Home: April / May 2012 › Problems with tactile paving? Visul Systems has the answer

Problems with tactile paving? Visul Systems has the answer

Problems with tactile paving? Visul Systems has the answer

20/04/2012 | Channel: Health & Safety, New Products & Services

Visul Systems’ Surface Mounted Tactile System continues to grow from strength to strength by adapting to the ever-changing trends of the rail sector’s passenger safety requirements

Visul Sytems has achieved this growth by being totally self-sufficent and able to produce tactiles to any given design, colour or size. Visul’s own team of highly skilled laboratary staff, led by senior chemist Frank Stratton, is more than capable of producing any bespoke requirements that a particular scheme may require, and everything is manufactured in-house in the North-East of England.

Modular platforms
Visul Systems has supplied a number of the UK’s leading modular platform fabricators with a whole manner of different-sized tactiles to cater for their individual platform section requirements. As opposed to offering the standard 400mm x 400mm Rail Blister Tactiles, Visul has also worked hand in hand with both Network Rail and other clients to produce tactiles in the following sizes:
  • 600mm x 400mm
  • 930mm x 400mm
  • 1208mm x 400mm
There are many more platform extensions planned throughout 2012 and hopefully Visul can be involved in the tactile elements that are required.

Frost heave solution
Visul Systems has also worked hand in hand with Network Rail to try and overcome the ever-present problem that occurs every winter with the frost heave issue, which causes displacement across most platforms where concrete tactiles have been installed. This obviously then presents a major tripping hazard and, by being so close to the platform edge, a solution had to be found and quickly! Therefore a recessed concrete coper was produced which would take one of Visul Systems’ purpose-made 930mm x 400mm tactiles specifcally designed for the task in hand.

This system would greatly reduce any open joints that water could find its way into on any exposed platform. The unit was one complete solid mass with a minimal chance of movement because of the sheer size and weight of each coper. This system is still in its infancy but can be seen at Bentley station where the successful trial was carried out.

Passenger safety – helping to meet with DDA compliancy
Visul Systems’ Surface Mounted Tactile System has recently been helping to ensure that all of the Docklands Light Railway’s stations are fully compliant and meet with current DDA Regulations. In addition, Visul will soon be carrying out similar works for First Capital Connect across all 81 of their stations, with hopefully more TOCs to follow suit.

Visul’s main aim is to work hand in hand with both the TOCs and Network Rail to ensure that every aspect of the station that requires to be fully DDA-compliant most certainly is. Most falls encountured by blind or partially sighted zzpeople can be avoided; the installation of Visul Systems’ Surface Mounted Tactiles to the tops and bottoms of any staircases, and also to any exposed platform edges, would not only prevent any accidents but also any costly injury claims.

Platform refurbishments
Visul Systems will be the first to admit that they still play ‘second fiddle’ to the more traditional concrete tactiles, however they are gradually gaining more specification for platform refurbishments – especially as the many benefits are hard to ignore.

Supply & installation – minor civils
Visul Systems has its own team of qualified tactile installers, based in the south of England, who ensure that all tactiles are installed as per the company’s guidelines. Correct installation is the key to the system lasting seven to ten years or more and, by allowing Visul to carry out the installation aspects, all concerned would effectively be using one company to supply and install the tactiles and therefore giving the added bonus of a single point guarantee. The aforementioned team can also undertake a whole manner of minor civil works to coincide with any planned tactile installation. One major benefit is that Visul can offer northern rates in a southern climate, which has to be a major plus point in today’s financial climate.

The major features of Visul’s system
  • Rapid Installation – 40 to 50 lm per engineering window based on a five-man crew
  • Environmentally friendly installation – no noise pollution
  • No surface excavation required – no heavy plant required
  • No hot works required – no additional site permits
  • Unique edge fillet – engineering solution to seal and protect the exposed tile edge and also help to reduce any possible tripping hazard
  • 100 per cent substrate adhesion – as opposed to more expensive versions plus no need for unsightly mechanical fixings
  • Outperforms concrete seven times in wear testing – longer lasting
  • Life of design – 7-10 years or more, if installed as per Visul’s guidelines
  • Tiles made from a blend of hard-wearing aggregates, resin and recycled rubber
  • Widely used throughout the UK – on many station refurbishments by Network Rail and London Underground
  • Section 12 approved system – Visul also offers this for any London Underground requirements

See Visul Systems at Infrarail on Stand D55

For more information please contact Chris Elliott at:
Visul Systems
Tel: +44 (0)191 402 1960
Email: info@usluk.com
Web: www.visulsystems.com