Revolutionary Slip Resistant Product Provides Solution to New DDA Legislation coming into Force In October 2004

K-Grip Ltd. have developed a unique slip resistant product that fulfils the latest building regulations (M2, Section 1.21 – 1.24) recommending that all steps have a contrasting nosing for the visually impaired and is expected to reduce the high number of accidents that occur from slips, trips and falls. The product K-Grip®, which is available in fourteen standard colours (special colours to order), provides a durable and versatile answer to a very common problem.

This breakthrough has come at an opportune time, as this and other legislation now in force makes compliance a necessity. K-Grip® has already passed a range of safety tests instigated by a number of different industries. K-Grip® also has a range of additional benefits that must make it one of the discoveries of the century.

These include the ability to use K-Grip® on any sound surface (Metal, Wood, Concrete, Stone, Fibreglass etc.), new or existing, curved or straight and in any colour (luminous for escape routes and fire exits). It has been tested extensively and found to be very durable. And even more importantly to the industry, it is easy and inexpensive to apply on uninstalled tiles etc. or on to new and existing surfaces. Application of K-Grip® is particularly useful for decking, exterior and interior steps, slopes and ramps.

K-Grip Ltd. near Romsey in Hampshire manufacture this amazing product and supply to customers through their distribution network.

World-wide, K-Grip® has already built up an impressive track record with applications on some prestigious projects. These include landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Gap, Benneton, Hugo Boss, London Underground and many other retail outlets and public buildings, Projects such as Capital Building in Washington have also been carried out by our American distributor.

As more and more companies seek to protect their staff and visitors, plus the new legislation, it is believed that it may well become a necessity to apply this slip resistant coating on vulnerable areas in the very near future. Also it is believed that insurance companies may well look favourably on any company that has the foresight to have a slip resistant profile applied to their premises.

Gerda Weston, a director of K-Grip Ltd. said, “Virtually every industry has been looking for a reliable long lasting slip resistant product to prevent accidents. The uses for commercial and domestic markets continues to grow and each day it seems that someone somewhere finds a new application for this innovative process”

K-Grip is produced in a standard range of solid and metallic colours, including - Red, Green, Yellow, Off White, Black, Grey, Dark Grey, Beige, Blue, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Luminous for fire escapes etc,. Custom colours to special order (minimum 36 tubes).

K-Grip complies to the slip resistant requirements of Transfire Services Ltd test ST/101/98, using TRL Slip Tester, ASTM D 4060 Taber Abrasion Test. Complies with the requirements of the Disablity Discrimination Act 1995 and revised Buiding Regulation M 1999, for visual and slip resistance. Approved in USA for food preparation areas.

K-Grip was primarily developed to be applied to marble and granite, but on testing with other materials, it was found that the adhesion to many other materials was equally as good.This widens the applications of KGrip for use in many industries.

Timber - When applying to timber, it is recommended that a groove is routered out to the width of the required profile to expose the natural timber in order to give it maximum adhesion.
Metal - When applying to metal, the surface must be free from paint, dust, oil, solvents or any other material that will prevent adhesion. For the best results, grit blasting the area to which the K-Grip is to be applied is recommended.
Marble and granite - When applying to stone surfaces, one or two grooves (depending on the width of the strip) are recommended to maximise adhesion. If grooves are not practical, the area where the K-Grip is to be applied can be masked and sandblasted. KPrimer can also be applied to the surface for added
adhesion.
K-Studs - Anti-slip tactile studs available in K-Grip colours, complies with DDA.

1. PVC rubber inserts are predominantly black and nearly always fitted in the factory, the insert is a "T" profile which has to be fitted into a perfectly cut saw groove. On site the strips can easily be pulled out with little effort. Curved installations are extremely difficult, due to the groove having to be 100% accurate.

2. Carborundum strips are flat anti-slip profiles, approximately 20mm wide, 5mm deep, these again need to be factory fitted, as the strip needs to be glued into a perfectly routed groove. Normally these strips will last 1-2 years in moderate traffic areas before having to be replaced, but this is very labour intensive. They are only available in black and their anti-slip properties have disappeared long before the strip fails.

3. Adhesive tapes are seen by most people as the only option for in-situ, anti-slip remedy applications and is often used as people are not aware of an alternative. Best suited to internal applications, as it will not last long when exposed to outside weather conditions. It often happens that adhesive tapes will lift at the edges and cause the very problem that they are meant to cure! Cleaning and maintenance are both major problems for adhesive tapes.

4. Coatings are usually polyurethane mixed with sand and spread with a roller over larger surfaces. They are dogged by problems of surface preparation prior to the application of the coating and poor weathering characteristics resulting in blistering and peeling.