Anti-ligature design is essential to reduce the risk of self-harm or suicide in high-risk environments. This involves eliminating or minimising attachment points where a ligature could be tied or looped. Fixtures such as taps, shower heads, and grab rails must be designed with smooth contours and minimal gaps to prevent such risks.

By eliminating or minimising attachment points, anti-ligature design helps:

• Protect lives by reducing opportunities for self-harm
• Enhance staff safety by lowering the risk of emergency incidents
• Support duty of care obligations for facility operators
• Ensure compliance with custodial facility standards and guidelines

Fixtures in correctional environments must address multiple competing priorities including safety, security, durability, hygiene, and ease of maintenance. Designers must consider the risk of self-harm, vandalism, and misuse, while ensuring that the products are robust enough to withstand constant, aggressive use. Limited access for repairs and the need for tamper-resistance add further complexity to the specification process.

Correctional-grade fixtures are specifically engineered with rounded profiles, concealed fixings, and reinforced materials. Tamper-resistant components reduce the likelihood of disassembly or damage. Designs that eliminate voids or gaps also help prevent contraband from being hidden inside fixtures. Wall-mounted or recessed options further enhance safety and visibility.

Key standards include:

• AS 4032.4 – Thermostatic mixing valves for plumbing systems
• AS/NZS 3500 – Plumbing and drainage requirements
• AS/NZS 6400 – Water efficiency labelling standards

While there is no single correction-specific standard, fixtures are often designed in line with custodial guidelines, mental health facility standards, and recommendations from correctional authorities.

Yes, correctional facilities are subject to specific guidelines for water saving and lead free compliance, often aligned with broader regulatory standards but tailored to the unique needs of secure environments.

Water-saving regulations aim to reduce water usage and prevent misuse. Fixtures must often meet minimum flow rate requirements (e.g. WELS ratings in Australia) and may incorporate features like timed-flow or push-button controls to limit water run-time and prevent flooding from deliberate misuse.

Lead free compliance is also critical, especially in drinking water systems. Many regions require plumbing products to meet strict standards such as the NSF/ANSI 372 or AS/NZS 4020, ensuring materials used in water-contact components contain minimal or no lead to protect occupant health.

In correctional settings, these standards are often combined with additional durability and anti-vandalism requirements, meaning products must not only be compliant, but also secure and tamper resistant.

Prioritised features include:

• Anti-ligature and tamper-resistant design
• Vandal resistance and impact durability
• Concealed or recessed installation
• Minimal joints or exposed components
• Ease of external maintenance access
• Water efficiency and hygiene compliance

Fixture design differs between minimum and maximum-security facilities primarily in the level of security, durability, and risk mitigation required.

In maximum-security facilities, fixtures must be extremely robust and designed to eliminate any potential safety or security risks. This includes fully enclosed, anti-ligature designs, tamper-proof fastenings, and minimal exposed components to prevent self-harm, vandalism, or concealment of contraband. Materials are typically heavy-duty stainless steel or reinforced composites, and features like metered water controls and secure access panels are standard.

In contrast, minimum-security facilities may allow for fixtures with a more residential or commercial appearance, using materials like vitreous china or plastic composites. While safety and durability are still important, the risk level is lower, so fixtures may have more visible fittings and a greater focus on user comfort and normalisation, rather than maximum security.

Overall, the level of risk in the facility dictates how strict the fixture design needs to be in terms of tamper resistance, ligature prevention, and material strength.

Common materials include:

• 304 or 316 grade stainless steel – chosen for its strength, corrosion resistance, and cleanability
• Reinforced composite polymers – used for anti-ligature fittings due to their smooth finish and strength
• Heavy-duty brass or chrome-plated components – where internal durability is needed

External access to valves and control systems is crucial in correctional settings to ensure safe, efficient, and secure management of plumbing systems without needing to enter inmate areas. It allows staff to quickly shut off water in the event of flooding, vandalism, or misuse, reducing potential damage and safety risks. 

It also enables routine maintenance or repairs to be carried out without disrupting operations or compromising staff safety. By locating controls outside of cells or secure zones, facilities can maintain better oversight and control, while minimising direct contact and associated risks.