Kingspark School
Safer and Cost-Effective Finger Guards for Enhanced Safety
When Dundee City Council (DCC) identified that the 1970s building housing Kingspark School was no longer fit for purpose, the opportunity arose to create a modern facility designed to meet the needs of children and young people with complex and profound special needs.
Safehinge Primera worked closely with DCC to integrate
Alumax integral finger guards into the new build, ensuring lasting safety and aesthetic appeal. These robust solutions addressed potential finger-trapping hazards and minimised maintenance costs, making them a vital part of the school’s safety strategy.
Kingspark School provides specialised education for students with complex and profound needs, necessitating an environment that balances safety, functionality, and a welcoming atmosphere. During the development of the purpose-built school in 2009, Dundee City Council prioritised creating a hazard-free space that could withstand the demands of daily use, especially in high-traffic areas.
Our Solution
DCC encountered several obstacles that required a tailored approach: - **Safety Concerns:** Frequent finger-trapping incidents posed a significant risk, particularly to students with mobility or awareness limitations. - **Durability Issues:** Existing finger guards, often made of plastic or fabric, were easily damaged by wheelchairs and trolleys, lasting only 6-12 months. - **Aesthetic Demands:** As a contemporary school, the facility needed solutions that were discreet and integrated well with the modern design. - **Cost Implications:** Over 25 years, the cost of maintaining and replacing plastic guards across all doors at Kingspark could amount to £100,000.
The Solution
Safehinge Primera provided a tailored solution: Alumax Integral Finger Guards, a discreet aluminium profile combined with a specialised pivot hinge. Key features included: Durability: Rigorously tested to withstand heavy use and impact from wheelchairs and trolleys. Aesthetics: A sleek, integrated design that complemented the modern architectural style of Kingspark School. Safety: Eliminated finger-trapping hazards with innovative design, ensuring total prevention rather than mitigation. Cost Savings: A robust lifecycle dramatically reduced the need for repairs or replacements compared to plastic alternatives.
Impact
The integration of Alumax finger guards at Kingspark School delivered significant benefits: Enhanced Safety: The risk of finger-trapping incidents was eliminated, reinforcing school safety as a top priority for Dundee City Council. Long-Term Cost Savings: Alumax’s durable construction avoided costly maintenance cycles, ensuring cost savings aligned with the council’s commitment to efficient resource use. Seamless Integration: The guards’ discreet design ensured they complemented the school’s modern aesthetic without compromising functionality.
Anderson,
Senior Architect
Dundee City Counci
"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. Safehinge Primera’s Alumax finger guard was an obvious choice, it is a product which meets our needs. It is a good-looking and simple solution that works. The product was exactly what we were looking for – discreet yet highly effective. We are assured there will be no danger of a finger-trapping incident "
Building Safer Schools Together
Our door safety solutions are the trusted choice for creating safer, more efficient spaces in high-traffic areas like schools. Discover how our integral finger guards can enhance safety, aesthetics, and cost efficiency in your next project.