subject: Safeguarding Tenants Against Nasty Falls [print this page] In many professional buildings and offices there are stairwells that are used primarily as an alternate route out of the edifice in the event that the elevators are inoperable. These cement structures are designed to withstand a number of accidental mishaps that may present people on the upper floors with an emergency exit in case of an evacuation due to fire or other life threatening disaster. While the staircases are not used on a regular basis by the majority of tenants the need for the escape route is a requirement of the building code and is standard equipment that is mandated by law.
To help quiet the echoing stairwells for the sounds of stomping feet, as people do use them on occasion, and to make them more safe from potential falls, maintenance crews sometimes install nonslip stair treads on the lip of the step to add grip and traction to the smooth concrete surface and prevent those going up of down from losing their balance and suffering from an injury.
Away from the professional setting most schools also use the controlling non skid stair treads to better manage the foot traffic of hundreds of children who move through the halls from one classroom to the next. With the mobs of student all clambering through the passages and maneuvering from their locker to the lecture hall in a short period of time, the inclusion of the safety device is keeping children on track without the possibility of an unfortunate incident. Other public areas, like mass transit stations, and airports also include the use of a non skid surfaces to ensure that the heavily used arteries are free from any unwanted calamity.
When the weather forecast calls for rain or snow the tiled floors become a hazard as the wet shoes transfer water from the precipitation outside to the polished walkways inside. With the buildup of moisture comes the added danger of slipping and being hurt, therefore as an added measure of security each public building can be found to have the protective rubber barrier installed at the outer edge of each step on a staircase as well as the building superintendant providing adequate mats to absorb the greatest amount of moisture that is inevitably tracked in through the front door.
By keeping a vigilant eye out for excessive puddles the custodial staff is able to clean up the messes that can endanger anyone walking in the hall. As in both public and private constructions the proper measures are taken to ensure the safe travels of every occupant that enters the premises.
