Understanding Robust Housing requirements

Robust Housing refers to residential structures that are built to withstand various challenges and maintain their functionality and integrity over time. These houses are designed and constructed with durability, resilience, and longevity in mind, all the while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing home-like, non-institutional, and patient-centred environment.

Robust Housing typically incorporates high-quality, anti-vandal materials and thoughtful design considerations that enhance structural strength and performance. The aim of Robust Housing is to provide safe, comfortable, and sustainable living environments, minimising maintenance needs and maximising independent living for individuals with significant intellectual disabilities or high support needs.

Designing resilient bathrooms for Robust Housing

Designing resilient bathrooms for Robust Housing involves careful consideration of various design aspects including accessibility, inclusivity, safety, durability, functionality, sustainability, and technology.

  • Accessibility involves ensuring that the bathroom space is usable by individuals of all ages and abilities. This includes layout considerations, as well as features such as wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, barrier-free showers with grab rails and non-slip flooring, and adjustable-height fixtures to cater to varying needs.
  • Inclusivity extends beyond physical accessibility to consider diverse user needs and preferences. This may involve offering options for different fixture heights or incorporating features such as handheld showers and adjustable mirrors to accommodate users of varying heights and abilities. Additionally, inclusive design considers factors such as colour contrast and tactile indicators for individuals with visual impairments.
  • Safety is crucial in Robust Housing bathroom design, particularly to prevent self-ham, slips, trips, and falls. This includes selecting anti-ligature and anti-vandal tapware, choosing slip-resistant flooring materials, installing grab rails and handrails in key locations, and ensuring adequate lighting throughout the space to reduce the risk of accidents. The use of thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) or point of use mixers effectively controls the flow of hot and cold water, guaranteeing a consistent supply of mixed water at a predetermined temperature, thereby safeguarding against scalds. In addition, the integration of monitoring systems provides invaluable insight into the performance of both products and plumbing systems. This enables proactive maintenance and early detection of potential issues, and enhancing overall safety within the bathroom environment.
  • Durability is essential to ensure that bathroom fixtures are resilient to withstand the rigors of daily use and maintain their functionality, reducing the likelihood of reactive maintenance. This entails selecting high-quality, anti-vandal materials such as stainless steel, ceramic, or solid surface materials that are resistant to corrosion, scratches, and stains. Additionally, choosing fixtures with simple, robust designs can minimise the risk of breakage and facilitate easier maintenance.
  • Functionality ensures that the space is specifically designed to meet the needs of its users. This includes thoughtful layout planning to optimise space utilisation and flow, as well as selecting fixtures and accessories that enhance convenience and ease of use, such as tapware handles or activation. Incorporating storage solutions, such as built-in shelves or vanity cabinets, helps keep the space organised and clutter-free, while features such as adjustable showerheads and handheld sprayers offer flexibility for various tasks and preferences.
  • Sustainability is an increasingly important consideration in bathroom design, with a focus on reducing water and energy consumption, minimising waste, and using eco-friendly materials. This may involve incorporating water-saving fixtures such as low-flow toilets and tapware, and utilising recycled or recyclable materials in construction. When upgrading or installing tapware and sanitaryware, it's important to prioritise environmentally conscious choices by selecting products with third-party certifications such as WELS or ENERGY STAR, researching manufacturers' sustainability practices, and considering the product's lifecycle impact.
  • Technology introduces innovative solutions to enhance the functionality and convenience of Robust Housing bathrooms. This may include touchless tapware and toilets, smart shower systems with programmable settings, and integrated voice-controlled devices for hands-free operation. Advanced technologies also contribute to energy efficiency and water conservation, with sensors and smart controls optimising usage and reducing waste. Integrating technology into bathroom design not only enhances comfort and convenience but also reflects a commitment to modern living and sustainable practices.

The cohesive integration of style and aesthetics is important, ensuring that tapware and sanitaryware complement the overall design of the home. Consistency in design and finish throughout the house contributes to a comfortable, unified and visually pleasing environment.

Maintenance and care tips for long-lasting tapware and sanitaryware

Maintaining tapware and sanitaryware is essential to ensure their longevity and optimal performance. This includes regularly cleaning fixtures to remove dirt, grime, and mineral deposits using a soft damp cloth with mild liquid detergent or soap and water, avoiding harsh abrasives that may damage finishes. For different materials, specific cleaning techniques are recommended; for example, stainless steel fixtures can be polished with a microfiber cloth and stainless steel cleaner, while ceramic fixtures may benefit from gentle scrubbing with a non-abrasive cleaner.

It's also important to inspect fixtures periodically for leaks, corrosion, or loose parts, addressing any issues promptly to prevent further damage. Regular maintenance routines such as lubricating moving parts, tightening connections, and replacing worn-out seals or washers are crucial to prevent deterioration and prolong the lifespan of tapware and sanitaryware.

Our full room solution

Robust Housing fixtures focus on assisting residents in carrying out more tasks independently as well as reducing the mental and physical stress of assisted tasks and ensuring a more comfortable experience for residents and caregivers.

Galvin Engineering can offer full room bathroom solutions for safe Robust Housing environments. Our specialised range includes anti-ligature tapware, showers and thermostatically controlled solutions through to Wallgate solid surface sanitaryware, anti-ligature grab rails, mirrors, drinking solutions and drainage products. We offer small to large scale water control systems and can assist in design through to commissioning.