Creating your multisensory room
multisensory for everyone
Setting up your sensory room
So you’ve decided to build a new sensory room and want to know where to start. This guide aims to help you design your sensory room and make the most of this exciting new space whilst avoiding the usual pitfalls. It highlights many points to consider but is no substitute for advice and design from an experienced Sensory Advisor.
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Location
Size and shape of room
The first thing to consider when designing a sensory room is its location. Ideally the room needs to be located away from busy thoroughfares where external noise could be an issue.
All rooms are different in size and shape, and a sensory room can be developed in almost any location however circular rooms can cause problems when attempting to mount products on walls. Ideally one corner of the room needs to be unobstructed to allow for a bubble tube corner to be installed. If you want to install a MiLE, the ideal size is 5m x 4m although almost any size would be fine.
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Windows
Doorways
Windows are not essential and often end up being covered with blinds or film adding to costs. If daylight and natural ventilation is required consider an appropriate size window and suitable position – we can advise on this.
Wheelchair and hoist access may require a wider or double door – doors need to be wide and high enough for monorail tracking systems to run through rooms and corridors. (The door is likely to be a fire door). When working with clients and students with Visual Impairment (VI) it often helps to paint a door in a contrasting colour to the rest of the room to help a client orientate themselves within the space. Caution must be taken when padding Fire doors as their function must not be hindered in the event of an emergency occurring. We can advise on the best fittings to use and how best to safely pad any door.
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Colour of walls, ceiling and floor
Floor Coverings
Wall colour is personal preference. Where colour recognition work is required, projecting different coloured lights onto walls, the wall colour should be off white or ivory so the colour projected is the true colour visible on the wall. Colour projected onto another colour produces a different colour.
The choice of floor covering depends on what the room is being used for, who is using the room and the effect you wish to create. Where wheelchairs are to be used a durable covering is required that minimises friction and therefore effort required for the wheelchair to travel. A combination of carpets and vinyl floor coverings offer different visual and tactile effects while adding warmth and comfort to a room.
For dark studios where Ultra Violet lighting effects are to be used try a midnight blue or dark green. These colours are less harsh than simply black and white yet provide the same effect. Dark colours are better in creating a more focused area in which to use fluorescent effects. Why have all the walls the same colour? Perhaps have different colours for different areas for different types of work or effect, and use curtains to create a room within the room. 6
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Lighting
Heating
House or ceiling lights in the room should be controlled by a dimmer switch on the wall preferably remote control, infra red or radio.
Under floor heating can work well, caution should be advised when floor padding is to be fitted directly onto the floor surface – we produce bespoke raised platforms that allow for ventilation and a ‘breathing’ space offering both comfortable warmth without problems with trapped moisture between floor and padding. Radiators can be positioned according to the room and proposed products, cool surface types are best to prevent scalding.
Try to avoid harsh fluorescent strip lights, although they have improved, opting instead for softer spot lights that can be dimmed via a switch.
Electrical Often plug sockets can be used without a problem. We often fit switched fused spurs for each product which are wired back to a grid switch on the wall. This offers complete control of the products from one central point and keeps sockets and switches away from inquisitive hands!
Ideally, Air Conditioning is preferred. The temperature of the room can be controlled more easily and you have the added advantage of changing the temperature of the room to suit your sensory themes, i.e., if you had an ‘Antarctic’ or ‘Desert’ theme then you could adjust the temperature of the room accordingly. www.experia.co.uk
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Ventilation
Fire Detectors
Ideally the room would have a minimum of adequate ventilation – a through flow of air such as an Xpelair/Vent Axia system with vents in and out for fresh circulating air. An air conditioning unit is preferable but there are cost, noise level and environmental factors to consider. Be aware, the room is more likely to get too warm than too cold with fan cooled electrical lighting products.
Fog machines provide a great effect when used in a sensory room. However they can on occasion set off fire alarms.
Sound Insulation This helps keep unwanted distractions (noise) from entering or leaving the room. Sound insulation can be achieved in various ways, simply by increasing the thickness of a wall, using different materials, external or internal lining of a wall with a sound dampening sheet/board or fibre. Reducing noise levels will allow the users of the room to concentrate on the task in hand or ensure a quiet calming area. 8
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There are different types of smoke and fire detectors, we can advise on the best option for your building. Usually, there are two main types, Optical or Heat. Optical detectors may be set off by smoke or fog machines whilst Heat detectors are not affected.
Hoisting
Storage
Where ceiling hoist provision is required, the monorail style is preferred against the ‘H’ frame configuration as it allows more flexibility for ceiling fittings i.e. curtains, lighting effects, hangings etc. The ‘H’ frame however, provides greater manoeuvrability within the room.
Often overlooked, storage is an important consideration when designing a sensory room. Will you use the room for developing switching skills, if so where will you store the switches and adaptors? Likewise, if you are using the room for storytelling and theming, where will you store the books and resources? You will need space for CD’s, effects wheels, switches, and the various resources you pick up.
If you do not require hoist access to the whole room then a monorail system may be fitted to access key areas. If the roof structure cannot support a ceiling hoist, portable hoists can be used instead. If we are made aware of this we can provide mobile hoist access in our Soft Play Plinths.
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Further information Experia can supply a free 3D CAD plan and advice for the design and installation of a sensory room in all types of establishments and settings. With over 30 years’ experience we can plan your sensory space and work with architects, builders, electricians and other trades to ensure you get the perfect room, first time.
For more information please contact Experia on 0800 612 6077 or visit www.experia.co.uk
multisensory for everyone
Tel: 0800 612 6077 | International Tel: +44 845 644 0977 Email: info@experia.co.uk Experia, Acorn Phase 3, High Street, Grimethorpe, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S72 7BD, UK
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