Enhanced Safety and Comfort: The Role of Anti-Ligature, Tear-Resistant Fabrics in Mental Health Environments

In mental health care, the physical environment is crucial in ensuring safety and therapeutic comfort for patients. One key consideration in designing these spaces is the selection of fabrics that not only promote hygiene and durability but also mitigate risks associated with self-harm or injury. This is where the use of anti-ligature, tear-resistant fabrics becomes paramount.

The Need for Specialized Fabrics

Mental health facilities, including psychiatric hospitals, therapy centres, and behavioural health units, cater to individuals facing emotional and psychological challenges. Patients within these environments may exhibit behaviours that pose a risk of self-harm, making it essential to implement preventive measures. Traditional fabrics, such as those used in standard furniture or upholstery, can inadvertently become hazards in these settings due to their susceptibility to tearing or being used for ligature.

What are Anti-Ligature, Tear-Resistant Fabrics?

Anti-ligature, tear-resistant fabrics are purpose-built materials designed specifically to address the safety needs of mental health environments. These fabrics are engineered to withstand considerable stress and pressure, reducing the risk of tearing. Additionally, they are constructed to minimise the potential for creating ligature points—places where individuals could potentially attach cords, clothing, or other objects for self-harm.

Kozane® Invicta

Developed by Granberg’s award-winning design team, Kozane® Invicta is already used by leading UK mental health trusts. Developed in partnership with a major UK mental health hospital, it successfully passed challenging trials in high-security wards. Used to create the Kozane® Strongwear range of tear-resistant clothing and bedding, the fabric’s unique composition features extremely high tear and puncture resistance and the additional benefit of abrasion resistance for increased durability. Available in single and double-sided versions, it effectively protects vulnerable patients from self-harm, and unlike alternative fabrics, Kozane® Invicta offers optimum safety and is both comfortable and breathable, ensuring the utmost dignity for those individuals experiencing severe mental ill-health.

Key Features and Benefits

Unlike any other tear-resistant fabric on the market, our fabric is engineered to withstand the toughest challenges.

Unmatched Strength: Created using our advanced, patented 3D knitting technique and high-performance yarns, resulting in exceptional tensile strength. It can withstand significant stress and strain without tearing or fraying, ensuring longevity and reliability.

Versatility: Whether used for clothing, bedding, soft furnishings, and upholstery, it can provide all-around anti-ligature solutions in black, grey, or white and in different weights.

Comfort and Flexibility: Our tear-resistant fabric remains flexible and comfortable despite its incredible strength. It moves with you, providing freedom of movement without compromising durability.

Resilience: Subjected to intense testing, it passed all field trials, and it is safe to use in clinical settings.

Quality Assurance: Rigorous testing and quality control processes guarantee that every inch of our fabric meets the highest standards. You can trust in its reliability and performance, day in and day out.

Environmentally Conscious: We are committed to sustainability. Our tear-resistant fabric is durable and eco-friendly, minimizing environmental impact throughout its lifecycle.

Applications in Mental Health Environments

The applications of anti-ligature, tear-resistant fabrics extend to various aspects of mental health care facilities:

Upholstery

Bedding

Clothing

Curtains and Blinds

Wall Coverings

In conclusion, our anti-ligature, tear-resistant fabrics can help create safe, therapeutic environments in mental health care settings. By integrating our specialised materials into furniture design, fixtures, and fittings, caregivers can focus on what matters most—providing compassionate care and promoting healing while minimising potential risks associated with the physical environment.

If you are interested in finding out more about the potential applications of Kozane® fabrics, please contact us:

General Enquiries: info@kozaneprotection.com

Sales: Eve Lamb, Business Development Manager
M:+44(0)7599 546 566

E: eve.lamb@granberg.no