What is HTM Compliance?

HTM, or Health Technical Memoranda, is a collaboration of documents that supply guidance on the design, installation and operation of specialised building and engineering technology used in providing healthcare. The HTM provides best practice standards and policies in order to assist with managing the duty of care in commercial and private healthcare premises.

Suppliers and manufacturers are required to meet the respective standards outlined in the appropriate documentation. Only then can their products be deemed compliant and fit for use in a healthcare environment.

In this guide, we’ll outline the standards that healthcare furniture must comply to and how choosing a supplier that provides this equipment can improve your premises.

Healthcare Storage: HTM 71 Standards

HTM71 is concerned with storage used in medical environments such as hospitals and pharmacies. From trays to cupboards, HTM 71 furniture is widely recognised as the best solution for a medical environment due to its ease of use and optimum utilisation of space.

Medical environments (and the equipment) must be clean, organised and accessible. By assigning HTM71 furniture as an architect or project specifier, you show a clear understanding of utilising storage capacity.

Sometimes rooms in medical environments are cramped and have limited workable space but with the right PRESCRIPTION of furniture, supplies can be stowed in storage that covers minimal floor space.

HTM 71 storage has the capability to speed up deliveries between departments because products can be easily relocated when required. The storage systems also have an impact on reducing the handling of objects. Added contact to surfaces, products and utensils can increase the risk of contamination and damage. Not ideal in an environment meant for reducing the risk of disease and germs.

Why use HTM 71 Products?

Benchmark creates products that provide real solutions for their environments. That’s why our HTM71 furniture has been made with its application in mind. The product features highlighted below are offered as part of our HTM 71 storage range, which is fully compliant with ISO standards to ensure quality, safety and efficiency.

Glass doors allow staff to look inside without having to open the fitting. As many of these cabinets are locked for safety reasons, users will be able to look inside prior to unlocking the cabinet or shelving to reduce the time the unit is open.

Similarly, laminated doors keep valuable healthcare products such as medicines or surgical equipment out of sight in areas where the public could have more access to them e.g. not in a storage or prep room. Some are available with no doors at all for reduced access time.

Our HTM 71 shelving works on a runner system for more fluid operation. The drawers are built into this system and are designed to tilt when pulled out far enough. This means that staff will not need to rummage through drawers but can instead pull it out and examine the whole tray visually to access what they want at a minimal effort to them and minimal disturbance to the tray contents.

For more refined access, the trays can be designed with internal dividers to create distinct sections for more organised storage. Talking about specific sections, Benchmark’s HTM 71 furniture can also be manufactured to fit any space. Need an under desk solution? Need a storage unit that goes from floor to ceiling? Our in-house manufacturing service makes ensures you get the solution you need.

Healthcare Furniture: HTM 63 Standards

Furniture for healthcare has its own list of considerations. Overlooking the fixtures and fittings when designing a medical room can lead to large issues down the line such as breakages or downtime for repair.

Everything in a hospital, surgery, pharmacy or dental practice should be designed with its use in mind. Not only does it need to be practical but it also needs to meet the demands of the environment. That means hard-wearing, hygienic and functional.

For rooms such as laboratory utility rooms and consulting rooms, durability against the demands of the environment is essential.

From post formed laminated worktops with integral rear upstand to Corian solid surface worktops, our products are designed to withstand the rigours of the medical environment whilst maintaining optimum hygiene. As many pieces of equipment in medical environments are expensive and not for use by general members of the public, security systems are available to all cabinets. This means they can be suited to lock whenever your client needs them for their peace of mind.

We also provide an impressive range of specialist stainless steel sinks and taps to meet HTM 64 requirements. HTM 64 refers specifically to the design of sanitary assemblies. Stainless steel does not rust or stain and has high heat resistance. It also keeps its shape and has antibacterial properties—perfect for keeping medical environments hygienic.

At Benchmark, we’re also big on appearance. We know that your furniture and storage products need to be firstly functional but the colour scheme of your design can help to detract from the cold, sterile colour scheme often associated with medical practices.

Use our visualiser tool to blend and mix colour schemes and decide on how to brighten up your next project.

Require furniture for healthcare purposes?

Benchmark has worked on many projects installing FF&E within the health industry over the years. From installing HTM 71 tray systems to a number of large healthcare projects in the Celtic Springs Rutherford Cancer Centre in Newport, the UK’s first proton beam cancer treatment centre, to providing equipment for Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Bedfordshire.

Reydon Healthy Living Centre and iCaSH Clinic are also some of the healthcare projects we have delivered on.

As a result of this experience, we can bring a wealth of knowledge when it comes to designing, manufacturing and installing products. Our healthcare furniture is made in our own UK factory and we have the capability to create innovative, bespoke solutions that meet HTM 63, 64 & 71 standards.

Looking to spruce up your surgery or improve your healthcare premises? Contact Benchmark on 01953 889 603 or email enquiries@benchmarkproducts.co.uk to find out how we can provide you with the best medical furniture solutions available.

This article was written by Dean Fryer, Estimator at Benchmark FF&E Solutions since 2012.

Passionate about the collaboration between sub-contractors on-site and a demonstrated history in assisting building contractors and architects with producing comprehensive and definitive schedules at pre-tender and pre-contract stage, Dean is an invaluable asset to Benchmark Products and contributes towards the end goal of perfect delivery every time.