Step Exhibitions
Yewdale SafeDoor 2
Nominee Information
In mental health facilities, a large number of inpatient suicides involve ensuites because they provide enough privacy and time between checks to create a ligature. Traditional solid bathroom doors are commonly used as a ligature point, which is why we designed SafeDoor 2.
Seven years after the release of our first anti-ligature ensuite door, we launched SafeDoor 2. Our team spoke to mental health trusts using our original ensuite door to understand how we could improve our solution. Based on these conversations and our own ideas, we added several new features which we believe make SafeDoor 2 the best anti-ligature ensuite door available.
SafeDoor 2 utilises our fail-safe magnetic load release system to eliminate the risk of the ensuite door being used as a ligature point. If a load greater than 9kg is placed on the door, the load release magnets will separate from their fixing points, allowing the door to safely fall to the floor. In mental health settings, service users may tamper with furniture or remove items to use inappropriately. Other anti-ligature doors can be jammed or tampered with, enabling the creation of a ligature. To protect its anti-ligature functionality, we created two layers of defence around the load release magnets. The magnets are stitched into pockets and welded within the door’s hinge, securing them in place. This new design provides greater tamper resistance than competing doors on the market and more confidence in its longevity under constant use.
Constructed from soft foam, SafeDoor 2 is thinner, giving a new modern sleek appearance. Weighing only 5kg and only 9mm thick, SafeDoor 2 is highly flexible and poses minimal risk of injury to service users and staff. SafeDoor 2 has a curved profile with gaps at the top and bottom which allow staff to carry out observations as required. The door curves inwards in the middle to create a handle for easy use. This unique design is much safer than a door handle which could be removed by service users and used inappropriately. The surface is coated with a fiberglass-reinforced fabric which strengthens the door and improves puncture resistance. The surface is completely water-resistant and will not degrade over time. SafeDoor 2 also has a Crib 7 BS 5852: 2006 fire rating, ensuring that it adheres to strict mental health requirements.
We can print any image on SafeDoor 2, brightening up the care environment. Research suggests introducing vibrant colours and calming images can improve patients’ wellbeing and support a positive recovery. Installation is quick and simple and designed in a way that the retrofitting process is very simple; highlighting the door is low-cost, high impact. For large door openings, we also provide the option of saloon-style double doors.
SafeDoor 2 enables mental health trusts to retrofit a reliable anti-ligature ensuite door in personal rooms where the risk of suicide is highest. Our magnetic system cannot be jammed, and the door can be reattached in seconds without needing to close the personal room for reinstallation, saving time and money.
