Contour: Minimising Ligatures In Section 136 Suites

25 May 2021

The vulnerability of individuals using Section 136 suites means furniture, fixtures, and fittings must maintain safety standards to provide security, explains Contour…

Therefore, it’s vital for architects and specifiers to seek ways to ensure there is a reduced risk of self-harm and suicide in 136 suites with anti-ligature products to protect all users that have been detained under the Section 136 of Mental Health Act.

Those entering a Section 136 suite may be vulnerable and their mental health is often unpredictable. This means unsafe conditions could be life-threatening for this individual.

If you have an involvement in the design of a section 136 suite, this piece runs through ligature risks that need minimising to provide the utmost safety…

Minimising Ligatures To Reduce Harm

It’s commonly thought suicide risk comes from ligature points that are above head height. However, studies have found suicides can occur where ligature points have been below the head or even at waist height.

Another thing to keep in mind is that when individuals seek to self-harm, they don’t look for obvious ligature points.

So, when looking for a heating solution for a LST radiator or an air conditioning guard – it’s important they’re anti-ligature.

With standard grilles and casing designs, there are a series of ligature risks. To assure all anti-ligature risks are kept to a minimum, look at a heating solution that follows these certain characteristics:

– Small grilles, we recommend IP3X rated grilles
– (If wall secured) No large gaps between product and wall
– Minimal gaps or joints
– No sharp edges
– Bullnose, rounded corners
– Security locks and fixings
– Use anti-pick mastic to seal to wall and cover any potential gaps

These design characteristics will significantly minimise the potential for service users to tie rope or cord around any ligature points.

Searching For An Anti-Ligature Solution?

It’s not unheard of for Section 136 suites to be subject to vandalism. Once furniture has been destructed, the damaged and sharp objects run risks of being used as weapons to cause harm to themselves or to others.

Contour’s anti-ligature LST radiators and air conditioning guards are available in Zintec protected steel in gauges ranging from 1.5mm to 2mm to provide you with the assurance that your heating solution is strong and robust in avoiding vandalism and injury.

For more high-risk environments, Contour can provide a strengthening strut to assist the front of the cover for maximum strength.