NZBC D1 Compliance - Access & Slip Resistance
Slips and falls on stairs are a burden on both the injured and society as a whole. Stairs become more difficult as vision deteriorates with age or mobility is restricted by body size.
Social behaviour such as the increase in mobile phone usage and texting mean people often are not concentrating when negotiating stairs so visibility becomes increasingly important. Ecoglo products reduce slips and falls as the step edgings have high visibility in all light conditions as well as providing an anti-slip surface.
D1 Compliance: Step Edge Contrast
Visual contrast provided on the edge of a step is an important consideration and different jurisdictions have different approaches to contrast and varying code requirements. Ecoglo tailors each solution to fit the code requirements in the particular jurisdiction of the facility.
NZBC Clause D1.3.3 (g) states that Access Routes shall have stair treads with a leading edge than can be easily seen.
Although there is no specific standard for step edge contrast, it is generally accepted that the contrast between the step and step edge should be at least 30%.
AS1428.1 (2009) addresses step edge contrast in more detail in the following clauses:-
(f) At the nosing, each tread shall have a strip not less than 50mm and not more than 75mm across the full width of the path of travel. The strip may be set back a maximum of 15mm from the front of the nosing. The strip shall have a minimum luminance contrast of 30% to the background. Where the luminous contrasting strip is affixed to the surface of the tread, any change in level shall comply with Clause 7.2 and Clause 7.3.
(g) Where the luminance contrasting strip is not set back from the front of the nosing then any area of luminance contrast shall not extend down the riser more than 10mm.
NZBC Clause D1.3.3 (d) states that Access Routes shall have adequate slip-resistant walking surfaces under all conditions of normal use.
Slip Resistance Testing:
Ecoglo step edge products have a slip-resistance classification of V under AS/NZ 4586-2004, which is equivalent to slip-resistance classification P5 under AS4586–2013, with P5 being the highest achievable level of slip-resistance.
Download the full report for an explanation of each rating.
- USA, Canada, Mexico – UL410 Standard for Slip Resistance – PASS
- United Kingdom – BS7976 Pendulum Test – Wet 7, Dry 7
- Europe – DIN51130 Ramp Test – R12
- Australia, New Zealand – AS/NZ4586 – V, F, R12
D1 Technical Documents
Slip Resistance Testing
Full report from ATTAR for Ecoglo slip resistance testing.
