Nylon System

Structural stability
The balustrade can resist a uniformly distributed line load of up to 0.74 kN/m, making it suitable for use on all staircases, except those that are likely to be subject to overcrowding by the general public.

Durability
Because the 4mm thick nylon sleeve is coloured throughout, the colour cannot be chipped, scratched off or worn away, ensuring that the product remains visually attractive and in top condition throughout the life of the building. Maintenance is minimal any marks can easily be removed by wiping with a damp cloth.

The Nylon system is, therefore, ideal for areas of heavy use such as in schools, hospitals and other buildings with high pedestrian use.

Touch characteristics
Whereas stainless steel has negligible resistance to heat flow for a given thickness, nylon is 68 times better, making it feel less cold to touch. It is, therefore, an ideal material or external handrails and balustrade top rails of buildings that are used by the general public.

Tactile indicators
Although not included in Building Regulation guidance, tactile indicators can help to make a building more inclusive . When incorporated into handrails, they can indicate to a visually impaired person the presence of the first and last risers on a staircase, as well as floor levels. Braille indicators can also be included to highlight a floor number.

Visual contrast
The colour range of the Laidlaw Nylon system provides the greatest flexibility in meeting the guidelines for visual contrast as determined by a difference in LRV (Light Reflectance Value). The range of 12 colours has a mixture of light high LRV colours and dark low LRV colours that can be chosen according to the background against which the handrail or balustrade is to be seen.

The colour range
The nylon colours are the same as those used for the Normbau architectural ironmongery range of lever furniture, pull handles and push plates for doors. This colour matching can be useful in schools, hospitals and nursing homes where the colour can be used to indicate a particular floor or activity area.


Please contact your nearest Laidlaw branch for further details on the Normbau Architectural Ironmongery range.



Application Examples
External ramps
According to paragraph 1.26(l) of AD M (England and Wales), a ramp should have a handrail on both sides. This example, using a mid rail infill, shows how the Laidlaw Nylon system meets this guidance.

Swimming pools
In the humid environment of a swimming pool, the Laidlaw Nylon system, using a light coloured nylon finish and in-line glass infill panels, provides a visually pleasing, yet durable, finish.