Case Study - Retail Sector

Project: Supermarket, Selsdon, Surrey
Client: Sainsbury’s
Design team: Pick Everard
Contractor: Rokbuild/Llewellyn

The use of Laidlaw systems

The requirement was for a handrail and balustrade system that could withstand heavy use by customers to the store, but was easy and quick to install. Laidlaw were successful in winning the contract to supply and install the new system principally because their 3kN system had been developed specifically to meet this requirement. It is a component-based system, manufactured to meet the heavier horizontal loading standards of BS 6399 for buildings where the general public potentially congregate in large numbers.

The reduction in vertical balustrades enables the use of larger perforated infill panels. Visually this creates a more aesthetically pleasing staircase in an area which will sustain heavy pedestrian usage.

Architect, Andy Robinson

The handrails and the top rails of the balustrade are of 40mm diameter dark grey nylon-sleeved steel. The 60mm diameter heavy-duty stainless steel balustrade uprights are used in conjunction with 3mm thick perforated stainless steel infill panels – chosen for their strength, but also because they allow light to permeate through.