On the Cover
Choosing the right type of deck boards – 6 ways to get it right first time
imber decking is an increasingly popular surface used within many public spaces, from walkways and bridal ways to bars and restaurants. But, selecting the right type of decking depends on many different things; treatment, strength grade, profile, and slip risk. Below are some of the common considerations and how to make the right product choice. Many facilities and estate
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management professionals will come across the remedial works required for poorly specified decking. Some of you may even encounter more than one of the problems: 1. Grooved boards that have worn before their anticipated service life is due to incorrect specification.
2. Boards that do not provide enough anti-slip provision, with make-shift anti-slip through the use of chicken wire.
3. Antislip provision that wears off before the end of its anticipated service life.
4. Antislip provision that causes a trip hazard.
5. Grooved boards that attract and accumulate debris and dirt that prove difficult to keep clean. Repairs and replacement may be costly but the cost to the business while remedial works takes place can be significantly more than the works itself. Below are the 6 key ways to get decking applications right first time.
1. Location, location, location
Where will the deck boards be used? Country rural applications have very different requirements to deck boards for urban environments. Waterways and wetlands suit boards with a high level of antislip however, these boards
can be difficult to walk on in urban footwear. For urban areas where consideration is required for pushchairs, wheelchairs, high heeled shoes and trip risk with changes of level, a smooth non-slip board is more suitable.
PLAY IT SAFE. Country rural = JB Anti Slip Plus® a
smooth board with strips of coarse aggregate for the Anti-Slip strips (see slip risk for number of inserts). Urban = JB CitiDeck®
a smooth board
with a less abrasive aggregate for Anti-slip strips.
2. Meeting Part M Timber decking can provide an
excellent solution when designing to, and interpreting Part M of the current building regulations. To help meet Part M, a smooth deck board should be chosen to give an easy comfortable ride when accessing the decking with a wheelchair. The non-slip inserts should give a low potential for slip, but at the same time, not be so slip resistant to cause a trip or stumbling hazard for those who are less able, and may have difficulty picking up their feet. These inclusivity issues were highlighted in the work completed within the Olympic Park, where an average PTV (pendulum test value or ‘slip risk’) value of 48 was targeted. Typically, tarmac and concrete pavers fall in the 45-55 range, JB CitiDeck, a smooth non-slip deck board (with a finer aggregate non-slip insert), was designed to match this. Recommended spans are set to ensure a maximum 3mm deflection so
again, there is no trip hazard. Timber decking provides an easy way to create access ramps into buildings. In addition, raised timber decks & balconies can provide additional outdoor living space with no changes in level from inside to out.
When designing ramps, to meet the requirements of part M, the slope should be no more than 1 in 20.
Decking can also be used to highlight changes in either level or surface – Use colour, ideally yellow, to mark changes for the visually impaired.
Indicate start and finish – A change in walking surface is required to indicate start and finish. This can be indicated by using castellated boards, or by a change in the anti-slip insets to show a difference.
PLAY IT SAFE.
Use JB CitiDeck for the benefits of an anti-slip deck board for inclusive access
3. Slips and Trips What level of slip resistance is
required? Will standard deck boards without any non-slip performance perform in application? It’s safe to say that any commercial decking project requires some slip resistance, but how do you get the optimum performance without paying for extra protection you may not need. If you install standard boards you run the risk of having to fit anti-slip protection retrospectively (which is never as effective) or replace the boards completely.
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on the cover
Building & Facilities Management – June 2014
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