HARDWARE & SECURITY
Ensuring compliance and safety in care homes :
Key considerations for door hardware
By Andy Syms , senior business development manager – HOPPE ( UK )
» IT IS NO SECRET THAT THE UK population is ageing . The most recent Census data show there are almost two million more people over 65 than there were 10 years ago in England and Wales .
Understandably , this is placing significant demand on social care and private and public sector care homes – of which there are just shy of 17,000 across the country .
These are regulated and inspected by various bodies – including the Care Quality Commission ( CQC ) in England , and the Care Inspectorate in Scotland , Welsh Care Inspectorate in Wales , and Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority in Northern Ireland – to ensure standards are being met .
Maintenance is a critical component of these inspections and homes are required to demonstrate that they are safe , effective , caring , responsive , and well-led .
In care home environments , especially those that house vulnerable residents , door hardware can provide a range of benefits to a building ’ s fire safety , security and everyday operation if specified , installed , and maintained correctly .
When choosing door hardware for such facilities , there is a lot to consider . Ensuring compliance with regulations , while also meeting the diverse needs of residents , can be time-consuming and laborious . However , getting it right is crucial – not only for legal reasons but also for the wellbeing of the residents who rely on these facilities .
Understanding the legislation
The UK-wide Disability Discrimination Act ( DDA ) 1995 laid the foundation for improving accessibility in all buildings , including care homes .
By 2004 , the DDA required all existing buildings to be upgraded , where practical , to improve access for disabled users , with new constructions needing to comply fully with accessibility standards .
It was replaced by the Equality Act 2010 in England , Scotland and Wales , which further expanded these requirements , integrating various anti-discrimination laws into a comprehensive framework . It emphasises the necessity of making ‘ reasonable adjustments ’ to ensure that disabled individuals can access services as effectively as others .
What constitutes ‘ reasonable adjustments ’?
The term ‘ reasonable adjustments ’ refers to the modifications or adaptations necessary to avoid putting disabled individuals at a disadvantage .
For door hardware , this means adhering to best practice guidelines such as Approved Documents related to Building Regulations , BS 8300-1:2018 on the design of an accessible and inclusive built environment relating to external areas such as streets , parks and landscaped areas , as well as BS 8300-2:2018 on designing buildings and internal spaces
so they are accessible and inclusive . These standards help specifiers determine what adjustments are necessary and reasonable , ensuring that door hardware meets the specific needs of care home residents .
This has recently been supported by the release of PAS 6463:2022 ‘ Design for the mind ’ and The Inclusive Design Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work .
PAS 6463 is a guide to help the design of inclusive spaces for neurodivergent groups who can find certain buildings and designs uncomfortable on a sensory level . Advice on lighting , patterns , noise , materials and wayfinding are just a few areas that are covered in the PAS to help eliminate those barriers to using a building .
Opening force and door closers For many residents in care homes , particularly those with reduced strength or mobility , opening doors can be challenging . Mechanical door closers –
34
NOVEMBER 2024
locksmithjournal . co . uk Issue Sponsor