"disabled"

Designed by Cubo Arkitekter and Force4, the House of Disabled People’s Organisations Denmark’s new structure was conceived so that everyone – regardless of ability – could work and move freely within it.The building’s disability solutions had to be subtle enough to integrate into the architecture, and the d line Cut lever handle, created in collaboration with both Cubo and a group of occupational therapists, was one of the solutions chosen.

Formerly known as The John Fielding Special School, Boston Endeavour Academy is a newly built school for children aged 2-19 with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities.Located in the market town of Boston, Lincolnshire, the £13.2 million school opened to 100 children in September 2021, with that number expected to rise to 140 in the coming years.To accompany the state of the art facilities including therapy rooms, specialist classrooms and a life-skills suite, Boston Endeavour Academy also wanted to install a hydrotherapy pool.Read the full case study by clicking the link below.

One of the newest – and very impressive – developments in the City, 22 Bishopsgate offers visitors retail, work and restaurant space over 60 floors. It is actually the tallest building in the City of London.A flexible solution was required for this project, to include life safety communication for the entire building. At the forefront of the design was the need for a plan for phased evacuation using the life safety systems. The VIGIL3 voice alarm and OmniCare emergency voice communication systems were quoted for the project due to their reliability and capability.The project required new voice alarm and EVC systems which were specified and installed by PHF Fire. The EN54 certified VIGIL3 voice alarm includes 70 space saving, wall-mounted Eclipse4s and two floor standing racks, networked around the building. The voice alarm network is accessed by the touch screen control microphone, with its user-friendly NFC card sign-in option.The EVC system solution, OmniCarePLUS, includes fire telephones, combined fire telephones with disabled refuge outstations, disabled toilet alarms, advanced disabled refuge outstations and standard disabled refuge outstations. These made up the remaining call points on the system, a lot of which were in a stainless steel finish, to match the high quality aesthetic of the building.Installed by PHF Fire, Baldwin Boxall worked together with the team to aid in the design and commissioning of the systems.Sam Faulkner, Maintenance Manager at PHF Fire commented, “Baldwin Boxall was specified alongside other companies. However, the level of support that Baldwin Boxall gives throughout the project, from start to finish, set them apart from the competition.”Chris Hartup, Sales Manager at Baldwin Boxall said, “This new build project called for a very capable, reliable and professional fire alarm contractor and with the contract being awarded to PHF Fire, they certainly got that. Due to limited floor space, the Eclipse4s were installed into riser cupboards within the building, providing further redundancy to the end user.PHF Fire had a fantastic, positive relationship, not only with their client but also their whole supply chain. We had many meetings and presentations on site with the whole 22 Bishopsgate team.It was a great experience to be involved in this project and with PHF Fire throughout.”

Providing effective care for students with complex physical disabilities in schools requires both time and effort. Traditional mobile hoist systems, while functional, can lead to time-consuming and physically demanding processes for carers.With the installation of ceiling-mounted XY hoists in hygiene rooms, schools can transform this experience—saving valuable time, reducing physical strain, and improving the overall care environment.This blog explores how integrating XY hoists into school hygiene rooms optimises daily care routines, ensures student dignity, and enhances staff efficiency.Setting:A secondary school with a dedicated Hygiene Room equipped with a height-adjustable changing table and a ceiling-mounted XY hoist. The school supports a student with profound physical disabilities requiring transfers for toileting and personal care twice daily.Before Installing the Ceiling HoistEquipment and Process:Two carers assist the student using a mobile hoist.The process involves:Positioning the hoist base under the wheelchair.Locking the hoist’s wheels for safety.Adjusting the sling and transferring the student to the changing table.Average Time Taken Per Transfer:15–20 minutes per session, including manoeuvring the mobile hoist in the confined space.Average Total Time Per Day:30–40 minutes (for two sessions).Challenges:Manoeuvring the mobile hoist can be cumbersome in tight spaces.Locating & safe keeping of the hoist.Increased strain on carers due to repetitive adjustments.Students may feel discomfort due to prolonged handling time.After Installing the Ceiling HoistEquipment and Process:The ceiling-mounted XY hoist provides complete room coverage, eliminating the need to reposition equipment manually.The process involves:Positioning and attaching the sling to the hoist.Using the motorised hoist to transfer the student directly to the changing table or toilet without adjusting the hoist’s position.Average Time Taken Per Transfer:5–7 minutes per session, as the XY hoist allows direct, smooth transitions without manual repositioning.Average Total Time Per Day:10–14 minutes (for two sessions).Benefits of the XY Hoist:Full room coverage means the hoist can move in any direction, avoiding the challenges of mobile hoists or track limitations.Fewer adjustments are required, resulting in faster and safer transfers.Ceiling mounted out of harms way.Overall Time Savings with the XY Hoist→ Average time saved per transfer: 8–13 minutes.→ Average time saved per day: 16–26 minutes.→ Average over a week (5 school days): 80–130 minutes (1.3–2.2 hours)Broader Benefits of the XY HoistFor Students:Greater dignity and comfort due to smoother and faster transfers.Less waiting time, reducing anxiety and improving overall experience.For Carers:Reduced physical strain and risk of injury.More time to assist with educational or social activities.For Schools:Enhanced workflow in the Hygiene Room, increasing the capacity to support multiple students.Compliance with accessibility standards, ensuring future-proofing for other students with mobility needs.Benefits of Hygiene Rooms for SchoolsHygiene Rooms are essential for providing dignified and efficient care for students with complex physical needs. They ensure students can access toileting and personal care safely and comfortably, while also reducing the physical strain on carers.Additionally, they future-proof schools by meeting compliance standards, enhancing accessibility, and demonstrating a commitment to equality.The Value of Early ConsultationEngaging in early consultation with specialists can prevent costly oversights and ensure that facilities are precisely aligned with BB103 and BB104 standards.Our CPD sessions provide architects with practical insights on accessible hygiene facilities, from selecting the right equipment to planning effective layouts in schools.By connecting with experts early in the process, architects can ensure that their designs support inclusive education while maintaining budget and clarity for developers.Read more about the structural challenges of installing a hoist and how we overcome them here.

Closomat has supplied and installed state-of-the-art Changing Places for JD Wetherspoon in multiple locations across the UK. The national pub brand was the first to lead the way in accessibility and inclusion by providing these life-changing toilets for its patrons, engaging Closomat for installation and regular maintenance.The high-quality equipment included in these facilities, enables disabled customers with complex needs to access the toilet safely and with dignity, opening up the option of visiting venues for food and drink that could otherwise be unavailable to them.Under updated building regulations in England, as of January 2021, it is compulsory for any new building used for assembly, recreation or entertainment, including pubs, bars and restaurants, with a capacity of 350 people or more, to include at least one Changing Places toilet. It is also a requirement for existing businesses to install a Changing Places facility if undergoing substantial refurbishment.Changing Places by Closomat can be found at the following:The Booking Office, EdinburghCaptain Ridley’s Shooting Party, BletchleyThe Iron Duke, WellingtonThe Lifeboat, FormbyThe Mossy Well, Muswell HillThe Pilgrim’s Progress, BedfordThe Prior John, BridlingtonRoyal Victoria Pavilion, RamsgateSandford House, Huntingdon, The Troll Cart, Great YarmouthThe Velvet Coaster, Blackpool

The £11 million Auditorium at the Fire Station is a new live music and events venue in the heart of Sunderland city centre, developed by the Music, Arts and Culture (MAC) Trust, that required an Emergency Voice Communication System (EVCS). Officially opened by His Royal Highness Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales in 2018, the project forms a key component in the masterplan for the city’s Music and Cultural Quarter, built around the refurbished Dun Cow pub and the recently renovated adjacent Engine Room at the Fire Station.Products used - Lexicomm Network disabled refuge system, including integrated emergency assistance alarm.

Closomat is a specialist in Changing Places installation for tourist attractions, from theme parks to zoos and petting farms, through to cultural attractions such as museums and castles. The high-quality facilities the company provides, ensure venues meet their access and inclusion responsibilities and their disabled guests are catered for appropriately.Notably, Closomat has installed three Changing Places toilets at Alton Towers Resort, Britain’s number one theme park, including recently in the admissions area of the park.The state-of the art facilities that Closomat has installed at Beamish Museum, Cadbury World, Marwell Zoo and Tamworth Castle, go above and beyond British Standards, with the addition of a Closomat wash and dry toilet, allowing the facility to support a wider range of users. Due to changes in building regulations in England, as of January 2021, it is a requirement for any new site used for assembly, recreation, or entertainment, such as zoos, theme parks and venues for sport and exhibitions, with a capacity of 2000 people or more, to include at least one Changing Places toilet. It is also a requirement for existing attractions to install a Changing Places facility when undergoing substantial refurbishment.Changing Places by Closomat can be found at the following: Alton TowersBeamish Museum, DurhamBristol ZooCadbury World, BirminghamChill Factore, indoor skiing, StretfordCotswold Wildlife ParkDe Montfort Hall, LeicesterDundee Science CentreLegoland, WindsorLongdown Activity Farm, New ForestThe Lost Gardens of Heligan, CornwallMarwell Zoo, HampshireNewquay ZooPaignton Zoo, DevonRoyal Postal Museum, LondonStrawberry Fields, LiverpoolTamworth CastleThackray Museum, Leeds

ABOUT CURRAGH:Nestled in the glorious countryside of Southern Ireland sits the Curragh Race Course. Initially founded in the coffee rooms of Kildare, the Irish Turf Club was quickly established as the governing body for horse racing throughout Ireland.The first recorded race on the plain took place in 1727 and now Curragh (from the Irish name ‘Cuirreach’ meaning ‘place of the running horse’) is home to Ireland’s five classic races.ABOUT THE PROJECT:The Curragh site has recently undergone a 65 million Euro redevelopment project across its entirety. Works carried out included the stable yard (featuring 135 stables) and the building of a brand new grandstand with a spectacular sweeping roof. Covering 10,500 square metres the new grandstand can cater for up to 6,000 people within its four levels – in fact, the site as a whole, has an incredible crowd capacity of 30,000 - which is a typical number for events such as Derby Day!Visitor enjoyment and responsible ‘crowd’ control during any event at Curragh are equally important to the site owners and managers; therefore, all aspects of this were to be considered carefully during the planning stage of the redevelopment. Ensuring an event at Curragh is a pleasurable experience takes a lot thought and care. Aspects such as creating the right atmosphere for the different areas and ensuring that everyone can hear race commentaries and announcements, all form part of the overall impression of the day’s event. Taking great lengths to provide all visitors with a memorable day is likely to encourage them to return again in the future.To carry out the works required, a selection of top consultants were selected for the different aspects of communication throughout the site. Dublin based, Sound Productions Ltd was chosen to design and commission the PA/VA and EVC, as well as the TV and other audio distribution systems required for the Curragh buildings and surrounding grounds.The brief to Sound Productions was to supply a flexible multi-zone audio and voice alarm system with top quality audio. The specification was for a complex zone arrangement, with multiple audio inputs from broadcast companies, live commentary, background music and TV audio distribution. This included the requirement for a 98dB sound level trackside, with absolute intelligibility throughout all areas (including those with high reverberation) and, for this, a highquality PA/VA system was needed. It was imperative that these works were delivered on schedule, with ‘quality’ to be considered as the prevailing factor, without exception, throughout the project.The PA/VA system was to be delivered over two phases – the first one being the system rack for the Parade Ring; the second to be the New Grandstand, including two main Baldwin Boxall PA/VA VIGIL control racks delivering power to a network of EN54 loudspeakers. The specification for VIGIL to be the PA/VA system for Curragh was due to Baldwin Boxall’s renowned reputation for product quality and reliability, as well as the company’s excellent track record for the delivery of large projects.Now fully installed and operational, the PA/VA system is equipped to cater for up to 24 analogue and 32 digital audio channels all distributed to over 50 zones. Multi-zone general paging is also delivered using Baldwin Boxall’s BVRD TSM touch screen microphones along with BFM series microphones for emergency purposes.The project’s requirement for disabled refuge call points has been fulfilled by the installation of Baldwin Boxall’s Omnicare EVC system, which is controlled via a 16-way control panel situated in the Security Room.Commenting, Peadar Carley, Project Engineer, Sound Productions said “We are delighted to have been involved with such an amazing project. We have a long-standing professional relationship with Mercury Engineering (the project electrical contractors), who share our ethos of being very particular with detail and passionate about providing the best quality. To know that we were chosen due to our ability to deliver large, complex systems and for our audio knowledge, makes us very proud indeed.”When asked about Baldwin Boxall, Peadar continued, “We have been buying, installing and commissioning Baldwin Boxall products for very many years - over 30 in fact. The systems just keep on going - they really are robust! But it is not only for this reason that we return to Baldwin Boxall repeatedly, but also because of the support we can get from them. They know their stuff, are easy to deal with and I recommend them without hesitation.”

Christchurch, Newport is a church in South Wales which plays a big part in the local community. They offer meeting and conference space, host local groups, run clubs and work to help people in need. They were keen to install a Changing Places Toilet in the building to ensure that their facilities are as inclusive as possible, and they are able to welcome families and groups with disabled members, and cater for people travelling down the nearby M4. The installation was made possible by funding from the National Lottery.

American software giant Adobe has opted for C-TEC’s innovative SigTEL disabled refuge system at its impressive UK Headquarters in Maidenhead, Surrey.With its powerful controllers and extensive arrangement of fire telephone and disabled refuge outstations, the system is central to protecting the state-of-the-art UK offices of one of the world’s most successful software and technology-based companies. However, according to David King, Installation Manager at Niscayah Group, the company that completed the project at Market House, the installation was far from straightforward as the building already had a SigTEL disabled refuge system installed on one floor which needed to be connected to new equipment so to create one large system for the entire four-storey building.Said David: “The challenge was to interface an additional Master Controller and various outstations to the equipment already in operation. To achieve this we temporarily suspended the system and used C-TEC’s new EVC423 software to completely reprogram it once the new Controller and outstations had been installed.”Although specifically designed for the programming of larger SigTEL systems, C-TEC’s new EVC423 is also excellent for programming smaller disabled refuge/emergency voice evacuation systems.Said David: “The software proved to be a lifesaver on this particular project as it enabled us to program the entire system from scratch very quickly reducing system downtime. The fact that you can edit outstation/extension names using a PC makes programming so much quicker and easier”As a result, Market House now has a fully operational disabled refuge/emergency voice evacuation system. In an emergency situation, the system will enable clear two-way communication between building management and people located in the refuge areas to, firstly, assist rescue teams in finding people and, secondly, to let stranded people know that help is on the way.Based in London, Niscayah Group is a subsidiary of Swedish-headquartered Niscayah AB (formerly known as Securitas Systems AB). Specialising as an integrator, the company offers complete fire and security solutions for customers with high demands for security and efficient solutions.

Closomat is an experienced installer of Changing Places toilets at roadside and motorway service areas. The company has completed multiple projects for leading operators, including Extra, Roadchef, Moto, Westmorland and Cornwall Services.All installs are high-specification and meet full British Standards, or above. Moto, Southwaite and Toddington, include the addition of a Closomat wash and dry toilet, for those who may lack the ability to wipe themselves – allowing the facilities to support a wider range of users. Many of these projects are a direct result of a central government Changing Places fund (for which Closomat is a preferred supplier), distributed to successful bidders for improving inclusive toilet provision on England’s major road network.Closomat provides a range of services to these clients, including design and commissioning, through to project management, supply and installation, as well as maintenance and repair.Changing Places by Closomat can be found at the following service areas:Moto – Rugby, Southwaite and Toddington. Roadchef – Annandale Water, Clacket Lane M25 Eastbound, Norton Cranes M6, Strensham (Northbound), M5, Strensham (Southbound), M5, Tibshelf (Northbound), M1, Tibshelf, (Southbound), M1, Northampton (Northbound), M1, Northampton (Southbound), M1, Clacket Lane (Westbound), M25, Chester, M56, Sedgemoor, M5, Taunton Deane (Northbound), M5, Rownhams (Southbound), M27, Maidstone, M20, Durham, A1MExtra -  Beaconsfield, Baldock, Cobham, Leeds Skelton, CambridgeWestmorland – Gloucester and Tebay servicesCornwall Services – A30 near Bodmin.

Construction Specialties (CS) contributed to the refurbishment of the Wellesley Ward at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability (RHN), which supports adults with brain injuries. The hospital aimed to enhance the ward’s design and durability as part of a £1.5 million fundraising effort. To protect the doors in high-traffic areas, CS supplied Acrovyn door protection, including push plates, kick plates, and replaceable door edge protectors suitable for fire-rated doors. These were supplied in uplifting colours – Golden Yellow, Anise, and Aqua Blue – to improve aesthetics. The Acrovyn solutions offer a long-lasting, hygienic option that withstands impact while enhancing the ward’s appearance.

The National Trust is celebrating 130 years of preserving and sharing some of the UK’s most important places. At Astor Bannerman, we’re proud to support their mission by improving accessibility at sites like Dudmaston Hall with our Changing Places facilities.Dudmaston Hall: A Step Towards InclusionDudmaston Hall in Shropshire is known for its beautiful landscapes, artwork, and history. To make it more accessible, the estate now includes a Changing Places toilet. These facilities are designed for people with severe disabilities who cannot use standard accessible toilets.The installation features:Astor Invincible Changing Table: A robust and height-adjustable surface for safe and comfortable changing.Astor OT200 XY Hoist: A ceiling hoist system for easy transfers.ABW-CP Wash Basin: An adjustable sink for users and carers.Kwickscreen Privacy Screen: A flexible screen for added privacy.Why These Facilities MatterChanging Places toilets are larger than standard accessible toilets and include specialist equipment. They allow individuals with complex needs and their carers to access places like Dudmaston Hall without stress or compromise. This installation ensures the estate is welcoming to everyone.Our Role as a UK ManufacturerAstor Bannerman provides bespoke solutions tailored to specific requirements. As a UK-based manufacturer, we ensure that every installation meets high standards of functionality and durability. Our partnership with the National Trust highlights our commitment to making more locations inclusive.

Bespoke Locker and Cubicle solutions from GeschwenderAs part of a major renovations project for the leisure centre in 2019, LSA and Geschwender supplied and installed lockers and cubicles to the changing rooms and studio areas.The complete facility refurbishment includes a new 25m swimming pool and learning pool with a spectator area and flume, as well as modern studio spaces and 130 station state-of-the-art gym. Other new additions to the leisure centre include a new café and creche as well as improvements to general access and the main sports hall and ice rink.The improvements achieved by Chelmsford City Council and Pick Everard architects aimed to make the space more accessible for disabled guests. The new swimming pool facility has a submersible entry platform and pool pod for wheelchair users as well as an access hoist for the learner pool. With the introduction of new changing places units and additional accessible wet and dry changing rooms the site is geared towards making the experience of their disabled guests as easy as possible with the support of Chelmsford Access Group.LSA are proud to have worked with Riverside Ice and Leisure since 2006 when we first supplied some lockers and cubicles to changing rooms. Over the next 12 years we kept in touch with the leisure centre, adding more Geschwender cubicles and lockers to the site as well as completing minor repairs and supplying a few replacement keys and locks.In 2018 we were thrilled when Riverside and the architects at Pick Everard contacted us to be part of the new major refit project. In addition to restyling the space with a more modern colour scheme and accessories we were able to design the changing room from the ground up. Optimising space for our premium lockers and changing cubicles to best suit the needs of all of the users.In addition to the great still shots of our products at Riverside we are delighted to share the virtual tour walkthrough showing our lockers and changing rooms across the facility.

RAF Museum Cosford, one of the premier tourist destinations in Shropshire, officially opened its brand-new Astor Bannerman Changing Places Toilet last week. Staff at the museum were joined by carers from City of Wolverhampton Council, Adult Provider Services and Aveso CEO Nick Kent for the ribbon cutting ceremony.Located in the visitor centre, the toilet includes a ceiling track hoist for full room coverage and an adult size height adjustable changing table, amongst other essential equipment and the extra space needed to use the toilet safely and comfortably.The equipment in the Changing Places toilet includes: Astor Invincible Changing TableAstor OT200 Ceiling HoistAstor ABW6 Height Adjustable Wash BasinCentrally Placed ToiletPortable Privacy ScreenAccessories including grab railsTalking about the new accessible facility, Paula Kovacs, RAF Museum Community Engagement Manager said:‘As a national museum, we recognise how important it is that each one of our visitors is able to enjoy their day with us in comfort and dignity. This is particularly important for visitors with profound and multiple learning disabilities, and others who need extra support. I am certain that this new facility will have a tremendous positive impact on the visitor experience for those of our visitors with such requirements, as well as their families, friends and carers, enabling them to enjoy as fully as possible their day with us, confident that their requirements are being catered for.’The Changing Places toilet was given a big thumbs up from members of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Adult Provider Services (Day Opportunities), who recently visited the RAF Museum on their first day trip to an attraction in more than a year.One carer said:‘It’s my first visit to the RAF Museum and the Changing Places facility is wonderful. The Museum is amazing, and we will now be able to plan more days out with our members. Without the Changing Places facility, we wouldn’t have been able to bring some of our members.’‘It’s vital when we go out that we have facilities for people to use. Changing Places toilets is something we can’t always find but having one so close will make days out so much better.’Nick Kent, CEO of Aveso, a long-term sponsor of The Changing Places Campaign making venues more accessible for all, said:‘Changing Places are a vital facility for the disabled community and their carers. There are over 1,600 Changing Places rooms in the UK, but this facility is one of the most beautifully designed with the mural of the sky. It’s a great facility for users and carers and ensures the Museum is an attractive day out for everyone.’The Museum’s new Changing Places facility is provided in addition to the standard accessible toilets that can be found in each of the Museum’s buildings. For further details of the various facilities that the Museum offers for visitors requiring additional assistance please visit rafmuseum.org/Cosford.

Project OverviewThe new Aviva Stadium at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, was developed by engineers Kentz Ireland Ltd on behalf of the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Football Association of Ireland.  It has a capacity for 50,000 spectators who are able to enjoy a safe and secure experience with minimum intrusion and inconvenience.Challenges Johnson Controls set out to optimise the building with the following solutions:Fire detectionCCTV security systemAccess controlIntruder alarmsGas extinguishersDisabled WC alarmsJohnson Controls was responsible for the end-to-end delivery, maintenance and support of the stadium’s lifesafety and security systems. This included fire detection, CCTV, access control, intruder alarms, gas extinguishers and disabled WC alarms.Solutions Each of these systems has been seamlessly integratedwith the stadium’s Local Area Network (LAN) and ITinfrastructure. This enables security operators or Gardaíto monitor and control each component from centralisedworkstations across the site, streamlining this process andhelping to improve the efficiency and response time ofoperators to potential incidents.The stadium, Ireland’s first UEFA Elite football ground,has a purpose-built, hi-tech communications nerve centre.Johnson Controls life safety and security systems allow forcontinuous monitoring of all aspects of the stadium, bothinside and outside the ground. 192 CCTV cameras havebeen installed at ‘pinch points’ around the stadium, ensuring operators and police can quickly identify potential problems or flashpoints from within the stadium’s control room. BenefitsUsing Johnson Controls consolidated single-screenoverview of all systems, operators can control multiplealarm input and outputs when combined with audio and video verification of each protected zone within the stadium, this delivers an additional layer of protection. The Tyco Expert Graphics (TXG) system provides users with a graphical overview of fire detection, extinguisher and disabled call management systems and is also configured to automatically respond to events, even when the operator is away from the workstation.“As the home of Irish international rugby and football, TheAviva Stadium prides itself in providing state-of-the-artfacilities, not only for spectators but also for players, themedia and events personnel”, said Chris Gallagher, the design technical services coordinator of Aviva Stadium.

The new Winchester Sports and Leisure Park has succeeded in making a centre that is accessible for everyone. Through a collaboration with LA Architects and Pressalit, Winchester City Council installed not just one, but FIVE high specification Changing Places bathrooms in its recently opened state of the art sports and leisure complex.These Changing Places rooms will enable severely disabled people and their carers the chance to enjoy the new centre by providing safe and secure environments for changing and toileting before and after using the leisure centre facilities.

25 Churchill Place is a 23 storey commercial office tower in Canary Wharf, London. The tower includes 20 floors of high quality (Grade A) office space and is one of the most energy efficient office buildings in the area. Environmental features include lifts that store energy that is re-used elsewhere in the building, and also a highly efficient air conditioning system.Standing at 130m tall, 25 Churchill Place has a VIGIL2 EVAS voice alarm system and an Omnicare EVC system installed.Initially the voice alarm system was installed to service the ‘shell and core’ of the building, with the system racks being designed and built to enable the fitting of ‘tenant’ functionality as and when required. This process is easily achieved due to the modular design of a VIGIL voice alarm system and is a frequently used benefit for ‘new builds’.For the disabled refuge and fire telephone system (EVC), the loop wired Omnicare system was chosen. Canary Wharf Contractors (landlord of BP4) opted for the dual coloured combined fire telephone (red)/disabled refuge (green) outstation which provides users with a choice of communication method.Both systems were designed and installed by Global Fire & Security Systems - one of our Gold Account achievers. Commenting on the installation, Stuart Beeley, Operations Director, Global Fire & Security Systems, said “We have worked closely with Canary Wharf Contractors and Baldwin Boxall on many great projects, and BP4 is another one to add to that list. We choose Baldwin Boxall systems, not only because we know them to be well built and reliable, but because of the support we receive from the company - at all levels.”

Closomat has a proven track record in supply and installation of Changing Places facilities in healthcare settings. Changing Places are vital for disabled people with complex needs, providing safe and dignified access to an appropriate toilet when away from home.Closomat’s high-specification Changing Places facilities are robust and effective for high-traffic locations such as hospitals, medical centres and GP Surgeries. The company’s ability to deliver design advice, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance across the ambit of accessible toileting equipment, means it is uniquely placed to simplify the whole process for public environments.Changing Places by Closomat can be found at the following:Darlington Memorial HospitalFinchley Memorial HospitalLeighton Hospital The facilities at Darlington Memorial Hospital and Leighton Hospital include the addition of British Standards recommended Closomat wash and dry toilet. The automatic toilet cleans and dries the user after flushing, enabling the facilities to support a wider range of patients and visitors and offering high levels of hygiene.

The Ambient Assisted Living Lab (AAL) within Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh’s acclaimed National Robotarium, aims to revolutionise the way assisted living care in the UK is delivered in the community using robotics and AI. With its purpose-built facilities within a recreated home setting, scientists, and engineers within the AAL will collaboratively research and create robotic and smart technology solutions in its open and remote access living lab, helping improve the physical and mental wellbeing of people with assisted living needs who want to live independently.Sharing this ethos of improving people’s wellbeing through design, Pressalit has been leading the way in assisted living technologies for the bathroom and kitchen for almost fifty years. Pressalit was therefore delighted to be asked to contribute to the inspiring work being carried out at the National Robotarium, the UK’s largest and most advanced centre for robotics and artificial intelligence, which recently opened in Edinburgh.Featured in the AAL is the Pressalit PLUS track system, which allows vertical and horizontal adjustment of different bathroom products. This bathroom is equipped with plenty of our products like the PLUS shower seat, PLUS support arms, and our MATRIX SMALL wash basin with integrated handrail, to name a few. The room can be configured to suit individual user and carer requirements, optimising space for wheelchair or carer access, whilst also future proofing the room.Meanwhile, Pressalit’s height adjustable INDIVO kitchen system brings a sense of independence to daily tasks in the kitchen and dining room. With a simple press of a button, sink and hob worktop heights can be adjusted to suit standing and seated users, and wall cupboards can be brought within easy reach. Tasks from washing up, cooking and preparing food, to sharing a meal at the table, can be carried out in an environment that is safe, comfortable and inclusive.Adam Southcott, Sales and Training Consultant from Pressalit, explains:”Assisted technologies form the future. Pressalit's knowledge and expertise in developing both bathroom and kitchen systems has brought independence to many individuals' homes and social care settings. We are delighted to be associated with the National Robotarium and the research it undertakes. By combining technologies in the AAL environment, individuals, carers, care homes and social care professionals have a unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the innovative solutions that are available, now and in the future, to help transform daily routines and enhance independent living.”

Flagship BBC TV programme, DIY SOS, has ensured wheelchair userKaris Lane can avoid going into care by fitting a pioneeringStiltz Homelift in her big sister’s home.Karis, 28, is a Criminology student who lives with her mum Karen in Stourbridge. Karis needs constant care due to Cerebral Palsy and other conditions however Karen has her own health challenges including severe rheumatoid arthritis. Lifting and carrying Karis had put a huge strain on them both physically and mentally. Exacerbated by Karen’s partner recently being diagnosed with cancer, their situation was unsustainable.Older sister Jo and partner Wil stepped up to provide a home for Karis, however with an inaccessible house it was equally as difficult to offer Karis comfort and independence in Bromsgrove. Busy hairdresser Jo invested in building a home salon so she could be more flexible, nevertheless daily routines such as carrying Karis up and down the stairs were not resolved. This was unsafe for everyone with risk of falls and back injury. If either Jo or Wil, a professional Stunt Rider at Warwick Castle, damaged their backs, their income could be compromised and Karis would lose her carers. Jo continued to save and fund-raise so their home could be made more wheelchair-friendly however the task was insurmountable. The only alternative was moving Karis into care which filled the family with dread. Hence unbeknown to Jo, Karen contacted DIY SOS with adesperate plea for help.The application sparked interest from the programme researchers and resulted in Jo and Wil being given the opportunity for a home conversion and two-storey extension by DIY SOS The Big Build. In addition to donation requests for construction companies and tradesmen, messages were sent out to suppliers of specialist assistive equipment so that the Lane’s home could be fitted with appropriate products for easier care of Karis. Homelift specialist Stiltz responded immediately to donate a homelift which would open up access for Karis and increase safety for the whole family.Following assessment of their needs, Stiltz determined their next generation Trio+ wheelchair accessible homellift should be fitted to allow direct access from the ground floor to Karis’ apartment.This multi-award-winning manufacturer worked closely with DIY SOS to install and commission their stunning, free-standing, homelift within anextremely challenging time frame. Witnessing the Homelift for the first time during the ‘Reveal day’, the whole Lane family were ‘overwhelmed’. Host Nick Knowles encouraged Karis to enter the liftcar which she described as ‘magical’.Karis said: “At the touch of a button and with a little bit of pixie dust, I’m elevated from the ground floor into my apartment without needing to be carried up the stairs.” Karis’ big sister Jo was equally as impressed: “It’s a lovely looking lift that takes up little space in my property and has taken away the fear of falling when carrying my sister up and down the stairs. Karis now has free movement around the whole of my house so she can fully participate with the family. “I feel like a princess riding in my own homelift, it is so heavenly...”The lift has given Karis complete independence and is so much better than a stairlift which would have meant we still needed to help Karis. I also think people tend to relate stair lifts with elderly people which is just not right for Karis or our home. We are so grateful to Stiltz.” The DIY SOS donation means the Lane family can now progress with their lives in a more positive way. Karis benefits from increased independence and the well-being of the whole family is greatly improved. Karen can enjoy respite and Jo is already spending more quality time with her younger sister.Jo concludes: “Karis is so happy and we feel a massive weight has been lifted from my mum’s shoulders. If it hadn’t been for DIY SOS I’m not sure what we would have done! Thank you so much to everyone involved in the build, it looks incredible. I always wanted Karis to live with us as she’s an absolute joy, my dream is now a reality.”

A teenager with quadriplegic cerebral palsy has had his dream bathroom fitted out with adjustable products from Pressalit.

The car dealer Kronsbjerg in Odense, Denmark, is a family owned company. Kronsbjerg was established in 1922 and is now run by the fourth generation with three branches on the Danish island Funen. Over the years, they have sold and serviced several, different car brands. In December 2015, Autohuset Kronsbjerg started selling and servicing yet another car brand in their department in Odense. Taking on this new car brand meant that existing facilities became too small. Therefore, Kronsbjerg decided to invest in a new, beautiful building of approx. 1500 m2 , which could accommodate both management facilities and exhibition areas for the existing and new cars. The new premises are built in split levels between the two exhibition areas that have a level difference of approx. 50 cm. Therefore, it was necessary to create accessibility for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users – as well as to meet the Danish regulatory requirements for accessibility in new buildings.To negotiate the height differences Kronsbjerg chose the LP7 platform lift from Stepless by Guldmann both because of its elegant and light design but also because of the plug and play construction that has a very low entry level of only 50 mm. This allows for a short ramp and no need for placing the platform in a pit.  

The Stannah Midilift SL platform lift was specified by Phil Walker, client agent for Wicstun Veterinary Group: “The new-build practice in Market Weighton needed supplementary access to bring it into line with current access-for-all legislation. Stannah was our first-choice lift company as they are local, which supports our build policy of sourcing local suppliers wherever possible. They are also an established UK company with a lengthy track record—just the reassurance needed that we would get the best lift solution for the job!”

We were delighted to host Carmela for a cookery session in our Granberg showroom in Petersfield, Hampshire. Carmela is eleven years old and has muscular dystrophy. Her skills and achievements are impressive: she is a child model and has fundraised £81,000 for muscular dystrophy earning her a child OBE!Carmela had never used a fully accessible kitchen before and was thrilled to be able to operate all our facilities independently. The plan was to make a chicken and vegetable stir fry with noodles, followed by cupcakes with a wolf theme – her favourite animal! It was decided that she would start by baking the cakes to give them time to cool before icing.Carmela quickly got to grips with the electric mixer, which she was able to raise from the kitchen unit, outwards and up to her desired height on the Granberg Unilift 870. With the simple press of a button, the board is adjusted to optimal working height and gives users easy access to heavy household appliances.Completely independently, Carmela was able to distribute the cupcake cases in the baking tray and pour the cake batter from the mixing bowl. Then it was an easy transfer of the tray into the Neff Hide&Slide oven thanks to its specially designed oven door, which tucks within the unit allowing for access right up to the appliance.  On to the stir fry, where Carmela adjusted the Granberg Centerlift 960H kitchen island to the optimum height to chop vegetables. She was able to slide everything into a pan and transfer the pan to the accessible hob for stirring. With chicken and noodles included, she made short work of a delicious meal for herself and her family!Once the cupcakes were out of the oven and cooled, Carmela iced them with butter icing and decorated them with her favourite wolf theme. It makes such a difference to what can be achieved when it is possible to adjust the level of the worktop to fit your knees underneath.It was a joy to see Carmela completely absorbed in her cooking tasks and, most importantly, able to complete those tasks on her own. Using the Granberg showroom for the day illustrates what can be done when a few easy adjustments are made to your kitchen. Granberg lift systems and mechanisms can be retrofitted within the existing units of your current kitchen or incorporated at the planning stage into the design. Carmela thoroughly enjoyed her day in the Granberg showroom, and we are looking forward to her next visit!

SIEGENIA makes the design of the passage to the outside more convenient than ever with the new hardware solution for thresholds. The high-performance TITAN hardware portfolio has been expanded with a solution for barrier-free thresholds with drop-down seal for this purpose. This enables fabricators, architects and end users to achieve the widest range of room comfort requirements with regard to barrier-free systems. With security up to RC2, good sound absorption and high compression, they can be flexibly combined with both single-sash and double-sash elements.Barrier-free with additional benefitsSuitable for barrier-free French door systems made of different profile materials, the new solution for barrier-free thresholds with drop-down seal is convincing from the end user perspective due to the convenient, smooth operation and the high corrosion resistance and long service life, for which TITAN fittings are renowned.

One of the first projects we worked on with Vox Ignis was a 16-storey student accommodation development in Bournemouth with an adjoining car park and office building, that required an Emergency Voice Communication System (EVCS). The property developer was – and remains to this day – one of our largest clients, so we knew we had to work with a partner we could trust and that had the capability to provide us with products that were really at the cutting-edge of the safety and security industries.Prior to this, just after they’d launched Vox Ignis, the two founding partners of the firm had both paid a visit to our headquarters in the South East to show us their marketing material.  Once they demonstrated a few examples of their products, we were sold on them As a company which specialises in the design, installation and maintenance of fire and security systems, we know that the products we buy have to be not only innovative but also aesthetically pleasing, as a lot of the people we work with are architects and creatives. This is what really made Vox Ignis stand head and shoulders above everyone else we’d worked with. Not only were their products leaders in their field in terms of technology but they were also, by far, the best-looking products out there from a design point of view.3x VILX-TMS-W-8 Master Stations6x VILX-EX-8 Expander Panels44x VILX-OSB Type B Outstations

Products Used:One of the largest projects we have worked with Vox Ignis on was the fit-out of a 92-room luxury boutique hotel in the City of London that required an Emergency Voice Communication System. The project saw us fit out the development with seven different Vox Ignis products, amounting to 32 items in total.The products were easy to understand and the team were always on hand when we needed technical support. I have never had anything but positive feedback from clients when we have handed over the systems to them.

Closomat works closely with local authorities across the country, installing high-spec Changing Places toilets in community centres, car parks, information centres, leisure centres and other vital community hubs, as part of refurbishment programmes and new constructions.Closomat has vast experience in these areas, working alongside other contractors to ensure facilities are robust and meet all the required standards. The company also frequently works with local authorities to realise facilities utilising funding from The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, central government Changing Places fund, for which it is a preferred supplier.Closomat has installed Changing Places facilities for the following local authorities: Birmingham City Council - Birmingham LibaryBolton Council – Barlow Park Youth CentreBournemouth City Council – Bournemouth GardensBracknell Forest Council – The Look Out Discovery Centre, Swinley ForestCheshire West & Chester Council - Storyhouse in Chester, Sandy Lane Aqua Park & Play Area, Grosvenor Park and Frodsham StreetDoncaster Council – Civic OfficesHull City Council – Wilson CentreLeicester City Council – Haymarket Bus StationLiverpool City Council – Calderstone Park, Newsham Park, Croxteth Hall ParkNorth Norfolk County Council – Wells toilet block, Stearmans Carpark, Cromer Information Centre, Vicarage Street, North Walsham, Queens Road, Fakenham.Manchester City Council – Town Hall, Lloyd Street.Mid Suffolk District Council – Mid Suffolk Leisure CentreSolihull Council – The Core, Solihull’s flagship community building including library, theatre, art gallery and café/bars Stoke on Trent City Council – Stoke Bus StationTamworth Borough Council –Tamworth CastleTorbay Council – Festival Apollo toilet block on Paignton seafrontWarminster Town Council – Warminster Civic CentreWest Berkshire Council – Northcroft Leisure CentreWiltshire Council – County Hall in TrowbridgeFacilities at Calderstone Park, Liverpool; The Look Out Discovery Centre (Swinley Forest); Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre; Northcroft Leisure Centre, West Berkshire; Tamworth Castle; Warminster Civic centre and Wilson Centre, Hull, include the added benefit of a Closomat wash and dry toilet. These facilities go above and beyond British Standards, allowing them to support a wider range of users including those who require additional help with cleaning after toileting.

Motorised drives from SIEGENIA make opening and closing windows easy, convenient and barrier-free. Whether they operate turn-and-tilt windows or inaccessible skylights, whether they operate via pushbutton, app or via the building control system, they ensure room comfort and well-being. SIEGENIA has now expanded their product range: as a supplement to the tried and tested DRIVE axxent DK, the DRIVE CL is now also available to fabricators and end users. While the DRIVE axxent DK, by reason of its compact dimensions, also enables integration into the wide range of aluminium profiles, the DRIVE CL is a magnificent choice in case of high demands with regard to cost-effectiveness.

We caught up with Anthony and Jeremy shortly after they launched the business. We’d previously worked with them in their previous roles and were keen to hear what they were doing with themselves and to find out more about Vox Ignis.We were quite impressed by the products they’d developed and the prices they were quoting, so we agreed to add them to our preferred suppliers list, and – when a project landed on our desk that fit the bill – we decided to give them a go.Tasked with supplying the most up-to date and reliable products possible in the Emergency Voice Communication market (EVCS) for the redevelopment of the Odeon Cinema at Broadway Plaza in Birmingham, we sourced and supplied a ViLX-TMS touch-screen master station from Vox Ignis and the client was very impressed with the resulting installation.The product is very simple to use, looks great and the team at Vox Ignis are so easy to deal with, which makes the whole process seamless. We are now confident that, no matter what the task at hand is, Vox Ignis can tailor a solution for us.Products used:ViLX-TMS-W-8ViLX-EX8ViLX-OSB

Closomat is one of the leading installers of Changing Places toilets at airports, bus stations and railway stations. The company’s high-specification facilities meet British Standards, or above, enabling those with more complex needs to access the toilet and changing facilities when travelling and ensuring critical transport hubs meet their access and inclusion responsibilities. Under the government’s new Changing Places rules, from January 2021, it is now compulsory for any new transport hub in England, with capacity for 350 or more people, to include at least one Changing Places toilet. It is also a requirement for any transport hub of the same size undergoing major works to add a Changing Places. Closomat is experienced in providing design advice and installing facilities in new builds as well as retro-fitting facilities in existing buildings. Changing Places by Closomat can be found at the following transport hubs: Birmingham AirportBristol AirportEast Midlands AirportGatwick Airport, North TerminalInverness AirportLiverpool John Lennon AirportManchester Airport, T1, 2 and 3Accrington Bus StationHaymarket Bus StationStoke Bus StationPier Head Ferry Terminal, LiverpoolPaddington Station, LondonPort Talbot Railway StationSwansea Railway StationLondon Victoria, railway stationYork StationFacilities at Bristol Airport, Gatwick Airport, Port Talbot Railway Station and York Station include the added benefit of a Closomat wash and dry toilet, for those who may lack the ability to wipe themselves – allowing the facility to support a wider range of users. 

Closomat has vast experience in the retail sector, commissioning, project managing, installing and maintaining Changing Places toilets for leading retailers, shopping centres and retail parks, throughout the UK. Changing Places by Closomat are well thought-out and include high-spec, high-quality equipment that meets the needs of both users and providers. They enable customers with complex toileting needs to access the toilet safely when shopping and ensure providers are confident the facilities they offer are robust and meet all of the required standards. From January 2021, changes to Building Regulations in England mean that it is now compulsory for any new shopping centre or retails park with gross floor areas of 30,000m2 or more and retail premises of 2,500m2 or more, to include at least one Changing Places toilet. The same rule applies to existing retail spaces if they undergo major refurbishment.Changing Places by Closomat can be found in the following: Retail premisesIkea – Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Dalton, Edinburgh, Gateshead, Greenwich, Lakeside, Leeds, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Reading, Sheffield, Southampton, WembleyMorrisons - Aberdeen, Cheltenham, Dalton, Festival Park (Stoke on Trent), Glenfield, Newport (Isle of Wight), Little Clacton (Clacton on Sea), Plymouth, Newcastle under Lyme, Starbeck (Harrogate), StranraerShopping Centres and Retail ParksBullring, BirminghamFrenchgate Shopping Centre, DoncasterThe Lexicon, Bracknell The Malls, BasingstokeMerry Hill, Brierley Hill near Dudley (Intu)McArthur Glen, Bridgend and YorkOrbital Shopping Park, SwindonSilverburn, GlasgowTouchwood Shopping Centre, SolihulThe Trafford Centre, ManchesterWest Quay, Southampton (Intu)In addition to meeting full British Standards, the Changing Places facility at West Quay, Southampton, Merry Hill near Dudley, and Ikea in Greenwich include the added benefit of a Closomat wash and dry toilet, for those who may lack the ability to wipe themselves – allowing the facility to support a wider range of users.

Pressalit’s adjustable solutions are helping residents at Blackwood House live their lives to the fullest. In the kitchen the CleverCogs technology means residents can readily raise or lower the height of Pressalit’s Indivo rise and fall kitchen work surfaces and wall mounted cupboards with a simple touch; the Indivo lifters also allow the wall cupboards to move forwards and downwards for easy access.

School hygiene roomThe height adjustment of the basin, toilet and shower seat is all electrically powered making it quick, easy & effortless.The room can be configured to suit multiple and individual childrens' height requirements, which will inevitably change as they grow.Working heights for different carers can be optimised.The powered toilet and shower seat also act as ‘motorised lifting aids’ helping to protect carers' backs during assisted transfers, whilst enabling the more independent children to self-transfer independently.

A version of SLP model D has been developed especially for hospitals, including for use in X-ray departments. This version, called an X-ray platform lift, is built into the floor and can lift the patient up to the correct height for the X-ray machine when, for example, knees or ankles need to be X-rayed. The X-Ray platform lift has support rails that make it safe for the patient to stand on the platform. It has a low built-in height, making it easy to install even with different floor levels. The Hospital of South West Jutland in Denmark has installed the X-ray platform lift in its Department of Radiology, where the head radiographer describes what this has meant for the department in its day-to-day work: “The X-ray platform lift makes for a much better work environment. Previously, we had to use portable stairs. The stairs take up a lot of space and patients have difficulty climbing the high steps. It’s also heavy and carries a risk of work-related injuries. With the X-ray platform lift, you can use a remote control to lift the patient up to the correct height to maintain good contact with the patient. In addition to the above the X-ray platform lift is also time-saving, as it’s always ready for use. This is significant given the fact that around 20 patients go through each X-ray room daily