just seconds for hot water to scald the skin so it’s vital to protect those who may have limited manoeuvrability or ability to react to changing situations.
For your peace of mind, there are a number of accreditations relating to thermostatic showers. For electric showers look out for the British Electro Technical Board (BEAB) CARE accreditation is only awarded to products that not only comply to existing safety standards, but that meet additional requirements relating to the safety needs of people in care situations such as the elderly and people with disabilities.
For mixer showers, it’s worth looking out for models which carry TMV2 accreditation. The certification of TMVs is regulated by BuildCert which rigorously tests and certifies valves to ensure they deliver safe water temperatures. The TMV2 Scheme addresses the problem of hot water scalding in domestic properties.
Both the BEAB CARE and TMV2 accreditations require rigorous independent testing and are only given to products that are capable of maintaining a flow of water at a steady temperature at all times, regardless of fluctuations in water pressure, or in the event of hot or cold water failure.
From here, the choice of shower model will largely depend on your customer’s individual needs so it’s worth spending some time with them, or talking to their occupational therapist, to determine exactly what their symptoms are. A customer suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, for example, might be better to have a self-closing shower valve that will automatically turn off; someone with Arthritis will need a shower with levers or buttons that are easy to operate. It’s also worth remembering that people don’t wear their glasses in the shower, so someone with impaired vision will need a shower that has very clear and coloured hot and cold indicators.
For people with limited mobility, you might want to recommend taking out an existing bath and shower combination and replacing it with a walk in shower or wetroom. Combining an aspirational design with the benefits of easy access, a walk in or wetroom are ideal because they allow plenty of space for movement and – as they can be installed without a shower tray – are perfect for wheelchair users.
Once you’ve selected the shower, there are just a couple of additional things to consider during installation. Making sure that the shower itself is positioned so that the controls can easily be reached is the first thing; you should also consider how the customer will get into the shower itself. Are they mobile enough to get into a shower bath, or would it be better to install an enclosure with a level entry tray? And for the finishing touches, you might want to recommend a shower seat or grab rails as appropriate.
Bristan offers a choice of showers that are ideal for people who are less able through our iD range of easy to use products. Our Thermostatic Electric shower, for example, carries the BEAB CARE mark and has a number of design features including accurate thermostatic control, easy to use push buttons and audible feedback that signals when the on/off button has been pushed. We also offer a choice of TMV2 approved bath shower mixers as well as thermostatic mixer showers, like our Cardinal Thermostatic Surface Mounted Shower, that has easy to use lever handles.
