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Continuing with our topic of ventilation grilles for young offender institutions, this blog post aims to highlight further benefits of an anti-ligature ventilation grille design.
Our previous post highlighted the importance of ventilation grilles:
- Anti-ligature grille design
- Robust full frame
This blog aims to cover:
- Security fixings for authorised access
- Reducing Stash points
- BioCote® protection
Security Fixings For Authorised Access
For cleaning and maintenance, specifiers should opt for an anti-ligature ventilation grille that provides a secure surrounding, allowing for authorised access only.
This will provide essential tamper-proof protection to reduce risks of improvised weapons and ligature risks.
It also ensures that cleaning and maintenance can be optimised to provide a hygienic solution for offenders.
Reducing Stash Points
With high suicide rates and bullying in YOI’s, articles have found that anti-ligature ventilation grilles can be used as stash points for weapons or blades. Stash points also can be used to smuggle illegal goods.
Cell searches are characterised by two basic types. One type is by a routine cell search and the other is with a routine-plus cell search:
- A Routine search is a level- A rub-down search and a cell search, with a metal detector
- A Routine- Plus search is a full body search and may also involve a property record check, in addition to a cell search
Despite the level of search that takes place, contraband such as drugs and mobile phones continue to be an area of concern in YOI environments in the UK.
To ensure stash points are minimised, it’s important to utilise a small ventilation grille to make it difficult for offenders to stash contraband within the ventilation system.
Optimising Hygiene
When offenders ‘dirty protest’ or willingly choose to urinate or defecate without the use of appropriate facilities, it can pose a significant health risk to other’s who are subjected to it.
Tuberculosis, HIV, and Hepatitis C are just some of the risks to YOI staff and other offenders during a dirty protest where bodily fluids, including blood and faeces, are smeared across cell walls or even communal areas.
It’s therefore essential that appropriate cleaning practices are carried out safely and effectively.
Contour’s anti-ligature ventilation grilles incorporate BioCote® anti-microbial protection in the manufacturing process.
This unique, patented additive provides an effective, safe and long-lasting solution to combatting a wide range of dangerous bacteria, including MRSA and E. coli.
BioCote® products have been tested against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi.
BioCote® has been proven to hinder the growth of these organisms, thus providing hygienic practice.
With BioCote®, the contamination of equipment, furniture, and fixings due to dirty protests, is diminished.
Conclusion
An anti-ligature ventilation grille is an ideal solution for specifiers aiming to promote safe and hygienic practice in YOI’s.
Contour’s anti-ligature ventilation grilles are fixed with a T25 bolt. This can only be opened using a specialist drill bit, and only available to authorised personnel, providing essential tamper-proof protection.
Anti-ligature grilles ensure that the suicide risks are reduced and that stash points are minimised. For optimal cleaning and maintenance BioCote® provides an ultimate solution.
About Us
Contour produces a range of innovative, safe surface temperature systems for healthcare, education, mental health, commercial and secure sectors, working in close partnership and collaborating with architects, M&E engineers, NHS Trusts, local authorities and contractors to deliver outstanding safe heating solutions.
Contour is the exclusive partner of BioCote® anti-microbial technology for LST and anti-ligature radiators. BioCote® additives reduce bacteria by up to 99.9%. Contour combines an extensive range of colour-paints is with BioCote® for a durable, high-quality finish.
Contour’s heating solutions offer secure, single-person quick access to radiator guard interiors for regular deep cleaning and maintenance. Each year, Contour save the NHS millions of pounds in cleaning costs, therefore delivering cleaner, safer environments. Contour is redefining the marketplace and therefore many regards us as a design and innovation leader within the industry.
Contour has a quality-first philosophy. Our customer-focused team possess a ‘can-do’ attitude, they take pride in developing solutions for your heating requirements.
Contact us at:
The Mansions, 43 Broadway Shifnal
Shropshire TF11 8BB United Kingdom
+44 1952 290 498
Twitter: @Contour_Heating
LinkedIn: Contour Heating Products Ltd
