With the latest forecast from the Building Cost Information Service ( BCIS ) estimating a 16 % rise in building maintenance costs by the second quarter of 2029 , installing high quality products up front can save money in the long run .

According to Sports England , there are more than 2,000 public leisure centres in England and almost 5,000 privately operated gyms across the entire UK . Leisure centre users can range from families with young children to teenagers and older adults , school groups and sports clubs , individuals or groups with disabilities or special needs .

But designing for such a wide range of users requires careful thought and consideration . Sports England has guidance for designing leisure facilities , which includes sections on accessibility , swimming pools and combined leisure provision . The choice of door hardware is a key element of this design process and can significantly impact how customers and staff experience the building .

The hardwearing finish of HOPPE ’ s Resista ® range provides the perfect door hardware for frequent use in leisure centres . Available in a range of colours in a polished or satin effect and with a 10-year surface guarantee and a 10-year mechanical operation guarantee , these long-lasting door handles require minimal maintenance , an important consideration for cash-strapped leisure centres .

A clean and safe environment

Good hygiene is a vital element of running a safe and successful leisure centre , and the right door hardware finish can help ensure customers stay safe and well .

Polished stainless steel is a good choice from a hygiene perspective as this surface is smooth

and easy to clean . Satin anodised aluminium or Nylon also don ’ t require any specialist cleaning and , because they have an even surface , they don ’ t easily harbour bacteria .

For even more peace of mind , ironmongery products can be manufactured from materials with inbuilt anti-bacterial or anti-microbial properties or covered with a special coating that will give similar protection .

Café facilities within leisure centres can benefit from the additional protection provided by coatings such as HOPPE ’ s Secu- San ® which offer an antibacterial and antimicrobial surface . When applied to hardware , SecuSan ® helps to reduce the spread of bacteria . While products such as these cannot eliminate or kill all germs , they do provide an additional

level of protection and can help to maintain better hygiene standards when people are present in large numbers .

Accessible for all

Everyone should be able to access and navigate a building safely and comfortably and advice on designing for accessibility can be found in BS 8300:2:2018 , PAS 6463:2022 ‘ Design for the mind ’ and The Inclusive Design Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work .

BS 8300:2:2018 brings together a definitive source of authoritative recommendations on the inclusive and accessible design of buildings . PAS 6463 is a guide to help the design of inclusive spaces for neurodivergent groups who can find certain environments uncomfortable on a sensory level . Meanwhile , The Inclusive

Design Overlay provides insights , knowledge and best-practice guidance to those involved at all levels and stages of a project to make buildings more inclusive .

Handles within a leisure centre need to withstand frequent use and comply with accessibility requirements , and while the mechanical performance and design of hardware are the primary ways to address this , the finish also plays a key role from an accessibility perspective .

It is a requirement of Approved Document M that door opening furniture on manually operated doors should visually contrast with the surface of the door . HOPPE ’ s Nylon range is available in all primary colours as well as black and white to provide a stark contrast against any door design , while also complementing

the interior design of the building . Nylon ’ s wide-ranging colour palette can also help with wayfinding , helping members of the public easily find their way around the leisure centre and identify which areas they can or cannot access .

Long-lasting ironmongery for swimming pools

Nylon has historically been a popular choice with facilities managers across many sectors . It has been in use for more than 30 years and provides leisure centres with cost-effective and reliable hardware .

Leisure centres have specific requirements as they often include warm , humid environments . When specifying ironmongery for gyms , pools , showers , and changing rooms , Nylon is a great choice as it doesn ’ t corrode with chlorine .

Coordinating accessories including signage , hooks , finger plates and pull handles are also available in the Nylon range .

HOPPE ’ s Resista ® range is another great solution for door hardware within wet or humid areas . Its special coating gives protection against corrosion , and maintenance is straightforward with no special cleaning required .

Fit for the future

From learning to swim to playing five-a-side football , leisure centres offer the opportunity for people from all walks of life to improve their fitness , learn new sports , try out new activities and socialise , improving both their physical and mental health . Choosing the right finish for ironmongery is an essential part of this mix and long-lasting , cost-effective solutions will help to ensure these facilities are fit for the future .

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