North Bristol NHS Trust – Roof Guardrail Project

Case Study: North Bristol NHS Trust

When one of Bristol’s busiest healthcare facilities refreshed its premises, Ezi Klamp was asked for a full DDA handrail and guardrail solution. Here’s how our experts tackled the project, from regulations-compliant DDA handrail design to bespoke roof guardrails.

The Project: to refurbish a busy NHS healthcare facility

There is no room for mistakes in the health sector. With vulnerable patients arriving 24/7 and staff often racing against the clock, it’s vital that any work done to NHS premises is safe, smoothly executed and compliant with the regulations.

As one of the UK’s most trusted providers of DDA handrail, key clamp systems and barrier solutions, Ezi Klamp has many years’ experience of supply and install to the health sector. So when the NHS Myrtle Road Laboratory in Bristol planned a full refurbishment, we were proud to be commissioned to provide a complete DDA handrail and guardrail solution for the facility’s roof areas, external ramps and steps, plus an internal fire escape.

The Solution: a galvanised roof guardrail system

The project began with a full site inspection and assessment of what was required. For the roof area, we provided a fixed galvanised roof guardrail system which was constructed with bent posts to angle the guardrail back and make it less visible from the road. These were fixed to the coping stones on the parapet walls and installed with weather cowls around the baseplates so the roofing contractor could waterproof easily. Meanwhile, on the flat roof area, we installed a free-standing guardrail system to provide roof edge protection, so no penetration of the single ply roofing was needed.

The entrance ramps and steps to both the front and back of the building were required to comply with Part M Building Regulations so our Ezi Klamp DDA Compliant Handrails were required.  We installed a black polyester powder-coated DDA Handrail system, which has off-set handrails, no raised fittings, and looped ends to create a smooth continuous handrail to satisfy Part M regulations.

The Solution: a complete DDA handrail solution

Back on the ground, we knew the entrance ramps and steps to both the front and back of the building were required to comply with Part M Building Regulations, as well as the Equality Act of 2010. To keep the facility safe and compliant, our Ezi Klamp DDA handrail was the perfect option. Drawing on the comprehensive inventory of DDA handrail fittings at Ezi Klamp’s Bristol factory, we installed a black polyester powder-coated DDA handrail system, which included off-set handrails, looped ends and no raised fittings, to create a smooth continuous handrail that satisfied Part M regulations. Even better, because our DDA handrail is easily assembled without welding or specialist equipment, the laboratory suffered minimal disruption to its workflow.

Ezi Klamp’s experience in DDA handrail design also proved invaluable inside the premises. Following a site inspection, we installed a second DDA handrail system in the internal fire escape area, replacing an old fabricated handrail with modern DDA handrail fittings that will give many years of  service. Finally, the rails running down the staircase were curved and spiralled to suit the existing stair structure, while as part of the basement fire escape plan, we installed a small vertical CAT ladder to provide a second exit point.

Ezi Klamp Products Used:

Ezi Klamp Fixed Roof Guardrails

Ezi Klamp Free-Standing Roof Guardrails

Ezi Klamp CAT Ladder

Ezi Klamp DDA Handrails

Ezi Klamp is the UK’s most respected supplier of DDA handrail, key clamp systems, barrier solutions and more. To discuss your project, call us today on 0117 970 2420 or email sales@eziklampsystems.com