Best way to make your outdoor steps less slippery

On average, the UK experiences 171.5 days of rain each year, making outdoor steps particularly vulnerable to slipping hazards. So, what is the best way to make your outdoor steps less slippery? Rain, frost, algae, and moss can all create dangerous conditions on outdoor staircases. Therefore, it’s essential to implement effective anti-slip measures to reduce the risk of falls. The solution can be simple, depending on factors like the stair design, the frequency of use, and the specific environmental conditions.

Design for Outdoor Stairs

The initial design of your stairs must follow building regulations covered in Approved Document M, whether they are outdoor stairs for residential or commercial properties. Building regulations were created to protect people’s safety, health and welfare in and around buildings, so adhering to them is imperative.

Residential Outdoor Steps

Most people only register the first and last step on a staircase, so ensuring they are uniform is step 1, this means that the rise (height between each tread), should be between 150-170mm meaning there are no unexpected changes in the height/rise of each step reducing the risk of trips or falls. You must also ensure the tread depth of each step from rise to rise (also known as the going) must be 280-425mm.

Commercial Outdoor Steps

Commercial external steps and stairs follow the same regulations as residential properties, with the rise of each step being between 150-170mm, and the going of each step is between is 280 and 425mm. Additional regulations include the following.

• Rises are not open.
• There is a continuous handrail on each side of a flight and landings.
• Additional handrails divide the flight into channels not less than 1m wide and not more than 1.8m wide where the overall unobstructed width is more than 1.8m.

Solutions to Slippery Steps

Moss, Algae and other growth can cause a great slip risk, when stairs are consistently wet. However, ensuring that your steps are clean and scrubbed with a stiff broom or hard wire brush is a great way to combat this, but it isn’t always a long-term solution.

Introducing a product made specifically for reducing slips and trips on stairs will offer a risk reduction. There are many products on the market but ensuring you choose one that is designed for purpose can depend on different factor and environments, including the area, foot traffic levels and maintenance capabilities.

GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastics) are the top choice of product on the market to offer non-slip solutions to external staircases.

Stair Tread Coverings

Anti-Slip Stair Nosings

Anti Slip Stair Nosings cover the leading edge of each step. They are a hard wearing, anti-slip, gritty surface available in bright colours to help protect against slips and trips whilst meeting the Equality Act requirements (DDA). COBAGRiP® Stair Nosings can be specified in 0.75m, 1m, 1.5m, 2m & 3m lengths, and are available in black, yellow/black and yellow. They can also be installed on both new and existing steps by bonding or screwing on to the surface.

Anti-Slip Stair Treads

Following on from Stair Nosings, the next option is Stair Treads which are a non-slip silicon carbide surface made from GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic). They cover the entire step area including the riser, and are available in yellow and white, complying with Equality Act (DDA) requirements. COBAGRiP® Stair Treads can be specified in 0.75m, 1m, 1.5m, 2m & 3m lengths. They can also be installed on both new and existing steps by bonding or screwing on to the surface, providing a secure fitting to each step, ensuring they don’t rise away from the surface in the future or become loose creating a great risk for trips and slips.

There are other options on the market, which may be sold as a quick fix solutions, however you want to make sure that they are going to be fit for purpose in the long run. If you have a high level of foot traffic through the problem area, grip tape is not going to provide a long-lasting solution, with the potential of wear and tear through the tape, as well the potential for the adhesive to start to peel in extreme temperatures. Selecting a product that provides a long-term solution for the property is key to ensuring everyone who uses those steps is at a reduced risk of slipping.

Overview

Ensuring that your outdoor steps are safe and slip-resistant is crucial for preventing accidents and falls, especially in areas prone to frequent rain, frost, or moss growth. By focusing on the design and material choices for your stairs, you can significantly reduce the risk of slips and trips, providing both safety and accessibility for everyone who uses them.

From adhering to building regulations and designing stairs with the correct tread height and depth to investing in durable, long-term anti-slip solutions such as GRP stair nosings and treads, there are a variety of ways to enhance the safety of your outdoor steps. While there are quick-fix solutions available, choosing high-quality products designed for longevity will ensure that your outdoor steps remain safe and slip-resistant for years to come, even in high-traffic areas or harsh weather conditions.

Ultimately, the key to reducing the risk of slipping on outdoor steps lies in choosing the right combination of design, maintenance, and anti-slip products tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re upgrading existing steps or building new ones, taking proactive steps to improve their safety can give you peace of mind, knowing that you’ve taken the necessary precautions to protect both residents and visitors.

If you’re unsure about which solution is best for your space, consult with one of our professional team to ensure you’re selecting the most effective and durable products for your outdoor stairs.