The brief for the Highcroft facility was to supply a safe and secure surface mounted shower for use in en-suite bathrooms in a modern mental health unit. Criteria included supplying a healthcare approved thermostatic mixing valve that could not be used by patients to harm themselves, that was also robust, aesthetically pleasing and accessible to all users and maintenance operatives to ensure safe operation throughout the lifespan of the unit.

To save cost and space on this project, the Architects' design called for a solid block wall structure with mechanical services running through ducting in the ceiling from above. It was therefore necessary to install a surface-mounted shower with hot and cold supplies coming down from above. To recess a shower valve into the block work would have compromised the structural integrity of the walls and was therefore not an option. This in turn raised a number of issues: if a surface mounted valve was to be used, the potentially dangerous hot supply pipe-work would need to be covered, in addition it was considered desirable to conceal all exposed pipe that could act as a point on which patients may harm themselves either accidentally or intentionally. The Horne TSV1-105A shower panel was therefore chosen as the safest and most secure option - meeting not just the criteria of the architect but also all other parties concerned.

Meeting the Project Team's Requirements
The M & E sub-contractor benefited from being able to quickly fit the pre-assembled unit in which the HORNE TMV3 approved thermostatic mixing valve had been temperature set. The pipe work local to the valve had been leak tested to 5 bar pressure in the factory during production. As a result, there was virtually no snagging required on all 102 shower units installed.

The Trust Management had expressed concern about the short length of exposed pipe between the top of the panel and the ceiling. This was enclosed by providing an extension to the main panel, which covered pipe work up to and through the ceiling. This section was made of the same RAL 9010 epoxy coated stainless steel as the main section and so formed a neat, discrete continuation of the main shower panel.

To ensure that the showers deliver safe and comfortable hot water at all times throughout a maximized lifespan, it is essential that routine testing and maintenance be carried out. Horne has developed its entire range of showers with ease of maintenance in mind: allowing maintenance personnel quick and easy access to the mixing valve mechanism without the need to remove the TSV1 from the wall. Strainers also remain completely accessible through a removable end cap located at the bottom of the panel. By making maintenance as easy as possible there should never be a case of a bathroom being put out of commission for the sake of the shower.

User Requirements
For a number of users, limited hand mobility would reduce the ease with which they would be able to operate the standard TSV1-105A shower. For this reason, Horne customised the shower panel by adding an additional lever to the on/off control. This feature also differentiates the on/off control from the temperature adjustment control thus making the TSV1 shower straightforward and simple to use. Through working closely with the relevant parties involved in this, and other projects, HORNE have developed a specialized range of shower packages specifically addressing the precise needs of the healthcare market.

Published July 2002