Posts

Bright Thinking leads to continuous development of products

/in , /by

Since its inception in 2006, Britplas’ Safevent window for mental health has evolved through 8 models whilst the sill used has remained the same until recently.

With every detail of our proprietary window products under constant review, our dedicated research and development department has recently been focusing on improvements to the sill design of the Safevent. Key to the drainage efficiency and the overall aesthetics of the window, the development process has resulted in a new, mental health specific, Safevent variant with four brand new sill profiles for both internal and external sliding Safevents following a 6-month process.

By switching from face drained to bottom drained sills, we removed the need for press-in plastic drainage caps and minimised the chances of the drainage channel being blocked, creating a more efficient system.

 

The Britplas way

Bright Thinking is one of our core values at Britplas, and the continuous improvement of our products through the R&D department is key in Britplas maintaining this principle. The Safevent window, our flagship product for the mental health sector, is always under review. The new sill is the latest adaptation using our philosophy to ensure that clients have access to the best products and service possible

Britplas’ Research and Development Manager Steve McGuire explains more about this latest development:

 

How long did the process take?

The process took around 6 months – the new sills were designed in about a month. We then had to produce die drawings and source which thermal breaks would work best with the extrusions. Accurate die drawings were then sent out to 3 extruding companies for pricing. We then produced a cost comparison spreadsheet to compare all the extrusion costs including die costs. The next task was to look at rolling and painting costs from the powder coaters. This all took around 6 weeks.

The next stage involved ordering sample extrusion lengths for testing. Drainage test results for all four sill profiles were excellent, so we knew we had cracked the design. Production was ordered including extrusion, rolling and painting, and we prepared the product for internal launch including the creation of an ECN pack, issuing of Britplas part numbers and drawings for the sills and end caps, and full briefings held with our procurement, design, production and sales teams.

 

When was the Safevent mental health sill last altered?

The Safevent sill design has not altered significantly over the past six years.

 

What extra functionality has been added and why is this important in mental health?

By switching from face drained to bottom drained sills, we have been able to remove the press-in plastic drainage caps which service users could potentially break off the windows leaving unsightly slots in the face of the Safevent. There was also the possibility of blockage due to the path of the drainage through the frames.

By switching the drainage through the bottom of the frames, no slots are visible so there is no need for plastic drain covers any longer. This has also allowed us to extend the drainage slots through the frame to allow water to drain through the system much more quickly and effectively. This prevents any water from pooling in the frame.

Safevent Access now available in uPVC

/in , /by

2018 looks set to be another year of innovation for Britplas with our latest window model, the Safevent Access, now available in uPVC. Originally developed in aluminium, uPVC prototypes were developed and tested throughout 2017, and the new window is now finalised and in production. Working with our profile suppliers Eurocell, new dies have been cast to ensure that production capacity is able to match demand for the new Safevent Access. The product is already proving of interest to several of our key clients within the mental health sector.

The continuous development of the Safevent aims to ensure that our clients have the most comprehensive range of solutions available to choose from. The Access offers a high degree of flexibility for maintenance and ease of access whilst retaining industry leading levels of robustness and natural ventilation.

Since its inception in 2006, Britplas has supplied and fitted over 40,000 Safevent windows to facilities around the world. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions regarding this or any Britplas product, or if you would like to request a demonstration.

Britplas sign off on two projects in Australia

/in , /by

Britplas have recently completed the installation of their award-winning Safevent window to two new mental health facilities in Adelaide, South Australia.

Flinders Medical Centre

One of only two major trauma centres in South Australia, Flinders Medical Centre has to deal with a wide range of issues and a broad patient demographic. Britplas were commissioned to provide aluminium internal sliding Safevent windows – chosen for their ease of use and versatility across a variety of situations, with integrated blinds to protect from the Australian sun. The overall project value was £100k, and involved the fit out of a brand new 30 bed older persons mental health unit.

Flinders Medical Centre is the second international job that Britplas and Cheeseman Architects, based in Adelaide, have worked on together.

The Veterans Mental Health Precinct

Also based in Adelaide but in Glenside, The Veterans Mental Health Precinct represents $15million investment from South Australia Health to deal with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related cases.

Britplas provided aluminium external sliding Safevents with integral blinds and flush locks to the new purpose-built facility, and installation was overseen by a Britplas Site Manager, Steven Gittens.

The new facility incorporates the existing Intermediate Care Centre (ICC) building and comprises 24 bedrooms, a gymnasium, research spaces and gardens.

The two facilities are the latest in a series of international projects undertaken by Britplas, as the Safevent window continues to prove itself a global market leader in mental health fenestration.

Double win as Britplas stays strong for mental health

/in , /by

Continuing its role as market leader in the UK mental health fenestration market, Britplas has recently secured two large contracts with Birmingham and Solihull (BSMHT) and South London and Maudsley (SLAM) Mental Health Trusts. Their values combined total over £1 million, and involve a total of 350 aluminium award winning Safevent windows which are to be fabricated and installed before Christmas, ensuring a busy run up to the festive period.

The smaller of the two projects is at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, with 150 windows split between 3 buildings over 2 sites. Our installation team will have to rely on their vast experience to complete this refurbishment in a ‘live’ sensitive supervised care environment; the install schedule is spread over 15 weeks to minimise disruption.

The larger project at Maudsley Hospital in Camberwell, South London requires 200 Safevent windows over 2 buildings as part of its refurbishment program. Like its Birmingham counterpart, Maudsley is also a live site but with additional resource planned in for the duration and working closely with the clinical teams on site, the install schedule will be only 8 weeks.

Britplas’ Business Development Manager for Mental Health, Paul Guest commented ‘We continue to build strong working relationships with some of the UKs biggest mental health trusts, where a mutual understanding of the delicate situation and need for quality assurance is an absolute must from all parties involved. We’re delighted that both SLAM and BSMHT continue to choose Britplas for all their fenestration needs.’

New version launched of Safevent anti-ligature window

/in , /by

safevent accessBritplas has launched a new version of its award-winning Safevent anti-ligature window, the Safevent Access.

Retaining all the innovative features that have made the Safevent the number one window for mental health facilities such as an anti-ligature design, excellent natural ventilation and uncompromised security, the Safevent Access has an opening sash to allow for easier maintenance and increased flexibility.

The Safevent Access is available in aluminium with an internal or external sliding sash.

Contact us today to book a visit from our mobile demonstration unit to see the window in action.

Thames Lodge opens – the new medium secure unit at WLMHT

/in , /by

This month saw the opening of Thames Lodge – the new 80 bed medium secure unit at St Bernard’s Hospital in London. The unit’s windows and glazing were supplied and fitted last year by Britplas and include an innovative curtain walling solution as well as our award-winning Safevent window.

Read our case study here.

Safevent window chosen for P21+ NHS procurement framework

/in , /by

Britplas has been chosen as a preferred component supplier for the P21+ mental health scheme.

The ProCure21+ National Framework is a framework agreement with six Principal Supply Chain Partners (PSCPs) and their supply chains, selected by OJEU tender process for capital investment construction schemes. Any NHS client or joint-venture may use the framework for a capital construction scheme without having to go through the OJEU process themselves.

Born from Government initiatives to save money whilst retaining high standards of care, the P21+ is an NHS procurement framework that achieves efficiencies through standardisation of components and room layouts.

Following a testing and selection process, the Britplas Safevent window has been installed at the P21+ 4 bed bay sample room at the Static System Group’s showroom, Staffordshire. This facility provides Trusts, stakeholders and healthcare professionals with the chance to experience the repeatable room benefits and see the Standard Components in use.  A booking system is in operation, accessed by emailing: p21ward@staticsystems.co.uk

There are currently over 180 active P21+ schemes, with total savings to the NHS on completed schemes estimated at £1.3m. The scheme’s Repeatable Rooms initiative, where products from each preferred component supplier make up many of the fixtures and fittings for each bed or ward room, has won the British Construction Industry Award 2015 for Product Design Innovation.

“We are delighted to have come through a testing selection process and be now be a supplier for the P21+ process. We look forward to working closely with the client (The Department of Health), their architects and the PSCP’S to help create a more stimulating environment for treatment and rehabilitation,” notes Neil Guest, Britplas’ UK Sales Manager.

“This is another example of the Britplas team’s drive and determination to be at the forefront of the UK’S leading initiatives involving innovation, collaborative working and cost efficiencies across a number of commercial sectors.”

Britplas appointed to new IPCU at Stratheden Hospital

/in , /by

Britplas have been chosen to provide the fenestration package for the brand new Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit (IPCU) at Stratheden Hospital.

The new building is designed to improve on the existing facilities by incorporating market leading technologies and advancements in mental health care. The inclusion of Britplas’ Safevent window, door solutions and curtain walling is reflective of NHS Fife’s commitment to improving the service user experience.

The £4.4m build designed by Oberlanders will encompass an 8 bed facility and communal areas. Brian Montgomery of NHS Fife stated “Replacing the existing unit is a key part of our strategy to improve mental health services in Fife and we, as an organisation, recognise the importance of providing modern, therapeutic environments to support the delivery of high quality patient care. The new state-of-the-art unit will ensure that the most vulnerable patients can be cared for in a safer, more secure and supportive environment, designed specifically to meet their needs.”

Works will commence in October with the installation of uPVC Safevent windows, aluminium door sets and curtain walling. The new build is expected to complete in Spring 2016.

Portfolio Items