A continuous geared hinge/ concealed door closer combination has been used to create a safer, more comfortable environment in a specialist mother and baby unit at St Luke’s hospital in Middlesbrough.
The selection of hardware for doors was given careful attention by the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, who chose specialist door solutions company, Intastop, to provide the solution. The objective, to provide an effective anti-ligature solution whilst retaining a domestic atmosphere, was achieved using the company’s anti-ligature continuous geared hinge in conjunction with Samuel Heath’s Perko Powermatic concealed door closer and selected anti-ligature furniture.
The combination of the Perko Powermatic door closer and Intastop hinge also enhances accessibility within the unit. Perko Powermatic meets the opening force recommendations of BS 8300 and Approved Document M, whilst the Intastop continuous hinge incorporates low friction bearings and distributes the door weight more effectively than standard hinges.
With the Intastop hinge running the entire length of the door, the concealed door closer was able to be fitted at a position no more than one metre from the bottom of the door. This, together with the hinge’s special anti-ligature tip and the fact that the closer is totally concealed when the door is closed, thereby presenting no protruding elements as possible suspension points, provided the ideal anti-ligature solution. It also assured a clear, unhindered appearance to the door itself.
