Hello, I’m Maria Morgan, Product Marketing Manager, Wall Protection. I have worked for Gradus for 3 years, and in the Construction Industry for more than 25.
By contributing to the “Safe in The Gradus Knowledge” series, along with my colleagues, I aim to provide and in-depth insight into my role to help you understand more about our expertise, products and services. Today, I’ll explain what to consider when specifying Corner Guards in healthcare environments.
Corner Guards offer vital protection to one of the most vulnerable parts of a building, helping it maintain its appearance, reduce maintenance costs, minimise collision and uphold hygiene levels.
By considering the 5 points below, I can help you specify the correct corner guard for your healthcare building:
1. Speed/weight of traffic – is the environment expected to encounter wheeled traffic? Some areas within a healthcare building will experience heavy wheeled traffic, such as trolleys, medical equipment, wheelchairs, beds and catering trolleys. For these types of applications we would recommend High Impact Corner Guards at full height. The aluminium retainer provides a reinforced defence against high impact damage, combined with a shock absorbent Vinyl Cover, which can be easily be replaced when damaged.
2. Volume of traffic – where traffic volume is low, such as an office or family waiting room, a Standard Corner Guard would be suitable. In contrast, High Impact Corner Guards protect more effectively over the long-term against high traffic volume areas.
3. Hazards - corner guards can be fitted to warn building users of potential hazards. They should be installed at full height and use a colour tone that is 30 points of LRV difference to the wall. This enables highlighting of columns or ducts, for example, that project into circulation areas.
4. Wing thickness - the general rule is the bigger the better, as the wider the wing, the more of the corner surface is protected. The larger wing size also enables mechanical fixing to be applied further away from the apex of the corner. Gradus offer a 50mm and a 75mm wing size
5. Height – consider what you’re trying to protect against. Damage can be caused at numerous points. Trolleys and equipment may come into contact at mid-height. Cages and catering trolleys at higher levels. Hoovers and parcel trolleys may strike lower down. If you are unsure about the future level and type of traffic, then we would suggest that you install high impact corner guards at full height. This will help to future proof your facility and to protect your long-term budget. We offer 7 height options to suit most budgets and applications.
Click here to see our full range of corner guards.
Please send any questions to imail@gradus.com or call 01625 428 922