Product category:
Cladding and Facades
News Release from: Shackerley (Holdings) | Subject: Shackerley Tactile Tiles
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 March 2004
Shackerley Tactile Tiles: The Right
Policy For CIS
Exceptionally hardwearing ceramic granite 'tactile' floor tiles have been supplied by flooring experts, Shackerley, to improve safety standards and access for the visually disabled at the CIS building
The Property Services team at the central offices of Co-operative Insurance Society,one of Manchester's landmark buildings, is undertaking a programme of facility improvements to ensure compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 During Phase 1 of the programme, 350 Shackerley tactile tiles have been installed at the top and bottom of the building's wide entrance steps
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 19 Mar 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The 'corduroy' surface design provides a form of 'foot Braille' and transmits the message to visually impaired people that they are approaching a step, staircase or ramp.
"Highlighting the presence of these steps with appropriate tactile flooring was a priority," said Andrew Lynes, CIS Property Services Manager.
"When you install this type of flooring, design tolerances are critical and it's important to use a product that will maintain its surface design.
As thousands of people enter the CIS building via these steps every day, we needed to be sure that the ridged surface would not be eroded.
We were impressed by the fact that Shackerley's tactile tiles are made from ceramic granite, one of the hardest flooring materials available." Aesthetic appearance was equally important as Andrew explains: "The CIS building is Grade II listed and subject to a number of restrictions.
Our tactile flooring had to complement the granite steps in order to acquire building consent, and at the same time provide a visual contrast to the surrounding area in order to meet RNIB guidelines.
We specified tiles in 'anthracite' meeting both requirements perfectly." Shackerley's ceramic granite All Weather Tactile Tiles (also available in 'blister' configurations for use at platform edges, etc) are now reinforced with corundum, making them four times more hardwearing than concrete.
The anti-slip properties of the material also mean that the tiles won't become a hazard in wet weather conditions.
They conform to specifications developed by the Mobility and Inclusion Unit of the Department for Transport, and the Joint Mobility Unit of RNIB/GDBA.
These specifications prescribe load-bearing capacity, wear performance, 'anti-slip' properties, and the height and configuration of the raised surfaces (to within fractions of a millimetre).
Guidance on the use of this type of tactile flooring is enshrined in BS 7997:2003 (Annex C - Guide to the application of tactile surfaces).
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