Making Things Less Hard With Hardware

Woman sitting at a table in a wheelchair - Roto Zero Barrier

Accessibility is a key consideration for designers of modern homes and public buildings. Roto hardware systems can help you provide customers with windows and doors to meet these requirements.

In recent times, legislation and best practice guidance have continued to place further importance on this aspect of building design, particularly with regard for people with disabilities and those who are elderly or infirm.

 For barrier-free entry, Roto is promoting the Zero Barrier system which is suitable for standard entrance doors and also for balcony doors that use either Tilt & Turn or Turn-Only arrangements and on both PVC and timber.

 

 “The question of 'Zero Barrier' brings together a number of hardware elements to create a low threshold with no compromise on weather sealing or thermal performance.”

– Vesa Nenye 

Head of Customers & Markets, Roto UK & Ireland

 

 Floor-to-door gasket

“The system is built around our Texel automatic floor-to-door gasket, which activates when the door leaf is closed," continues Roto's Nenye. "The low-profile Eifel TB threshold contains a thermal break to help reduce heat convection. Add to that our weather profile strip and the use of Deventer universal gasket and you have a solution that meets all the performance standards you could require for a domestic situation.”

 

Weather testing and security

Tests have shown the Roto system to be resistant to driving rain and draughts according to EN 1027 / 12208 (Class 7A) and EN 1026 / 12207 (Class 3).

“Other advantages of this system include security,” adds Nenye. “With our high performance V-cams, you can make an installation that complies with burglary resistance requirements such as PAS 24.”

 

Aesthetics

Nenye goes on: “Another aspect to bear in mind is aesthetics. Using the NT Designo concealed hinges, you can have the same level of performance and protection with no visible pivot rests or stay bearings on the interior of the room. With the concealed option we can still cover sashes up to 150 kg.”

 

Tilt & Turn

For accessible windows, the hardware manufacturer has just launched the Roto NX Comfort Window specification. “This is a Tilt & Turn window, based on a tilt-first format, which is very easy to operate via a handle placed on the bottom horizontal,” explains Nenye.

He continues: “It can be used in any room situation to make it easier for wheelchair users or for example in kitchens where windows behind worktops are often harder to reach for people with limited mobility.”

Another use for this window is in a child’s room as the handle is lower and thus easy and safe to reach and the mechanism can be restricted to tilt-only, allowing a child to ventilate their room in safety.”

Such a window can also be used in buildings such as schools, hospitals and hotels, with turn mode for cleaning and maintenance reserved for keyholders.

The positive control mechanism connects the tilt operation directly to the movement of the handle.

 

Patio doors

Nenye is keen to stress that these are just two of a number Roto specifications to improve accessibility: “Bear in mind that our sliding systems, such as Patio Inowa and Patio Life, also have barrier-free thresholds,” he says.

“If you are an installer or fabricator and have been asked to supply windows with accessibility features or if you want to add this capability to your product range, we can provide all the technical support you need.”

 

Picture: Roto Zero Barrier and the Roto NX Comfort Window are available now.

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
21st August 2020

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