How Aluminium Decking Increases Safety with Slip-Resistant Surfaces

Architects, builders, contractors, developers, and property managers are concerned about keeping outdoor environments safe. Slip-resistant decking is one of the best solutions for eliminating the risks of slipping, tripping, and falling in places with heavy traffic and various weather elements.

A sound solution is aluminium decking, which effectively offers additional safety features and compliance with standards while providing other practical applications. Read the article below to see why aluminium decking is a better choice for slip-resistant surfaces and the best outdoor spaces.

Why Slip-Resistant Decking Is Important?

Safety is probably the most crucial factor to consider when choosing decking material. Slip resistance becomes important on surfaces that are commonly walked on and in places exposed to different types of elements, such as outdoor areas during rain, snow, and debris.

Why Slip Resistance is Vital?

Anti-slip decking surfaces are designed to prevent falls and accidents in high-footfall areas like public spaces, walkways, balconies, terraces, and roofs. Conditions caused by rain or early morning dews and the addition of organic roadside debris, such as leaves or moss, whilst a person walks into or throws something into that environment, creates a very slippery surface. Under such circumstances, people may easily fall and injure themselves, making such premises face possible legal liabilities, particularly in public places or commercial spaces.

Timber decking and wood-plastic composites don’t always give enough slip resistance when wet or at least usually don’t give reliable slip resistance under such conditions. When it rains, or dew falls on the timber decking, it swells and warps and loss of slip resistance can also occur because composite decking loses its slip resistance properties due to weathering or wearing. Thus, the following material to provide slip-resistant surfaces is aluminium decking; it is a non-porous material that does not absorb moisture and retains slip-resistant qualities due to both wet and dry conditions.

Risks Associated with Slippery Decking Surfaces

Since outdoor decks are open areas that everybody visits, slippery decking surfaces can cause a variety of serious injuries. For example, slip-and-falls are among the most common accidents in public spaces. Such events not only occur to individuals but also involve expensive legal claims against damages and can damage a property’s reputation. To limit these risks and make outdoor decks safe and valuable, it is essential to apply scuff- and slip-resistant surfacing.

How Aluminium Decking Enhances Safety

Aluminium decking has surpassed common safety ideals due to special features that improve its performance compared to more traditional materials.

Slip-Resistant Surface Technology

One of aluminium decking’s key safety advancements lies in its slip-resistant surface technology. Aluminium decking is typically designed with slip-resistant textures or grip patterns to help prevent slip accidents. These textures are designed to enhance pedestrian safety, whether standing on decking coated with wetness or slippery debris.

For example, Neaco’s aluminium decking incorporates advanced slip-resistant technologies, which ensure excellent safety under dry and wet conditions. The slip resistance is integrated into the deck surface and remains effective indefinitely, so the decking will always be a safety element.

Aluminium decking solutions also boast innovative technologies, like micro-textured finishes, which provide optimum grip in wet or icy conditions. This technology is essential for maintaining the safety of outdoor spaces throughout the year.

Superior Weather Performance

Another reason aluminium decking is ideal for maintaining safety is that it can withstand all weather conditions. Unlike wood, which can warp, swell, or decay when exposed to moisture, aluminium is non-porous. This means that it doesn’t absorb water and is hence unaffected by rain, snow, or ice. In fact, its slip resistance remains intact even in wet conditions, thus providing safety for anybody walking on it all year round.

Aluminium can withstand weathering, a significant advantage over other materials, which will lose their slip resistance with time due to wear and moisture absorption. Above all, unlike other decking materials, aluminium deck boards are less likely to expand and contract due to extreme temperatures.

Fire Safety Compliance

Fire safety is an essential feature of deck selection material. Both timber and composite decks are combustible and may catch fire under certain conditions. On the opposite end of the spectrum is aluminium, which is a non-combustible material and, therefore, a much safer choice for commercial and residential premises. This feature assumes greater significance in high-rise buildings, especially in densely populated areas such as high-rise developments.

For example, Neaco offers A1 fire-rated aluminium decking when mill-finished. This product meets UK building regulations and is suitable for installation in buildings 18 meters tall and above. Its non-combustible property helps restrict the spread of fire and promote overall building safety.

Neaco aluminium decking can secure an A2-s1,d0 rating in addition to the BS 8579 standard. Therefore, it would be ideal for projects requiring the utmost fire protection.

Outdoor decking systems naturally need to adhere to UK building regulations to ensure all aspects of safety and serviceability are met. The UK HSE provides slip-resistance-specified standards for all surfaces, including decking, in outdoor areas. Failure to observe the standards could lead to accidents and litigation, especially in areas such as commercial or public buildings.

Compliance with UK Building Regulations

Aluminium decking is commonly chosen to meet these regulations due to its superior slip resistance, fire safety, and durability properties. With changing rules, aluminium decking systems have increasingly become the preferred method for developers and architects to design structures in compliance with present building regulations and prepare for future amendments to those requirements.

The guidance of HSE specifies the assessment and management of hazards, particularly where slip-resistant surfaces are required within public environments. Such a standard, due to the inherently stringent requirements, gives aluminium decking a definite place in applications where safety is a focus. An additional advantage is that aluminium decking is ideally suited for BREEAM and LEED certification. Both of these innovative green building certification systems emphasize sustainable materials and energy efficiency, while durability and validity are an exciting opportunity for aluminium.

LAYOUT MATERIAL UKGBC, the UK Green Building Council, promotes the use of eco-sustainable, low-maintenance materials such as aluminium for decking. Aluminium’s resounding weather resistance and longevity increase its sustainability and attractiveness to developers focused on enviable stewardship.

Applications of Non-Slip Aluminium Decking

Aluminium decking’s endless possibilities make it ideal for a wide range of applications, from residential to commercial. From rooftops to busy sidewalks in public spaces, it ensures safety, durability, and aesthetics.

Balconies, Terraces, and Rooftops

Balconies, terraces, and rooftops are outdoor spaces in high-rise buildings and urban developments that require the use of safe and durable materials. Aluminium decking’s slip-resistant surface makes it ideal for these areas, assuring peace of mind for developers, architects, and residents alike.

Moreover, aluminium decking is non-combustible, which is vital for fire safety in buildings over 18 meters in height. It is also easy to install and will contribute less load to the building’s structural system.

Walkways and Public Spaces

Aluminium decking will give commercial buildings, public walkways, and other heavily trafficked areas a long-lasting solution that remains safe to walk on and attractive under heavy foot traffic. Its slip-resistant surface is vital in preventing accidents in spaces like shopping malls, hospitals, schools, and public plazas.

Health and Educational Sector

Aluminium decking is helpful in healthcare, hospitality, and education environments, which demand durable, safe, and easy-to-maintain materials. Neaco’s aluminium decking is frameless to minimise maintenance and is highly weather-resistant, keeping users safe.

Why Choose Neaco Aluminium Decking?

Neaco is a leader in aluminium decking systems and offers a wide array of products that combine safety, style, and utility.

• Slip-Resistant Surface Solutions: Neaco’s decking includes sophisticated slip resistance to ensure safety regardless of the conditions.
• Customisation: Neaco’s finishes, colours, and drainage integration provide a design solution that meets any project’s requirements.
• Durability and Maintenance: Made from non-combustible, fire-rated aluminium, Neaco’s decking systems are highly durable. 

Explore Neaco’s Aluminium Decking Solutions Today!

To conclude, aluminium decking provides excellent safety features, such as great slip resistance and the ability to withstand all weather. So, whenever you think of a high-rise design, revamping a public space, or requiring something low-maintenance for a residential property, aluminium decking will always be the safest solution available.

Neaco offers architects, builders, developers, and property managers its aluminium decking solutions and an array of high-quality, compliant products.

Explore Neaco’s range for the safest aluminium decking solutions. Are you looking for a compliant slip-resistant decking solution? Contact our expert team today!