From Concept to Custody: The 12-Month Journey to MoJ Approval

When it comes to prison heating design, every detail matters. Products must be safe, tamper-resistant, hygienic, and robust enough to withstand the toughest conditions found in secure facilities.

The approval of the DeepClean Extra+ anti-ligature radiator by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) didn’t happen overnight - it was the result of over a year of research, development, refinement, and rigorous testing.

This is the story of how the DeepClean Extra+ went from initial concept to MoJ-approved radiator for safer cells.

Understanding the Challenge

Prison cells, particularly safer cells, present unique challenges for estates teams, architects, and contractors. Heating systems must provide comfort but cannot create opportunities for self-harm, concealment, or tampering. Traditional prison radiators and covers do not meet these stringent requirements.

Contour set out to create a radiator that could not only heat effectively but also comply with the MoJ’s STD/X/SPEC/063 testing process for fixed furniture in cells (including safer cells). This required balancing safety, durability, and ease of maintenance without compromise.

12 Months of Design and Development

From the outset, the DeepClean Extra+ was designed as a complete anti-ligature radiator system, not just a guard. Working closely with sector experts, custodial estates teams, and frontline staff, Contour identified key areas that required innovation:

• Ligature resistance: Every edge, grille, and fixing had to be designed to remove potential ligature points.
• Strength and durability: The guard and radiator needed to withstand deliberate damage attempts.
• Hygiene: Incorporating BioCote® anti-microbial protection as standard in RAL 9003 white ensured bacterial contamination risks were minimised.
• Access for cleaning: The patented full-height access door was refined to allow maintenance while maintaining security.
• Security fixings: The use of Contour Secure cam locks and additional Pin Torx screws across multiple surfaces provided tamper resistance.

Each prototype went through rounds of internal testing and sector feedback before being further refined, ensuring the product addressed both practical and safety concerns in real custodial environments.

Tested to MoJ Standards

To secure approval, the DeepClean Extra+ underwent the MoJ’s comparative evaluation process, which included heavy-duty destruction testing. The goal: to confirm whether the radiator system could withstand the rigours of a prison cell environment.

Over months of testing, the product was pushed to its limits. The internal strengthening strut, robust 2mm Zintec or Magnelis steel construction, and carefully engineered security features ensured that the DeepClean Extra+ met the standard.

The result was a landmark decision - approval for the DeepClean Extra+ anti-ligature radiator in safer cells up to 1200mm (W) x 960mm (H) x 260mm (D). (Larger sizes are available but must be signed off at local level.)

Why Safer Cells?

While heating across the prison estate must be robust, safer cells face the highest level of scrutiny. These environments are specifically designed to reduce the risk of suicide and self-harm, so every fixture, fitting, and material must be assessed to the strictest standards.

By gaining approval for use in safer cells, the DeepClean Extra+ has been tested against the most demanding custodial criteria. This means specifiers can have confidence that it also meets the requirements of other challenging environments, such as:

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

Setting a New Standard

The approval of the DeepClean Extra+ is more than a product milestone - it’s a shift in how we approach prison cell heating. For the first time, estates teams, architects, and M&E consultants can specify a complete MoJ-approved anti-ligature radiator designed for safer cells.

This achievement is the result of dedication, innovation, and a focus on creating environments that prioritise both safety and functionality.

Are you specifying heating for safer cells or other secure environments?

The DeepClean Extra+ offers a proven, MoJ-approved solution that balances safety, security, and hygiene.

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