Providers of specialist healthcare equipment, services, and Changing Places toilets
Accessible hygiene rooms guide download shown with a school girl with Down's Syndrome with paint on her hands

Understanding the Importance of Accessible Hygiene Rooms & Requirements in the DfE Output Specification

Accessible hygiene rooms are a critical part of making education accessible for all. As schools strive to create inclusive environments, the Department for Education (DfE) plays a pivotal role in guiding the construction and design of school facilities.

Among its technical annexes, Technical Annexe 2A dated November 2022 outlines essential requirements, with particular attention to accessible hygiene rooms—a fundamental aspect often overlooked in educational infrastructure planning. 

What Are Accessible Hygiene Rooms?

Accessible hygiene rooms serve as crucial spaces within schools, catering to students with diverse needs. This includes those with physical disabilities, medical conditions, or sensory sensitivities. Recognising this, the DfE Output Specification outlines comprehensive guidelines to ensure these rooms are not only functional but also conducive to promoting inclusivity and well-being. 

One of the primary requirements highlighted in Annexe 2A pertains to accessibility. The specification mandates that accessible hygiene rooms must be easily accessible, preferably located on the ground floor, and equipped with appropriate entrances to facilitate smooth entry for students with mobility aids or assistance.  

Moreover, ample space within the room is emphasised to accommodate wheelchair users and provide flexibility for caregivers or support personnel. In Primary Schools this is an area of 3m x 3m, a total of 9m2, and in Secondary Schools 4m x 3m giving a floor area of 12m2. 

In addition to accessibility, accessible hygiene rooms must adhere to stringent standards of hygiene and cleanliness. The DfE outlines specifications for flooring, surfaces, and fixtures to ensure ease of cleaning and maintenance, minimising the risk of infection and promoting a safe environment for students with compromised immune systems. 

Furthermore, the technical annexe underscores the importance of sensory considerations. Lighting, acoustics, and ventilation are meticulously addressed to create a comfortable and non-threatening environment, particularly for students with sensory sensitivities or conditions such as autism spectrum disorder. 

Required Equipment

Beyond physical infrastructure, the DfE Output Specification also emphasises the need for appropriate equipment and facilities within accessible hygiene rooms. Based on the Changing Places Specification, the Annexe covers the requirements for the following,

  • H frame system hoist system (ceiling mounted or wall mounted) 
  • Height adjustable changing couch 
  • Height adjustable basin 
  • Full Height mirror 
  • Drop down grab rails 
  • 600mm straight grabrails 
  • WC 
  • Shower (Secondary Schools only) 
  • Height adjustable shower seat (Secondary Schools only)

In conclusion, the DfE Output Specification’s technical annexe A underscores the significance of accessible hygiene rooms in promoting inclusivity and accessibility within educational settings. By adhering to these guidelines, educational institutions can create environments that prioritise the well-being and dignity of all students, fostering a culture of equality and support. 

How to Get Started with Accessible Hygiene Rooms

To assist teaching professionals, OTs, Architects and others, Multicare has produced a comprehensive guide to the accessible hygiene room requirements and their practical implementation. 

To download your free digital copy of this guide, simply fill in the form below, or contact us for a hard copy.

 

Download our Student Hygiene Rooms Guide

Please complete the form to download our Hygiene guide

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Let down by Ecura Limited? We’ve got you covered!

We at Multicare Medical were saddened to learn that Ecura (formerly Direct Healthcare Solutions) has commenced insolvency proceedings. As a fellow Guldmann partner, they were a respected part of the Patient Handling market. We wish all the employees the very best and success in future employment.

At Multicare, we can help if you’ve been affected by Ecura going into administration.

Call our team for support today:

0800 298 6000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complete the form below to discuss ceiling hoist installation and servicing today

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We also stand ready to assist any former Ecura clients who require support in these unsettling times. Multicare has been a partner of Guldmann for over 20 years, providing assistance on projects of all sizes, from large multiple-system school installations, to smaller single-track domestic installations. If you were discussing potential hoist installations with Ecura, or if you have placed an order which has not been fulfilled, please get in touch and we will see if we can help.

As Guldmann dealers we offer the following services

  • In-house drawing and design service
  • Technical advice and expertise
  • Large stocks
  • In house installation
  • After-sales servicing and maintenance
  • Training and assessments

Multicare Medical are also a dealer for many of the manufacturers that Ecura previously represented, including

  • Ropox
  • Geberit
  • Reval

If you have a project that requires any of this equipment, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 298 6000 or email [email protected] Alternatively complete the form above.

 

 

5 Considerations when installing a new ceiling hoist on an existing track

Upgrading hoists can be an expensive business. However there is another option – what if the hoist unit itself could be upgraded, and the track left in place? Well the good news is that this can be done. Here’s 5 considerations if you’re fitting new hoists to old track.

  1. Check Compatibility of hoist and rail. In order for the hoist to run on the old rail, the new hoist trolley must be compatible with the existing rails. This should be checked and confirmed that the trolley not only fits in the rail, but that the trolley moves freely around track curves, through gate systems and through switch tracks and turntables if fitted.
  2. Safe Working Load. It is important that the hoist has the same Safe Working Load as the rail. The rail system has been designed to take a specific loading, and it is important that eth hoist does not exceed that loading, and put the users at risk.
  3. Charging. Check how the new hoist will charge, as if the old rail system has an in track charging system, the new hoist may not be compatible. A modern hoist such as the GH1 has a handset charge system meaning that it can be fitted to any type of pre-existing rail system.
  4. Spreader Bar. Ensure that if there are any specific requirements on yor existing spreader bars, these can be also supplied on the new hoist. A hoist such as teh GH1 will have a range of spreader bars to meet differing requirements.
  5. Training. If your hosts are being upgraded, consider whether a training session may be required to familiarise staff with the features of the new hoists. Multicare offer a range of training sessions including on line refreshers, face to face and complete manual Handling Training.

Upgrading your hoists by fitting a new hoist on an existing track track offers many benefits at a reduced cost when compared to replacing the whole system.

  • Increased lift height – Modern hoists are far more compact than previous generations, so it is highly likely that you will gain significant lift height making transfers safer and easier.
  • Faster lifting. The GH1 offers an improved hoisting speed so your staff will save time all day every day when hoisting.
  • Improved reliability. A new GH1 will offer vastly improved reliability over your existing hoist. Furthermore you can opt for 3 or 5 year extended warranties, giving you total peace of mind.

Interested in upgrading your hoists systems? Call us today on 024 7647 2600 or fill in the form below.

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Ceiling Hoist Assessment Request

Ceiling Hoist Assessment Request

To request a free, no obligation ceiling hoist assessment and site survey please complete this form. We will be in touch to arrange the date within 24 hours of receipt.

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Family Attraction Expo 2021

Thank you for your interest in Changing Places at the Family Attraction Expo 2021.

It was a great show and we really enjoyed seeing you!

To register for your free Changing Places resource pack, please complete the form below and it wil be emailed to you.

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Warwick Town Hall, Warwick

The historic town of Warwick, benefits from a thriving tourist sector, due to the world famous castle on the banks of the river Avon. The County Council was keen to ensure that every visitor to Warwick could access changing facilities with safety and dignity so converted an existing room in Warwick town hall to a changing places room.

Multicare were asked to provide a ceiling hoist system, wash dry toilet, height adjustable basin and height adjustable changing couch.

Liaising with the local services provider, Multicare strengthened the wall to take the weight of the changing couch and provided new electrical and hot and cold water points for the additional equipment.

Upon completion Multicare installed a radar told handle to ensure that only those with the appropriate key could access the room.

The Pentagon Centre, Chatham

The Pentagon centre approached Multicare when they were planning the installation of a changing places room in the place of a disused storage area and cleaner’s cupboard. By not installing Christmas lights one year in the centre they had saved enough money to install a changing places room, and they felt that this would benefit the shoppers significantly.

After an initial visit Multicare established that although the room was small, it could be adapted to meet the changing places requirements. Multicare prepared space planning drawings and a full schedule of works including structural requirements for a new beam that had to be installed.

Due to the location of the changing places room, at the entrance to the main toilets for the shopping centre, all the works had to be carried out at night. The fitters worked through the night for six weeks to provide this changing places room.

The works were completed on schedule and on budget and shoppers in Chatham can now enjoy a changing places room.

The Royal Festival Hall, London

Multicare was approached by the Southbank Centre when they were considering installing a new changing places facility. An unloved male and female toilets were in need of some refurbishment, and being on the lower ground floor well ideally placed to provide level access for disabled users. 

This project presented several unique challenges

  • Due to the nature of the building work had to be scheduled round performances to ensure that noise and vibration did not affect performances in the building.
  • A grade one listed building, the Southbank Centre has very strict rules stipulating that work must be carried out in a sensitive manner and Multicare had to work within these guidelines.
  • Due to its location in the centre of London materials logistics had to be carefully coordinated with other deliveries to the building

Following a site visit Multicare drew up a detailed schedule of works and a specification of all materials to be used. The work included the demolition of a separating wall and a complete refurbishment of the new enlarged space to provide a compliant changing places room.

Once the contract was agreed Multicare produced a detailed schedule of works with an accurate timeline. this gave the centre confidence that the work would not interfere with their programme. To facilitate this some work was scheduled for nights.

The entire project was completed within a six-week time span unfinished on time and on budget despite some significant challenges. The Southbank Centre is a proud owner of a compliant changing places room which has proved a great success for their clientele.

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Registered Office: Progress House, Jacknell Road, Dodwells Bridge Industrial Estate, Hinckley. LE10 3BS