Interior Design: Health and Safety Issues

Health and safety may not be the first thing that an interior design specialist may think of. But, it should be near the top of the list. Clients always demand a lot of things from their interior designers, but designing without considering the dangers to those who will be using the space can be disastrous.

One of the first things to remember is that you always need to put up smoke/fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. These should also be put on all floors and in each area.

Plus, you shouldn’t use furniture or other materials that are toxic or flammable. Most people die of toxic fumes or smoke inhalation when trying to escape from a burning building. You also need to ensure that exits out of the building are accessible, and the paths to these exits are clear of obstructions. There should also be adequate signage that explains where the exits are and adequate lighting to and above these exits.

The next major issue is making your space wheelchair accessible. You not only need ramps and elevators to access the building and different floors, you need to allow space to maneuver the wheelchair. The elderly should also be considered into your design. Falling is still a major health risk to those in bad health or elderly. By avoiding items that could cause someone to trip will greatly enhance the health and safety of those who use the space. You should always check the fire codes for the area where you are designing.

Lighting is also a major concern, especially in an office space. Without adequate lighting, it will cause major eye strain on those who use the space.

Ergonomics is also important in residential and commercial design. Adding tables and chairs that are adjustable in height will allow employees to be more productive and comfortable. Plus, you may want to create a centralized space for a printer or fax machine. It will encourage users to get up from their chair and walk around. This diminishes pain and migraines since sitting for long periods is very unhealthy.

While buildings no longer use asbestos, it’s something that you should be aware of, especially if you’re planning on redesigning an older building. If you suspect that the building you are redesigning may have asbestos, bring in an expert to check it out. If it does have asbestos, you will have to take precautions.

Every interior design professional should plan for air quality. You need to make sure that there are adequate vents and air conditioning or heating. There needs to be good circulation to stop “bad air,” which can lead to sick building syndrome.

There are plenty of rules and regulations that all interior design professionals need to know. In order to stay current with this information, you should research the manuals for your country. For example, for the UK, the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007 is one of the documents that interior designers need to read. You can find manuals for your country online.