Behavioral and Psychiatric Window Checklist
Consider these items in product selection and specification provisions.
General
- Staff supervision, objects available to patients, and intercession policies are critical to design.
- Visit the NY State Office of Mental Health website, researched and maintained by Lomonaco and Pitts, P.C. dba Architecture Plus of Troy, New York, for product recommendations
- Key design feature: Between-glass blinds for the therapeutic value of patient control (privacy, shading, view) and a homelike atmosphere
- Seclusion rooms versus day rooms - Adaptive re-use is often a key consideration; future change in occupancy.
Performance and Product Features
- Human impact “drop-tested” per AAMA 501.8-12 -Wausau 400i-DT and 2187-DT
- Tamper-resistance and tools - Prying is the #1 threat, hence overlap sash are preferable to flush sash.
- Room inventory for potential attack objects (detention-grade)
- Flame and smoking materials - Aerosol or spray VOCs
- Chemical resistance - Cleaning solvents and biologicals
- Ligature risk - Radius corners on overlap sash - Selection of VB control knobs
- Abrasion resistance of anodized finishes at interior
- Pica behavior - Ingestion of glazing materials and interior paints
- Weaponization of removed materials, and passage of contraband
- Emergency venting of combustion products and noxious odors
- Clean-ability of exterior surfaces from the interior
- Exterior exercise yard thrown-object resistance
- ADA is usually not an issue - Staff operation only
- Don't forget security of interior trim when remodeling - "No step" stool design
No environment can be made completely free of risk. Use engineering judgment and experience, supplemented by in-depth input from treatment and security staff at the specific facility. Every facility's policies and patients are different.
Questions? Contact Wausau's market manager at healthcare@wausauwindow.com