When steps outside a public building aren’t up to scratch, it’s usually not long before someone notices. Whether it’s a local library, council office or a busy care facility, the steps leading in and out are often the first area people interact with. So if they're slippery or worn down, they can become a real hazard. Meeting safety standards for public buildings isn’t just a box to tick. It helps people move around without risk of slipping, tripping or falling.

One simple way to improve step safety is by adding decking grip strips. These strips don’t just add texture. They act as a visual and physical layer of protection. They're especially useful in areas exposed to rain or where smooth surfaces like wood or concrete start to wear out. Grip strips provide added grip underfoot, making each step safer for everyone who uses it, no matter the season.

Understanding Safety Standards For Public Steps

Public building steps need to follow building guidelines to make sure they’re safe for daily use. These rules often cover height and depth of steps, visual contrast between layers, and most importantly, slip resistance. When steps get wet, greasy or worn out, they become a problem for visitors of all ages.

Even though safety standards might vary slightly depending on the property's purpose, the message stays clear. Surfaces need to help people keep their balance. This means the material used on each step has to offer enough grip to slow someone’s footing and stop a slide from happening. That’s where decking grip strips can help, especially during wetter months or in high-traffic areas.

Grip strips come in a range of profiles and colours, which helps with both safety and compliance. They're often made from tough materials that grip well underfoot, like fibreglass or aluminium, and they hold up well under both shoes and wheels. Proper installation makes sure they don’t peel at the edges or wear down quickly over time.

These safety strips are also a good fit for outdoor ramps and wooden decking. Since wood can get slick easily after rain, especially in autumn, adding strips to the edges gives enough friction to help people stay steady. One local medical centre, for example, added grip strips to the garden-side entrance where patients often stopped for fresh air. Once installed, visitors found it easier to get down the outdoor steps without needing help.

Key Benefits Of Using Decking Grip Strips

Decking grip strips work well because they combine several advantages in one simple feature. They're durable, easy to spot and give people more confidence when walking up or down steps. Here’s what makes them a smart option:

- Added traction: Grip strips turn smooth steps into surface-safe zones. They give shoes something to catch on, even when it's damp or a bit icy outside.
- Long-term fix: Once they're installed properly, they can handle daily foot traffic for years without much fuss. They hold up through changes in weather, from strong sun to heavy rain.
- Budget-friendly: Grip strips can help prevent long-term damage to the base material by protecting it from regular wear. That reduces the need for repairs or full replacements.
- Better visibility: Colour-contrasting strips help people see the edge of each step more clearly. This visual aid is especially helpful in shared buildings with mixed ability users.
- Style options: If you're not keen on industrial-looking strips, you can pick from a range of styles that still do the job but also suit the building’s design.

Making steps safer doesn't mean making them look worse. Grip strips can blend in or stand out, depending on what fits the space. They don’t take up much room but do an important job every time someone comes through the door.

Best Practices For Installing Decking Grip Strips

If you want decking grip strips to work properly, installation needs to be done with a bit of care. Gaps, crooked placement, or poor fixing can cause problems quickly. Get the basics right from the start, and the strips will last longer and give better grip underfoot.

Here’s a simple layout of how to do it right:

1. Clean the surface – Any dirt, moss or loose paint will get in the way. Scrub the steps with a stiff brush and mild detergent, and let them dry completely before starting.
2. Measure before cutting – Grip strips need to run near the front edge of each step without hanging over. Measure the width of each one and cut the strips to match.
3. Mark your drill points – To keep everything lined up, mark where the holes will go with a pencil. This helps avoid splitting the wood and keeps the strips sitting flat.
4. Use the right fixings – Grip strips usually come with screws for timber. For other surfaces like concrete or metal, use approved fixings to hold the strips tightly.
5. Test the fit – After you secure the strips, try walking across them or applying weight to check for loose ends. If anything lifts, re-secure it before use.

It’s worth noting that different steps call for different grip strip styles. Wooden steps that get rained on often need waterproof fittings, while concrete steps might suit wider strips that cover more surface. Public buildings with heavy foot traffic could benefit from strips with a raised, gritty finish to improve slip prevention. Gaps between strips or uneven edges not only lower safety but ruin the look too. That’s why accuracy matters.

Whether it's at a council building or steps leading into a care home, it helps to install grip strips with both safety and design in mind. A neat, straight layout not only boosts grip but makes the area feel clean and looked after.

Maintenance Tips For Longevity

Once decking grip strips are in place, you still need to give them a bit of attention every now and then. Keeping them in good shape makes them last longer and provides visitors with that steady sense of safety. Even if they’re made from durable stuff, exposure to rain, dirt and sun can take a toll over time.

Here are a few ways to keep your grip strips in top condition:

- Regular cleaning: A good scrub every couple of weeks clears off moss and dirt. Skip anything metal that could scratch the strip surface.
- Check for looseness: Make sure screws or fixings are still tight. If the edges start to lift, they can catch shoes and become a trip risk.
- Look for wear: Strips on busy steps wear out faster. Keep an eye out for fading or smoothing, and replace any that no longer give proper grip.
- Seasonal checks: At the end of each season, give them a once-over. Winter can leave grit behind and warmer months can cause fading from sun exposure.

One local community hall stayed ahead of slipping risks by brushing down their entrance strips every week and giving them a proper wash monthly. The centre gets plenty of visitors, including elderly people and young families, so keeping steps safe and steady all year round was a top priority.

Grip strips are built tough, but like anything that gets used a lot, they need a little care to keep doing their job. With basic upkeep, they’ll continue to offer safety support for years.

Steps That Welcome Everyone

Meeting safety standards on public steps is not something to do once and forget about. It needs regular care, from keeping grip strips clean to checking for loose fittings or wear. Decking grip strips offer a smart and simple way to meet these goals. They’re easy to see, safe to step on and easy to look after. All of this cuts down the chance of fall-related accidents and makes every step safer for visitors.

Whether the building is a clinic, school, library or local sports centre, reliable and safe entry points help everyone feel more secure. Decking grip strips play a big part in that. When they're installed well and checked from time to time, they quietly do the work of protecting everyone who comes through the door.

Slips Away offers a straightforward way to keep public steps safer with our range of decking grip strips. Designed to handle regular use and unpredictable weather, they give you a smart fix that lasts. Have a look at our options to find the right fit for your space and keep your entrances safe without hassle.