Drainage Solutions for Aged Care, Health Care and Educational Facilities
Why Specialist Drainage Matters
Drainage systems play a critical role in maintaining hygiene, safety, and accessibility in aged care facilities, hospitals, and educational buildings. These environments serve some of society’s most vulnerable people, making reliable and well-designed drainage essential for preventing safety hazards, maintaining hygiene, and supporting operational efficiency.
Key Design Considerations
Hygiene and Infection Control
Hospitals, aged care homes, and schools require drainage systems that prevent water pooling, which can spread harmful microbes like Legionella. Stainless steel drainage systems are preferred because they:
- Are easy to clean and resistant to bacteria build-up
- Provide long-lasting durability under heavy use
- Reduce risk of odours and contamination
Accessibility for All Users
AS 1428.1:2021 outlines design requirements for accessible building elements. Drainage should support:
- Level-threshold access for mobility-impaired users and wheelchairs
- Curbless shower drainage in aged care and hospital bathrooms
- Linear drains for safe transitions in public entrances and student housing
Slip Resistance and Public Safety
All pedestrian areas, including hospital corridors, playgrounds, and threshold entries, need slip-resistant grates compliant with AS 4586. Selecting anti-slip grates helps prevent accidents, while ensuring they do not create trip hazards or interfere with mobility aids.
Load Ratings and Durability
Drainage systems in kitchens, loading bays, and heavy foot traffic areas must be designed for the correct load class rating under AS 3996. For example:
- Class A – Pedestrian-only areas
- Class C & D – Loading docks and kitchens with trolley traffic
- Class E+ – Vehicle access or heavy-use environments
Fire Protection
Penetrations through floors and walls must maintain their fire rating. Selecting a system tested to National Construction Code requirements ensures fire safety compliance, particularly in multi-storey healthcare or education buildings.
Off-the-Shelf vs Custom Drainage
While many applications can be serviced with off-the-shelf solutions, custom drainage systems often provide improved performance for complex layouts and unique facility needs. Allproof specialises in:
- Custom channel lengths and depths
- Project-specific sump sizes
- Specialist layouts for unique applications
- Fire-rated and slip-tested solutions
Sustainability in Facility Design
Allproof is committed to reducing embodied carbon by manufacturing drainage systems using 100% recycled plastics and powering production with solar energy. This approach aligns with the increasing focus on sustainable construction in healthcare and educational projects.
Why Choose Allproof?
- Full design, development, and production control
- Custom solutions backed by testing and quality assurance
- Expertise in complex healthcare, aged care, and education installations
- Sustainable manufacturing processes