Why choose the GRP Stair Tread Covers from GRP Safety?

Whilst They May Look The Same, Not All GRP Anti Slip Products Are The Same!

Pre-formed GRP Anti Slip products like stair tread covers, stair nosings and flat sheet, can look very similar from supplier to supplier and this makes it very difficult for you as the consumer to choose the right product for the application. Below are the things to consider when choosing a suitable anti slip covering.

1) Anti Slip Aggregate Top Surface

This is virtually always why the product is fitted in the first place, To Stop Slips! The anti slip top surface is created by small aggregate particles embedded into the top surface of the base material. This creates a peaks and trough effect with the foot riding on the ‘peak’ elevating it away from liquids, dirt and debris that collect in the ‘trough’. In addition, the aggregate particle that has a ‘peak’ increases friction for the foot thus decreasing the slipping effect.

A) Longevity

Of course any walking surface will wear overtime but what is important is that it maintains its maximum slip resistance for the longest amount of time. Different aggregates are used in the construction of GRP anti slip products and as they have a coloured coating over the top it is extremely difficult to see the huge difference.

Aggregates used for walking surfaces, generally have a ‘hardness value’ attributed to them and there is a scale of mineral hardness for this. For example, Iron has a hardness of 5 and Diamond has hardness of 10 (the higher the number, the harder the mineral/aggregate). Most aggregates on the market use at best Quartz (Silica sand) that has a hardness of 6-7. The GRP Safety special aggregate formula is at near diamond hardness at 9-9.5. This means that other surfaces will wear much quicker than the GRP Safety top surface, leading to reduced slip resistance and potential slips.

GRP Safety special formula – 9-9.5 hardness

Quartz silica – 6-7 hardness worn on busy application by alternative supplier

A competitors stair tread cover with grit delamination on nosing edge – Replaced with GRP Safety Treads

A competitors stair landing cover with grit delamination on entire landing area – Replaced with GRP Safety Treads and Sheet

DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

In addition to the safety elements of a worn surface, there is the element of the cost associated with replacing these surfaces. Not only double cost but the cost associated with the down time or an area.

The ‘Rub Test’ – Don’t just take our word for it. If you have not already got a sample of the GRP Safety material, request one and then request a sample from the alternative supplier. Simply put the surfaces face to face and rub together for 10 seconds, switching the samples between hands half way through. Blow of the dust and you will see the wear difference between the samples.

B) Large enough aggregate for the application.

2) Aesthetics & Meeting Regulations

This is of course important and as mentioned above, this is likely the easiest element for a number of suppliers to get right, as it is ultimately the final element in the manufacturing process. Generally you should be looking for the following:A) Consistency in colour

Potential issues to look out for: A ‘washy’ colour, this is likely due to a coloured coating going over a dark aggregate or a thin coating, this will likely wear over time.B) Consistency in aggregate spreadPotential things to look out for: Not an even spread of aggregate or patchy sections. This can lead to excessive wear in minimal aggregate coverage.C) Material thickness is suitable for the application. Whilst these product clad over an existing substrate it is important that they are thick enough to deal with constant traffic.Potential things to look out for: If the base material is generally less than 4mm, it can create hairline cracks in the product that will ultimately lead to failure overtime.D) If contrasting nosing, a straight an accurate dimensional line (ie 55x55mm)*Potential things to look out for: The dark colour crossing into the contrasting section. If there is crossover or the contrasting section is not accurately 55mm, it would not meet the current Part M Building Regulations.E) Any products with a nosing, a square nose, again with Legislation complying dimensions*.Potential things to look out for: A rounded nosing reduces the going on the tread, thus minimising foot contact area. This is covered as a negative in Part M of the Building Regulations.

*For anti slip stair coverings for new build environments, the current Building Regulations states the following with regards to the nosing (taken from http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADM_2004.pdf ):

“All nosing are made apparent by means of a permanently contrasting material 55mm wide on both the tread and riser”.

“Excessive rounding of nosings reduces the effective going”.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires that the stair nosing should be slip resistant and contrasting in colour. The GRP Safety Stair Tread cover ensures that this requirement is met.

In addition, the contrasting element of the stair tread cover is 55 x 55mm, which meets the current Building Regulations Part M requirement, which states that “all nosings are made apparent by means of a permanently contrasting material 55mm wide on both the tread and the riser”.