Interiors

New designs and Class 1 fire rated panels from Fibo UK drew interest from Housing Associations and other providers at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual conference and exhibition at Manchester in June.

Fibo UK has completed a new video to demonstrate just how quick and easy it is to install its high-performance panels and transform walls.

The video features the installation process from start to finish, with the wall panels being installed directly over existing tiles. As well as eliminating the time-consuming process of removing tiles and making good the surface of the walls, the video features Fibo’s innovative Aqualock system in action.

The tongue-and-groove system, which simply clicks in to place, makes installation up to five times quicker than tiles and is totally waterproof once sealed.

In the UK, bathroom falls account for a quarter of all hospital admissions . Unsurprisingly the 80+ age range is most at risk from hospital admission due to bathroom falls, with 8% admitted per year . In addition, the number of people aged 65+ entering hospital as a result of a fall is predicted to increase by almost 50% - to almost half a million - by 2035 . The bathroom is a high risk fall area, particularly for those with sight loss, mobility issues or dementia. Here, Stuart Reynolds, Head of Product and Marketing at AKW, discusses how to overcome two of the most common causes of bathroom falls in this space: poor lighting and trip and slip hazards.

Inspired by the work of ‘Help Bristol’s Homeless’ charity, container manufacturer, Newspace of Lydney in Gloucestershire, has created a specially designed Sleepover Pod  to help ease the City’s rough sleeping issue. The unit has been sited at Bristol’s Malago Road which is an area of ground currently unused, although earmarked for development.

If you have long term disabled tenants who need changes to the property to enable them to retain their independence, Government funding is available to cover the costs, says Closomat.

The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is claimed to be one of the best kept secrets of the welfare system. It can provide up to £30,000 towards the cost of undertaking changes to a property that are “necessary and appropriate”, are “reasonable and can be done” to help someone live independently. The Government pot has almost doubled in five years: in the current financial year, £500m is available for DFGs via local authorities.

The problem of damp subfloors is a general issue in the market, yet the current flooring solutions available result in a long, complex and costly installation process. However, Forbo Flooring Systems has launched a new easy, economic and hassle-free solution which can be installed directly onto damp subfloors: Modul’Up T.E.  

Forbo launched its adhesive-free sheet vinyl collection Modul’up in 2018, but has since been continuing to develop a version suitable for installation over damp subfloors with up to 97% RH.

Armitage Shanks, the renowned commercial washroom solutions provider, has enhanced its industry-leading DOC M package alongside new research around sight loss and dementia.
 
For the last few decades, Armitage Shanks has worked closely with occupational therapists to create the most inclusive solutions which guarantee compliance in commercial and residential care sector washrooms. Now, the manufacturer has adapted its DOC M offering to comprise more visually distinctive products. Due to the colour’s optimum visual properties, Armitage Shanks’ easy to specify DOC M packages now include red toilet seats, hinged arms, toilet roll holders and back rests.