What is Stair Nosing?

Stair Nosing is a highly visible anti-slip profile fitted to the leading edge of a stair tread. The main purpose of stair nosing is to help visually impaired persons so they can see where to put their feet and therefore navigate the stairs safely. The non-slip surface of Stair Nosing is also helpful to increase traction to prevent steps being slippery when wet. Slips, trips and falls are involved in most general industry accidents and are second only to motor vehicle accidents as a cause of fatalities.

While the specific dimensions for stair nosing are outlined in Australian Standards, every buyer needs to consider the surface colour of the stairs in view of selecting a contrasting colour that achieves a minimum 30% luminance contrast. If unsure, it is best to consult with a building certifier.

According to http://www.standards.org.au AS1428.1 -2009, 11.1(f) states that each stair tread in public places shall have a contrasting colour strip 50-75mm deep and across the full width. 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. Part (g) states that 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 step riser more than 10mm. If the vertical face of the stair nosing is the same colour as the stair riser, then it can extend more than 10mm down the face of the step if needed.

The Area Safe range of Anti-slip Stair Nosing and Anti-slip Stair Tape has a slip resistance rating of P5 which is the highest available rating and meets the requirements of AS4586-2013. More information is available on request.

The above information is general in nature and may not apply exactly for every project application. More information should be obtained from your building certifier.