Targeted wall protection is a set of specific products designed to absorb impact and protect the underlying wall. These products cover only part of the wall, but function to provide a higher level of impact resistance. Examples include corner guards and wall guards.

Wall guards perform as their name implies: these products guard the wall. Sometimes wall guards are referred to as crash rails. The two most-common forms are multi-component systems and single material systems. Wall guards are designed to take impact dead on, into the face of the guard. Cover materials include all extruded plastics, and some may contribute to LEED credits. They offer long service life with durable cover and end caps, which can be replaced.

Corner guards are considered to be the unsung heroes of interior protection. Corners in corridors are some of the most vulnerable places in a building. Because corners are the outermost joint of the wall, their position makes them highly susceptible to damage. Corner guards may stop above the base trim, or they may extend to the floor, which also reinforces the wall base. The two most-common forms of corner guards are multi-component systems and single material systems.

“The possibilities are exponential when using imagery on printed wall protection relating to experiential design and biophilia. Your wall can not only take an impact, but also make an impact,” says Ryan Roessler, product manager of Door and Wall Protection at Inpro.

Imagery has the demonstrable power to inherently create a connection and experience for patients within the healthcare environment. With advances in graphic and product technology, designers can incorporate high-end, digital artwork and imagery optimized for these spaces, which might otherwise be merely functional.

Photo courtesy of Inpro

Enhancements to printing capabilities allow for image incorporation across a wide range of architectural products. This allows endless possibilities to customize design and aesthetics, as well as beautify all patient spaces.

ENHANCING PATIENT SAFETY

The research conducted by Emily Patterson and her team at the Wexner Medical Center found that patients need a sense of security, particularly during a hospital stay. How patients defined security included knowing the identity of personnel entering the room and their role, having a safe for valuables in the room and maintaining independent access to their belongings.

General hospitals have a range of high-performance needs, from sound abatement and hygiene to newer concerns centered on physical security and cyber security. The door industry has made significant strides in responding to these market requirements and standards. Specialty door and frame assemblies have been developed that are designed specifically for the healthcare environment where performance criteria are critical.

Photo courtesy of Inpro

Wall protection products preserve the integrity of interior spaces and allow for higher durability and ease of maintenance.

Safe and Secure

According to the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety’s (IAHSS) Foundation 2022 Healthcare Crime Survey, disorderly conduct is the most frequently reported hospital incident.⁹ Violent crimes and security incidents rose in 2021, after spiking in 2014 and plateauing from 2015 to 2020.1¹⁰

After the notable increase in incidents in 2014, more hospitals began building security strategies into their design plans. IAHSS Security Design Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities was created in collaboration with the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE). The IAHSS design guidelines were introduced in 2014 and have been updated three times since their launch. “Hospitals that haven’t effectively designed for security often end up doing expensive retrofits after a security incident occurs,” notes Dave Brown, CPP, CHPA, executive director for integrated protection services at Fraser Health, Vancouver, B.C.¹¹

Specialty door manufacturers can provide state-of-the-art security doors and frames where patient or personnel security is a key concern. Top performing door and frame assemblies have been approved for use by the New York State Office of Mental Health (Industry Gold Standard) in their Patient Safety Standards, Materials and Systems Guidelines.

Security doors are a responsible choice for areas in healthcare with an increased need for security, such as patient rooms in psychiatric hospitals, patient spaces in healthcare facilities, and locations where patient or personnel security is a concern.

Security door assemblies are available that interface with conventional heavy weight anti-ligature builders’ hardware. Wood face veneers can be matched to the overall building standard; stainless steel doors are also available. Security doors use a steel core for durability and strength. Some assemblies may use anti-barricade doors, which are able to open in either direction or assemblies with breakaway stops, to allow access to the door and change its swing.

Photo courtesy of AMBICO

Using bullet-resistant products, like this door assembly, allows for greater confidence in security measures in sensitive healthcare settings.

Bullet-Resistant Doors and Frames

Unfortunately, healthcare staff may face increasing security threats. Designing healthcare buildings with bullet-resistant products allows a higher level of protection and confidence in security measures for staff and patients. Performing a security analysis and targeting these solutions to areas of key concern, such as emergency rooms (ER) or mental health areas, creates a safer environment for all occupants.

Bullet-resistant doors are certified and supplied as a complete assembly: frame, door(s), and any bullet-resistant glass if a vision lite kit is specified. Whether doors are required in steel or in wood finishes, independently tested products are certified to resist attack, ranging from small arms handguns to military assault rifles. Bullet-resistant doorframes and assemblies are tested under UL 752, and assigned a rating level from 1 to 10, indicating how resistant the unit is to gunfire. Bullet-resistant requirements have been raised from a standard of Level 3 to Level 4 in most ER specifications.