Functionally aesthetic yet highly secure?

Planning a psychiatric hospital and, above all, a forensic clinic requires a high level of expertise and experience in dealing with the security requirements and technical possibilities for standard-compliant and adequate implementation. At the same time, it is important for the responsible planners and architects to develop a building concept that deliberately avoids a provocative “prison character” and creates a fundamentally appealing and thus health-promoting atmosphere. Marco Zepper, Dipl.-Ing. Architekt BDA and partner at the general planner RDS Partner, is an expert in this field and explains in an interview how this balancing act can be mastered. 

Question: When planning a forensic clinic, what is the biggest difference compared to “normal” public-sector construction projects, such as authorities, offices or other administrative buildings, for example? 

Marco Zepper: In forensic facilities, security requirements are much more complex than in comparable buildings with different user groups. They must develop an overall security concept that guarantees a secure environment for patients at all times. On the other hand, however, the conditions must also be created to ensure that, in an emergency, the affected can be safely rescued to a secure area outside the danger zone. This careful planning is very time-consuming and also requires intensive collaboration with hospital operators, safety and technical managers, and nursing service managers in advance. Apart from this, as architects, we focus on ensuring that safety systems can be integrated discreetly and inconspicuously into the overall building concept in order to minimise trigger points for patients. 

Question: Are there different requirements for security technology, or could a uniform security solution be used for all premises?

Marco Zepper: Basically, each area in the building needs its own security concept that adapts to the required security level. Entrance zones with or without an interlock function, patient and consultation rooms or even crisis intervention rooms require different security equipment. A uniform security solution for all scenarios does not work. Different building requirements and standards must also be taken into account depending on the federal state. Nevertheless, it can be said that the planning procedure always follows the same principle: We take a close look at each individual walkway from the main entrance through the gate and further into the interior of the building and evaluate how security-related access and authorisations can best be implemented and controlled on each of these routes.

Question: What is the significance of forensic clinic doors in this context? How do you ensure secure opening and closing?

Marco Zepper: Door systems in every building are central entry and exit points and therefore always play an important role in the planning of escape routes. In the special field of fire protection, security and evacuation concepts in a forensic facility, experience shows that it is advantageous to think about the fire protection concept based on the EltVTR guideline and the EN 13637 standard before the two other concepts. Or, in other words: Escape route security technology is state-of-the-art and must be taken into account in the clinic's security concept. For example, imagine that general access control fails due to a power failure. Thanks to the premise mentioned, it is nevertheless ensured that the escape route technology “takes over” the protection reliably, for example in areas with an interlock function. An important part of the planning is to decide how and in what quantity emergency opening circuits are to be set up and whether the door systems are to be controlled centrally or decentrally or opened personally by emergency services in case of danger.

Another important point is that doors in forensic psychiatric clinics must be particularly durable and robust. This includes protection against vandalism and tampering attempts, aswell as resistance to faecal matter when selecting suitable electric strikes and locking technology. For this reason, we are delighted to work with the security technologies and systems offered by ASSA ABLOY, such as the control terminals, which are installed with tamper-proof high-quality stainless steel plates. Or the effeff escape door strikes 352M, which can ensure high break-in protection as an additional lock and still enable safe rescue at any time thanks to the escape route function. 

Question: Are there typical errors made in the construction planning of a forensic clinic? How can these be prevented as much as possible?

Marco Zepper: As I have already said, in my opinion, intensive discussions with all parties involved is the best way to minimise risks and errors right from the start. We also rely on long-standing cooperation and partnerships with security experts from providers such as ASSA ABLOY. So far, we have been able to benefit from their expertise in forensic issues in every project. For example, when it comes to the question often asked by clinic operators regarding why an additional burglar alarm system is required when the planned escape door systems are already electronically controlled. The answer is clear: An electronic escape door system alone is not sufficient to ensure VdS-compliant locking of the doors. Only the integration of additional bolt and magnetic contacts in conjunction with a risk management or building management system (RMS/BMS) enables continuous security monitoring. This not only prevents tampering, but also ensures that escape routes function reliably in an emergency without compromising the security level.

Question: Security plays a major role in the construction of forensic facilities. Are you still able to implement aesthetically creative ideas, or are you restricted in any way?

Marco Zepper: This challenge represents the special appeal of these construction projects for our specialist team at the general planner RDS Partner. Of course, we must take the building requirements and special security requirements into account. And yes, certain materials also play a role. Nevertheless, we do not see this as a limitation. In this special clinical environment, it is possible to create highly secure, friendly and bright spaces in compliance with all regulations, but without creating a threat scenario. Apart from forensic psychiatric detention and high-security custody, many facilities also deal with daytime patients and day release patients who interact with employees on a daily basis. Our goal is always to create a suitable environment that enables the best possible interaction and collaboration with each other with minimal stress.