Yes - the timber gets very hot even for those with the ability to feel it.
Maybe thin padded 'terry towelling' mattresses - something that can be
washed and is hygienic (but not vinyl).
Regards
Helen
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 16:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ACCESSIBUILT] Accessible saunas and steam rooms
Ian
Thanks for that and that is a challenging point for the manufacturers to
consider.
Cheers
Marcus
-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Ian Watkins
Sent: 21 June 2005 14:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ACCESSIBUILT] Accessible saunas and steam rooms
Marcus,
For some people that may need to transfer from wheelchairs, an issue may be
prevention of trauma to skin, particularly pressure sores. I am no expert in
this but have been involved in seating and seating design in the past. My
concern is that high pressure sites on the skin (caused by hard slatted
benches for example), combined with the heat/humidity and the shear forces
placed on the skin when transferring could be a recipe for a pressure sore.
You might need to consider the surface characteristics of the seating in the
sauna/stream room to minimise any risk.
Regards Ian Watkins
Ian Watkins
Director
Watkins Mosvick Ltd
18 The Pound
Syresham
Northants
NN13 5HG
tel/fax 01280 850627
Mobile 07974233894
Web www.watkinsmosvick.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No:4896501
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marcus Ormerod" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 2:00 PM
Subject: Re: Accessible saunas and steam rooms
Hi John
Thanks for that point, although I guess it may apply more to private and
internationally based saunas. As I understand it the heater unit is a self
contained item that is guarded and people are not supposed to put water on
it. Unlike the traditional sauna where the humidity can be adjusted by
adding water on to the coals. The adjacent steam room can be used for the
more humid type of heat.
Regards
Marcus
-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
John Gregory
Sent: 21 June 2005 12:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ACCESSIBUILT] Accessible saunas and steam rooms
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
[log in to unmask]
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[log in to unmask]
Best practice guide http://www.accesscode.info
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