ThermaSkirt in NHS & Care Homes 

Shadow Secretary of State Andy Burnham MP, made a special visit to DiscreteHeat Headquarters to see the ThermaSkirt product and further understand its benefits to the Health Service.

Also in attendance was Lee Panter from the NHS Technology Adoption Centre (NTAC) who is working with the company to further the application, understanding and take-up of the ThermaSkirt system in the health care sector.

ThermaSkirt has been specified on several new build and refurbishment projects in the NHS, but the scope for wider use of the product is huge. Eliminating conventional radiators as the main remaining source of the spread of hospital acquired infections (HAI’s) would offer considerable savings for the NHS and also provide a significant improvement in patient care.

HAI’s are estimated to cost the NHS an incredible £1billion a year, and the cost of correctly cleaning radiators in accordance with hospital guidelines adds another £1billion to the bill.

ThermaSkirt replaces the skirting trim and radiators in one to provide an energy efficient radiant panel that is simply wiped clean when the floor is mopped, saving on cleaning cost as well as eliminating the super bugs from the hospital.

Andy Burnham said: "This is a fantastically well designed, locally made product that could really benefit the NHS. I am very serious about helping Discrete Heat achieve a greater awareness and up take in the health service".

Also on the factory tour was Lee Panter, from the NHS Technology Adoption Centre. "I can see real benefits, both in terms of patient care and improved running and maintenance costs with the ThermaSkirt system. I am very optimistic that NTAC can bring the product to the attention of the people that really need to know about it – Infection Control & Estates Managers. This really is a no-brainer for the NHS".

ThermaSkirt can also improve energy efficiency as it can operate at much lower flow temperatures than conventional radiators, allowing the heating system to reduce running costs by as much as 20%. Additional benefits include eliminating the space robbing and potential impact hazards of bulky radiators and their safety covers that are commonplace in the wards, corridors and treatment spaces in hospitals.

• ThermaSkirt can be cleaned as part of the floor cleaning process - any time of night or day.
• Can be cleaned whether or not the heating is on or off – no special handling is required.
• No dismantling covers – simple mop down with 1% bleach solution.
• Most wards (20m2) done in under 2 minutes - labour and cost saving.
• No specialist tools or equipment required - no retraining required.
• No bending, stretching or lifting – reduced risk of injury.
• Lower flow temperatures - improved energy efficiency.
• No ligature points, sharp corners or exposed valves and pipes.

ThermaSkirt has been independently tested by BSRIA to be at least 13% more efficient than a standard radiator system. This is because the heat is distributed around the entire perimeter of the room, and the larger surface area creates an even all round thermal environment. This more efficient heat distribution means that it can be run at lower temperatures, saving fuel costs and overall running cost of the heating system.

Unlike traditional radiators, ThermaSkirt creates virtually no convection currents (air movement) that carry dust or particles. Radiators rely on convection currents to spread around their heat energy, but also create air movement that carry these particles around the room.

This can be seen by the staining of the walls and wallpapers above convector radiators after a period of time – this is the dust and particles picked up by the air movement that can often trigger an attack in people with allergies and asthma or provide other respiratory problems.

* Marks staining the walls show how radiators disperse dust and infections

The grilles and fins associated with conventional radiators make them hard to keep clean and are seen as a health issue and potential source of infection in hospitals, schools and other public buildings.

Radiant heat, as provided by ThermaSkirt, effectively heats the body not the room and as such creates a warm and healthy environment at lower operating temperatures.

It's easy to clean lines and smooth contours make cleaning and maintenance straight forward.

* Many hospitals and care homes are replacing radiators with ThermaSkirt

Consider ThermaSkirts Health Benefits;

• Virtually no convection, eliminating the distribution of dust and dirt around the room
• Easy to clean – a simple wipe (or mop) down eliminates infections such as C.Difficile, MRSA and other Healthcare acquired infections (HAIs)
• No dusts staining of walls or surfaces
• Maintenance free

For further information, download the NHS & HealthCare brochure

Conventional radiators and pipework provide an anchor point for those vulnerable people who would seek to self harm by suspension or ligature.

* Anti-ligature radiator covers practically destroy energy efficiency

As a result, extremely bulky anti ligature radiator covers with performance sapping tiny air vents are required if people at risk are to be protected from themselves.

Similarly overhead radiant panels, by requiring secure ceiling fixings have to undergo significant risk assessment and modification before they are suitable for use in high risk situations.

Even then, their uncomfortable heating pattern –from the head down- exacerbate the feelings of distress that people at risk often feel. In addition, because of their position – literally out of reach – cleaning becomes a maintenance issue, not a cleaning task.

Contrast this with ThermaSkirts smooth, clean lines, with no ligature points or exposed pipework.

Radiators are difficult to clean, and create the perfect warm environment that harbours dust and propagates infectious bacteria. Although there are ‘cleanable’ Low surface temperature radiators, these still cause major problems, and do not enable complete eradication of harmful microorganisms.

Advantages of using ThermaSkirt

• ThermaSkirt can be cleaned as part of the floor cleaning process - any time of night or day
• Can be cleaned whether or not heating is on or off – no special handling required
• No dismantling covers – simple mop down with 1% bleach solution
• Most wards (20m2) done in under 2 minutes - labour and cost saving
• No specialist tools or equipment required - no retraining required
• No bending, stretching or lifting – reduced risk of injury
• Lower flow temperatures - improved energy efficiency
• No ligature points, sharp corners or exposed valves and pipes

ThermaSkirt has been independently tested by BSRIA to be at least 13% more efficient than a standard radiator system. This is because the heat is distributed around the entire perimeter of the room, and the larger surface area creates an even all round thermal environment. This more efficient heat distribution means that it can be run at lower temperatures, saving fuel costs and overall running cost of the heating system.

"Eventually, it was observed that each of the radiators was surrounded by a ‘cage’ that was fixed to the wall, making removal difficult. As a result, routine cleaning behind the cage was not undertaken. On investigation, thick dust and dried faecal matter was found behind the cages. Microbiological testing of this material indicated the presence of C. difficile. Teare et al (1998) noted that the outbreak began when the radiators were turned on in November and postulated that thermal convection from the radiators may have played a part in disseminating spores to vulnerable patients."

Teare, E., D. Corless, and A. Peacock, Clostridium difficile in district general hospitals. Journal of Hospital Infection, 1998. 39: p. 241-245.

Whilst UFH is clearly easier to clean and maintain compared to LST radiators, it has 2 principle problems;

1. It is impossible to retrofit into a busy hospital or care home
2. It is impossible to control it quickly leading to over & under heating.

There are many cases of Care Homes and hospitals with underfloor heating, where the major complaint is over heating.

The heating of small spaces with variable occupancy levels and inconsistent periods of activity is hard to control, especially with the UK’s fickle weather patterns to contend with.

This is especially true in care homes where corridors provide the conduit for the feeds to each room and so are often massively overheated and impossible to shut off if the rooms the pipes serve are calling for heat.

In many instances, this requires the staff to open windows and doors to expel the heat – hardly energy efficient as the energy used to store up that heat in the concrete screed has already been paid for.

In addition, special ‘low tog’ floor finishes and carpets need to be used if the performance and response of the UFH is not to be diminished, which can add hidden £000’s to the cost of the project, even without the cost of skirting boards being added back in.

Finally, the inevitable ‘accident’ means that the carpets are cooked from below adding to that unpleasant ‘care home smell’ that so many conscientious operators are anxious to avoid.