The Locksmith Journal Nov/Dec 2021 - Issue 77 | Page 17

HARDWARE & SECURITY
Daniel May - Director at Consort production , further reducing the spread of bacteria in high traffic areas .”
The Care Quality Commission ( CQC ) sets a regulation that cleanliness and effective infection control is a necessity for care and hospital locations . As well as best practice methods , healthcare environments are encouraged to introduce innovative infection control methods where possible . Similarly , under The Workplace ( Health , Safety and Welfare ) Regulations 1992 , decision makers have an active duty to keep inhabitants safe and their environments clean . And aside from the use of antimicrobial solutions , many are challenged to provide hygienically maintained environments without sacrificing fire or safety standards . Daniel adds : “ Facilities with high footfall must also consider ventilation and ease of movement . Whether in healthcare , commercial or public environments , both are key elements of efficient building management and when done effectively , can further help inhibit the spread of infection by ensuring fresh air is consistently making its way through halls and rooms .
“ The most effective way to improve ventilation throughout a building is by opening its windows and doors . This creates an inlet for fresh air and an outlet for the old air , and with access points open , minimises the need to touch door handles . Yet , when focusing on airflow , it ’ s inopportune to disregard fire safety . Too many times , we ’ ve seen facilities fall foul of leaving fire doors propped open in favour of improving ventilation and
ease of access - but simply put , it ’ s illegal to do so and leaves fire doors wholly ineffective in a fire situation .
“ Modern exit systems are purpose built to ensure fire doors can be left open safely and securely . Automatic door controls make use of sensors which activate the operator devices connected to the main access doors . In turn , this aids access and egress when required and closes the doors shut when necessary . In the event of a fire , the alarm is sounded , and the doors close automatically - ensuring safety is never compromised . What ’ s more , these systems can be integrated with the external building security , reducing risk on all fronts .
“ Ultimately , when paired with regular cleaning practices , these modern solutions can play an assist role in the fight against infection , helping to maintain building hygiene as well as the obligatory standards associated with building and fire safety .”
Infection Control at Consort Consort ’ s bespoke specification services extend to hygienic solutions , offering users tailored products to suit the needs of any building infrastructure . Antimicrobial finishes can be applied to any touch products and door seals , of which are already supplied to large complex hospitals around the world including Pamela Youde in Hong Kong and the Metropolitan Hospital in Birmingham .
Find out more here : https :// www . consortme . com / hygienic-solutions
Accredited Author Bio - Daniel May
Dan has played a fundamental role in supporting product development and commercial growth at Consort . In 2010 , Dan had the opportunity to build upon Consort ’ s international success , relocating to Dubai to serve as Head of Overseas Operations and Regional Director , Middle East . During his tenure there , Dan oversaw significant expansion of the company ’ s geographical footprint , including new offices in Qatar , Saudi Arabia , India , the Philippines , the US and Hong Kong . In 2020 , Dan returned to the UK to further focus on product innovation , diversification and expansion within the UK and globally . Dan has prioritised achieving the highest in safety and performance certifications to meet today ’ s stringent industry standards , expanding upon the company ’ s bespoke specification capabilities .
About Consort Architectural Hardware
For over 50 years , Consort has continued to deliver in its mission to provide highly engineered , quality ironmongery that adheres to the most stringent of industry certifications and standards . As an international , family-owned business , Consort is proud to operate as a single source solution , delivering the best in hardware to markets in the UK , US , Middle East , Asia and South Africa .
www . consort-hw . com
Sources : https :// www . insider . com / how-long-do-flu-germs-live , https :// www . gov . uk / government / news / new-campaign-to-prevent-spread-of-coronavirus-indoors-this-winter https :// www . cqc . org . uk / publications / major-reports / infection-prevention-control , https :// www . hse . gov . uk / pubns / books / l24 . htm
NOV / DEC 2021
17
Magazine Sponsor Issue Takeover locksmithjournal . co . uk