There is a lot to be said of making security an obvious element of design, an easy tool to dissuade those considering breaching the perimeter for whatever reason, from actually making a move.
Grilles on windows, stickers with stern warnings, obvious motion detectors and even a security firm presence have an impact. But there is a downside; what patients don’t want when approaching the dentist chair is any sort of emotional disruption. The same can be said for the GP waiting room or even the vet’s practice. The dual need of emotional comfort and strong security is a challenge for every size of practice.
Windows and doors are clear access points which offer not only egress but also views, fresh air and a link with the peace of the outside world. Grilles on any of these points will serve one master but not the other.
Crimsafe have a range of virtually invisible screens and a range of meshes that allow the fresh air and views to enter, while maintaining a secure perimeter day and night – and that includes protection from mosquitoes as much as marauders.
The Crimsafe window screens are custom made allowing every window style to be secured, while at the same time also offering a keyless emergency exit system. The varying strength of the meshes also allows for protecting those more vulnerable patients in secure facilities from falling, or jumping from windows at height.
The mesh also serves as heat and hail protection, and in northern Australia it has the additional benefits of protection from flying debris often associated with summer storms, though their rated Cyclone Protection Screen is what’s called for in extreme tropical zones. The cost benefit is clear.
Doors have different parameters to consider; they are both gatekeepers of a comfortable inside climate and are also instrumental in providing personal safety and security for the staff, visitors and patients inside a healthcare facility, even a GP practice where break-ins for drugs are an all too frequent occurrence.
The Crimsafe iQ door comes with touch pad entry that includes day/night programming to ensure secure locking each night, and ease of entry by staff the next day.
A large part of those entering a healthcare facility have special needs or are wheelchair bound. Ensuring everyone can easily and comfortably access the building is a key aspect in the design of a good entry. For buildings with a high traffic flow, such as hospitals and other treatment centres, Boon Edam have a range of traffic moderating doors that are both stylish and fit for purpose.
One is a new take on a revolving door; the Duotour offers a door that can convert from turning, to a more fixed opening that can take on people moving options such as ambulance trolleys, as explained by Boon Edam Australia managing director Michael Fisher.
“When an entry requires sophistication to channel the flow of visitors in high numbers at peak times, or those accompanied by carts, trollies or hospital beds, the Duotour two-wing automatic revolving door is the optimal solution. Unlike a three or four wing revolving door, the Duotour can channel a high capacity of foot traffic while having a fairly small footprint."
The Duotour combines the best of both worlds by incorporating two automatic sliding or swinging doors in its design. At peak times, or in order to allow passage to trollies or beds, the function of the Duotour can be switched from the automatic revolving door setting to automatic sliding or swinging doors ensuring maximum capacity and ease of movement.
Beyond ease of use and traffic flow regulation, the revolving door has the added benefit of being energy efficient, effectively forming an airlock to exclude extreme hot or cold temperatures, while retaining within the building the warm or air-conditioned air that has been expensively generated by its HVAC plant.
It is also possible, in the event of a security event, to immediately lock the doors’ movement.
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The full article can be found in the September-October edition of Infolink | BPN
