Catherine Seville-Clare, Group Customer Relationship Manager at Panaz, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of contract fabrics, discusses the key factors architects should consider when specifying fabrics for care home applications.
When selecting contract fabrics for care home applications, there are a multitude of performance and design considerations that architects must address at the initial design stage to ensure the long term success and suitability of the installation. This includes achieving the highest standards of infection control, whilst simultaneously ensuring the fabrics provide the required levels of comfort, durability and aesthetics.
Setting the standard for performance
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in demand for contract fabrics that successfully mitigate against the spread of virus and bacteria. By specifying upholstery and drapery that feature inherent anti-microbial properties, architects can support care home professionals in achieving the highest standards of hygiene.
This includes fabrics that feature fast-acting antimicrobial technologies that have been applied during the manufacturing process via a method that creates a covalent bond with the fabric. This durable and safe to use technology provides nanotechnology-based protection that fights against a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites including Coronavirus, MRSA, C-diff Spore and Norovirus.
Unlike other types of treatments, this technology instantly kills on contact by piercing the cell wall of bacteria and viruses. Because it is non-migrating, it also doesn’t leech into the environment, meaning it is active for the lifetime of the fabric as it won’t deplete in potency, even in high traffic areas.
In order to ensure the chosen fabric is fit for purpose, architects should also consider stain resistance to ensure the original look and feel of the textile is maintained, whilst simultaneously aiding cleaning and maintenance routines for care home professionals. In addition, professionals should ensure the fabric features an impervious waterproof layer that is capable of resisting over 1m of liquid to prevent spills from permanently setting into the fabric.
To ensure the highest standards of longevity, architects should consider the fabric’s abrasion resistance, which ensures the resilience of the fabric against everyday wear and tear. This is particularly important for high traffic communal areas and items of furniture in personal spaces, such as arm chairs, that experience high levels of usage. Here architects should ensure the fabric has been independently abrasion tested to contract standards by Martindale Rubs and specify fabrics that have been tested up to 100,000 rubs.
The fire retardancy of the fabric is another leading consideration for care home applications. The level of FR testing required changes depending on the end use and environment, with different tests for curtains (BS6867 Type B & C) and bedding (BS7175 for Bedcovers and upholstery). Upholstered fabric in a contract environment should be tested to Performance Standard BS7176: 2007 & A1: 2011, which includes three hazard levels – generally the prevailing is Medium Hazard or Crib 5.
Whilst some design professionals may choose a retail fabric and have a FR treatment added, this may alter the texture and appearance and is not guaranteed to make it FR depending on the type of yarns involved. For example, acrylic, viscose and other yarns are difficult to make FR in high percentages. Retail fabrics are also not designed with contract specifications in mind, so often lack the durability required for a commercial environment.
Architects should therefore choose fabrics that have been designed for contract purpose and conform to the specified standards for their end use or they run the risk of having to make last minute re-selections later down the line.
The importance of considered design
Whilst it’s essential the fabrics provide first class functionality and durability, they must also feature calming designs, textures and constructions that facilitate feelings of relaxation and comfort to reflect an inviting home environment. This is particularly important for residents with complex health conditions, such as dementia.
From a design perspective, fabrics impact an individual’s perception and appreciation of their surroundings. By choosing subtle designs in soothing yet contrasting colourways, professionals can help to minimise confusion or vision reduction, which affects how individuals with dementia identify colour and patterns.
This includes upholstery and drapery that features simply geometric shapes and familiar floral designs that are available across a wide range of basecloth options that are suitable for upholstery, curtains, bedding, cushions and accessories, to help create a cohesive look and feel.
For communal areas, such as lounges and dining rooms, architects should consider faux leather options such as vinyl, as they are low maintenance and easy to clean. Whilst these types of fabrics have historically had a poor reputation for delaminating and creating sticky, hard or cracked surfaces, latest industry advancements have created a protective coating that mitigates the susceptibility of PU with cleaning products to create a more resilient and durable coating.
By identifying the cause of the fabric’s surface failing, Panaz has been able to work with industry experts to overcome this problem through a scientific process called steric hinderance.
This has led to the development of AcryltronTM, a unique protective coating that creates a resilient and durable finish for vinyl and wider faux leather fabrics. The process mitigates the susceptibility of PU coatings against cleaning products, protecting the fabrics from damage against non-ionic surfactants, alkalis and alcohols found in common cleaning products. The end result is high quality vinyl fabrics that contain layers of protective technology that provide ultimate standards of performance and longevity for care home applications.
Tissue viability is another important area of resident care due to the intrinsic and extrinsic costs of pressure sores, which are localised injuries to the skin and underlying tissues caused by sitting for lengthy periods of time.
Whilst the development of pressure reducing seat cushions that combat these potential problems is essential, it’s important that professionals also choose multi-directional stretch upholstery that optimises the cushion’s benefits, without negatively impacting the level of support it provides.
By working in partnership with a fabric manufacturer and their technical team from the project inception, architects can achieve a collaborative approach that ensures successful specification by ensuring the most appropriate and compliant fabrics are chosen to meet the specific requirements of the installation.