Oxford Mermaid - Flooring Specification

Installation guidelines given by Joerns Healthcare Limited, manufacturers of the Oxford Mermaid Fixed Bath Hoist.

For the installation of oxford mermaid bath hoists:

Concrete Floors

Establish with your architect the structural integrity of the concrete floor bearing in mind the stresses that such a structure will impose. In brief, a sound floor of at least 12-15cm thickness of good concrete is ideal. An element of screed is acceptable as long as the expanding sections of the bolts are in solid concrete. Drill 3 x 15mm holes to accommodate the base plate expandable fixing bolts, locate the base plate and fully tighten down. Not all floors are constructed in a manner that allows for such a fixing ie. Certain suspended beam constructions. If in any doubt, submit your proposal to your architect for guidance.

Wood Floors

Establish with your architect the structural integrity of the wood floor, bearing in mind the stresses that such a structure will impose. There are many forms of wood floor construction and essentially the following information must be regarded as a guideline for your builder or carpenter. The knowledgeable skills of your builder or carpenter will be essential to establish a secure installation. For normal floorboard construction, an under floor bracing kit is supplied as standard. This kit has full fitting instructions and simply braces a number of localised floor boards. The kit is a standard pack and may not suit all applications.

If the location of one or more of the base plate fixings coincide with the joist, then a heavy wood screw, coach bolt or a rubber sleeved expanding bolt can be used in conjunction with the bracing kit. Additional holes in the base plate allow for extra location points on wooden floors. Floor boards should be secured locally with additional, heavy wood screws into the joists.

Chipboard and/or lightweight floors will need to be reinforced locally. Again, the advice of your architect will be required to establish the level of reinforcement required. With lightweight floors, there is no substitute, joists and floors will have to be reinforced. Joists, by fixing strengthening sections alongside and floors, by additional fixing locally and/or using a heavy plywood inset. If in doubt, take professional advice.

NB. Not all floors are constructed in a manner that allows for such a fixing, ie. certain lightweight constructions. If in any doubt, submit your proposal to your architect for guidance.

The safe working load of the hoist is 125kg (20st) and this weight should be given to your architect when requesting advice on floor reinforcement.