GB2479745A

GB2479745A - Anti-ligature door conversion kit

Info

Publication number: GB2479745A
Application number: GB1006572A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm John Courtney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-20
Filing date: 2010-04-20
Publication date: 2011-10-26
Also published as: GB201006572D0

Abstract

A method of converting a door to an anti ligature door 1 by removing the top edge portion of the door and replacing it with a collapsible panel 2, such that if a ligature (noose, rope etc.) is trapped between the top of the door 1 and the frame 5 the panel 2 will collapse, thus alleviating the potential of suicide by hanging or asphyxiation. The collapsible panel 2 can be made from insulating material and have a fire resistant coating to match the rest of the door. The panel 2 may be attached via a combination of fixings 3 and a mastic adhesive 4. After it has been collapsed the collapsible panel can be replaced without having to replace the entire door.

Description

Page 1 ANTI-LIGATURE DOOR CONVERSION KIT.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to the eradication of a door being used to attach a ligature and subsequently commit suicide by hanging.

Since the publication of the "National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England" in 2002 there has been a real drive throughout Mental Health settings, prisons, young offenders institutes and, in deed, anywhere where there are vulnerable groups to try and eradicate suicide by hanging.

Over this period there have been many products developed that help to reduce the number of items that a suicidal person may attach a ligature to. This range of anti-ligature products includes: Taps, Showers, Door handles, Curtain tracks, Light Fittings and Windows.

However, one of the biggest issues that remain to date is doors. Doors have been removed from wardrobes, or are shaped to reduce the potential to attach a ligature.

With en-suite bathrooms, similarly, doors are reduced in height to overcome the opportunity. Individual's bedrooms and bathrooms, toilets and shower rooms, however, remain a problem due to the need to maintain an individuals privacy and dignity. Any standard door can be used to trap a ligature in and therefore used in a suicide attempt.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

The anti-ligature door conversion kit provides a simple, cheap and effective way of reducing this risk. The invention has a non loadbearing core made from an insulating material such as medium density insulation board, expanded polystyrene, or similar product. The invention can be made with a fire resisting coating, if required, to maintain the doors fire rating. Similarly, due to the nature of the insulating material helps block sound transfer.

The invention works by removing the top of the door and replacing it with the anti-ligature door conversion kit. The invention is simply attached to the head of the door and will continue to provide all of the doors design characteristics; however, any attempt to trap a ligature in the head of the door will result in the product collapsing, being unable to load bear.

Page 2 The product can be manufactured in standard door thicknesses and standard door widths, however, the product can be cut on site and if required the fire resisting coating reapplied to cut edges, making it suitable for any door width. The invention will be supported on the top of the door via specially designed fixings that are screwed into the cut down head of the door and have a narrow gauge wire to help retain the insulating material in place. These fixings will be designed in such a manner as to not be able to be used as a means of attaching a ligature themselves. This will be supplemented by a mastic adhesive to help maintain the invention in place. The invention will be ideally suited for both new build or refurbishment situations, being easily fitted without necessarily the need to remove the door.

The invention can be subsequently painted either to blend in with surrounding colour themes or left a distinctive colour to assist in the easier spotting/identification if a suicide attempt has occuned or simply to demonstrate it has been fitted.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing which includes: Figure 1 -shows the basic attachment of the door conversion kit.

Figure 2 -shows special pin fixings to provide additional support the insulating material on top of the door during everyday usage.

In Figure 1 the top of the door (1) is simple cut down and the conversion kit comprising of an insulating material (2) attached using special fixings (3) that will not weight bear if somebody attempts to trap a ligature between the top of the door and the doorframe.

Figure 2 shows an example of the specially developed pin fixings (3) that will provide additional support to the insulating material (1) in everyday usage but will be of insufficient stiffness to allow a ligature to be attached to them. A bead of mastic can also be applied (4) to help maintain the position of the material (1) with the door in its closed position against the frame (5).

Claims

Page 3CLAIMS1. A method of converting a door so that if a ligature is trapped in the top of the door when closed it will break away, alleviating the risk of suicide by hanging or asphyxiation.
2. A method of converting a door according to claim 1, which by means of the use of an insulating material and fire resisting coating is able to maintain the doors required fire rating.
3. A method of converting a door according to claim 2, which due to the nature of the insulating material used will be capable of maintaining the majority of the doors resistance to the passage of sound.
4. A method of converting a door according to claim 1, which in conjunction with other anti-ligature products will provide a total solution to doors remaining as potential ligature points.
5. A method of converting a door according to claim 1, in which the insulating material is provided with additional support via fixings, which in themselves are designed not allow a ligature to be attached and used successfully in a suicide attempt.
6. A method of converting a door according to claim 1, which can be applied to both, existing fitted doors or new doors prior to being fitted.
7. A method of converting a door according to claim 1, which if damaged will be replaceable without, necessarily, the need for removal of the door.
8. A method of converting a door according to claim 1, which can be easily observed should either general damage occur or if a genuine suicide attempt has occurred.