USP College

USP College gets some TLC for their campus washrooms  

USP College is a further education college with two campuses located in Thundersley, Benfleet, Essex, and Grays Thurrock, England. Approximately 4,500 students study at USP and it aims to provide exceptional prospects for students across Essex. They provide career-focused learning to give students the skills employers need, with students not only gaining formal qualifications but developing professional skills desired by businesses.

In 2021, the facilities management team approached Focus Washrooms to provide a quote for refurbishing 12 washrooms and 2 fully accessible washrooms for their students and staff. The original facilities were in need of modernisation and by some simple redesign and new installations, the space would be elevated to a pleasant washroom environment for everyone to use.

The project

Washrooms in colleges must be stylish, robust and made of the very highest quality. With around 4500 students across both campuses at USP, the facilities must also be reliable and robust whilst not neglecting style and aesthetics. Working closely with the facilities management team and understanding budget or any other restrictions, the Focus Washroom set to work on designing the new washrooms. The team opted for a bright and colourful design. They carefully specified materials that would be fit for purpose. Solid Grade Laminate Cubicles, also known as compact grade laminate that is reliable and strong to suit high traffic areas such as schools and colleges.

IPS (Integrated Plumbing System) ducts were installed as they are an effective way to conceal pipework when installing a group of toilets. The process creates much smoother lines and hides any unsightly pipework.  Like many UK educational institutions across the UK, budgets are stretched so the cost was of course an important factor in securing this project. One of the main advantages of an IPS is that it’s usually around 20% cheaper than traditional plumbing methods. It also comes at a fixed price, so the client avoided any potential add-ons or unexpected charges.

Stylish vanity units were installed and the walls were tiled throughout. The floors were made with hard-wearing sheet vinyl flooring and even new ceilings were put in. Like many modern washrooms, the client also specified touch-free technology which is a more convenient and hygienic solution. The Focus Washrooms team installed sensor flushes to the sanitary ware and also sensor taps so they would come off and on with just a wave of a hand. 

Results

The project ran like clockwork and every deadline was met. The team followed a detailed tried and trusted project plan that set out individual dates for delivery. The client was really pleased with the results and there is scope to work with the client again in the future.