COMMERCIAL SECURITY
Hands-free solutions to help limit the spread of Covid-19
» WITH THE OUTBREAK OF Covid-19 , reducing touchpoints wherever possible throughout a building is front of mind for many businesses , building owners and facilities managers . Fortunately , there are a range of hands-free door opening solutions – available to suit all budgets and needs – that can help minimise the spread of infection , says the ASSA ABLOY Door Hardware Group .
Doors and their hardware are the first and last touchpoints when entering or exiting a building , or when moving between different rooms . However , there are options available that can either limit the amount of direct contact with ironmongery and doors or offer an anti-bacterial solution .
Eryl Jones , Managing Director at the ASSA ABLOY Door Hardware Group , comments : “ Doors are the one item we all touch every day ; a physical barrier to keep us secure and safe . But with the increased risk that touching a door now poses , what can we do to overcome this challenge ?
“ When looking to limit the spread of infection from doors and kill germs , the first place to start is to make sure existing door hardware is being cleaned properly . As one of the most commonly touched surfaces in a building , it is vital that a regular cleaning routine is established . First , hardware should be cleaned with a mild , non-abrasive anti-bacterial detergent and water solution , using a soft cloth . Then , using
water and a soft cloth only , surfaces should be wiped to remove any remaining detergent residue . The treated surface should appear visibly wet then allowed to air dry .
“ Further advice on how to clean door hardware properly can be found on our website at www . assaabloyopeningsolutions . co . uk / cleaningdoorhardware .
“ For those seeking a more secure solution in areas with high traffic , decision makers might want to consider products that allow doors to be opened without a person having to use their hands . For instance , arm and foot pulls are an easy and cost-effective door furniture solution that limits the level of contact an individual has with a door .
“ Alternatively , sites might want to think about products that feature anti-microbial surfaces . Hardware treated in this way , or that use materials such as copper , can effectively reduce the risk of transmission . To meet this need , UNION has launched GripSafe , an anti-viral copper door handle tape that simply wraps around a clean door handle and has been proven to inactivate 99.98 per cent of corona viruses . This offers a simple solution that can make a big difference .
“ The next step up would be to look at hold-open door controls , which can help keep doors open at all times , except in the case of an emergency . For instance , ASSA ABLOY offers its DC300G-HF door closer , which holds doors open in medium to high traffic corridors , allowing people to pass through without touching the doors . Meeting the demands of BS 8300:2018- 2 for inclusive design , it offers unrivalled performance when compared with other door closers on the market . UNION also offers DoorSense , a safe and legal means of keeping fire doors open , but which enables a fire door to close automatically in the event of an alarm .
“ For those after a completely hands-free solution , there are a range of access control devices that simply require the wave of a hand to open . These are fitted with motion-sensing technology , and ideally suited to sensitive applications such as bathrooms , and environments such as hospitals , laboratories and schools .
“ Finally , there ’ s also the option of access control solutions that use personalised keys . Sharing keys between personnel can quickly increase the spread of bacteria and germs . An access control system that employs individual keys puts a stop to this , while simplifying key management throughout a site and saving personnel valuable time and money . Solutions such as ASSA CLIQ ® Remote , which is a mechatronic locking system that assigns access rights to a key , allows users to have their own personalised keys for all doors and eliminates the need to share keys . This reduces the risk of bacteria and germs spreading .
“ By taking these steps and considering the door hardware options available to them , decision makers can help make sure our buildings mitigate the risk of germs and stop the spread of infections , ensuring everyone feels as safe and comfortable as possible in these spaces .”
Find out more about how the ASSA ABLOY Door Hardware Group can help by visiting www . assaabloyopeningsolutions . co . uk / handsfree
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NOV / DEC 2020
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