Home > Technical Specifications > Asbra Safety Stair Treads and Nosings Specifications > Asbra Safety Stair Treads and Nosings - Luminance Testing Information

Asbra Safety Stair Treads & Nosings
Luminance Testing Information



  
 View and download our luminance testing data PDF

Luminance Contrast Testing Data

Luminance Contrast Testing of Latham Tread Insert Infills.
Latham Silicon Carbide inserts for Treads and Tac Tile Indicators have been independently tested in accordance with Appendix B of AS 1428.1-2009 Section B5 for dry applications and section F5 of AS/NZS 1428.4 2002 for dry applications.

Measurement Geometry- 0/45 (illumination/viewing) with a daylight D65 light source, OSRAM FH28W/865HE.

Luminance Meter- Topcon BM7, with 2º spot size with the measured area covering a minimum of 66% of the tile.

Computation of Luminance Factor (LF)- was made by comparison of a PTFE reflective standard plate placed in the same position as the test samples. 10 measurements on each tile were taken and the result averaged.
Latham Asbraloy Aluminium Treads and Stainless Steel Tactile Indicator Studs, with Silicon Carbide Mineral Inserts, test results across the samples, which is the direction that the treads are installed and used in practice. Results are an averaged result for the combination of the metal and colour insert section.

Latham Suregrip™ Black insert-   6%   Latham Supagrit™ Blue Grey insert-   13.8%
Latham Supagrit™ Off White insert-   31.1%   Latham Supagrit™ Terracotta insert-   7.9%
Latham Supagrit™ Safety Yellow insert-   22.8%   Latham Supagrit™ Cream insert-   25.7%
Latham Supagrit™ Brown insert-   6.8%   Latham Supagrit™ Cactus Green insert-   10.7%
Latham Supagrit™ Lumo Luminescent insert-   32.3%   Latham Supagrit™ Blue insert-   6.9%
Latham Supagrit™ Teak insert-    11.3%   Latham Supagrit™ Buff insert-   18.1%
Latham Supagrit™ Silver Grey insert-   14.5%   Latham Supagrit™ Teal insert-   14.0%
Latham Asbrabronz Brass Treads and Tactile Indicator Studs, with Silicon Carbide Mineral Inserts, test results across the samples, which is the direction that the treads are installed and used in practice. Results are an averaged result for the combination of the metal and colour insert section.

Latham Supagrit™ Brown insert-   5.7%   Latham Supagrit™ Off White insert-   29.9%   Latham Supagrit™ Cactus Green insert-   9.1%   Latham Supagrit™ Cream insert-   24.1%   Latham Supagrit™ Blue insert-   5.9%   Latham Supagrit™ Teak insert-   9.4%   Latham Supagrit™ Buff insert-   16.3%   Latham Supagrit™ Black insert-   5.1%
Latham Supagrit™ Silver Grey insert-   12.8%   Latham Supagrit™ Safety Yellow insert-   21.7%
Latham Supagrit™ Blue Grey insert-   12.4%   Latham Supagrit™ Lumo insert-   32.6%
Latham Supagrit™ Terracotta insert-   6.7%   Latham Supagrit™ Teal insert-   12%%
Latham Super Visual Treads with matching Silicon Carbide Mineral Inserts, test results across the samples, which is the direction that the treads are installed and used in practice. Results are an averaged result for the combination of the matching metal and colour insert section.

Latham All White-   51.2%   Latham All Black-   3.6%
Latham Rufazel nosings, deck plates and ladder rungs
Latham Rufazel Safety Yellow-   68.3%   Latham Rufazel Black (Charcoal)-   5.6%
According to AS 1428.1-2009 Appendix B, B5.3 and AS/NZS 1428.4 2002, Appendix F5 MEASUREMENT OF LUMINANCE CONTRAST, the above figures represent the recorded Luminance L1, L2 and L3 are 2 readings taken for 2 separate areas immediately alongside the Tread Nosing or Tac Tile. This would be the surrounding floor finish, these figure should be obtained from the flooring manufacturer.

When the surrounding floor finish is similar material and colour AS 1428.1-2009 B5.3 (e) and AS/NZS 1428.4:2002 F5.3 (f) states as follows-
L2,3 = L2 + L3
                 2
This is a average of the 2 readings taken.
Based on these figures the Luminance Contrast (C) of the Treads or Tactile Indicator and the surrounding floor finish can be calculated as follows-
If L2,3 > L1, Then C = L2,3 – L1
                                            L2,3
In other words this means if the Luminance Factor of the achieved for the floor finish (L2,3) is greater that the luminance Factor achieved for the Tread or Tac Tile (L1). Then the Luminance Contrast (C) equals the (L2,3) minus (L1) divided by (L2,3).

Example Case.
A Travertine floor with a Luminance Contrast rating of L2,3 at 41% (0.41), with Latham Asbraloy Stair Treads with a brown insert L* at 6.8% (0.068). (C) would equal (0.83) or 83% Luminance Contrast, well in excess of the 30% required by several Standards and the BCA. The actual luminance contrast required for the application should be checked with the relevant code or standard.
If L1 > L2,3, Then C =  L1 – L2,3                 
                                             L1
In other words this means if the Luminance Factor of the achieved for the Tread or Tac Tile (L1) is greater that the luminance Factor achieved for the surrounding floor finish (L2,3). Then the Luminance Contrast (C) equals the (L1) minus (L2,3) divided by (L1).

Example Case.
A Granite floor (grey) with a Luminance Contrast rating of L2,3 at 13% (0.13), with Latham Asbraloy Stair Treads with a Cream insert L1 at 25.7% (0.257). (C) would equal (0.49) or 49% Luminance Contrast, well in excess of the 30% required by several Standards and the BCA. The actual luminance contrast required for the application should be checked with the relevant code or standard.

Relevant documents and Standards which relate the above findings include but are not limited to the following, AS 1428.1-2009, AS 1428.2-1992, AS 1428.3-1992, AS/NZS 1428.4-2002, AS 1428.1-2002 (superseded), BCA 2010-D3.8, BCA 2010-D2.10, BCA 2010-D2.13, BCA 2010-D2.14 Australian Standards are available through SAI Global, http://www.saiglobal.com, whilst the Building Code of Australia is available through the Australian Building Codes Board http://www.abcb.gov.au.


AS 1428.1-2009 sets out 2 methods of test for colour luminance, the first is a laboratory test, utilizing the Bowman-Sapolinski Equation (An Improved Metric for Visual Differentiation using Colour-modified Clinical Eye Charts, Redeemer Baptist School North Parramatta Australia Sapolinski,J., August 2009.). The information above has been produced using the onsite method set out in Appendix B, as this is more relevant to the product that is supplied by Latham Australia.

The above findings are based on information obtained for paid test carried out on Latham Australia’s Pty Ltd products by a NATA approved Testing Laboratory carried out on Latham Australia Pty Ltd’s behalf. The mentioned example cases are based on Latham Australia’s Pty Ltd interpretation of the testing method and results achieved as set out in the relevant Standard and is offered as a guide only. Latham Australia takes no (nil) responsibility for the correctness or relevance of information supplied or implied in any way, it should be noted that batch colours and metal colours may vary which would impact on the above detailed results achieved. For exact results site testing as detailed in the relevant standard should be undertaken. In dependent testing should be carried out to achieve exact site specific results.

A copy of the full test results is available by contacting Latham Australia.