SAFETY FLOORING
life cycle to avoid storing up problems in years to come.
Watch your step Reflective surfaces should be avoided on stairs and steps as this can be dangerous. Use a good quality safety floor with nosings in a contrasting colour to the tread to reduce slip and trip risk further. You will also need to consider handrails on stairs, corridors and bathrooms to help with navigation and keep people steady on their feet. These should be in contrasting colour to the walls.
Don’t compromise
on design Though it may seem that there is a long list of things to avoid when it comes to choosing flooring to meet disability legislation, technological developments in recent years mean that you shouldn’t need to compromise on design. PUR coatings and easy clean technologies mean that the latest generation of safety floors can be used wherever you choose. Available in a wide spectrum of colours, including light and bright colours not seen in safety flooring until recently, the latest floors look perfectly at home in front of house environments. Choose advanced options that have better colour retention, reduced dirt pick-up as well as reduced cleaning and maintenance costs.
Other aspects to
consider The above guidance focuses on meeting the latest requirements for access, but there are other elements that are worth considering when selecting the right flooring. Durability
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is important. Think about point loading, scuffing and other damage that can be caused by wheelchairs, walking sticks or other walking aids. Choose flooring that you’re certain is up to the task and that comes with a warranty you can trust.
Consider acoustics too. Think about using acoustic underlay to reduce noise. Also remember that flooring is only part of the package when it comes to inclusive design, and should not be considered in isolation. Consider packages of products that you know work together. Find out about how signage and other means of way finding will be used and think how the flooring could work with them. Don’t forget the basics of good housekeeping; barrier matting to keep floors cleaner and drier and therefore safer. Also make sure any specific cleaning regimes needed are well communicated so that the flooring you’ve chosen performs as it is supposed to.
Legislation for inclusive design is here to stay, so why not embrace it? By designing environments that are accessible to everyone, more people will have the opportunity to visit new places, try new things and that has to be a good thing for our economy.
www.altro.co.uk
@AltroFlooring Further information on the requirements of designing for disabled access can be found in Building Regulations Part M (Approved Document M – Access to and use of buildings) and Building Standard BS 8300. Altro has also developed a RIBA approved CPD on the subject of colour and contrast, available free of charge, which simplifies the issues and relevant legislation.
Checklist for choosing flooring to meet disability legislation:
• Create clear contrast between floors, walls, doorways and stairs.
• Ensure at least 30 point difference in LRV for adjacent surfaces.
• Avoid shiny or sparkly surfaces.
• Choose slip-resistant flooring to HSE standards.
• Ensure good contrast between stair nosings and treads.
• Choose durable flooring that can handle point loading.
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