Here, Andy Matthews, Head of Sales at HOPPE (UK), discusses the scale of repair and maintenance works needed in schools across the country and how the company’s products can help.
At the end of 2022, the Government announced the fourth set of schools to receive funding for major rebuilding and refurbishment works as part of the ongoing School Rebuilding Programme.
In order to qualify for funding, schools had to show they had at least 1,200 square metres of “severe condition need” (defined as the modelled cost of the remedial work to repair or replace all defective elements in the school estate) to apply. The Government has said it prioritised the applications with “structural or safety issues that mean a block is not fit for use or is likely to become unfit for use imminently because it poses a risk to users”, followed by applications showing “severe deterioration” in external walls, roofs, windows or doors.
More than 1,100 schools applied for funding in 2022, and 239 were awarded grants in December 2022. This brings the total number of projects in the programme to 400, and with only 500 spaces up for grabs throughout the duration of the 10-year School Rebuilding Programme, it looks like many schools will miss out on this much-needed funding.
The Condition of School Buildings Survey published in May 2021 identified that the total backlog for maintenance work in the school estate known as the ‘condition need’ is £11.4bn. This has grown significantly since 2017 when the condition need was reported as £6.7bn.
Within the 22,031 schools reviewed as part of the survey, assessors noted 374,782 occurrences of work needed to external walls, windows and doors, and 261,568 to internal walls and doors. While these figures only offer a snapshot in time, it still provides a good indicator of the level of work needed to improve the conditions of schools across the UK.
Repair and maintenance within schools
HOPPE (UK)’s own research among education estates managers revealed that just under two-thirds of respondents said they carry out repairs and refurbishments throughout the year. They also identified door handle levers and door closers as the items of hardware that need to be replaced most often. Whether door hardware is being replaced as part of reactive or ongoing maintenance plans, or installed in newly built schools, HOPPE is a great choice for several reasons.
Nylon
Nylon is easy to clean and doesn’t discolour with the use of mild detergents or disinfectants. A finish that has been tried and tested for more than 30 years, it is also suitable for sports facilities, changing rooms and showers because of its corrosion-resistant properties.
The Nylon range is available in 10 colours and is ideal for creating a colour coding system that allows it to be used to identify areas in buildings for specific use or access. There may be some settings where the use of subtle colours, which are less visually stimulating, can prevent confusion or distraction.
In schools with special needs facilities, Nylon can be a good choice because of its tactile nature. It offers anti-static properties and doesn’t feel cold to the touch. It is important to consider the visual contrast and comply with the light reflectance value (LRV) in British Standard BS8493:2008. The range has been BSEN1906 performance tested and the Steel Cored version has also been included in BS EN1634 part 1 fire door testing.
Coordinating Nylon accessories — including signage, hooks, finger plates, back plates, pull handles, interior handles set on roses and escutcheons — are also available, making it really easy for specifiers to order everything required for each door.
Bathroom turns
Bathroom turns from ARRONE, a HOPPE brand, will help schools meet the latest Department for Education (DfE) requirements for school buildings. The AR961 non-coin release bathroom turn range has been developed to provide a bathroom turn set that is in line with the latest generic design brief output specification.
The DfE’s guidance covers the design and construction of school buildings, as well as outlining safety and security, operability, and maintenance requirements. As part of its most recent updates, DfE added in the requirement for schools to use a bathroom lock “that can be locked from the inside by turn or lever and can be released from outside by a non-coin slot key” to improve safety and give increased privacy.
The AR961 range is made up of a stainless steel disabled indicator and large turn on an 8mm rose. A key to operate the release is available separately.
Door closers
Door closers play an integral part in making sure doors open and close effectively. In the event of a fire, a firmly closed fire door will help to slow the effects of flames and smoke.
It’s essential that fire doors and the associated hardware, particularly the door closers, are kept in good working order. Regular inspections play an important role in making sure wear and tear that may lead to defects are detected and repaired sooner rather than later. The ARRONE AR8209 door closer features a slide arm channel which helps prevent deliberate damage from occurring. Cam action and electromagnetic models are also available in the range.
Header image: HOPPE (UK)’s Nylon door handle range
