I recently advised a friend who like me is a carpet retailer, that on staircases with shared and separate accommodation (i.e. a small block of flats) that nosings must be used during a carpet installation to stairs to comply with health and safety regulations and for reasons of safe evacuation in the event of an emergency or fire as they are slip resistant and contrasting to carpet. He then got in touch with health and safety who advised him that there is actually no legal requirement. I in turn realised that I was simply quoting what had been told to me several times over decades by other people. Is there any reference to the law or British Standards in writing on this issue?
Either way the question you want to ask is are you willing to take the responsibility if there is an accident ? Because I know who would get the blame
Near to where I live there's a garden village, built in the fifties a collection of house's, two storey flats with outside steps and four storey flats with shared stairs, tarazzo. These used to belong to a investment company (Liverpool friendly society was one) and rent collected by property agent. Over the years they have become mostly privately, but some are still rented and for some of the long term older residents their protected rent. Over the years I've been asked by some of the old ladies to put carpet on the stairs ( usually old ), and I've always managed to avoid this by telling them about the safety aspect and that if someone was to trip and get hurt the property management company would want to know who was responsible. I've told them to get onto the property management and I would happily spec and supply carpet/flooring to the correct standard. I know they won't spend the money so I keep avoiding the old biddies. Only problem is that some of the communal stairs have been done diy style and a patchwork of axminster and foam backed in a plethora of designs and colour's.
Nosings need to be 30 points contrast roughly between flooring and nosing, 0 points being white and 100 being black
Just realised that was a bit brief. In legal terms the contrast between nosing and flooring needs to be 30 points . Black is a poor LVR obviously so is deemed 0 points . White being very good 100 points. When doing nosings just make sure the contrast is good. Common sense tells u black and white stand out from each other so go along them lines. You will be fine as long as step edge stands out well. I think a set of well fitted stairs with carpet tiles or vinyl on with nosings on with a great contrast looks superb, nothing more striking IMO .
IMO even though it's not a legal requirement I would definitely stick to the recommendation guide coz if something ever did happen (accident) Then they way people claim these days and the way lawyers are now you may have a problem.
I try and get them done in yellow. It's down to how you sell it, 95% of customers decide to go with nosing although they don't have to on refurbs
