Stair Treads & Nosing FAQs

How do you install anti-slip stair treads to decking? 

Our anti-slip stair treads are designed to be quick and easy to install. The treads include pre-drilled fixing points to allow you to easy secure these to wood, concrete, metal or other materials. The installation guide can be found here. 

What type of steel are the treads made from? 

The steel treads are manufactured from 1.5mm thick stainless steel (1.4003 grade). The anti-slip strips, or cleats, are manufactured from 1mm thick stainless steel (1.4003 grade). 

What coating is on stair treads to ensure they are anti-slip?

The steel treads are coated in grit coating. On the treads the coating is around 3.6mm thick, on the anti-slip strips the coating is around 3.1mm thick. 

What maintenance do the stair treads require? 

They are designed to be virtually maintenance free, only cleaning is required. 

How do you clean anti-slip stair treads? 

To clean, simply wash with a hose or hot / cold water pressure using ususal detergents or degreasers. Heavy dirt can be brushed away with a stiff broom or handbrush. Wash off excess cleaning fluids with clean water. Please do not use wire brushes or scrapers on the item. 

Is anti-slip nosing legally required in the workplace? 

In line with The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers are responsible for ensuring employees and those visiting can walk around the workplace without the risk of slipping. Anti-slip treads and nosing on stairs is therefore especially beneficial to assist in complying to regulations, especially in areas which are prone to getting wet. For example, outside staircases such as fire exits or internal steps and staircases in pubs, restaurants, manufacturing sites and food processing plants.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also require employers to assess risks, including slips and trips and take action to address the risks. 

Anti-slip nosing also helps for your business to comply to the requirements of the Equality Act as the treads and nosing can assist to reduce trip hazards for disabled users and, the contrasting colours can help to ensure the areas are highly visible to users. 

Do the UK's Building Regulations require anti-slip stair tread covers and nosing?

Part M and Park K Building Regulations outline various rules around stair treads and nosing in various settings. We recommend you refer to these prior to installing stair treads and nosing.  

The regulations focus more on the requirements for having contrasting nosing, which is clearly visible. 

The UK's Part M Regulations recommend slip-resistant steps and nosing in some instances. BS 8300 (Annex C), the standard which provides recommendations on providing an inclusive and accessible building design, also highlights the importance of reducing the risk for slip hazards by utilising slip resistance nosing. 

What are the legal requirements for step nosing in public buildings and commercial sites? 

In line with Part K building regulations, for buildings other than dwellings, step nosing should be a minimum of 55mm wide on both the tread and the riser and should be produced from a material that will contrast visually. Due to this, many opt to have yellow nosing on steps in public areas to ensure they are highly visible. 

For flats with common areas, such as staircases which access a number of flats, nosing is also required to be highly visual. The tread should be 50mm - 65mm wide whilst the riser (noted on our website as the 'nosing height', should be 30mm - 55mm. 

Part M building regulations also mentions stair nosing. It is important that any stair treads and nosing have a low profile to reduce the risk of users tripping or catching their feet or the nosing. Those with disabilities are especially at risk of this. 

What is the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of the stair treads and nosing from The Ramp People?

The black version is 9005, the yellow version is 00 A 05 whilst the yellow is 08 E 51.

If you are seeking to comply with building regulations it is important the stair tread is of a contrasting colour to the nosing. For example, if your step is black you may wish to have yellow nosing.

If you wish to install an anti-slip stair tread and nosing cover, we would suggest viewing our contrasting range where the stair tread cover is black whilst the nosing is painted yellow for high visibility. 

Should I purchase anti-slip stair treads or just purchase nosing? 

This does depend on your requirements and the area you are installing the treads and nosing. For areas which are prone to becoming slippery, anti-slip stair treads with nosing are likely to be more beneficial as this covers most, if not all of the stair tread and the nosing. Anti-slip stair treads with nosing are also often used on perforated stair treads and grated metal staircases to cover the gaps in the staircase if they are becoming a health and safety concern.  If you are simply looking for a solution to comply to building regulations and highlight the edge of the stair tread, you could view anti-slip nosing. 

What is the benefit of purchasing steel stair treads over GRP stair treads? 

The stainless steel stair treads are generally thinner than the GRP stair treads, which can assist to further reducing the risk of trips and falls. 

Can I amend the size of The Ramp People's stair treads and anti-slip strips?

As they are manufactured from stainless steel we would not recommend trying to amend the size. We do have an extensive range of sizes available to allow you to find a size to meet your steps requirements, we can also provide custom sizes when needed.  

Do The Ramp People offer customised stair treads and nosing? 

Yes, as our stair treads and nosing are manufactured in the UK we can provide custom solutions, please contact our team for a quote.