Advice on the options available for specifiers of windows in the healthcare sector, particularly mental health, is contained in a new guide from leading architectural aluminium systems supplier Kawneer.

“Specialist horizontal sliding window solutions for your healthcare project,” is a brochure that reinforces Kawneer’s expertise in the sector and eases the specification process with a window product selector that caters for three levels of safety and security using its AA®3110HW horizontal sliding window.

Level 1 uses a single or double sliding horizontal window, level 2 a single sliding window with permanent perforated stainless steel mesh, and level 3 a single sliding window with hidden perforated stainless steel mesh which slides across the window on opening.

Kawneer’s AA®3110HW window, developed in conjunction with a number of hospital trusts, incorporates a perforated wrap around gasket which breaks into harmless pieces when there is an attempt to remove it and its lack of a glazing bead means it cannot be removed and used as a weapon or for self-harm.

Other key features include aesthetically designed handles with no ligature risk, concealed window locking at 125mm offering safety and security, and perforated stainless steel mesh allowing ventilation, visibility and security while also stopping the flow of contraband in or out of the window. In addition, the window does not project into the room.

Tested at the BRE for air permeability (Class 3), watertightness (Class 9A 600Pa) and resistance to windload (Class B5), the AA®3110HW has also been independently security tested to ENV 1627 Class 2 by the SKG test institute in the Netherlands.

Kawneer’s new brochure also details the tests and results conducted by healthcare trusts to determine the window’s robustness, such as a 15-minute fire extinguisher attack, 20 to 25 strikes with a snooker ball in a sock (used as a truncheon) and up to 30 blows to the window using various implements.

The special support and advice Kawneer provides for hospital projects is further reinforced by its architectural services team which can advise on everything from ventilation to anti-ligature to ensure hospitals have the best solution for their individual project needs.

Email: kuk.kawneer@alcoa.com