Safe showering CPD - Impey Showers Ltd
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A joint CPD presentation on 'Safe Showering' from Impey Showers, Mira Showers and Whale pumps. Level access showering and flood prevention with the latest technology
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Safe showering CPD - Impey Showers Ltd
- 1. How the bathroom area can be adapted to enable elderly and disabled people to shower independently and safely SAFE SHOWERING
- 2. CPD learning aims • To understand how to design and specify a safe showering environment • To have an appreciation of available solutions that can help elderly and disabled people to shower independently and safety • To be aware about an unique wireless showering solution, specifically tailored for level access wetrooms, designed to minimise flooding
- 3. Mira overview • Part of US Kohler Co. , one of the world leaders in bathroom design • UK brands include Kohler, Mira Showers and Rada Controls • Mira has been the market leader in UK showering for over 90 years • Introduced the first thermostatic shower in 1937 • Mira design, make and assemble most of the products in the UK • The company 100% test every single product before it leaves the factory • Provide a comprehensive and unrivalled after sales service
- 4. Impey overview • The UK's leading wetroom specialist • Over 250,000 successful installations in the UK • Lifetime Watertight Guarantee • Full technical support and training programmes • Dedicated research and development team • Certified with Investor in People and to ISO 9001: 2008 and ISO 14001:2004
- 5. Whale overview • Specialist in pumped shower drainage kits since 1995 • Over 200,000 kits installed throughout the UK • Reliability backed by a 5 year warranty • Nationwide service support network • Dedicated Technical Helpline
- 6. Seminar overview • This seminar explores ways in which the bathroom can be subtly adapted to enable elderly and disabled people to shower independently and safely • It will include the key points to consider when designing a wetroom area and provide solutions to common difficulties • The presentation will focus on an innovative and unique wetroom product – a shower which wirelessly communicates with a drainage pump. This provides a simple, tidy and reliable ‘anti-flood’ solution
- 7. Background • Bathroom is the key area in the home where the elderly and disabled have most difficulties • Trend towards showering – almost 90% UK homes have a shower - more people are replacing bath with a shower enclosure / wetroom area • Care in the community – increasing number of people want to remain in their own home • Over 75% of people age 65+ own their own home – and have highest % of disposable income • Cost is often not the first consideration Over three quarters of a million people aged 65+ need specially adapted accommodation because of a medical condition or disability. 145,000 of them report living in homes that do not meet their needs (DCLG)
- 8. Stylish designs • Increasing demand for stylish (not institutional) designs • People want to add to value to their home • Potential requirement to fit in with the needs of other family members • People do not want to be reminded that they are getting older
- 9. Key considerations • Product features that help with the elderly or disabled person’s ability to shower independently and safely – Help with motor problems – grip and mobility – Help with sensory problems – visual impairments – Help with cognitive problems – Dementia and Alzheimer's • The correct positioning of the shower products so that they can be used to their best advantage • The importance of temperature control and safety features that will prevent the risk of scalding • Practical installation / maintenance features
- 10. Help with motor problems • Shower products that are easy to operate are important to people with restricted use of their hands / limited hand grip • An estimated 9 million people in the UK suffer from arthritis (Arthritis UK)
- 11. Easy to operate showers • Important shower control features to consider – Large push button to operate start / stop function – Separate temperature and flow controls – Lever designs for easier grip • Important shower fittings features to consider – One handed easy adjustment of handset up / down slide bar – Lever on handset to alter spray patterns
- 12. Easy to operate enclosure doors • Shower doors designed to be easy to open and close • Smooth operation with air assisted hinges Easy to use lever lifts door clear of the floor Gentle push secures door in position
- 13. Help with mobility problems • Safe surfaces are important for people with mobility difficulties • Around one in three people age 65 or over fall each year, and one in two over the age of 80 (NHS Confederation) • Due to the multitude of unforgiving and slippery surfaces, an estimated 75% of these falls are in the bathroom Level access tray with slip resistant surface Secure shower seat Easy grip support rail
- 14. Level access trays • Provide 35mm low or level access for easy entry into the showering area • Slip resistant tread pattern can help avoid falls on wet surfaces • Anti-trip sloping ramp around entire perimeter provides easy access • Wheelchair accessible
- 15. Shower seats • Assist elderly and disabled people who require seating during showering • Must be positioned at correct height and be robust enough to withstand weight of the user Slim shower bench Fold down seat with padded arms Slim fold down seat
- 16. Wetroom support rails • Helps stability for disabled and elderly people in a wetroom environment • Must be positioned at correct height to ensure user reach Square profile Fluted Fold down Polished stainless steel
- 17. Help with sensory problems • 13% of people aged 65+ have difficulties with their eyesight (ONS) • Important shower control features to consider: – Audible bleeps – Large, colour contrasting rotary controls – Raised area to aid navigation – LED backlit flow and on/off buttons – Audible click on temperature lever – Colour contrasting panel to aid navigation • Important shower accessory features to consider: – Support rail in colour contrasting design
- 18. Help with cognitive problems • Dementia is one of the main causes of disability in later life, ahead of some cancers, cardiovascular disease and strokes (Dept of Health) • It affects 1 person in 6 over 80 and one in three over 95 (Alzheimer's Society) • Important shower features to consider: – Intuitive use of product interfaces – Pre set temperature and flow – Maximum temperature setting – Automatic pumped drainage – reduced risk of flooding
- 19. Product positioning • Important considerations for elderly and disabled people that have restricted bending and reach – Reach to shower unit and showerhead – Wall mounted shower seat / support rails positioned at correct height – Open out shower enclosure doors offer wider access – Longer length slide bar and hose for greater flexibility
- 20. Safety and comfort • Scalding accidents result in almost 30 deaths and over 200 scalding accidents in UK bathrooms every year (BMA) • Important shower control features to consider: – Thermostatic temperature control for added safety – Adjustable maximum temperature settings – if temperature ever goes above pre-set level, the shower turns off automatically – Phased shutdown – gradually flushes hot water from the tank after shutdown, making it safer for the next user and less prone to limescale damage
- 21. Temperature control • A temperature of just 51°C will burn the average adult in 2-6 minutes, and even faster with elderly adults and children who have thinner skin • Electric showers with BEAB Care Mark approval can provide stable outlet water temperatures under normal supply variations. • In addition they can protect from scalding under rapid and abnormal supply variations, without adjustment by the user • The TMV Scheme certifies Type 2 thermostatic mixing valves for the domestic market and promotes the safe use of hot water in domestic premises. TMV2 approval uses BS EN 1111 and 1287 as a basis for the thermostatic valves performance tests
- 22. Other practical considerations • Installation – Is the shower compatible with the existing plumbing system – Is there adequate electrical supply provision for the electric shower – Are there any limitations regarding cold mains water supply pressure – Floor construction – where gravity drainage is not an option pumped shower drainage is required to achieve level access • Maintenance – How easy is it to clean – What is the cost of running the shower system – Does it need regular servicing – What happens if it stops working – What is the guarantee period – Are replacement parts readily available
- 23. Summary • The inclusive bathroom consists of a number of key elements • It is important not to just concentrate on the main problem that is causing difficulties • Each element can make a difference to how a person can perform everyday showering unaided, for example – Level access shower tray that is safe and accessible – Shower enclosure that is simple to open/close and enter – Easy to operate shower control, positioned at the appropriate height – Secure and comfortable shower seat – The correct type and position of support rails
- 24. A wireless connected electric shower and digital waste pump system UNIQUE WETROOM INNOVATION
- 25. Why wireless pumped drainage? • For level access wetrooms where gravity drainage is not an option • Particularly suitable for elderly and disabled people with cognitive problems • Automatic operation – works with the shower • Fail-safe automatic shutdown to prevent risk of flooding • No wires to cause concern of potential connection failures
- 26. How it works 1. Internal flow sensor in electric shower measures the flow rate going to the shower head 2. The flow rate information is sent wirelessly to the digital pump transformer 4. Matching the pump speed to the shower flow rate ensures that gulley suction noise is minimised There is no set-up necessary – gives ‘plug and play’ operation 3. The transformer alters the speed of the pump to match the shower flow rate
- 27. System features and benefits • Low noise – pump operates to flow rate of shower minimising noise • Proven pump reliability with 5 year warranty • User helpline for Technical Support • Network of trained engineers covering the UK
- 28. Industry leading electric shower • Inclusively designed for elderly and disabled • Widely approved – RNIB, BEAB Care, WRAS • Delivers thermostatic temperature stability • Adjustable maximum temperature settings • Extra long slide bar and shower hose for added flexibility • Friction clamp bracket – can be adjusted with one hand • Easy grip lever control • Push button start / stop • Large, colour contrasted controls • Phased shutdown for added safety • 9.0kW power rating • 2 year guarantee
- 29. Wireless digital waste pump system • Robust performance - all shower waste passes freely through pump • Maintenance free - no pump filter is required, no internal cleaning • Practical design - valve integral to pump prevents odours escaping • Quiet performance - includes quiet wet floor gulley and pump matches flow rate of shower to reduce pumping noise • Pumped gulley designed to prevent blockages • Includes patented diagnostic system
- 30. Simple operation
- 31. Installer benefits • No physical link up between the shower unit and the pump • No trunking or conduits – ensures a tidier finish • Simple to set up – units register in less than 30 seconds • Flexibility – signal range up to 5 metres
- 32. User benefits • Quiet operation - pump speed matches the shower flow rate - ensures suction noise is limited • No interference with other wireless devices - unique serial number between the shower and pump • Built-in memory – in the event of a power cut the shower and pump remain registered once power is restored • 5 year warranty – digital pump • Nationwide service support
- 33. Summary of key learning • Understand the key considerations to be taken into account when specifying showering adaptations for the elderly and disabled • Recognise the suitability of different products for different customer requirements • Be aware of the benefits of a wireless pumped drainage system in the wetroom area and understand how it works
- 34. Contact details • Kohler Mira Ltd., Cromwell Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 5EP Telephone: 0844 571 5000 Web: www.mirashowers.co.uk • Impey Showers Ltd., Conquest Business Park, Ilton, Somerset, TA19 9EA Telephone: 01460 256 080 Web: www.impeyshowers.com • Whale Pumps Ltd., 2 Enterprise Road, Bangor, Co. Down, BT19 7TA Telephone: 0845 069 4253 Web: www.whalepumps.com
Editor's Notes
- Speakers credentials – This presentation is given by an employee of Kohler Mira (or Whale or Impey) who has a senior role in sales and marketing and has successfully completed presentation skills training.
- Mira is owned by the Kohler Co., one of the world leaders in bathroom design. Kohler has been setting the standard for innovation, craftsmanship and new technology around the world since 1873. Kohler in the UK brings comprises of a number of market leading bathroom and shower brands, including Kohler, Mira Showers and Rada. Together these brands provide a comprehensive collection of bathroom products including sanitaryware, furniture, taps, showers, accessories and enclosures. Mira was established in 1921 and has been the market leader in UK showering for over 90 years. Mira introduced the first thermostatic shower – for hospitals and schools - in 1937, and for domestic use in 1959. Mira 100% test every single product before it leaves the factory. Mira test the electric showers to 7,500 on/off cycles. This is the same as a family of two taking a shower once a day, every day for 10 years! Mira test the mixer showers to a significant 250,000 on/off cycles – far exceeding Water Regulations which require 50,000 cycles.
- Impey was formed in the late 1990's by the Grave family, and has grown into the UK's leading wetroom specialist. Based in Somerset, Impey pioneered the development of wetroom floor technology and are famed for creating the first wetroom floor former with a built-in gradient, which is widely used in the healthcare sector as a level access floor. In May 2010, Impey was acquired by Coram International B.V., a Dutch based multi-national with interests throughout Europe in the bathroom and showering market. All Impey products are created by highly skilled teams of designers, combining innovative designs and the highest quality materials.
- Whale was established in the 1940’s and is based in Bangor, Northern Ireland. The company is a well-known brand with a reputation built on decades of high quality design expertise. Whale supply the marine, caravan, shower drainage and industrial markets around the world with innovative pumps and water and space heating systems. The company has been a specialist in pumped shower drainage since 1995, with over 200,000 kits now installed throughout the UK. Whale have a reputation for quality, reliability and continuous improvement; the company offer a 5 year warranty on their shower drainage products. Whale provide a high level of support and service to their customers.
- No room in the home poses more threats to safety than the bathroom. The bathroom is a primary location where many accidents take place. Confined spaces together with hard slippery surfaces create great risk for all people, irrespective of their age or physical condition. Ownership of showers has been steadily rising since the mid-1970s and has become an essential facility in modern homes with almost 90% penetration. (AMA Research) This growth can be attributed to the increasing awareness of showering plus the growing tendency towards daily washing. A noticeable development, particularly in small bathrooms, is the replacement of a bath with either an enclosure (particularly a walk-in enclosure) or a wetroom area. The trend towards Care in the Community has been supported by Lifetime Homes and other Government initiatives that have enabled elderly and disabled people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Independent living is becoming highly desirable – only an estimated 24% of UK citizens would consider moving to a care home if they become frail in old age. (Future Laboratory Spring Trend Briefing 2014) 76% of older households are owner-occupiers and most own outright - over two thirds (71%) of householders aged 65+ own homes outright without a mortgage. (ONS) UK households headed by someone aged 65+ contribute about £121 billion of spending power every year. These are people who own their own homes and have significant disposable income. (ONS)
- Traditionally showering products for people with special needs have been based on standard fixtures with extra elements added on in order to make these products easier to use. This resulted in shower rooms that were institutional, unattractive and often unsuitable for use. However, more recently with the trend towards inclusive design, these products have become softer and much more stylish. It is important to consider what the person thinks about the product, what are the aesthetic advantages? If the person does not find it aesthetically pleasing or it does not fit in with the rest of the family need, it is unlikely to be specified.
- As a specifier of bathroom design for elderly and disabled people, the main role is to work with the person and carer if appropriate, to understand what is affecting their ability to do everyday tasks. Once this is understood, work must be done to identify the most appropriate solution. When evaluating a product, it is important to understand how the features of that product will help the person with their ability to shower independently and safely.
- It is useful to know how the features of the product will help someone with motor problems. For example, if someone has difficulty with grip, will the shower controls help with this.
- These are typical features that are used to make a shower easier to operate.
- These shower doors are designed to be easy to open/close. They have magnetic closing seals with 180˚ air assisted hinges that lift the doors 20mm off the ground at the press of a lever. The bi-folding doors feature a 360˚ intermeshing hinge for increased strength, rigidity and waterproofing. The floor seal has a unique profile for improved water resistance and is guaranteed for 5 years.
- There is a high incidence of accidents which are a result of trips and falls. For example, around one in three people age 65 or over fall each year, and one in two over the age of 80. In addition, falls and fractures in the over-65s account for four million hospital bed days each year in England, costing an estimated £2 billion annually. It is believed that a falls prevention strategy could reduce the number of falls by between 15 and 30 per cent. (NHS Confederation Briefing April 2014) The bathroom has been identified as a key area where many of these trips/falls occur.
- A low level or level access tray is one way of avoiding a trip/fall in the shower area. This tray is 35mm high and has an industry leading drainage of 38 litres/ minute and is suitable for use with all mixer and electric showers. Suitable for bariatric people, it can support a weight of up to 250kg (40 stone). It is also slip resistant, which is achieved through a raised tread pattern covering the entire tray - providing a greater contact area.
- Standing while showering, particularly without a support rail, can be an unsafe practice, particularly for a person with a balance problem. This fold down shower seat with vinyl padded arm rests features adjustable leg length for variable height settings. It is durable and easy to maintain and is suitable for people who weigh up to 30 stone. This slim-line fold down seat is a new design and is available in a choice of colours. When folded this seat has a projection of only 111mm (55mm for shower bench), making it suitable for small shower areas. It is also easy to open – simply pull out the front edge so that the rear of the seat slides down and the arms then fold into place. Cross bracing wall supports mean that this seat can be mounted as low as 417mm if required and the top is slightly angled so that water runs off the back. This design is made using high quality corrosion resistant stainless steel, and can support up to 300kg* (47 stone).
- Support rails are an essential fixture for people who have difficulties with balance. This square profile rail has been designed to make it easier to grip firmly and therefore less likely to rotate under pressure. The corners are made from a soft grip polymer for extra comfort and is colour contrasting for improved visibility. It has been endorsed by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). This fluted rail has been engineered from industrial strength plastics and provides exceptionally good grip in wet environments. Five screw points on each elbow ensure secure and easy wall fixing, with screw cover plates that snap on easily to provide a neat, easy to clean finish. This robust powder coated fold down rail is available in a variety of sizes and has additional optional extras including toilet roll holders and support legs. This polished stainless steel rail offers a more stylish solution and is available in either a curved or a straight design.
- It is useful to know how the features of the product will help someone with sensory problems. For example, if someone has a visual impairment, will the person be able to see the display on the shower controls. It is estimated that around 13% of people aged 65+ have difficulties with their eyesight (ONS) These are typical features that are used to make a shower easier to operate for people with visual impairment.
- It is useful to know how the features of the product will help someone with cognitive problems. For example, if the person has a memory problem do they need to remember how to set the temperature each time they use the shower. Dementia is one of the main causes of disability in later life. It affects 1 person in 6 over 80 and one in three over 95. These are typical features that are used to make a shower easier to operate for people with cognitive problems.
- It is important to know how to position the product so the person, or carer can use it to their full advantage. It is necessary to know if there are any limitations or advantages as to where the product can be positioned/fitted/installed. For example, if a person is sitting to shower, where is the best position to put the shower unit and showerhead?
- Another key priority is the safety and comfort features that the product offers. For example, with a shower it is necessary to know how quickly it gets to temperature and what safety features it has for preventing scalding. Scalding accidents result in almost 30 deaths and over 200 scalding accidents in UK bathrooms every year. (BMA) These are typical features that make a shower safer and are used to avoid scalding.
- There is a specific need for the close control of shower outlet temperatures for people with limited mobility or the inability to react quickly to changing situations. A temperature of just 51 degrees C will burn the average adult in 2-6 minutes, and even faster with elderly adults and children who have thinner skin.
- It is important to know what the benefits or limitations are regarding the installation of a product. For example, does the floor construction limit where or if a shower tray can be installed. It is also important to know how easy it will be for the person, or their carer, to maintain the product. Also does it produce excessive heat, noise, smells etc. when operating.
- Specifiers may have a tendency to concentrate on the main barrier that is causing the problem (i.e. The bath side that is preventing someone from using the over bath shower. Consequently, then tends to focus on the recommendations for the type of shower tray and screens. It is just as important to consider the other products that will be part of the adaptations. Each element can make a difference to how a person can perform everyday showering unaided.
- Pumped drainage systems are a requirement in level access wetroom areas where gravity drainage is not an option, for example on the ground floor. Wireless operation of this system is an important feature, particularly for people with cognitive problems. This system works automatically with the shower by providing two way wireless control between electric shower and digital pump. The shower will automatically turn off in the event of a power failure to the pump – this will help to prevent the risk of flooding. Communication is automatically re-established when both units (shower and pump) are turned back on again. It offers a easy and neat installation, with a simple pairing of the pump with the shower. There are no wires to cause concern of potential connection failures.
- To minimise gulley suction noise, the system uses a digital signal sent from the electric shower to automatically adjust the pump speed in relation to the flow rate of the shower. No set-up is necessary – gives ‘plug and play’ operation.
- The system is very quiet in operation. The pump operates to the flow rate of the shower, minimising noise. A specially design quiet gulley is included with each system, and the digital pump transformer includes patented diagnostics. The digital pump is extremely reliable and is covered by a full 5 year guarantee. There is a technical support team that operate a user helpline and a network of trained engineers covering the UK.
- The system includes an industry leading electric shower, specifically designed for elderly and disabled people. The shower has a number of safety approval Marques, including RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People), BEAB Care ( this means that it has been additionally tested by BEAB on performance relating to applications in the care sector), WRAS (it complies with regulation 4 of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999). The shower has a number of inclusively designed features, these include thermostatic temperature stability, and a choice of eight maximum temperature settings (37 degrees – 48 degrees). For added flexibility, this shower has an extra long slide bar (1m long) and a 2m long shower hose. The friction clamp bracket that holds the shower head is easy to move – it can be adjusted with one hand. This can be wall or corner mountable. The shower unit itself has a large colour contrasted rotary lever, tactile raised areas, a large on / off button, back-lit buttons and an audible click on the temperature lever. Phased shutdown ensures that all hot water is flushed from the shower after use, to make it safe for the next user. Works on a cold mains water supply with minimum maintained pressure 1.0 bar (10 metre head)
- The wireless digital shower drainage pump delivers a robust performance, where hair, gels, grit and other shower waste pass through the pump without blocking. It is also maintenance free; no pump filter is required therefore no internal cleaning is necessary. The practical design ensures that valves that are integral to the pump prevent odours escaping into the bathroom from the waste pipe. To ensure quiet operation, a specially design gulley is included with each system. The pump also matches flow rate of shower to reduce pumping noise The pumped gulley is specially designed to prevent items such as shampoo screw caps and curtain hooks causing blockages. The digital pump transformer includes patented diagnostics; a test button power indicator flashes to show the status of communications between the electric shower and pump. (i.e. A slow flash indicates correct communications, a fast flash means water is flowing).
- This wireless pumped shower drainage system is very easy to operate, as demonstrated by this short video.
- The system is very easy to install as there is no physical link up between the shower unit and the pump. As it is a wireless system, there is no trunking or conduits, ensuring a tidier finish in the wetroom area. It is very simple to set up, the units will register in less than 30 seconds. The digital pump can be positioned up to 5 metres away from the shower unit, offering greater flexibility.
- In terms of user benefits, the system operates quietly because the pump speed matches the shower flow rate, ensuring that suction noise is limited. There is also no interference with other wireless devices around the home, this is because there is a unique serial number between the shower and the pump. The built-in memory features ensures that in the event of a power cut, the shower and the pump remain registered once power is restored. For complete peace of mind, the system comes with a full 5 year warranty. There is a team of technical service engineers covering the UK.
- These are the key learning outcomes to be taken from this presentation on Safe Showering.
- Are there any questions?