Integral Finger Guard (Alumax)

Albion school, London borough of Southwark

Blairdardie Primary School

Invergarven ASN

Product Coding Explained

Alumax Product Fitting Instructions

As the first attempt at finger safety, plastic guards covered the gap between the door and frame. In some situations, like the home, they’re safe and do the job. However, in high traffic areas, like schools, hospitals, restaurants and retail environments, they’re simply not durable enough.

They crack and split
Although cheap, plastic finger guards aren’t built to last. Typically, after between six months and two years of normal use in schools, GPs, restaurants or swimming pools, they split and need replacing. And once broken, the original danger is exposed, putting fingers at risk.

A maintenance liability
The real cost of a plastic finger guard is anything but cheap. Taken over the typical 25-year lifespan of a school, replacing them costs between £500 and £1,000 per door, making them the most expensive option.

Look cheap
Plastic guards can be unsightly and rarely blend in with the environment. If the interior finish and doors have been carefully planned – perhaps in colourful laminate or attractive veneer – the finger guard should be just as aesthetically pleasing.

The single roller blind uses fabric tension to resist fingers pushing into the gap.  And when you consider the cost of hinges, the roller blind finger guard, and the fitting, the cost is similar to our integral finger guard – which designs out the problem, offering superior safety and aesthetics.

Just hides gap
Unlike our clever designs, roller blind finger guards use fabric tension to create resistance and prevent trapped fingers. This is mostly effective but it’s not foolproof.

Affects opening force
The fabric tension resistance can make it challenging to comply with Approved Document M and BS 8300 (Opening Force for a Door).

A costly compromise
Roller blinds cost around the same as our Alumax integral finger guard — yet compromise on aesthetics. And if cost is an issue, our retrofit finger guard makes the perfect alternative. It’s durable and doesn’t  impact the opening force.

Flexible rubber hinge covers were developed to address the durability issues of plastic finger guards. Hard wearing and tough, they cover the complete gap, however fingers can still become trapped.

Doesn’t solve the problem
Rubber guards merely cover the gap between the door and frame. The rubber cover is rarely taut enough to prevent the guard being pushed into the hinge gap. This leaves open the possibility of fingers wandering into the gap and being trapped in a closing door.

Highly visible
Concertina-like rubber hinge covers are made from a material not usually used on doors. Even in the closed position, customers comment they’re eyecatching and impact the overall aesthetic.

Gathers dust and grime
The soft rubber surface attracts dust and is hard to clean. The folds also gather grime, which can become a hiding place for bacteria.