Gradus Has The Right Skills For The Job

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Located in the heart of Somerset, Bridgwater College has an excellent reputation as a highly successful provider of education and training for more than 16,000 full and part-time students. Its Energy Skills Centre opened in January 2011 and has been designed to meet the Building Research Establishments Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘Excellent’ rating for building standards.

Gradus’ high performance CXT2 aluminium stair edgings with Jet insert were installed on three of the Centre’s main ceramic tiled staircases to minimise the risk of slips, trips and falls. Developed in line with BRE research and the latest recommendations in BS8300:2009+A1:2010, Gradus’ CXT2 stair edgings incorporate an extended slip-resistant insert that continues around the leading edge of the step, ensuring optimum underfoot contact with the slip-resistant surface. This helps to significantly reduce the number of slips, trips and falls on ceramic tiled stairs, suitable for a range of commercial projects.

The stair edgings also provide a solid band of colour that delivers visual contrast with the beige tiles and the recommended 30 points difference in Light Reflectance Value (LRV), in line with guidelines in BS8300:2009+A1:2010 and Approved Document M of The Buildings Regulation 2000.

David Harper, Estates and Accommodation Manager at Bridgwater College, commented: “All products specified for our Energy Skills Centre are sustainable and fit for purpose. Gradus’ CXT2 stair edgings provide the highest protection against slips and trips on ceramic tiled staircases.”

Caroline Davies, Accessories Product Manager for Gradus, added: “The CXT profiles are installed by double bedding the profile into the adhesive, which mechanically locks it into place, enabling specifiers to offer protection for ceramic tiles, whilst also providing building owners with peace of mind that the product offers superior protection from slips and falls.”

Gradus’ range of CXT stair edgings have been specifically designed for use with ceramic, marble and stone flooring, and feature the traditional fixing method which when installed correctly ensures the profile is fitted securely. In addition, the profiles feature a 55mm riser and 55mm tread with a 24mm perforated flange to compensate for the increased depth of ceramics compared to carpet or vinyl floorcoverings. This also helps building owners to create an inclusive environment, as set out in the Equality Act 2010.

For more information on the full range of stair edgings available from Gradus, please contact 01625 428922 or visit www.gradusworld.com.