Frame & Swift Ltd - The Veterinary Centre, Penrith
This case study explores the delivery of a bespoke radiation shielding solution for The Veterinary Centre in Penrith, where equine radiography required innovation beyond standard designs. The project featured custom heavy-duty sliding double doors and Sense-X® operator protection, tailored to meet the unique scale, safety, and compliance needs of large animal imaging.
The Challenge
Frame & Swift Ltd approached us with a unique requirement for equine radiography (diagnostic imaging of horses) at The Veterinary Centre in Penrith. The brief called for shielding that could withstand the specific demands of large animal imaging, where standard radiation protection solutions simply wouldn’t fit the scale or workflow. Safety and compliance were essential, but so too were durability, manoeuvrability, and tailored design all within a veterinary environment that required space efficiency and ease of use.
Installation of Customised Radiation Protection Solutions
Working closely with the client, Raybloc designed and manufactured a bespoke sliding double doorset, engineered specifically with equine radiography in mind. This was not an off-the-shelf solution; it required a ground-up approach to achieve the client’s goals.
Unlike standard sliding or hinged doors typically used in clinical settings, this system needed to accommodate large animal access, intensive daily use, and strict compliance standards, all while integrating seamlessly with the practice’s workflow. Raybloc achieved this through:
- Oversized Clear Openings: Designed for the safe movement of horses and veterinary staff, offering wide, unrestricted access.
- Heavy-Duty Sliding Gear: Precision-engineered track and roller systems ensured smooth, controlled operation despite the size and weight of the door leaves.
- Enhanced Locking Mechanisms: A combination of flush bolts, hook locks, and custom-fabricated doorstops provided reliable security while maintaining shielding continuity.
- Lead Equivalence: Delivered at Code 4 (1.80 mm Pb), the doors guaranteed effective protection against X-ray scatter, meeting RPA specifications for equine imaging.
- Finishes & Detailing: A durable green laminate with oak accents not only reflected a professional aesthetic but also concealed lead components within hygienic, easy-to-clean surfaces.
- Integrated Warning Systems: Flush-mounted two-stage LED warning lights were fitted to the door leaves, providing clear, failsafe radiation status indicators at eye level.
Alongside the sliding doors, Raybloc supplied an unequal pair of lead lined hinged doors and a Sense X® operator screen, creating a comprehensive shielding package that blended practicality with innovation.
The Solution
The heart of the installation was the sliding double doorset – a fully bespoke solution that redefined how equine radiography spaces could be designed. The wide sliding action provided a safer alternative to hinged systems, reducing risks when manoeuvring large animals. The incorporation of flush mounted LED lights and robust locking details gave veterinary staff confidence that shielding and safety were never compromised.
Complementing this, the Sense-X® operator screen provided a shielded workstation with integrated LED illumination, improving both workflow efficiency and comfort. Together, these elements created a facility where equine radiography could be carried out efficiently, safely, and with complete confidence.
Specifications and Requirements
Sliding Double Doorset
Code 4 (1.80 mm Pb), green laminate finish with oak detailing, heavy-duty sliding gear, flush LED warning light, bespoke locking mechanisms.
Unequal Pair Doorset
Code 4 (1.80 mm Pb), laminate finish, primer-painted hardwood frame & architraves, lift-off hinges, hold-open closers, kick plates, flush LED warning light.
Sense-X® Screen
Code 5 (2.24 mm Pb), winged design, white post-formed laminate finish, 2000 mm height, integrated illuminated worktop and glazing.
Raybloc Assurance
All products backed by Raybloc’s 10-year material and workmanship guarantee.
The Benefits оf Installing Control Booths, Windows and Doorsets from Raybloc
This project demonstrates Raybloc’s ability to transform complex shielding challenges into practical, future-ready solutions. For Frame & Swift Ltd, the result was a shielding package that:
Offered full radiation shielding consultation, guiding the client through a seamless journey from requirements to delivery.
Enabled safe equine radiography with wide-access, heavy-duty sliding doors.
Delivered full compliance with IRR17 and RPA testing.
Combined functionality with operator safety and patient welfare.
Integrated innovations such as flush-mounted LED warning lights and Sense-X® technology.
Reflected the true bespoke nature of veterinary shielding, where no two projects are ever the same.
About Raybloc Radiation Protective Products
At Raybloc, we deliver more than products, we provide complete shielding systems engineered for the specific needs of healthcare, veterinary, industrial, and research environments. From lead-lined doors and internal windows to Sense-X® screens and modular panels, every solution is manufactured in-house to HTM, BS EN, and RPA-approved standards.
Beyond manufacture, we offer full project management, from consultancy and design through to installation and commissioning ensuring that even the most complex shielding requirements are delivered seamlessly and with complete confidence.
