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• Features & Benefits
• Surface Preparation
• Application
• Trimming
• Fixings
• To timber
• To steel checker plate (or similar)
• To concrete or ceramic
• To open mesh
• Countersinking
• Watco Adhesive Mastic
• Safety
• Case Studies

Features & Benefits

• Preformed – just fix in place
• Excellent slip resistance even in the wet
• Step covers with high visibility nosing
• Use inside and out
• Oil and chemical resistant
• Will not rot or warp
• Glue or screw fix
• Ideal for wet or weak substrates which cannot be adequately prepared for paint
• Helps meet the requirements of the DDA and 2004 Building Regulations
• Custom sizes and colours are available (dependant on order quantity)
• Contact our sales team on 0113 2455450 or send a message to [email protected] with your requirements

Surface Preparation

Very little preparation of the substrate is required. It should be reasonably clean and dry if the Watco Adhesive Mastic is to be the only means of fixing. Badly dished or holed concrete etc. should ideally be filled. Watco Adhesive Mastic will take up minor undulations and imperfections.

Application

These items are generally glued and screw fixed. Watco Adhesive Mastic is ideal since it will make up minor deviations in the substrate and prevent the GRP drumming or rocking. Watco Adhesive Mastic should be applied to sound, clean dry surfaces if it is to be the only method of fixing in lightly trafficked areas.

If application is to damp, dirty or friable surfaces or in very cold weather, use Watco Adhesive Mastic to bed the GRP item into place and then always screw fix. Screw fixings are generally made at about 600mm intervals.

Drilling through the GRP is easy using a standard twist drill suitable for wood or metal. Countersinking is not required (see below). Screw fixing should also be used if the GRP is likely to be trafficked before the Watco Adhesive Mastic has set.

Trimming

A good quality abrasive disc, jigsaw or hacksaw can be used for trimming. The GRP material is quite tough to cut by hand, so if power tools are not readily available, please ask about our cut to size service.

Fixings

If mechanical fixing is required, the following may be used as a guide:

To timber:

1. Lay out all pieces of Firm-Step Edge material on the substrate upside down.
2. Apply the adhesive as stated above. Turn the material over and secure to the substrate, applying body weight to expel any air.
3. Mark Firm-Step Edge where holes are to be drilled, Using a 6mm masonry drill bit, drill through Firm-Step Edge only exposing the substrate.
4. Using a 3.85mm drill bit, drill through the stair tread as stated above (for hard wood, you may need to pilot hole).
5. Once all treads have been pre-drilled, using stainless steel screws (Stainless steel Pozi head 32mm x 4.2mm screws, supplied by us or similar), screw the material down and aim to make the screw fixings flush with the top surface.

To steel checker plate (or similar):

1. Lay out all pieces of Firm-Step Edge nosing material on the substrate upside down.
2. Apply the adhesive as stated above. Turn the material over and secure to the substrate, applying body weight to expel any air.
3. Using a 3.85mm drill bit, drill through the Firm-Step Edge nosing and steel checker plate.
4. Once all treads have been pre-drilled, using stainless steel screws (Stainless steel Pozi head 32mm x 4.2mm screws, supplied by us or similar), screw the material down and aim to make the screw fixings flush with the top surface.

To concrete or ceramic:

1. Lay out all pieces of Firm-Step Edge nosing material on the substrate upside down.
2. Apply the adhesive as stated above. Turn the material over and secure to the substrate, applying body weight to expel any air.
3. Using a 6mm masonry drill bit, drill through the Firm-Step Edge nosing and into concrete.
4. Push raw plugs into the 6mm drilled hole and tap to ensure that the raw plugs are flush with the substrate.
5. Once all nosings have been pre-drilled, using stainless steel screws (Stainless steel Pozi head 32mm x 4.2mm screws, supplied by us or similar), screw the material down and aim to make the screw fixings flush with the top surface.

To open mesh:

1. To avoid hitting a load bar of the open mesh, place the Firm-Step Edge on the open mesh area, then from underneath, mark where you want the fixing to go.
2. Then using a 10mm drill bit, drill through the Firm-Step Edge and ensure it is in the centre of the open mesh.
3. Once all treads have been pre-drilled, using 40mm dome head bolts (supplied by us or similar) push them through the pre-drilled holes.
4. Using a 40mm diameter washer and a nylock nut, tighten up from underneath. (40mm diameter washer and nylock nut supplied by us or similar).

Countersinking

When drilling holes in the GRP is it not recommended to use countersinking. When the screw is screwed down firmly, the screw head becomes embedded in the surface texture. The top of the screw head should be flush with the surrounding surface and therefore not present a trip hazard.

Watco Adhesive Mastic

After drilling holes in the GRP, turn the panel over and apply Watco Adhesive mastic. (The 310ml tube fits into a standard skeleton gun, also available from Watco.)

Apply a 6mm bead around the periphery of the GRP panel and in horizontal stripes at approximately 200mm intervals.

Immediately press the GRP panel firmly into place.

The Watco Adhesive Mastic will generally have achieved a good bond within 2 - 4 hours in normal drying conditions.

If the Watco Adhesive Mastic is to be the only method of fixing, please ensure that a good bond has been achieved before re-opening the area for use.

As a guide one 310ml tube of Watco Adhesive Mastic is sufficient for 12 linear metres of Firm-Step Edge.

Watco Polyurethane Adhesive

This is a good alternative to Watco Adhesive Mastic if gluing only (i.e. no additional mechanical fixing) to a metal surface. Available in a 295ml tube which fits a standard skeleton gun (also available from Watco).

Safety

Gloves are recommended when handling GRP. A dust mask and goggles should be used when cutting the product. Wear gloves when using Watco Adhesive Mastic and Watco Polyurethane Adhesive. Materials Safety Data Sheets are available for the adhesives.

Case Studies

Manchester Metrolink

With a priority on user health and safety, each of the 1,400 pre-cast concrete steps on the new platforms required a non-slip front edge to minimise risk of trips and slips for pedestrians, the disabled and visually impaired.