Podotactile studs: what's the point?

The usefulness of podotactile nails

Crosswalks, railway platform kerbs, stair treads... Theinstallation of podotactile nails and strips makes it safer for visually impaired or blind people to move around public spaces. Where should they be installed? What regulations apply? Find out from NeoSol.

What is a podotactile nail? What are they used for?

To improve travel conditions for the visually impaired, it is now compulsory to install warning strips in certain public places and ERP (establishments open to the public). These strips have a specific texture and a relief that creates contact underfoot when walked on. This is made possible by the installation of podotactile studs.

These elements surround us every day. Podotactile studs and strips are visible in places where it is necessary to warn of an obstacle or danger, such as crosswalks, station platform edges, or near staircase steps. They are an effective solution for warning without distorting the space.

Good to know: don't confuse studs with podotactile nails. To differentiate them, the nail has a shank that requires drilling during installation.

Podotactile nails and strips: what the regulations say

For the safety of people with disabilities, there are several laws requiring the installation of podotactile strips. They are thus mandatory:

- at the top of a staircase on the public highway or in an ERP;

- near escalators and moving walkways;

- in front of road or rail crossings such as crosswalks;

- on public transport platforms (e.g. metro, train).

Current standards define the characteristics of the pedestrian strip. Installation is subject to the following criteria:

- 8 studs in depth, or 5 and 6 studs in width if the strip is laid at the top of a flight of stairs;

- 75 mm spacing between each plank;

- a staggered layout;

- choose an environmentally-friendly material to avoid the risk of rust or breakage.

Ø Also read: Accessibility and ERP: how do I know if I'm in compliance?

The different types of podotactile nails

The choice of podotactile nails varies according to use and environment. Podotactile devices are available in several :

- materials: mainly steel and stainless steel, but also brass, wood, thermoplastic, etc. ;

- colors: while podotactile studs are available in a range of colors, a simple silver color is ideal for an attractive finish in any environment;

- installation methods: knock-in, embed or screw-in.

Our tip? To facilitate installation and ensure compliance with current standards (in particular, distance between studs), we recommend the use of an installation template.

Podotactile strips are also available in a range of colors (white, gray, black, yellow, etc.) to create a visual contrast with the ground and alert passers-by more easily.

Need to create alerting surfaces? NEOSOL offers a range of nails and pedometer strips adapted to current standards. Easy to install, long-lasting, perfectly integrated into the environment and with a template supplied: find the product that's right for you and discover our projects.

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