Classic Architectural Group is a trusted brand across Australia, with safety being the key focus in public spaces. Adhering to Australian Safety Standards and listening to their customers, regulators and partners for over 30 years, the products are developed to be versatile in terms of design, colours and application.
Knowledge of the safety standards and what is required to deliver exceptional results for Classic’s customers places their innovative strategy of access solutions ahead of the pack, supported by an enduring commitment to quality and service that allows space for individual excellence, success and fulfilment. To have one of their team members quote up your project to ensure all safety requirements are fulfilled, contact 1300 244 377 or info@classic-arch.com.
Let’s look through a building example and what safety standards apply to the visual diagram:
01: Entrance Matting
- Mat size is critical… People entering a building don’t often stop to wipe their feet so it’s important that an entrance mat is deep enough to ensure there are enough contacts between the entry matting and the soles of shoes to minimise the amount of dirt carried into the building.
- The Australian Building Code’s recommendation is that a mat should have a minimum dimension of 1.8m from front to back which allows for 2 contacts from each foot. However, studies* have proven that fitting an entrance with 6m of an effective entrance matting system can stop 94% of all walked in dirt and moisture. *TUV Rheinland
- Entrance mats are not always a “standard” shape, that’s why it’s important to have all sites measured and cut into any shape or form providing the solution for architecturally shaped entrances and revolving doorways, which adhere to code standards.
02: Stair Nosing – Australian Stair Nosing Standards (AS 1428.1:2009) state the following requirements are mandatory to fully comply to all public access stairs (2 or more):
- to be fitted with stair nosing that have a fully non-slip horizontal surface
- each tread shall have a strip not less than 50mm and not more than 75mm deep 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
- not project beyond the face of the riser and the riser may be vertical or have a splay backwards up to a maximum 25mm
- have stair nosing with a luminance contrast of at least 30% against the surfaces
These standards are compulsory in new construction, however existing stairs in any publicly accessible areas should also comply to ensure a “duty of care” compliance is met.
To ensure you meet current build codes, it is important to discuss options with one of Classic’s highly skilled professionals who will provide you with all the options available to meet both aesthetic and compliance requirements.
03: Tactile indicators – There is a very extensive document on the safety standards of AS1428.4.1:2009 relating to tactile indicators, but below is a basic summary relating to size, shape and colour:
Size and Shape Requirements:
- Warning / hazard tactile indicators incorporate a grid pattern of studs at 50mm-centres. They are raised, truncated cones with a base diameter of 35mm, no higher than 5mm and a top diameter of 25mm.
- Directional / leading tactile indicators incorporate rows of parallel bars with rounded ends spaced 50mm apart, end to end, and at 75mm centres side by side. They also have a chamfered side with a base of 35mm by approx. 285mm long and 5mm high.
Colour Requirements:
- Tactile Indicators must have a luminance contrast to the surrounding ground surface, i.e., light grey tactile indicators installed to light grey concrete will not achieve a luminance contrast.
- 30% minimum luminance contrast to the surrounding ground surface is required where the Tactile Indicator is in the form of a precast concrete paver or tile or mat with a uniform colour (defined as being ‘integrated’).
- 45% minimum luminance contrast to the surrounding ground surface is required where the tactile indicator is an individually drilled and fixed stud or bar (defined as ‘discreet’).
- 60% minimum luminance contrast to the surrounding ground surface is required where the individually drilled and fixed tactiles have a different colour top than the side – the 25mm diameter top must exhibit the minimum 60% luminance contrast. If two colours are being used, the 60% rule also applies.
04: Trims & Expansion Joint Covers – In accordance with the definitions of DIN 52460, the Australian Standard defines these joints as: “…Discontinuities in the tiled surface, filled with permanently deformable material, which are intended to perform the following functions:
- separation of the tiled surface from fixed elements such as columns, walls etc;
- subdivision of large areas of tiled surface into smaller sections to compensate for induced strain from various sources; and
- to interrupt the tiled surface to match discontinuities in substrate such as construction joints, movement joints etc.”
05: Bollards – Bollards may be used to control or prevent vehicle access to public places or to provide visual enhancement to a space and their style should be compatible with other street furniture in the area.
Bollards that form the sole means of preventing vehicular access should be spaced at 1.6m centres. This should prevent most cars sold in Australia from driving between them. They should be approximately 1 metre in height and include a reflective panel if sited in a vehicle domain such as a car park. The space between a bollard and a gutter or kerb should allow for pedestrian movement (including people with disabilities) and for vehicle overhangs and door openings.
Bollards must be visible to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Bollards should not be a hazard to people with disabilities. They should not be located in the natural desired pedestrian path. They should have sufficient foundation strength to resist being pushed by a large 4×4 vehicle.
06: Speed Humps – The Australian standard that regulates the design and use of speed humps for use in off-street parking in Australia is ‘AS2890.1:2004 parking facilities’.
AS2890.1 identifies four main criteria in the design of ‘type 2’ speed humps.
- Height: Must be between 25mm and 75mm.
- Cross section: Must be flat on top. (Not round)
- Ramp angle: Must have a ramp angle 2:1
- Markings: Must have alternating parallel yellow or white stripes 250mm wide.
Road humps shall be spaced at no less than 10m for type 2, along any one aisle or roadway. Maximum spacing where required to control speeds continuously along a roadway should be about 50m, speed hump should be located clear of intersections and curved roadways.
Speed humps shall not impede pedestrian or wheelchair traffic on any accessible travel path provided for people with disabilities.
07: Wheel Stops – Use and placement of wheel stops according to AS2890.1:2004:
Wheel stops shall be between 90 and 100mm in height, and 1650 + 50mm in width.
Distances are measured from the front of the parking space to the point of contact with the vehicle tyre. If wheel stops are provided to restrain vehicle contact with a kerb higher than 150mm or a wall, a further 200mm shall be added to the wheel stop distance.
The maximum height of wheel stops is 100mm. Most concrete wheel stops do not comply with the standard as they exceed the maximum height.
08: Bike Racks – Available in a wide range of applications, they can be surface mounted or below ground. Unless the frame and both wheels of a bicycle can be locked to a facility, it cannot be regarded as secure and will not therefore meet the requirements of the Australian Standards.
09: Height Bars – To comply with AS2890.1-1993, height bars need to be powder coated high visibility safety yellow, have reflective red/white panels, display and specify the required clearance and be manufactured from durable galvanised steel tube.
10: Corner Guards – Corner guards are designed to prevent damage to both vehicles and property, particularly in areas of restricted space. Ideal for loading docks and car parks. Made from recycled rubber with reflective panels.
11: Safety Mirrors – Convex safety mirrors are a great resource for traffic and security solutions. They provide a greater field of vision and can assist people in seeing hazards and thus preventing collisions, making it safe for pedestrians and other traffic, especially in areas where forklifts are used. They are durable and weather-proof, suitable for road and pedestrian traffic applications, warehouses, distribution depots and car parks.
12: Skate Deterrents – At almost every commercial building and streetscape, external public areas and piazzas are at the mercy of those who sue them. Property and facility managers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in time and money on costs associated with clean up and repairing damage caused by skateboarders, in-line skates and bikes.
