Tactile Indicators Supplied & Installed: Ready for Sign-Off

Inspector booked for next week and the tactiles aren’t in? Certifier’s defect list says “TGSIs missing at stair”? Old tactiles popped off, cracked or crumbling?

Fix it this week

• Send us the drawings, defect notice or photos and the site address.
• We confirm what’s needed and quote in writing: product, layout and install method for your surface.
• We install and send completion photos for your certifier.

Call Qld (07) 3811 5085 | Call Vic (03) 9021 2512 | Send drawings for a quote

When tactiles are required (in plain English)

In buildings required to be accessible, the National Construction Code (NCC 2022 Volume One, clause D4D9, formerly D3.8 in NCC 2019) requires warning tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs) to alert people who are blind or have low vision that they’re approaching a hazard, such as:

• stairways (other than fire-isolated stairways)
• escalators, passenger conveyors and moving walks
• ramps (other than fire-isolated ramps, step ramps, kerb ramps and swimming pool ramps)
• overhead obstructions less than 2 m above the floor where there’s no barrier

The TGSIs themselves must comply with sections 1 and 2 of AS/NZS 1428.4.1 (Means to assist the orientation of people with vision impairment – Tactile ground surface indicators). Some aged-care buildings can use raised-dome handrail buttons instead, and enclosed landings between flights with no other entry don’t need them.

Directional TGSIs (raised bars) guide people along a path of travel, for example across open plazas or to a transport boarding point, where the design or authority calls for them.

What the standard controls (we set these out for your site):

• Type: warning (dots/”hazard”) vs directional (bars)
• Layout: depth of the tactile area, setback from the hazard and spacing of the elements
• Luminance contrast against the surrounding floor. As a general guide, AS/NZS 1428.4.1 sets higher minimum contrast for discrete (individual) tactiles than for integrated pads/tiles, and higher again for two-colour discrete tactiles (commonly quoted as 30% integrated, 45% discrete, 60% two-colour discrete).
• Slip resistance of the tactile surface (tested to AS 4586)

And the trap builders fall into: tactiles are not required everywhere a drawing shows them, and putting them where they don’t belong can create its own problem. Check with your certifier, or ask us. We’ll tell you what we see. (We’re not the certifier; the building surveyor makes the call.)

What we supply and install

All in warning and directional versions:

• Individual (discrete) tactiles: stainless steel (stem, screw-in or self-stick), stainless with plastic or carborundum (non-slip) infill, solid black PVD, brass, plastic/PVC in a range of colours
• Directional bars: stainless steel and plastic, stem or self-stick
• Tactile pads and plates: 300 × 300 and 300 × 600 self-stick pads, polyurethane, fibreglass-reinforced and hard polymer pads, solid stainless steel plates (plain, black insert or carborundum insert), brass plates
• Indoor and outdoor; concrete, tiles, pavers, timber and more

We never install new finned (saw-cut strip) tactiles. We’ve removed and replaced plenty of them: they get ripped up, go missing and crumble with weather. We’ll recommend the option that will still be there in five years.

Buying for your own crew? See the Tactiles range. Need it installed in SE Qld or Melbourne? Ask for an install quote.

How a job runs

• Drawings, defect notice or photos in: we check type, layout and contrast against the standard and your surface.
• Written quote: product, quantity, layout, install method and timing.
• Install: drilled and stem-fixed, screw-fixed or adhesive/self-stick depending on the substrate and traffic.
• Completion photos for your certifier or committee.

Who we do this for

Builders and developers (final inspection), certifiers’ defect lists, schools and universities, childcare, councils and government assets, aged care and retirement villages, body corporates and strata, shopping centres, FMs.

Frequently asked questions

Where are tactile indicators required?

In buildings required to be accessible, warning TGSIs are required at stairways, ramps, escalators and moving walks, and under overhead obstructions below 2 m without a barrier (NCC D4D9), laid to AS/NZS 1428.4.1. Your certifier confirms exactly where for your building.

What’s the difference between warning and directional tactiles?

Warning tactiles (dots) say “hazard ahead, stop”. Directional tactiles (bars) show the path to follow.

Do tactile indicators need to be yellow?

No. They need enough luminance contrast with the surrounding floor. Yellow is common because it contrasts well with grey concrete. Stainless steel, black and other colours work on the right background.

Individual tactiles or pads?

Pads are quicker and usually cheaper to install. Individual stainless steel tactiles are more durable and look better on premium finishes. We’ll recommend based on traffic, surface and budget.

Can you install before our inspection next week?

Tell us the inspection date when you call.

Can you replace missing or damaged tactiles?

Yes: single replacements, re-fixing loose ones, or replacing failed strip tactiles with a better system.

Inspection coming up?

Call Qld (07) 3811 5085 or Vic (03) 9021 2512, or send drawings or a defect notice for a quote.

Related: Stair Nosing (same stair usually needs both), Anti-Slip Floor Treatment, Property Managers & Strata, Stainless steel tactiles, Directional bars, Self Adhesive Tactiles.

Fill the Gaps Project is a not-for-profit. No GST charged.