HOTEL AND LEISURE – AO ARENA – ECOGLO STAIR NOSINGS
Ecoglo – visibility better
Project Details
Product Specification Details:
EcoGlo Stair Nosings
Customer:
AO Arena
Case Study: Enhancing Safety and Accessibility at AO Arena, Manchester with Ecoglo Stair Nosings from Quantum Flooring Accessories
The AO Arena in Manchester, one of the UK’s largest indoor entertainment venues, hosts thousands of visitors for concerts, sports events, and shows. Ensuring the safety and smooth movement of large crowds is paramount, especially during peak exit times and emergency evacuations. During a recent refurbishment project, the AO Arena looked to improve stairway safety.
Challenge
With a capacity of over 21,000, the AO Arena experiences heavy foot traffic, particularly on stairways leading to different seating levels and exits. Managing this volume of visitors safely requires stairways that are highly visible, slip-resistant, and compliant with the latest safety standards. The Arena management aimed to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls while ensuring clear escape routes in low-light conditions, such as during when lighting is dimmed for performances or during power outages. .
Solution
To meet these requirements, Quantum Flooring Accessories recommended Ecoglo stair nosings, an advanced solution designed to improve stair safety through increased visibility and slip resistance.
The Ecoglo stair nosings feature photoluminescent strips that absorb light from natural and/or artificial sources, providing a glow-in-the-dark effect that ensures step edges remain visible even in low-light or emergencies. This self-charging, non-electrical lighting technology is ideal for large venues like the AO Arena, where sudden darkness or power outages can pose safety risksThis solution is trusted in other world-class arenas across the globe, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia and Madison Square Garden in the USA.
Additionally, the Ecoglo stair nosings provide a slip-resistant surface that is essential for handling high volumes of people moving quickly, particularly during event exits. The durable construction ensures the stair nosings withstand heavy use, maintaining their slip resistance and visibility over time.
Ecoglo stair nosings also meet Part M of the Building Regulations, providing clearly defined stair nosing to assist visitors with visual impairments.
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Outcome
The installation of Ecoglo stair nosings at the AO Arena has significantly improved safety and accessibility throughout the venue. The photoluminescent strips ensure each step is easily identifiable in all lighting conditions, enhancing the flow of people during events and emergency evacuations. The added slip resistance reduces the likelihood of falls, providing visitors with a safer experience. For Arena management, the long-lasting durability of the Ecoglo stair nosings means reduced maintenance costs and ongoing compliance with safety regulations.
Architect Benefits
For architects involved in designing or refurbishing large venues, the use of Ecoglo stair nosings offers an effective solution to enhance both safety and accessibility. Their ability to maintain visibility in dark conditions, combined with slip resistance, ensures safer and smoother movement of crowds.
Meeting regulatory standards and requiring minimal maintenance, Ecoglo stair nosings are an ideal choice for high-traffic environments where safety is a top priority.
