Ventilating care homes and hospitals: window actuators without trapping risk

Updated: 08.11.2026

In brief: Care homes and hospitals need regular ventilation without residents getting cold or being hurt by a moving window. A proven approach: only fanlights and windows out of reach move automatically, controlled by schedule or room air quality, with rain and wind protection.

What is different here?

• Vulnerable people: do not let windows within reach move automatically, see closing edges.
• No draughts: ventilate often and briefly via fanlights rather than leaving windows tilted for long periods.
• At night: ventilation by time programme so nobody has to get up.
• Corridors and common rooms: fanlights via group switch for the staff.

Which actuators are suitable?

For fanlights and bottom-hung windows a Chain actuator again VS-KA with 250 N is usually enough. Where the actuator should not be visible, the concealed chain actuator VS-CKA 300is suitable. Several rooms are controlled by the VS-C24-7A ventilation control unit with up to 7 actuators; for entire buildings the i-series actuators with Modbus.

Control and protection

• Switches for the staff, mounted out of the residents’ reach.
• Rain sensor and Wind monitor close all windows in severe weather.
• Smoke exhaust is a separate topic: it is planned project-specifically and operated with an approved SHEV control panel.

More planning tips: 10 common mistakes when choosing an actuator. For a quote, send photos and dimensions via the Project enquiry.

Frequently asked questions

May windows in patient rooms open automatically?

Only with protection at the closing edges or if they are out of reach. The planner decides on the basis of a risk assessment; for residents’ rooms we recommend automatic fanlights.

Can existing windows in a care home be retrofitted?

Usually yes, if there is space on the frame for actuator and bracket. Photos and dimensions are enough for an initial assessment.

How are many rooms ventilated at the same time?

Via a ventilation control unit with time programme or centrally via the building management system with the i-series actuators.