Door Industry Journal - Spring 2015

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk THE door industry journal spring 2015 MUL- T -PLEXED SECURE CARE With the significant funding cuts and the difficulties of keeping pace with the ageing population, it is becoming increasingly challenging for care home management to present new and existing residents, staff and visitors with safe and secure homes and places to work. Here, as Dion McAllister Mul-T-Lock - Vice President Western Europe explains, there is a way to keep security a high priority, to protect from latest crime trends and upgrade security measures cost effectively in line with available resources. Care homes are increasingly a target for criminals, with a concentrated rise in distraction burglary targeting vulnerable residents. With this increase noted by Police across the UK as a particularly pertinent issue for the elderly, any care home must be seen to be proactively protecting its residents. There is also a secondary issue beyond the ethical responsibility to keep residents and staff safe. This is the functional requirement for security with the abundance of expensive portable medical equipment and potentially harmful drugs also putting medical facilities at a heightened risk of theft, either pre-planned or opportunist. Back to Basics Knowing where to start for the time and resource stretched managers is the most significant issue for estate managers, as any security upgrade appears overwhelming. Quite simply, the most effective route is to take security ‘back to basics’ to establish the necessary requirements to suit the existing and future plans for any care home premises. From simple mechanical cylinder upgrades to creating master key systems can add a very effective layer of additional security whereby residents can own individual keys to their own home but also cleaners or porters, can have keys that will only open certain areas, whereas estate managers and staff will be able to access other zones, or homes in case of emergency. As we know for the benefit of care home managers, in cost terms, replacing cylinders and introducing a master keying system is a highly affordable project for even the most cash strapped educational organisation with very swift “payback” in terms of reduced risk to assets as well as the improved health and safety protection for staff. Go Digital Recommending electromechanical locks then adds new levels of protection and identity management, to help tackle issues such as distraction burglary, but also bogus officials. On a purely functional level, electromechanical solutions also mean access to resident’s homes can be maintained via a credential other than a key, such as a fob, card or even wristband that is easy to use for those with more physical ailments associated with ageing. Finally, digital locking solutions, again in view of the rising concerns over distraction burglary, can include digital door viewers to enable residents to see who is at their front door before action is taken, or inevitably it is too late to prevent the crime- taking place. What this overview approach demonstrates, is that by working together right from the start of any programme of works, a flexible security arrangement that works right from the basic upgrade requirements can be created that can still ensure a pleasant, yet safe and secure care home or residential care environment is created for all who live, work or visit. A regular comment column, looking at the bigger picture, brought to you by Dion McAllister, Vice President Western Europe at Mul-T-Lock Dion McAllister Vice President Western Europe Mul-T-Lock UK For more information, please visit www.mul-t-lock.com Along with single door systems, double pocket doors systems are also available. Double door systems can be used to join connecting rooms together to create a wide- open floor plan and give a brighter, more spacious feel. For instance, these particular systems can be used to turn two separate rooms into one large open space, such as the kitchen and lounge area. By installing a product such as the Eclisse Double Pocket Door Kit between a small kitchen and the lounge, the area can instantly be transformed into a much more open and comfortable living space. This complete system includes the pocket door frame, jamb kit, dust brushes, recessed door posts, rubber gaskets, anti-warp profiles and has options to fit standard UK door sizes. Pocket door systems can also come with a range of additional accessories such as self close mechanisms that can be fitted to enable the door to close automatically after it has been opened. The mechanism operates using a wire pulley system and enables the door to close smoothly and quietly. This prevents it from slamming shut and helps to eliminate the risk of it trapping fingers - which is ideal for households with young children. On the whole, pocket door systems are a stylish and contemporary solution to combat the space struggle. They are perfectly suited to space-restrictive properties as the simple yet effective design adds an air of sophistication to any room in the house. As well as being cost effective, pocket door systems are available in a wide range of styles and finishes to suit any project. Whatever the brief, there’s sure to be a door to match. For more information visit www.IronmongeryDirect.co.uk IronmongeryDirect, Scimitar Park, Basildon, Essex SS13 1ND T: 0808 168 2828 E: sales@IronmongeryDirect.co.uk W: www.IronmongeryDirect.co.uk