Selectaglaze, the UK’s leading designer of secondary glazing systems has recently completed a project to provide window protection at ‘Smyth House’, part of St. Andrew’s Healthcare, Northampton.

Opened in 1838 as a result of the County Asylums Act of 1808 which stipulated that every county must provide facilities for “pauper and criminal lunatics” , St. Andrew’s has always kept abreast with technological and medical advances  and in recent years a number of new facilities have been built, the latest of which is “Smyth House”, a women’s residential unit designed to accommodate patients assessed as medium risk.

Working closely with main contractor, Gleeson, Selectaglaze’s brief was to provide secondary glazing units with integral Venetian blinds, adhering to St. Andrew’s criteria of both high security and patient safety whilst permitting authorised personnel essential access to the primary windows.  

Selectaglaze met the brief by installing their Series 40 Side Hung Casements.  Safety requirements to reduce the risk of injury to patients were covered by the use of scratch resistant Polycarbonate in place of glass and special anti-ligature controls were developed to operate the blinds. Access to operate the windows is via the use of specialist secure tools.

 The Series 40 window has been tested to BS7950 and is a Secured by Design licensed product.

In addition to providing a secure environment the secondary windows will also reduce heat loss and almost eliminate draughts, making the rooms more comfortable and improving the energy performance of the building.