Balancing Safety and Flexibility in Welding Protection Design

21 May 2026

When designing welding protection systems, no two environments are exactly the same. While many projects can be solved with standard enclosure layouts, others demand a more tailored approach.

That was certainly the case when we delivered a specialist welding curtain installation at the University of Salford in partnership with John Henry Interiors.

The project centred around creating a safe and practical welding enclosure within an active laboratory environment — a space where safety requirements needed to sit alongside accessibility, visibility, and day-to-day operational demands.

Understanding the Challenge

At first glance, a traditional four-sided welding enclosure might appear to be the obvious solution. However, once the laboratory drawings were reviewed in detail, it became clear that a more considered design would be needed.

The welding area sat alongside walls containing electrical sockets, storage units, and laboratory equipment that needed to remain fully accessible. Installing a permanent enclosed structure risked obstructing essential services and reducing the flexibility of the workspace.

As with many specialist environments, the challenge wasn’t simply about screening a welding process — it was about integrating protection into an existing and highly functional space.

A Flexible Curtain Configuration

Rather than opting for a fixed enclosure system, the final solution used separate welding curtain panels secured to stanchions using Velcro tabs.

This modular arrangement delivered effective welding segregation while allowing the laboratory to retain the flexibility it required.

The separate panel design offered several practical advantages:

• Clear separation of the welding area
• Continued access to surrounding equipment and services
• Easy repositioning or removal when required
• Greater adaptability for changing laboratory use

By using Velcro-secured panels and stanchions, the enclosure remained practical and easy to manage without compromising on protection.

Considering the Bigger Picture

Another important factor in the design was the laboratory’s first-floor viewing gallery.

Positioned approximately 4.8 metres above ground level, the gallery overlooked the welding area and introduced an elevated line of sight into the workspace. With viewing levels significantly above the curtain height, this raised additional considerations around welding flash visibility and wider screening requirements.

The project team also needed to account for occasional overhead crane use within the laboratory. Any potential overhead protection would therefore need to avoid interfering with lifting operations and maintain operational flexibility.

These factors reinforced the importance of taking a site-specific approach rather than relying on a standard enclosure layout.

Delivering a Tailored Welding Protection Solution

This installation demonstrates how successful welding protection systems depend on understanding both the working environment and the operational requirements of the customer.

For this laboratory project at the University of Salford, the solution was not simply about installing curtains — it was about creating a welding enclosure system that balanced safety, accessibility, and flexibility within an active educational setting.

By working collaboratively and tailoring the design to the space, the completed installation delivered practical welding protection without compromising the functionality of the laboratory.

See the case study on this project here.

Written By Sharon Shaw