Lessons In Stair Safety At Primary School

Western Primary School is a co-educational day school for children aged 3 to 11 years, which currently serves over 400 students. Constructed in 1897, the school building is typical of the surrounding Victorian architecture, featuring large windows, high ceilings and substantial rooms that provide adaptable learning spaces.

Gradus’ ASXT11 aluminium stair edgings with an interior insert in Glacier (white) were installed on two of the main staircases at the school to minimise the risk of slips, trips and falls. Developed in line with recommendations from BRE and guidance in the Building Regulations 2000 Approved Document M (ADM), the XT range features an extended insert design which provides additional slip resistance around the leading edge of the stair edging, to ensure optimum foot contact is always made with the slip resistant element of the stair edging.

In line with guidelines in BS8300:2009+A1:2010 and Approved Document M of The Buildings Regulations 2000 a white insert was specified for the stair edgings to provide a single solid band of colour that delivers visual contrast with the blue Gradus Freeway carpet (Fernblue), which was also installed on the staircases during the refurbishment. This ensured that the stair edgings and carpet met the recommended 30 points difference in Light Reflectance Value (LRV).

Gradus’ Freeway carpet offers excellent wear and tear resistance, making it suitable for busy corridors with frequent pedestrian traffic. Plus, the polypropylene face yarn is stain resistant and easy to clean, reducing the school’s cleaning and maintenance costs.

Graham Ervine from Design Contract Flooring Ltd, the company who specified and installed Gradus ASXT11 aluminium stair edgings and Freeway carpet, said: “We wanted to specify stair edgings that could withstand heavy foot traffic, whilst also reducing the risk of slips and trips. All of Gradus’ products provide durability, maximum safety and are in keeping with the school’s traditional decor.”

Jill Harrington, International Communications for Gradus, added: “Our range of XT stair edgings is ideal for schools as they help to protect against falls on staircases. Both these staircases will experience large groups of children rushing to get to classes, so it was crucial to specify fit-for-purpose stair edgings.”

Gradus’ XT range of stair edgings incorporates 55mm treads and both 40mm and 55mm risers to meet ADM and BS8300:2009+A1:2010 guidelines, to help building owners achieve an inclusive environment in line with the Equality Act 2010.