Tuesday, June 2, 2020

A Look Into The 7 Generations of Detectable Warning Surfaces

The detectable warning surfaces that you see now have been through numerous iterations (read generations) since the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act ) was first implemented. Over the course of years, various technological advancements have been made to make sure that the truncated dome tiles that are placed on the elevated warning surfaces are durable enough to last for a long time. Having said that, let us now have a look into the 7 generations of these detectable warning tiles that helps persons with visibility issues.

First Generation: It was a solution that was simply used to stamp or score the concrete to make the elevated surfaces. It was a low-cost model that made both the contractors and builders happy.

Second Generation: This made significant improvements over the former and used bricks with raised domes. While the idea was much better than the previous generation, there were still many issues that needed addressing.

Third Generation: With the third iteration, plastic domed solutions and surface-applied rubber were introduced. It certainly offered a better solution over the previous generations because they could be applied directly on top of the existing surface.

Fourth Generation: Now, it was time for the introduction of concrete inserts. This was a massive improvement over the original scored or stamped concrete. That being said, these inserts had somewhat similar problems to those of the truncated dome tiles made out of brick. The dome would often shoe signs of wear and tear, cracked inserts were visible, and they were also accustomed to heavy foot traffic.

Fifth Generation: This particular generation was built upon the idea of using inserts and plastic-based products. These brand new plastic inserts are referred to as ‘Cast-in-Place’ as they are directly set into the concrete while being still wet.

Sixth Generation: The sixth generation witnessed the use of new detectable warning surfaces being made from numerous various metals, mostly steel.

Seventh Generation: The latest generation of truncated tactiles for sale includes a number of products and solutions. The most notable is the introduction of glowing panels. These panels illuminate when there is lower light conditions. It helps visually impaired individuals with a distinct visual warning, and helps them guide through emergency exits.