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David Ham, sales manager for leading shutter manufacturer Charter Specialist Security, says roller shutters are an ideal security solution
In recent years there’s been a growing trend to increase building security. Healthcare and education premises are particularly sensitive, while top-end residential property is invariably higher risk.
And Home Office crime statistics have signalled burglary has been growing at an increasing rate as the economy slides deeper into recession.
Roller shutters offer the optimum physical security solution for health, education, community projects and prestige residential developments. Architects and specifiers love them because they offer both form and function, elegantly protecting a building from vandalism and burglary when down, but hidden away at the touch of a button when in the raised position.
The Charter-Integr8 range of innovative shutters delivers the highest level of security offering both built-in and retrofit options. Charter-Integr8’s design concept is based around a shutter mechanism that can be integrated into the structural fabric of the building. In this way it offers the highest level of security without taking away from the aesthetic appeal of the building. In fact with the shutters open, the integrated system ensures there is virtually no visual impact on the appearance or design of a building.
Grand Designs for any building
We also offer the widest possible range of colours as well as a choice of shutter designs including vertical rise, roof-light and Brise Soleil options. Shutters can be finished in any RAL colour to exactly suit individual specifications. So the Charter-Integr8 system can be used to make either a bold or a subtle design statement and actually enhance the appearance of a building when the shutters are closed.
 Community case study: Katesgrove Children’s Centre, Reading
This project is part of a national programme in which each local authority designates an area to build a children’s centre. The centre was built to enhance an existing community building used for after-school clubs, eg Brownies. The new building includes a crèche and a multi-use room for seminars which is also hired out for yoga and other activities. Security shutters were specified because the centre is in a vulnerable area in a park. At night it is quite isolated and there have been problems with vandalism in the past.
Integrated shutters were not needed as there was a deep overhang ensuring the shutters were concealed within the soffit. So, the Charter-integr8 180C bolt-on security shutters were specified and installed direct to the structure.
Shutters for schools
Local Education Authorities (LEA) can’t afford to cut corners with security. Even unsuccessful attempts to break in invariably necessitate expensive remedial work. A failure to protect school premises impacts not only on the ability of LEAs to deliver a high standard of teaching but also on public confidence in the schools for which they are responsible.
Charter’s specialist installation teams installed 70 shutters to a new 1,100 pupil secondary school, West Inverclyde Academy, Scotland, which was officially opened by Princess Ann in February. The entire project was a £25 million scheme in an area of mass regeneration, where crime and vandalism are major concerns. Security shutters were also fitted to the ground floor windows in the teaching wings and the first floor auditorium glazing to deter vandalism and breakage to the elevation nearest to the school boundary, which would be most susceptible to damage.
 There were a number of challenging details including access, size of shutters and co-ordination with the cladding. While the prime function of the shutters was security, they couldn’t detract from the building design – they had to enhance it.
London-based Studio E Architects chose the colours for this project (pictured) after early consultation with the pupils who wanted “anything but grey” and a building that contrasted with its surroundings. We liaised with Studio E to ensure every colour worked with the building, for example, we matched the shutters for the sports store to walls of the internal corridor.
The design also had a strong sustainable agenda, and natural daylight and ventilation were key considerations. For example, internal solar blinds were fitted to the first floor auditorium to filter the light, with external shutters doubling as black-out blinds when required.
Reputation, reputation, reputation
Our reputation is built upon offering architects, specifiers, planners and builders the highest level of support. Complete product specifications and an AutoCAD library of the Charter-Integr8 range are available to specifiers and we offer technical support throughout the build, from the drawing board to completion.
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