A cubicle curtain or hospital curtain is a dividing cloth used in a medical treatment facility that provides a private enclosure for one or more patients. The curtain is usually made from inherently flame retardant (IFR) fabric, and is suspended from a supporting structure or ceiling track.
Construction
Healthcare cubicle curtains are constructed from different woven fabrics stitched together with the top portion of open mesh of the curtain as required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA-701 large & small scale). The suggested fire prevention and regulatory codes are followed by local, state and Federal fire marshals with Healthcare patient safety in mind. The suggestion for mesh is seventy-percent (70%) open allowing for ceiling sprinkler head water penetration in event of fire. The vertical length requirement for mesh size is determined by the number of horizontal inches of the curtain ceiling track from the sprinkler head. Example: If ceiling track is six (6") inches from ceiling sprinkler head, the required vertical length of the mesh is approximately six (6") inches. The maximum vertical mesh length required is eighteen inches (18") regardless of additional distance from the ceiling sprinkler head. The code for the vertical mesh requirement is found under National Fire Protection Agency code NFPA-701/large and small scale (NFPA-701). The lower portion of the cubicle curtain is opaque to ensure patient privacy. Cubicle curtain fabrics with an antimicrobial finish are not required by code but are becoming more common in medical treatment facilities to reduce the spread of germs within a facility. All cubicle curtains are required to be fire-retardant by NFPA code. The fire-retardant properties can be topically applied and/or inherent to a wide range of synthetic fibers used for cubicle curtains.
Design
Cubicle curtain design underwent a period of rapid growth in the 1990s. Instead of traditional solids and tone-on-tones, a broader range of subtle colors, muted tones, and soft hues became available along with different textures and more elaborate patterns. Nature themed cubicle curtains are popular as well as customizable options.
Problems
Cubicle curtains have been known to cause HAI’s (Hospital Acquired Infections). Studies have found methicillinâ€resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on cubicle curtains in hospitals. Since the exposure of this phenomenon, some medical treatment facilities have begun to use anti-microbial curtains in an effort to impede the spread of HAI's.
Examples & Photos
Cubicle Curtains can be used in hospital curtains and must be complaint to National Health Standard in the United Kingdom for infection control and flame retardant to British Standard BS5867 for drapery material.
Fitting room cubicle curtains are used for privacy whilst in retail premises for whilst customers are dressing into clothes. In the United Kingdom these need to be certified to BS5867 for use in commercial environments.