Hi Marcus,
One of the big problems, and I suppose dangers, for blind users of saunas is
the ability to apply the scented water on the element. Problematic in that
one does not know exactly where the element is, and dangerous because of the
heat. Perhaps some form of applicator (fixed funnel/shute) be designed so
that the water is conducted toward the element without having to pour it on
directly.
John Gregory
Access Officer
Cherwell District Council
Tel. 01295 221630
Email. mailto:[log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
-----Original Message-----
From: Marcus Ormerod [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 21 June 2005 11:49
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ACCESSIBUILT] Accessible saunas and
steam rooms
Hi Helen
Thanks for the input and know what you mean about the
trickiness of
retrofitting as I have been to look at an existing
installation to get an
initial impression of the issues. The threshold on the one I
viewed was not
as much a problem but this may be because they are
positioned near to the
pool side and the whole area is tanked. The issue of being
left in the room
since wheelchairs, crutches etc will be taken out of the
room by an
attendant is a concern I already had and the emergency call
facility would
help. As you say height of benching and transfer space is
most certainly
something that needs bringing in. Grab rails are another
tricky item as
where do you put them in a confined box so that they are
useful but do not
restrict the space?
In the steam room the problem seems to be everything being
white with poor
visibility anyway because of all the steam - guess getting
rid of the steam
may not be a good solution though! But increasing tonal
contrast may be a
possibility if we can get material that does not wear out in
these
conditions too quickly.
-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of
helen
Sent: 21 June 2005 11:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ACCESSIBUILT] Accessible saunas and steam
rooms
Hi Marcus - the only time I got involved with something
like this was to
retro-fit improvements to an existing sauna (tricky!) which
involved
widening the door, lowering the vision panel, and installing
portable timber
ramped access either side over the threshold (as they are
'tanked' rooms!),
increasing the circulation space, ensuring the bench for
transferring to was
the right height with an emergency/service call pull cord
plus visual fire
alarm etc. But metal gets hot in a sauna so wheelchair
ideally needs to be
removed following transfer and then called back when needed.
The other
option (if possible) is the purchase a chair to transfer
with no metal parts
- e.g. there are plastic wheelchairs on the market suitable
for the sea and
beach that can go in water. They look ridiculous but won't
get hot!
Unfortunately I have not seen reclining ones though. I have
also worked more
recently on Turkish steam rooms where the problem was the
need to plunge
into the cold bath quickly as part of the process.
Discussions were held as
to whether we should have a hoist for the cold plunge pool
but there were
concerns over other health and safety issues (heart attacks
for one) and the
need remove someone quickly so we opted for cold showers as
an additional
facility.
Hope that helps.
Best regards
Helen Allen
HADA Ltd
79 Boyton Road
London
N8 7AE
t/f: +44 (0) 20 8340 1990
Mobile: 07766 815 554
www.hada.co.uk <http://www.hada.co.uk>
-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
marcus ormerod
Sent: 21 June 2005 11:05
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ACCESSIBUILT] Accessible saunas and steam rooms
Hi all
I am undertaking a small research project on what would
improve the
accessibility of saunas and steam rooms. I wondered if
anyone on the list
had experience of this that they may be willing to share.
The results of the
research will be made available to those interested.
The sauna type is a kit type being fitted into a public
leisure centre - we
hope to that what we find out may influence the product
supplier in future
work. The steam room is similarly fitted out with a kit of
parts.
Looking forward to some useful advice.
Regards
Marcus
Marcus Ormerod MRICS NRAC Access Consultant
SURFACE Inclusive Design Research Centre
The University of Salford
Bridgewater Building
Salford, UK
M7 1NU
Tel +44 (0)161 295 5405
Fax +44 (0)161 295 5011
Minicom +44 (0)161 295 3194
Web http://www.inclusive-design.it
Email addresses
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[log in to unmask]
Best practice guide http://www.accesscode.info
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