Preventing infection in demanding healthcare environments
In healthcare environments, hygiene is a priority issue in terms of not only the safety and well-being of patients and staff but also the resources consumed by potentially avoidable infections. Despite being frequently touched, doors and ironmongery in such facilities are often overlooked during the design process.
With our many years of experience in the healthcare sector, we understand that products used within a hospital or clinical environment need to be durable to withstand the frequency of use and easy to clean to ensure disease and infections are kept at bay.
In line with the Department of Health’s strict guidelines, we can provide a complete ironmongery suite as part of our overall door specification. Crafted to the highest standards, our industry pioneering range of ‘standard ironmongery sets’, are designed to be incredibly resilient and hygienically safe to help improve hygiene and the general environment for patients and staff.
Bringing safety and style to your next project
Selecting the right ironmongery finish for hospitals involves considering various factors that prioritise hygiene, durability, ease of maintenance, safety, and overall aesthetics.
Every year, our doorsets which ininclude the door, frame, ironmongery, etc are subjected to a real-life burn-to-death test carried out under strict control conditions by Warrington Fire. Providing reassurance that not only are the components compatible but are also backed up with primary fire test evidence, proving that when fitted together, they will perform as required in the event of a fire.
Our ironmongery is available in three different finishes – each designed to offer different levels of hygiene. All the finishes are brushed stainless steel in appearance making them visually the same. This makes it possible to mix and match different ironmongery finishes in different areas of a hospital, according to the clinical sensitivity and requirements of the room/area.
To better understand the available options, we have put together the following considerations to help you choose the appropriate finish for your next project.
Choosing the right finish for your project
- SDS Define rage: manufactured in stainless steel which is highly recommended for its excellent hygiene, durability, and ease of maintenance.
- SDS Define+: manufactured in stainless steel with an antimicrobial coating which is ideal for added protection against bacterial growth on frequently touched surfaces.
- SDS Define Copper: Manufactured from a 70-30 copper nickel alloy provides natural antimicrobial properties and an appealing aesthetic.
Ultimately, the ironmongery finish will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the hospital. By carefully considering these factors, hospitals can select ironmongery finishes that promote infection control, enhance safety, and contribute to a functional and aesthetically pleasing healthcare environment
Which finish is right for you?
Our Define range, made from stainless steel, is our ‘Go-To’ option for most doorsets. Stainless steel is extremely tough and offers excellent corrosion resistance to most oxidising acids making it easy to sanitise and ideal for the rigorous demands of most hospital environments.
For those areas requiring a higher level of infection control, consider either our Define+ or our Define Copper ranges.
Define+ offers an anti-microbial coating which contains silver ions. The silver ions in the coating continuously fight against harmful bacteria by disrupting the bacteria’s metabolism which inhibits its survival and reproduction. The coating is extremely tough and remains operative even when subjected to the normal cleaning regimes of a hospital.
Define Copper offers the highest level of infection control. This range of ironmongery is made from solid copper alloy which continuously kills 99.9% of harmful bacteria whilst maintaining the clinical aesthetics of stainless steel. Copper is the first and only elemental solid surface material registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency to actively kill bacteria. The antibacterial properties work 24/7, never washing out or wearing away, making it the ideal choice when infection control is paramount.
SDS are one of the very few ironmongery suppliers in the country that can offer genuine Copper Nickel Alloy ironmongery. Instead of sourcing your ironmongery from different suppliers, you can get all the required items from SDS, we offer a genuine “one-stop-shop” thereby streamlining the procurement process and potentially benefiting from cost savings and better compatibility.
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