A safe and secure environment

A factor in the development of housing stock is how to cater for the diverse profile of residents and ensure that their wellbeing, safety and security are paramount within their home environment. From the elderly to the very young, a prime factor of our personal happiness is to feel safe and secure within our own home. Many aspects can contribute to us feeling insecure or unsafe. Threats may come from the immediate or wider neighbourhood and residents can sometimes feel trapped in their own homes. The effects of this and resulting impact on their health has been well documented over the years.

So how do we make the outside accessible whilst at the same time provide an environment in which we can feel safe? Many homes contain their own personal outside space; a balcony, but sometimes these create their own problems. Tragic news of falls from high rise apartments reminds us of the dangers. On the other hand, balcony spaces which are left underused often fall into disrepair and neglect, attracting nothing but unwanted vermin. These underutilised spaces contribute significantly to the downturn and disrepair of a building. Desolate corners provide areas to congregate resulting on occasion with unwanted behaviour providing a threat or intimidation to those who live there. However, there is an answer.

less likely to enter the building or congregate outside unseen. Because the balcony glazing can be closed these spaces are also used for more hours in the day, and for more days in the year. They are pleasant areas to enjoy late into the evening, when many incidents or crimes often occur.

Families too can enjoy the Sunparadise balcony space, secure in the fact that the space can be made safe even for very young children. Balconies come with a balustrade section to 1100mm high, satisfying building regulations and standards. Opening restrictors can be fitted to the upper section allowing a 100mm only opening, which not only enables a safe environment for children to play, but at the same time provides ventilation to the balcony space and apartment. These restrictors can also be applied in areas of development where items thrown from a balcony may cause harm, for example onto railway tracks or walkways.

A balcony that can be closed gives the occupant the option of having that space fully open, partially or fully enclosed at any time of their choosing and is increasingly seen as the preferred choice throughout the UK in both refurbishment programmes and new build. Not only do these systems satisfy many green issues, standards and targets, but they provide an outside living space which is often used more frequently and in itself provides a buffer zone and protection to the main fabric of the building. They can be installed whether a previous balcony existed or not.

Increased use of this outside space is important. It improves health and wellbeing as residents enjoy fresh air & spend much more time watching what is going on around them. This ‘neighbourhood watch effect’ means that unwanted visitors or intruders are

“Many homes contain their own personal outside space; a balcony, but sometimes these create their own problems. Tragic news of falls from high rise apartments reminds us of the dangers.”

Sunparadise locking blocks are fitted as standard; these prevent the folding glass sections being opened from the outside. Sunparadise glaze their balconies with a combination of laminated and toughened safety glass. The safety glass is tested to the highest standards against breakage both from someone falling against it and also from implements being used for attempted breakage.

The toughened glazing in the upper section is sliding and folding, turning inwards and secured to the wall for safety. This parking mechanism ensures that when the glazing is safely stowed against the wall, incidents including accidental impact are avoided. The whole system is designed with safety and security in mind. Whilst the system is not easy for a young child to operate, the manoeuvrability of the system means that the majority of residents, whatever their age or ability, are able to safely manage it, including carrying out routine cleaning.

Sunparadise provide full training on the use of the system. For further information or to see local installations please visit www.sunparadise.com or call John Baillie on 0870 067 8810