Two key issues were the priority for the rebuilding of the State Hospital in Carstairs, Lanarkshire – security and safety. When it came to the specification of new doors and windows, Fendor UK was the only choice and, in a contract worth £2.2 million, manufactured, supplied and installed a range of its aluminium windows, screens and louvers, as well as steel doors and the company’s unique Anti Contraband Secureline SwingVent window system.
The State Hospital is the only specialist high security psychiatric facility that exclusively serves Scotland and Northern Ireland, and in a major £65 million refurbishment programme, the facility has been undergoing a complete transformation on the site of the existing campus.
A safe and secure environment for patients, staff and visitors was paramount when it came to the design of the new hospital which was undertaken by architects Macmon Chartered Architects with main contractors Skanska. The new doors and windows needed immaculate credentials to meet these stringent requirements and the Fendor range fitted the bill perfectly. Fendor liaised closely with the client and the architects to devise the best solution, and made full use of both the steel and aluminium profiles within the company’s extensive portfolio.
The environment had to be clinically safe to accommodate the solely male patients at the new facility. Fendor, Skanska and the client rigorously tested all windows to ensure that all the criteria regarding safety, security and environmental compliance was achieved, testing both the internal and external sides as well as a variety of security glass in single and double glazed options. With Fendor advising at all stages, the specification changed until all parties involved were satisfied with the final bespoke solution, and this resulted in a majority of aluminium windows being selected, as well as the composite steel and aluminium Anti Contraband SwingVent window..
“We were faced with an environment that threw up many challenges,” comments Chris Duffy, managing director of Fendor.. “Security was uppermost but additionally comfort was also a consideration as the hospital houses a number of longer term patients. For example our windows allow patients to control their own environment without any risk ‘’.
Windows were thermally broken and supplied with solar control glass to prevent heat gain and Low E coated glass to stop heat loss, maximising comfort for occupants of the rooms. This has the added advantage of saving money for the Trust on supplementary heating and ventilation requirements are minimised. The aim of the design was also to provide a non institutionalised, normal living environment where possible, in order to facilitate the rehabilitation of the patients. Importantly, the performance of the windows has not compromised the aesthetic appeal, with the inherent strength of the profile materials allowing for larger glazing spans to be included.
All windows are grey in colour apart from the patient bedrooms where a dual grey/white scheme was applied (white to the room side), to reduce the impression of institutionalism and promote a more community like environment. In addition, these windows have a unique continuous turn open/close mechanism.. Although the patients can open or close the vent themselves the mechanism cannot be forced or damaged as it does not have a full open or closed end position.
The entire campus comprises 19000 sq ft of space and contains over 140 high secure beds and a range of administration rooms and refurbishment is expected to be complete by next year with final landscaping being complete early 2012..
With its range of aluminium and steel doors and windows, Fendor has been instrumental in ensuring that both staff and patients have a safe, secure and comfortable ambient internal environment throughout the entire campus.
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