Nature reserve inspiration for anti-slip decking

Extending to 42,000 sq ft Nottingham Science Park, which opened in early summer, is a ground breaking project that aims to deliver a modern and sustainable environment for science and technology businesses. The project is being developed by Blueprint, a public private partnership between English Partnerships, East Midlands Development Agency and Morley’s Igloo Regeneration Fund.

The design inspiration for the project comes from the adjoining nature reserve. The architects started with an image of the reserve and then reproduced it on a giant scale as the new Science Park. The result gives a natural beauty to the development which has unmistakable organic shapes which manifests itself as buildings in the form of giant bullrushes along with a boardwalk in the shape of 33 giant lily pads.

As Christophe Egret, principal architect at Studio Egret West, explains: “The beauty of the natural surroundings inspired us to use enlarged nature as the design inspiration for this project. The Lily pad boardwalk is simply a giant representation of the water lilys that grow in the adjoining nature reserve.”

Almost 80,000 linear metres of JB Antislip PlusÆ inserts were used on the DecksureTM structural timber decking to create the non-slip Lily Pad boardwalk. Fitted by L&L Installations, each deckboard features two antislip inserts, which is sufficient to create a long lasting and safe surface.

The decking, which would be equally at home in the residential area has been independently tested by the Health & Safety Laboratory (HSL) using a Stanley Pendulum Test (the operation and calibration of which is described in BS7976:2002 parts 1-3). The Pendulum Test Values (PTVs) achieved during the testing significantly exceeded the minimum required classification for ‘low potential for slip’.

Under the UKSRG guidelines, a surface is required to have a PTV of 36 or above to be considered to have a ‘low potential for slip.’ Two inserts, which were used on the Lily Pad project, will achieve an average PTV of 63 or above, even when wet.

More information: www.johnbrash.co.uk