The 317 specialist shower panels supplied by Horne Engineering, designers, developers, and manufacturers, of thermostatic control products since 1909, are to be installed in bathroom pods by integrated panel system manufacturer WH Foster.
The selected shower is one of an extensive range of panels with applications in healthcare facilities, nursing homes, secure hospitals, prisons, and other institutional settings. Each panel comprises a highly robust aluminium casing protected by a hard white epoxy coating. Various combinations of four flow / temperature control options, and four outlet options, make up the full range. As an example, the panel selected for the North Staffordshire Hospitals PFI project features the Horne TSV1 Type 3-approved dual control shower valve with riser bar, BS 8300-compliant riser mechanism, anti-kink hose, and single function handset.
To showcase the extensive range and clearly illustrate the specialist features and benefits of the new panels, Horne has commissioned a comprehensive animated tour, with narration, which is viewable on the Horne website at: www.horne.co.uk/shower_animation/400kbps/index.html
Every component has been specifically designed or selected to best suit the intended application. The integral Type 3 thermostatic valves are said to “consistently outperform” other shower valves, while the robust casing and fittings have been designed to be easy to clean, abuse-resistant, and to offer a long lifespan.
Ease of installation and maintenance are key features – both essential for the continued operation of the shower valve over an extended lifetime. Good access for maintenance is therefore critical – a consideration addressed by increasing the angle of the cut end of the panel. Strainers are thus more accessible for cleaning, water testing, pipe-flushing, and drain-down purposes.
Low-level isolating service valves, accessible from floor level, and compliant with the Work at Height Regulations, offer significant maintenance benefits, particularly for shower panels with concealed water supplies (AB variants) direct to the rear of the panel.
A well-designed and managed PFI project will look to specify products that will continue to perform throughout the 25-30 year contract term and provide “best value lifetime cost”. It is for this reason that Horne shower panels have been selected for the North Staffordshire Hospitals PFI project as the panels are specifically designed for a maximised lifespan via a combination of good design, high quality materials, and ease of maintenance.
For further information please visit www.horne.co.uk/shower_animation/400kbps/index.html
