Designer of secondary glazing systems Selectaglaze has completed a project to provide window protection at Smyth House, part of the St Andrew’s Healthcare residential secure mental health unit in Northampton.
Working closely with main contractor Gleeson, Selectaglaze’s brief was to provide secondary glazing units with integral Venetian blinds, adhering to St Andrew’s criteria of both high security and patient safety while permitting authorised personnel access to primary windows. Selectaglaze met the brief by installing its Series 40 side-hung casements. To reduce the risk of patient injury, scratch-resistant polycarbonate was used in place of glass, and special anti-ligature controls developed to operate the blinds. Access to operate the windows is via specialist, secure tools.
Alongside providing a secure environment, the BS7950-tested, Secured by Design-licensed windows will also, Selectaglaze says, reduce heat loss and “almost eliminate” draughts, making the rooms more comfortable and improving the building’s energy performance.
