When a major Midlands-based children’s hospital sought to refresh its radiator guards across two busy wards, the brief was clear: maintain a clean, functional aesthetic, match existing footprints where guards were built into alcoves and recesses, and improve cleanability.
Many of the existing guards were sealed shut, meaning the internal radiators were difficult to clean; a particular issue in high-traffic wards. What’s more, with space at a premium in paediatric rooms, the hospital needed slimline solutions that wouldn’t protrude into patient areas.
Contour was tasked with supplying replacement radiator covers that retained the look and feel of the originals, while incorporating modern features to support hygiene, safety, and ongoing maintenance.
Several key factors needed to be addressed for this project:
The original radiator guards were permanently sealed shut, meaning estates staff could not access the internal surfaces of the guards or the radiators themselves for routine cleaning. Over time, this resulted in hygiene issues and made effective infection control extremely difficult — a growing concern for both estates and clinical teams in paediatric settings.
This was deemed unacceptable by the hospital’s infection control team, who required a solution that would allow for thorough and regular internal cleaning without the need for dismantling or estates intervention.
To meet the client’s needs, Contour supplied a combination of standard and fully bespoke radiator guards:
This tailored solution offered a modern upgrade that aligned with the hospital’s spatial constraints and budget, while significantly improving access for cleaning. This allowed the infection control team to sign off on a solution that was not only more hygienic but could also be cleaned regularly by ward staff without waiting for estates availability.
This project shows how Contour’s design flexibility enables safe, space-sensitive upgrades even in the most complex healthcare environments. By providing a like-for-like visual design with modern cleaning access and airflow features, we supported the hospital in enhancing hygiene and usability, all while working within strict depth and budget constraints. The new guards enhance patient safety, improve hygiene, and enable better infection control, all while maintaining the aesthetics and functionality required for a busy hospital ward.
Contour’s design team specialises in custom radiator covers for complex environments - from awkward alcoves to hygiene-sensitive healthcare spaces. Our solutions maintain a clean aesthetic, improve airflow and safety, and provide full access for estates teams.
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