Client: Harrow Churches Housing Association
Architect: JCMT Architects
Supply of Polysafe collection

Safety flooring products from Polyflor’s Polysafe collection have been installed at the award-winning Ewart House Extra-Care scheme in Harrow, West London, to provide a slip resistant surface in the communal areas and flats.

Designed by JCMT Architects for Harrow Churches Housing Association, the scheme comprises 47 Extra-Care flats and seven wheelchair accessible flats. The development provides fully adaptable housing for frail older people and, together with neighbouring site Abigail House, has been awarded a London Planning Award for ‘Best New Place to Live.’

Polysafe Wood FX PUR was installed in all the flats while Polysafe Hydro was specified for the level access shower rooms. Wood FX PUR was also specified in general circulation areas with a contrast colour at corridor perimeters to aid the visually impaired.

“Ewart House provides the highest standards in accessible, sustainable accommodation specifically designed to meet the needs of older people,” explains Sheelagh McManus, director at JCMT Architects,

“All finishing materials were specified with aesthetics, comfort and safety in mind and the Polysafe safety flooring products met these requirements.”

Polysafe Wood FX PUR offers advanced maintenance benefits and optimum appearance thanks to Polyflor’s unique, cross linked and UV cured polyurethane reinforcement. This reinforcement can also facilitate significant life cycle maintenance cost savings over a 15 year period when compared to untreated flooring.

Polysafe Hydro incorporates a special textured “pimple” emboss which is ideal for continually wet/barefoot areas such as walk-in showers and is flexible for easy fitting, welding and site-formed coving.

Both Polysafe products comply with HSE and UK Slip Group Guidelines to give sustainable slip resistance throughout their guaranteed life, achieving 36+ on the Pendulum wet test (Slider 96/Four S rubber) with a surface roughness of 20 microns and above. Both ranges also adhere to EN 13845 – the European standard for safety flooring.

Wood effect luxury vinyl tiles from Polyflor’s Bevel Line collection were also installed in ground floor circulation areas. Bevel Line features a 0.7mm wear layer with a polyurethane surface treatment to assist on-going maintenance.