Vinyl Walls Standing Tall: The Ideal Solution for Modern Healthcare Needs

Are you thinking of putting up a hospital or assisted living facility? Thinking through the kind of construction materials you use pays big dividends in the long run - and Square Foot can help you make the right decisions.

Hygiene and healthcare go hand in hand. While the floor lays the groundwork for your operations, the walls distinguish the different functional units within the facility. We bring you the highest quality of vinyl sheets for floors and walls, manufactured by Tarkett, to create a germ-free space.

If Walls Could Talk... Five Key Factors for Healthcare Walls:

1. Easy to clean - a quick wipe with a damp, disinfectant cloth should leave your walls sparkling
2. Permanent no maintenance needed
3. Waterproof - water-resistant walls prevent leaks and cracks that allow mold and fungus to germinate.
4. Flame retardant and antishock properties - critical to prevent electrical fires.
5. Antiviral and antimicrobial - essential for a germ-free environment.
6. Serene and soothing - pleasing to the eye and ear.

A hospital or medical unit is a 24X7 facility. Taking a large block out of commission for renovations is extremely inconvenient and every day that the facility is not used incurs a loss in revenue. Yet, there is a lot of wear and tear, and the walls often get spotted and stained.

In healthcare, indoor air quality is a top priority. From dust to microbes and even fumes, indoor air is full of pollutants, which spread infection. Contamination by air-borne germs, bodily fluids, and frequent coughing and sneezing is a major health hazard.

Depending on the zone, the walls must be able to withstand electrical currents, and support tubes, pipes and wires that are required for patient care. The walls must also be able to handle bumps and scuffs that may occur while wheeling equipment to and fro.

Reduces the spread of infection:

• Vinyl walls are seamless and non-porous, preventing fungus and bacteria from flourishing. In the wake of the COVID 19 Pandemic, the overuse of disinfectants has increased bacterial resistance, creating a heightened demand for anti-microbial products. Tarkett's vinyl sheets are certified and tested for bacterial resistance according to ISO 846 standards.
• Vinyl walls help Infection Prevention Control (IPC). The goal of IPC is to prevent the spread of Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial resistance. According to the WHO, if we don't act now, antimicrobial resistance deaths could reach 10 million/year by 2050.
• Walls are high touch surfaces and when unclean hands touch them, they get contaminated very easily. 80% of infectious diseases are transmitted when dirty hands touch the surface.

Extremely easy to clean:

• A vinyl wall is easy to wash and clean with a simple disinfectant and cleaning solution. A hardy substance, vinyl can withstand strong cleaning agents such as bleach over an extended period of time, without damage.

• In high traffic areas like hospitals, there is a lot of movement. In humid climates like India's, when people stand against the walls, they often leave stains from hair oil or sweat, creating dark patches, or fingerprints where they have leaned against the surface.
• Tarkett's vinyl is enhanced by its TEKTANIUM surface treatment, which safeguards the surface against unsightly stains from chemicals like Iodine, Eosin and Betadine.

Higher Air Quality:

• Covering the walls with vinyl leads to lower particle emissions, which improves indoor air quality. Our vinyl sheets emit the lowest level of VOCs, helping to maintain high indoor air quality standards.
• Tarkett has also removed biocides from its vinyl products, to avoid antimicrobial resistance. Tarkett is a pioneer in innovating phthalate-free vinyl, making it ideal for child-friendly zones.
• In 2020, Tarkett became a member of the Clean Hospitals network, which pledges to improve sustainable hygiene and promotes innovative and effective cleaning processes.

Durability & Maintenance:

• Vinyl walls last for years because they are very durable. They do not crack or peel unless something sharp nicks the surface.
• If there is a tear or scratch, it can be easily repaired within a few hours by spot-welding the damaged area. Unlike paint or varnish, there is no smell after application.
• Tarkett's innovative TEKTANIUM PU coating is a proprietary polymer guard that makes the surface extremely resilient, protecting against scratches, scuffing, tears and stains.

Installation with Coving:

• Its flexibility offers a key advantage. Vinyl is quick and easy to install. It is a top choice for operation theatres and ICUs, because it offers perfect coving & highly resistant welded joints.
• A vinyl sheet that is laid on the floor can by laid all the way up the walls, creating a smooth, creaseless surface. Coving in drains also makes it a very viable solution for wet areas.

Calm and Quiet:

Attractive and Aesthetic:

• From an aesthetic perspective, vinyl is very pleasing to the eye. Tarkett offers a varied range of 64 different designs and a vast palate of colours. Biophilic designs create a soothing, nurturing ambience, inspired by nature.
• Panoramic designs and customizable colours create a personal touch.

Enhancing Visibility and Safety:

• As people age, their vision reduces, but vinyl walls can help them see better. The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of a surface creates sharp contrasts which helps senior citizens and patients see more clearly.
• As colour vision dims, it becomes more difficult to see pastel shades and distinguish between colours. Contrasting stairs, 3D indicator strips & warning tiles create a safe and supportive environment.
• For those who have short-term memory issues or dementia related diseases, we also offer a range of specific colours and designs that are dementia-friendly, ideal for assisted living facilities and senior citizens’ homes.

Sustainability & Circularity:

• Personal health and hygiene and environmental sustainability are two sides of the same coin. Our innovative vinyl solutions are eco-friendly and have a high percentage of recycled material.
• All our vinyl products are audited by third parties to ensure that they meet health and environmental benchmarks.
• Tarkett follows Cradle to Cradle principles, and the material health statement exceeds REACH compliance. Tarkett vinyls are also LEED certified.

Serene. Soothing. Stress-free. Sanitary.

A healthcare facility needs to evoke a sense of comfort and homeliness, while maintaining stringent hygiene standards. Vinyl walls go a long way towards creating such an environment. An excellent cleanability factor combined with aesthetic elegance makes vinyl a compelling choice. Easy to install, quick and simple maintenance, and environmental sustainability make it a cost-effective and time-saving option for any healthcare facility.

The Square Foot Advantage

Square Foot not only brings you top-notch products, but also years of our own experience in healthcare. We have an intimate knowledge of the safety and hygiene requirements and have a long-standing partnership with several medical facilities including Manipal Hospitals, FORTIS, Apollo Hospitals, Max Healthcare, Columbia Asia Heart Institute, KIMS, and BMH, among others, across the country. With more than 50% market share in healthcare across India, Square Foot is your top choice for all your wall and floor requirements. Contact us today to understand what we can do to help you get your healthcare facility off the ground.