When most people think of interior design, they think of pretty spaces with nice furniture and finishes, but it’s much more than that. There is an immense amount of thought that goes into planning a space before the aesthetic aspects, especially when it comes to safety.
Emergencies can come in many forms, from fires to unwanted visitors and even global pandemics. HF Planners understands the concerns our clients have for their teams, and we can design with your safety in mind! Here are three ways we can utilize design for your safety:
Wayfinding
Clear wayfinding is a simple aspect of protecting life safety measures in an emergency. Loose wires, wet floors, or drawers left open are all hazardous items at all times, but especially when trying to evacuate a space. Correctly placing exit signage, emergency lighting along egress routes, and clear paths are all essential for fire emergencies. All of these items can also lead to workplace injuries, and, especially for smaller businesses, can be extremely costly due to workers’ compensation.
Air Quality
As we learned over the past two years, our health is just as important as being able to exit a building during a fire. Adding biophilia into your space is a great way to add a peaceful aesthetic to your space and filter the air naturally. Green walls are a popular option, but adding in biophilia can be as simple as placing various plants around the space.
Surveillance
No one wants any unwanted visitors coming to their space. With most companies adopting a hybrid workplace strategy, keeping track of who is in the office at all times can be challenging. Badge tracking is a simple way to ensure everyone entering the space has a valid reason to be there. In addition, video cameras placed strategically around the space will allow building management and law enforcement to understand the situation entirely if an emergency should arise.
Safety is the number one concern for our team when designing a space for our clients. Everyone wants to feel as safe and secure in their office as they do in their home. It’s difficult to predict when an emergency will arise, but partnering with an expert team, like HF Planners, can help you prepare for the worse and expect the best.
