Specialists in:

Hygienic PVC Sheet

Door and Wall Protection

Fire Evacuation Plans

Lock Down Plans

Illuminated Stair Nosings

Tactile Systems

Self-powered Tritium Signs

Tactile Systems

Why a Tactile System?

Our tactile wall mounted handrail and crash rail will translate the information given in conventional fire signage to a format which can be understood by those who are visually impaired.

It is a required consideration of current standards including:

BS 9999 - Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Our tactile systems are  specifically designed to meet these requirements as well as providing the essential protection to the fabric of the building.

The tactile indicators are very simple to understand.

The wedge shape suggests you are going towards or away from the nearest exit. If your hand or fingers glide over the rising surface of the wedge, you are moving towards the nearest exit.  

If the hand or fingers meet the edge of the wedge first and a resistance is felt, you are moving away from the nearest exit.

A set of three bumps indicates a change in direction is required.

Place your back to the wall and walk forwards to either the fire exit or more directional wayguidance system.

It's that simple!

Using the tactile indicators in this way, it is possible to navigate people along the shortest distance to the fire exit, taking then across dead-end corridors and across T-junctions in corridors.

During the development period of the wall system, trials were undertaken at the Building Research Establishment and Cranfield College of Aeronautics.

The tests at the Building Research Establishment at Watford were undertaken under the supervision of Drs Mike Wright and Geoff Cook of Reading University in collaboration with the Joint Mobility Unit. The trial evaluated several low-mounted systems as well as conventional emergency overhead fluorescent lighting. We can do little better in supporting evidence than to quote from the report - The Effect of Smoke on Emergency Lighting, Escape Route Lighting & Way-Finding Provision (EEWPS). The report found that the SOS Waypoint electroluminescent system increased exit speeds by over 40% compared to overhead emergency lighting.

In trials at Cranfield University, tactile modules were fitted to aisle seat armrests of a 737 cabin simulator. Sighted people and, for the first time ever in an aircraft evacuation trial, VIP’s (Visually Impaired Persons) evaluated the advantages of tactile indicators. In post-trial interviews, many of the visually impaired participants reported that the tactile indicators were of benefit , and sighted passengers also commented on the potential advantages of the system in low visibility.

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SOS Waypoint Limited

Mill One, Pleasley Vale Business Park

Mansfield

Nottinghamshire

NG19 8RL