‘Health Building Note 00-04: Circulation and communication spaces’ provides guidance on the design of circulation and communication spaces in healthcare buildings, and supporting information on doors, handrails and wall protection.
It should be noted that where the guidance included in the HBN 00-04 varies from BS 8300:2009+A1:2010 or Approved Document M (2013) (e.g. for handrail dimensions), it is intended to supersede these standards for healthcare premises. All such variations have been included in Appendix 2 to the HBN 00-04.
Handrails, Wall & Door Protection
CS Acrovyn hand rails and wall protection products can be used to create a healthcare environment which conforms with the guidance included on this page and results in a functional, clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing building. Using Acrovyn will also assist in reducing lifecycle costs.
In reference to Acrovyn handrails and wall/door protection you may find the following information of assistance:
It is recommended that:
- Handrails should be fitted in main communication routes and in departmental corridors as required
- Contrasting handrails/crash rails may be fitted to provide visual contrast and act as navigation tools
- Handrails will be required in lifts for patient/general traffic use, but requirements will vary in lifts for trolley, stretcher and bed movements
- Handrails should be easy to grasp, and provide a firm but comfortable grip with the whole hand. The handrail that is round in cross-section should have a diameter of 40-45mm
- A clearance of 60-75mm between the handrail and the adjacent wall (or other obstacle) is recommended for hands to pass without scraping knuckles, and to aid those who want to use the rail as a support for the whole forearm
- Where handrails and wall protection are required they may be fixed on combined brackets or kept separate. A minimum vertical clearance of 50mm must be maintained between the handrail and wall protector
- Handrails should contrast visually with the background surface, provide a smooth surface, free of any abrasive elements, and be neither too cold nor too hot to the touch
- Doors should be fitted with kick plates mounted to a minimum height of 400mm to protect them from damage from pushchairs and wheelchairs
- Door frames should contrast visually with the walls/surrounding surfaces
References:
- Department of Health, Core Elements – Health Building Note 00-10: Part B: Walls and ceilings, 2013 Edition
- Department of Health, Core Elements – Health Building Note 00-04: Circulation and communication spaces, 2013 Edition
- Department of Health, Health Technical Memorandum 05-02: Guidance in support of functional provisions: Firecode (Fire safety in the design of healthcare premises)’
Health Building Notes and Health Technical Memoranda are public sector information sources licensed under the Open Government Licence v2.0. All documents are available for download from: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/healthbuilding-notes-core-elements/
