KINGSPARK SCHOOL

Local authority: Dundee City Council
Project type: New build
Architect: Dundee City Council
Products supplied: Integral finger guards (Alumax)

Background

Kingspark – a school for children and young people with complex and profound special needs - was housed in a 1970s building. In 2006, the building was deemed as no longer fit-for-purpose by Dundee City Council (DCC). The old building was replaced in 2009
by a purpose-built school to fit the needs of the pupils. The council met Safehinge with a need for contemporary finger protection for the new-build.

“After identifying the potential hazard of finger-trapping in conventional hinges we took the opportunity on the Kingspark project to design out risk and not leave anything to chance”.

Bob Anderson
Senior Architect, Dundee City Council

Challenge

Our integral finger guard, Alumax, was evaluated against finger guards made from less durable materials. Bob Anderson stated:

“We wanted a durable finger guard that also looked good and could be integrated into the building design. Impact from wheelchairs and trolleys can cause damage to building fabric. We found retrofit plastic and fabric finger guards unattractive, bulky and shorter life - information provided suggests lifespan as low as 6 – 12 months. We were keen to avoid unnecessary maintenance costs”.

SH 33

Solution

When considering the life cost over 25 years, plastic hinge guards typically cost £500 - £1000 per door – an estimated maintenance liability of £100,000 on Kingspark School alone.

Our integral finger guard: a discreet curved aluminium door profile combined with a specialised pivot hinge. Clever design means there is no opportunity for wandering fingers to be trapped.

Alumax met Dundee City Council's criteria perfectly:

“Safehinge ALU was an obvious choice, it is a product which meets our needs. It is a good looking and simple solution that just works. The product was exactly what we were looking for – it is discreet yet highly effective. We are assured there will be no danger of a finger trapping incident”.

KINGSPARK SCHOOL

Background

“After identifying the potential hazard of finger-trapping in conventional hinges we took the opportunity on the Kingspark project to design out risk and not leave anything to chance”.

Challenge

Solution

“Safehinge ALU was an obvious choice, it is a product which meets our needs. It is a good looking and simple solution that just works. The product was exactly what we were looking for – it is discreet yet highly effective. We are assured there will be no danger of a finger trapping incident”.

Other finger guard case studies

Worcesters Primary School

Sheffield Children's Hospital

The Pods Leisure Centre

Bellenden Primary School

KINGSPARK SCHOOL

Background

“After identifying the potential hazard of finger-trapping in conventional hinges we took the opportunity on the Kingspark project to design out risk and not leave anything to chance”.

Challenge

Solution

“Safehinge ALU was an obvious choice, it is a product which meets our needs. It is a good looking and simple solution that just works. The product was exactly what we were looking for – it is discreet yet highly effective. We are assured there will be no danger of a finger trapping incident”.

Other finger guard case studies

Worcesters Primary School

Sheffield Children's Hospital

The Pods Leisure Centre

Bellenden Primary School

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