CPD Seminars

Specifying materials for a caring environment, special needs or school facility requires great consideration. Within healthcare, the vulnerability of the occupants and their associated health needs calls for specific design requirements. Whereas within the education sector the need for children to have the optimum learning and living environments means that finishing products need to optimise the internal space and create an atmosphere where they can thrive; especially if those children are living on the autistic spectrum or have additional needs.

This is why danfloor has developed three RIBA CPD presentations that explain the importance of carpet specification within therapeutic environments, learning and living spaces within education and for environments catering for those on the autistic spectrum.

We also have a RIBA CPD approved article based on the subject of infection control and the use of carpets, which can be downloaded from the RIBA website

To book your next CPD session, whether it's to be held face to face or remotely, with one of danfloor's knowledgeable Area Sales Manager contact catherine.helliker@danfloor.co.uk

Alternatively, pre-recorded presentations can be accessed via the RIBA website to watch as and when you have time.

Design with Autism in Mind

With an increasing number of children and adults being diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum, it’s important to understand the sensitivities someone with autism experiences and how their internal space can affect the way they relate to other people and their environment.

This RIBA Approved CPD will explore the impact of interior design and elements specified for a building upon people on the Autistic spectrum. It discusses the sensitivities of those living on the Autistic spectrum experience, and how internal spaces can affect the way these individuals relate to people and their environment.

The presentation then introduces the ASPECTSS Design Index, as a conceptual framework used to address the elements of acoustics, heating, colour and pattern, and the zoning of spaces, and discusses how carpet can meet the requirements of the Index. By the end of the CPD you should have a greater understanding of:

  • The benefits of Autism Design principals
  • How a thoughtfully designed environment will positively impact all children and adults with special needs
  • How an interior design scheme will impact the way an individual on the spectrum will function and communicate with others
  • Design recommendations as not limited to special schools and residential facilities
  • The role of carpet in autistic inclusive environments

RIBA Core curriculum subjects

Inclusive environments
Design, construction and technology

Knowledge level

General Awareness

Carpet Specification for a Therapeutic Environment

This seminar explains how carpet can help to create a therapeutic environment in a care or mental health setting. It will help you to understand the following topics:
– Understand the importance of carpet specification within therapeutic environments looking at acoustics, indoor air quality, use of colours, trips and falls and creating a homelike feeling
– Understand the various benefits that carpet offers which help to create a physical, social and psychologically safe place that is specifically designed for healing and wellbeing
– Understand that carpet needs to be cleaned and maintained like any other flooring finish, but shouldn’t be considered anymore of an infection control risk than hard flooring alternatives.
– Understand how to specify a carpet which is suitable for the demands of the care and mental health sector

RIBA Core Curriculum:

Design, construction and technology

Health, safety and wellbeing

Knowledge level:

General Awareness

Improving Learning and Living Environments within the Education Sector

This presentation looks at the importance of carpet specification within education facilities including student accommodation and boarding facilities. It covers the benefits that carpet offers which helps to improve the learning and living environments including; improving concentration and comfort, acoustics, indoor air quality, lessening injuries from trips and fall and realising cost savings. It will help you to understand the following topics:
– Understand how carpet can improve living and leaning environments
– Understand the importance and yarn selection and finishing products
– Understand how to specify a carpet which is suitable for the demands of the education sector

RIBA Core Curriculum:

Design, construction and technology

Knowledge level:

General Awareness

CPD Article – Understanding Infection Control with the use of Carpet
There is a common misconception that there can be infection control issues with having carpet within healthcare settings including residential care homes and mental health facilities. This CPD article looks at various studies and research findings around some of the common misconceptions of the use of carpets within non-clinical healthcare environments, with a focus on infection control and cleaning. By the end of the CPD you should have a greater understanding of:
– The spread of bacteria and fungi from floor finishes and why carpets shouldn’t be eliminated from specifications
– The rules and regulations of installing carpets within healthcare
– Facts and figures about carpet life cycle costs and energy savings from the use of carpet
– Why carpets shouldn’t be considered as an infection control risk in non-clinical healthcare environments
– Health building notes and what the CQC say about the use of carpets

RIBA Core Curriculum:
Design, construction and technology
Knowledge level:
Microlearning
Read the article