Garrath Willshaw, business development manager at HOPPE (UK), explains all of the things that need to be considered when choosing new door hardware for use within leisure centres.
Leisure centres are a key part of our society. Providing access to a range of facilities from swimming pools and gymnasiums, to badminton courts and dance studios, we often take leisure centres for granted and expect them to be well-maintained, safe and accessible for all.
Door hardware in busy public leisure centres should be well thought out at design and specification stage to avoid unnecessary – and costly – repair, maintenance and replacement for budget-tight local authorities.
With the latest forecast from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) estimating a 16% rise in building maintenance costs by the second quarter of 2029, installing high quality products up front can save money in the long run.
According to Sports England, there are more than 2,000 public leisure centres in England and almost 5,000 privately operated gyms across the entire UK. In these facilities, door hardware is in constant use and needs to be more than just an afterthought.
Hardwearing design for a wide range of people
Leisure centre users can range from families with young children to teenagers and older adults, school groups and sports clubs, individuals or groups with disabilities or special needs.
But designing for such a wide range of users requires careful thought and consideration. Sports England has guidance for designing leisure facilities, which includes sections on accessibility, swimming pools and combined leisure provision. The choice of door hardware is a key element of this design process and can significantly impact how customers and staff experience the building.
The hardwearing finish of HOPPE’s Resista® range provides the perfect door hardware for frequent use in leisure centres. Available in a range of colours in a polished or satin effect, hardware can complement the design and branding of the building.
With a 10-year surface guarantee and a 10-year mechanical operation guarantee, these long-lasting door handles require minimal maintenance, an important consideration for cash-strapped leisure centres.
A clean and safe environment
Good hygiene is a vital element of running a safe and successful leisure centre, and the right door hardware finish can help ensure customers stay safe and well.
Polished stainless steel is a good choice from a hygiene perspective as this surface is smooth and easy to clean. Satin anodised aluminium or Nylon also don’t require any specialist cleaning and, because they have an even surface, they don’t easily harbour bacteria.
For even more peace of mind, ironmongery products can be manufactured from materials with inbuilt anti-bacterial or anti-microbial properties or covered with a special coating that will give similar protection.
Café facilities within leisure centres can benefit from the additional protection provided by coatings such as HOPPE’s SecuSan® which offer an antibacterial and antimicrobial surface. When applied to hardware, SecuSan® helps to reduce the spread of bacteria. While products such as these cannot eliminate or kill all germs, they do provide an additional level of protection and can help to maintain better hygiene standards when people are present in large numbers.
Accessible for all
Everyone should be able to access and navigate a building safely and comfortably and advice on designing for accessibility can be found in BS 8300:2:2018, PAS 6463:2022 ‘Design for the mind’ and The Inclusive Design Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work.
BS 8300:2:2018 brings together a definitive source of authoritative recommendations on the inclusive and accessible design of buildings. PAS 6463 is a guide to help the design of inclusive spaces for neurodivergent groups who can find certain environments uncomfortable on a sensory level. Meanwhile, The Inclusive Design Overlay provides insights, knowledge and best-practice guidance to those involved at all levels and stages of a project to make buildings more inclusive.
Handles within a leisure centre need to withstand frequent use and comply with accessibility requirements, and while the mechanical performance and design of hardware are the primary ways to address this, the finish also plays a key role from an accessibility perspective.
It is a requirement of Approved Document M that door opening furniture on manually operated doors should visually contrast with the surface of the door. HOPPE’s Nylon range is available in all primary colours as well as black and white to provide a stark contrast against any door design, while also complementing the interior design of the building.
Nylon’s wide-ranging colour palette can also help with wayfinding, helping members of the public easily find their way around the leisure centre and identify which areas they can or cannot access.
Long-lasting ironmongery for swimming pools
Nylon has historically been a popular choice with facilities managers across many sectors. It has been in use for more than 30 years and provides leisure centres with cost-effective and reliable hardware.
Leisure centres have specific requirements as they often include warm, humid environments. When specifying ironmongery for gyms, pools, showers, and changing rooms, Nylon is a great choice as it doesn’t corrode with chlorine.
Coordinating accessories including signage, hooks, finger plates and pull handles are also available in the Nylon range.
HOPPE’s Resista® range is another great solution for door hardware within wet or humid areas. Its special coating gives protection against corrosion, and maintenance is straightforward with no special cleaning required.
Fit for the future
From learning to swim to playing five-a-side football, leisure centres offer the opportunity for people from all walks of life to improve their fitness, learn new sports, try out new activities and socialise, improving both their physical and mental health.
Good hardware design for leisure centres can help to make these spaces welcoming, accessible and safe for all. Choosing the right finish for ironmongery is an essential part of this mix and long-lasting, cost-effective solutions will help to ensure these facilities are fit for the future.