Article Number : 7637 |
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| Date | 7/9/2012 8:16:10 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=7637 |
| Abstract | By Josef Erlebach, Vice President, Quick Drain USA To most people, the term "Universal Design" encompasses designing both products and the “built environment” in which they ultimately will function, to be attractive, ergonomic and completely usable at optimal levels by everyone, regardless of... |
| Article | By Josef Erlebach, Vice President, Quick Drain USA To most people, the term "Universal Design" encompasses designing both products and the “built environment” in which they ultimately will function, to be attractive, ergonomic and completely usable at optimal levels by everyone, regardless of age, physicality or their status in life. In our simple language, Universal Design means better looking, faster, easier, accessible and less expensive! Because this mindset focuses on free access for disabled people, it obviously includes barrier-free building ideas. Perhaps the most well-known example of universal design can be seen in today’s sidewalk ramps, necessary for people in wheelchairs, but now also used by all. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was instituted; it really was the spark that sent universal design into motion not just in this country, but all across the entire globe. Curbless shower entries became popular within the healthcare industry, when it was apparent that those in wheelchairs had problems actually getting into the shower. The obvious solution was a barrier-free entry to the shower for them. But then there was another problem. Typically, showers have had a central point drain in their bases or “pans.” This base is angled down from its entire periphery to the central drain generally with four actual “slopes,” so water will ultimately be drawn to the lowered center, and then leave the shower areas via the drain. For one sitting in a wheelchair, this is not a very sturdy way to be positioned, with slopes going downwards all around. The answer was to create a shower pan system where people can achieve zero entry showers with no modification to the shower's sub-floor. With the traditional shower and its point drain, the whole shower sub-floor needs to be dropped down to accommodate for the slopes going in four different directions. Enter the linear drain, a new kind of drainage system that eliminates that need to drop the floor, yet still allows for water to move into the waste line without spills into the bathroom floor or other dry areas out of the shower… with a shower base consisting of one flat plain with a slight pitch. A simple and sturdy solution, especially for those in wheelchairs. So, this new linear channel drain that was ADA-compliant and works perfectly with curbless entry showers was created. This drain could be placed anywhere in the shower design. In many cases, it could be placed at the threshold of the shower for an easy-to-access, barrier-free entry. In addition, as a replacement to the conventional round-center drain, the linear channel drain system, positioned anywhere in the shower, eliminated the need to pre-pitch the mortar bed with four different slopes to the center in order to achieve proper drainage. Think of the savings accrued regarding cutting back on the time-intensive labor of building a pre-pitched mortar bed in each guestroom's shower. In the last few years, four and five-star hotels known for their beautiful, resplendent luxury also have been keen to recognize the safety features offered by universal design. Most of these higher-end establishments have learned what the healthcare building industry earlier embraced, and thus have insisted for the safety of their clientele (and also to minimize lawsuits… ) that universal designed showers be specified for both new construction and renovation projects. Hospitality architects and designers challenged to meet the important functional guidelines of ADA-compliant, handicap-accessible showers, have discovered an entirely new level of freedom and creative design with the linear channel drain solution from Quick Drain USA. (The ProLine Drain is IPC and UPC listed in North America, and exceeds all ASME, ASTM and ANSI requirements.) From an aesthetic standpoint, subtle, stainless steel ProLine Drains can be placed anywhere in the shower for uninterrupted tile designs, a logical replacement for those previously mentioned traditional round center drains. This innovative channel drain system only requires the mortar bed to be sloped in one direction toward the linear stainless steel drain plate, which can be installed against the back wall, hidden under a shower bench, or placed right at the threshold of the shower entrance for ADA-compliant, handicap accessible showers. Without sacrificing design or aesthetic, any guest with a disability or those requiring the use of a wheelchair can easily enter or exit showers utilizing this drain system. In addition, developers and contractors enjoy dramatically faster, more efficient installations that return real savings. The time and labor-saving benefits associated by only needing to slope the mortar bed in one direction for proper drainage - instead of four - repeated by the number of hotel rooms at the establishment being built or renovated, adds up to incredible savings for developers these hospitality projects. Use of large format tiles or even solid surface materials is possible. This eliminates grout joints, making the shower less dependent upon maintenance. Now every shower can be a totally accessible shower without compromising its looks or cost. |