Key considerations when building a sluice room

Building a sluice room requires careful planning to ensure it’s compliant with current regulations. A well-designed sluice room is crucial for infection control, especially in healthcare settings. This blog post outlines the key considerations for building a sluice room, covering everything from essential equipment to accessibility, layout and contractor decision making.

Essential Equipment:

At a minimum, a sluice room must include:

• Bedpan washer
• Stainless steel drying rack
• Stainless steel hand wash basin

We also recommend considering the following:

• Air decontamination unit (to control pathogens and bacteria)
• Stainless steel dispensers (for gloves, aprons, hand paper towels, and liquid soap)

Layout

It’s best practice to divide the sluice room into “dirty” and “clean” areas. This separation helps prevent cross-contamination. Clean products, such as bedpans and wipes, should be stored in a designated clean storage area, well away from “dirty” activities. This ensures they remain uncontaminated until needed. Take a look at our sluice room process.

Essential Utilities

When planning your sluice room, remember to consider the following utilities:

• Hot and cold water inlets
• Power supplies and voltages
• Soil outlets and vents
• Floor and wall finishes
• Adequate ventilation

Further Key Considerations

Beyond the essentials, several other factors play a vital role in the success of your sluice room:

• Number of Sluice Rooms: The number of sluice rooms required depends on the size and layout of the facility. Larger facilities or those with a high number of patients will likely need multiple sluice rooms.
• Equipment: Ensure you select equipment that meets all relevant regulations and is appropriate for the facility’s needs. Consider future needs as well.
• Location: Sluice rooms often operate 24/7. Choose a site where noise from water flow or clattering hardware will not be a nuisance to patients.
• Materials: Stainless steel is the ideal material for sluice room surfaces and fixtures. It’s exceptionally strong, easy to clean and disinfect, and resistant to corrosion.
• Accessibility & Layout: The room must be easily accessible for all staff. The layout should facilitate an efficient workflow to prevent cross-contamination. Consider the movement of staff, equipment, and materials within the space.
• Compliance: Ensure the sluice room design and construction comply with all relevant building codes, health and safety regulations, and infection control guidelines. Consult with experts to guarantee compliance.

Choosing the right contractor for your sluice room

Selecting the right contractor to construct your sluice room is crucial in ensuring safety, compliance, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and timely completion.

Here are a few points to consider to make an informed decision:

• Clearly Define Your Needs: Start by outlining all of your requirements. The information above can help you with this.
• Research and Shortlist: Research potential contractors, focusing on those with proven experience in healthcare settings. Check reviews and references to gauge their past performance.
• Verify Credentials: Confirm that shortlisted contractors possess the necessary experience, expertise, certifications, and licenses for the build.
• Detailed Proposals: Request comprehensive proposals that include project plans, timelines, cost breakdowns, design specifications, and proposed materials.
• Assess Communication: Evaluate their responsiveness and professionalism. Timely and clear communication is a strong indicator of a reliable contractor.

Building a sluice room is a complex undertaking. By carefully considering these key factors – equipment, layout, utilities, materials, accessibility, and compliance – you can create a functional, hygienic, and efficient space that supports effective infection control and meets the needs of your facility.  Proper planning and attention to detail are essential for a successful sluice room design.

If you are considering a sluice room renovation, building a new facility or want to discuss your sluice room’s current process, contact Stanbridge today on 01689 806500 for a free and confidential consultation or site survey. Our expert team can provide sluice room designs, CAD Drawings and advice on compliant layouts of your Sluice Room.