Detectable Warning Systems

Heavy use and extreme abuse in areas constantly exposed to snow plows and fork lift traffic require extremely durable detectable warning systems.

"We developed Advantage Tactile Systems (advantagetactile.com) for use in such abusive areas," O'Neill said. "We're in the second generation of the development of that tile. And in Wisconsin, it is one of the only products allowed to be used by the state. Many other entities committed to it for use for their heavy abuse situations, especially of their detectable warning systems. "

detectable warning systems

One of the most important issues for detectable warning systems was safety by slip resistance. In areas where there is snow, walking surfaces become slippery. The standard for detectable warning systems is called the "Slip Resistance" or the "Coefficient of Friction for walking surfaces", and there is a minimum standard. The accepted standard for detectable warning systems is said to be 0.5 for walking surfaces and 0.6 for ramps.

A slip-resistant coating on the detectable warning system eventually gets removed and when that happens, the product becomes an unsafe walking surface.

"We made the slip resistance an integral part of the metal product so that in the absence of a coating the product remains slip resistance. This was a concern for us and many governing officials that were involved in feedback. So, we listened to their requirements and came up with a solution."

O'Neill said this is not only thinking out of the box, but it is listening to what the people who are involved have to say regarding detectable warning systems, and coming up with solutions to resolve their issues and concerns. "And that's basically what we do - an open minded, out-of-box approach."

Engineered Plastics split the Advantage Tactile detectable warning systems from the Armor-Tile tactile. Armor-Tile is known as the industry standard for composites. The company wanted to create a new standard for stainless steel tactiles, hence Advantage Tactile Systems. Right now it is a cast-in-place version of a detectible warning systems tile, but the company is developing a surface-applied system in Advantage tile. This product will be available to the market soon for retro fit applications of the detectable warning systems.

The future

A new product presently in testing is expected be on the market in the spring. These detectable warning systems, which have yet to be named, will provide a good detectable warning system for areas that would otherwise use Armor-Tile except they have smaller budgets.

This will allow Engineered Plastics inc. to offer value added product for budget value propositions, Armor-Tile as a value engineered detectable warning systems product and Advantage Tactile System for areas where extreme conditions of abuse exist.

-by Carlos de la Vega