IPS and Access Panels: Why Secure Locks Matter in Patient-facing Areas

In healthcare design, many elements are carefully considered, from ventilation systems to hygiene finishes. One area however is often overlooked being the locking of IPS (Integrated Plumbing System) and access panels.

These panels are everywhere in healthcare estates: in patient bathrooms, ward corridors, clinical spaces, and staff areas. They may look like minor components, but when the locks securing them fail, the risks can be significant.

This blog examines why IPS and access panels require more than standard locks, what risks arise from legacy designs, and how modern tamper-resistant cam locks are supporting safer, more resilient healthcare environments.

Why IPS and Access Panels are Critical

IPS panels provide access to concealed plumbing and services, keeping healthcare spaces clean, safe, and easy to maintain. Access panels allow authorised staff to reach electrical, mechanical, and network infrastructure across wards and corridors.

Both are essential for day-to-day operations, but their placement in patient-facing areas also means they are exposed to risks, including:

• Tampering and forced entry by patients or visitors.
• Exposure to live services, creating potential safety hazards.
• Hygiene concerns, as recessed locks and handles trap dirt or bacteria.
• Visual disruption, where bulky or institutional lock designs undermine therapeutic environments.

A compromised panel isn’t just a minor inconvenience, it can pose serious risks to safety, infection control, and the overall quality of care.

The Risks of Legacy Locking Solutions

Many IPS and access panels are still fitted with legacy cam locks such as:

• Pin hex and crown locks, once considered secure but now easily bypassed with basic tools.
• Square head and tri-head inserts, standard across commercial buildings but not designed for patient-accessible areas.

These locks can often be forced open, introducing avoidable risks. In healthcare environments where patient welfare and infection control are critical, relying on outdated locking mechanisms leaves facilities exposed.

How Modern Cam Locks Make a Difference

Modern tamper-resistant cam locks are designed with healthcare-specific challenges in mind. Their features provide a more robust approach to panel security:

• Three-point engagement mechanisms reduce the risk of manipulation.
• Smooth, flat-surfaced faces simplify cleaning and help meet infection control standards.
• Low-profile, ligature-resistant designs minimise hazards in mental health or custodial healthcare settings.
• Visual engagement indicators allow staff to confirm straight away that panels are properly secured.
• Retrofittable footprints make upgrading straightforward, with no need for expensive modifications.

By upgrading locks, estates teams can protect panels from tampering, improve hygiene, and extend the lifespan of existing infrastructure.

Supporting Safer Healthcare Environments

Access to plumbing and electrical systems will always be necessary in healthcare estates, but access should be controlled, safe, and secure.

By specifying or retrofitting tamper-resistant cam locks on IPS and access panels, healthcare providers can:

• Reduce risks of unauthorised access.
• Support infection control protocols.
• Maintain the therapeutic design of patient areas.
• Minimise downtime and reduce costly repairs.

Small changes at the component level can make a significant difference across entire estates.

Secure the Access Points that Matter Most

IPS and access panels may be small parts of a healthcare environment, but the risks of inadequate locks are anything but small. From patient safety to infection control, choosing the right lock makes a measurable impact.

Whether you’re upgrading existing panels or specifying new builds, modern tamper-resistant cam locks provide a fast, cost-effective way to improve security and resilience.

📞 Call us: 01952 890158
📧 Email: sales@contoursecure.co.uk
🌐 Or visit: www.contoursecure.co.uk to request a sample or discuss how secure locks can support safer healthcare estates.