Healthcare facilities in the UK are built to support people with mental health issues who need to be treated in specialist, secure facilities. This includes people who have a forensic history and those known to present with challenging behaviour that can involve violence. Many users of such facilities are supported as in-patients in low, medium or high-security settings on-site.
With the growth in awareness of mental health issues, these facilities are getting increased exposure to mainstream attention and win awards for things like their modernity and the standards of their security. Some of these facilities have been treating patients for over 100 years, with a proud history of protecting those in need through world wars and other trying times.
Ensuring a secure perimeter
Perimeter fencing companies are called upon by architects to assist in designing effective mental health fencing to maintain security at these facilities. These projects tend to have particularly complex performance specifications, and product designs must meet the security needs without making a facility look too much like a prison. Fence height, post details and gating are important to prevent escape and any personal damage. Still, the overall look needs to be in keeping with a harmonious aesthetic congruent to promoting good mental health.
Mental health perimeter fence requirements
At Zaun, we have manufactured complete solutions for these facilities, building on standard designs to meet the requirements with anti-climb perimeter fencing. Special posts can be designed to provide a flush face on the interior and a tamper-proof barrier on the exterior. Other special design features can be included to get the right balance between an anti-climb, tamper-proof fence and a subtle profile that doesn’t undermine a facility’s function as a place of treatment for mental illness.
Zaun delivers mesh and other secure perimeter fencing solutions for a range of environments with many satisfied clients. For example, our mental health fencing solutions are effective and subtle and unobtrusive, a major plus for a mental health environment where patients and staff need to feel comfortable with their surroundings.
