Anti-ligature Design Explained: How Every Detail Reduces Risk

In safer cells and other custodial environments, even the smallest design detail can have life-or-death consequences. Products such as prison cell radiators cannot simply provide warmth; they must also prevent opportunities for self-harm, concealment, and tampering.

That’s why anti-ligature design is so critical. Every curve, grille, fixing, and finish is chosen to reduce risk. The DeepClean Extra+ anti-ligature radiator, the first of its kind to achieve Ministry of Justice (MoJ) approval for use in safer cells, is built on this principle.

What Does 'Anti-ligature' mean?

In custodial design, “anti-ligature” refers to products engineered to prevent the attachment of cords, ropes, or other materials that could be used for self-harm. In practice, this means designing out protrusions, sharp edges, and gaps where ligatures could be secured.

For heating, this is particularly challenging. Radiators require airflow and access for cleaning, while still maintaining secure, smooth surfaces. The DeepClean Extra+ demonstrates how this balance can be achieved.

Anti-ligature Features of the DeepClean

Every part of the DeepClean Extra+ radiator has been designed with ligature resistance in mind:

• Sloping top design – prevents climbing, standing, or concealment.
• 10mm radius corners – removes sharp edges and reduces injury risk.
• IP3X test-compliant grilles – allows airflow while preventing objects being pushed inside.
• Flush-fitting panels – reduces gaps and tampering opportunities.
• Internal strengthening strut – maintains shape and structure under force.
• Contour Secure cam locks – secures the unit while avoiding protrusions.
• Pin Torx screws on front, side, and top – adds another layer of tamper resistance.
• BioCote® anti-microbial protection – supports infection control without altering surface safety.

Together, these features make the DeepClean Extra+ a fully integrated safer cell heating solution.

Why Safer Cells Demand Anti-ligature Heating

While ligature-resistant design is important across the prison estate, safer cells face the highest scrutiny. These spaces are designed to minimise suicide and self-harm risk, so radiators, furniture, and fixtures must undergo intense testing before approval.

The DeepClean Extra+ radiator was tested against the MoJ’s STD/X/SPEC/063 specification, including destruction testing, to prove it could meet these requirements. Approval confirms it is suitable for safer cells - the toughest test in custodial heating.

(Approved for sizes up to 1200mm x 960mm x 260mm. Larger units can be manufactured but require sign-off at a local level.)

Wider Custodial Applications

Although designed with safer cells in mind, the anti-ligature principles of the DeepClean Extra+ also make it suitable for other secure environments, including:

• Young Offender Institutions (YOIs)
• Police custody suites
• 136 mental health assessment suites
• Immigration detention centres
• Pupil Referral Units (PRUs)

In all these facilities, reducing ligature risk is a priority for safer, more secure environments.

Are You Specifying Heating for Safer Cells or Custodial Projects?

Choose the UK’s first MoJ-approved anti-ligature radiator - proven to reduce ligature risks while ensuring safe, hygienic, and durable prison cell heating.

📞 Call us on 01952 290498
📧 Email sales@contourheating.co.uk
🌐 Read more