Specifications & Engineering
Specification texts, performance requirements and installation guidelines for architects, specifiers and clients.
Specifications & Engineering
Specification texts, performance requirements and installation guidelines for architects, specifiers and clients.
Introduction & scope of application
This technical specification and procurement guide describes the performance requirements, structural principles and maintenance guidelines for integrated circulation-space and stair systems. This document has been prepared for application within:
The focus is on:
- Safety & escape-route safety
- Maintenance management & operations
- Acoustics & resonance control
- Architectural coherence & material continuity
- Sustainability & long-term technical performance
This guideline is built on practical experience, material expertise and current circulation-space architecture.
The performance requirements in this document are general in nature. Project-specific requirements should always be assessed separately, based on building type, intended use, escape-route function, maintenance intensity and applicable laws and regulations.
General system description
Ultra-thin overlay tread in recycled stone composite for intensive daily project use. Integrated stair nosing, no loose profiles. Fully bonded with sound-dampening polymer adhesive.
Fully seamless coating system with SolidLux® UV curing for intensive project use. No joints, no strips, no transition profiles. Stair, landing and circulation floor as one continuous surface.
Certified anti-slip solution for concrete stairs, gallery-access stairs, outdoor stairs and intensive project applications. Also suitable when only the walking surface is treated.
Application areas
Stairs · landings · galleries · walkways · entrances · adjoining circulation floors. The systems are designed to make stair, landing, gallery and circulation floor function as one visually and technically coherent whole.
Project systems & applications
Within project-based circulation-space renovation, three system build-ups are applied, depending on building type, usage intensity, architectural appearance, maintenance load and the desired system integration. Each system has a specific application area and its own technical build-up.
EverStep Solid™ — Ultra-thin heavy-duty overlay tread system
See the product page for colour collections, technical documentation and dealer information.
Ultra-thin heavy-duty overlay tread system based on recycled natural stone composite. Developed for intensive daily use in existing building situations where minimal build-up height and preservation of stair geometry are essential. The integrated stair nosing entirely eliminates loose transition profiles.
Developed for: Apartment buildings · Owners' associations (VvE) · utility construction · public buildings · entrance halls · galleries · existing buildings where minimal build-up height is a requirement.
Signature Solid™ — Fully seamless circulation-space system
See the product page for applications, finishing options and project references.
Fully seamless circulation-space and stair system built up with SolidLux® mineral technology. No overlay treads, no transition profiles, no joints — the system is manually built up as one continuous surface over the stair, landing and circulation floor. Developed for projects where material continuity and seamless architectural integration are paramount.
Developed for: High-end architecture · hospitality · luxury apartments · design-focused circulation spaces · projects where stair and landing function as one seamless material surface.
GripStep Pro™ — Professional integrated anti-slip solution
See the product page for pricing, colours and ordering information.
Professional integrated anti-slip system for existing circulation spaces and stairs. Developed as a safety upgrade in which the existing stair structure is preserved and only the walking surface is fitted with certified integrated anti-slip. Suitable for concrete stairs, gallery-access stairs and outdoor stairs.
Developed for: Safety upgrades · care environments · utility buildings · hospitality · galleries · public buildings · intensively used circulation routes where fast, minimally invasive work is required.
The choice between EverStep Solid, Signature Solid and GripStep Pro depends on the desired result — overlay tread, seamless integration or anti-slip upgrade — and the specific technical and architectural project requirements. An Omnistair project specialist advises which system is most suitable per situation.
GripStep Pro™ — Integrated anti-slip upgrade for existing concrete stairs
Many existing concrete stairs in gallery-access apartment buildings, walk-up housing and utility buildings are structurally sound — but have a safety issue. The traditional solution: routed grooves or an aluminium strip. In practice, we see that both approaches fall short. Grooves are open structures: dirt, grit and bacteria settle into them and are barely removable with regular cleaning methods. An aluminium strip is a loose element with screws, corrosion risk and dirt build-up along the edges.
GripStep Pro offers a different approach: an integrated safety upgrade in which the existing structure remains fully intact. No demolition work, no raised nosing, no loose parts. The anti-slip is in the material itself — sealed, low-maintenance and certified.
Application area of the GripStep Pro safety upgrade
GripStep Pro safety upgrade covers a specific tender category that EverStep Solid and Signature Solid do not address — the retrofit market. Existing prefab concrete structures that meet load-bearing and geometric requirements but need a certified anti-slip upgrade are the primary target group.
Field validation — Completed projects
In practice, we see that the combination of ultra-thin build-up, integrated anti-slip and a sealed UV surface solves situations that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional systems. Two completed projects illustrate this.
Case 1 — Social housing above a former joinery factory, Bodegraven
In a renovation project in a former joinery factory in Bodegraven — where social housing units have been created above the commercial space — the existing stairs were relatively steep, had shallow treads and no longer met the desired safety and maintenance requirements. A fully new stair structure was not a realistic structural solution: too invasive, too costly and structurally unnecessary.
By applying EverStep Solid, the existing structure could be fully preserved. The minimal build-up height of 4.3 mm ensured that stair geometry and tread proportions remained intact — a result that would not have been possible with thicker systems.
Case 2 — Energy renovation with Fermacell floor build-up, Utrecht
In a renovation project in an older home in Utrecht, the upper floor had to be built up as fire-retardant using Fermacell panels. As a result, the overall floor build-up ended up higher than originally planned. With a traditional, thicker stair renovation system, the stair geometry would have been altered further — with changed tread proportions and less available space as a result.
In practice, we see this pattern more often in energy renovations, fire-safety upgrades and sound-insulating floor build-ups. The minimal system thickness of EverStep Solid provided the manoeuvring room that made the difference between a stair that fit and a stair that would have needed to be entirely recalculated.
Project documentation, process imagery and completed situations are available via Omnistair for use in specifications, tender documents and architectural presentations.
Performance requirements & certifications
3.1 Fire safety & smoke development
Shared circulation spaces and stairwells function as escape routes within many building types. The system must be demonstrably certified in accordance with EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009.
3.2 Anti-slip & fall safety
The system must be demonstrably compliant with NEN 7909 and DIN 51130. The anti-slip effect must be integrated into the surface itself — not as a loose strip, tape or temporary solution.
3.3 Mechanical load-bearing capacity & abrasion resistance
Top Coat 810 achieved 10,000 cycles, after which testing was concluded because the reference materials were fully worn. The bond-strength value of > 4.0 N/mm² (concrete fracture) exceeds the internal tensile strength of the concrete substrate itself.
3.4 Indoor air quality & sustainability
Structural principles
4.1 System thickness & stair geometry
Goal: preservation of existing stair geometry, minimal change to tread proportions, limited structural impact and preserved sightlines. In simple terms: after renovation, the stair looks exactly as it did before — only the walking surface changes. Thicker systems can alter tread proportions, affect door heights and create additional visual mass. In addition, heavy, protruding stair noses cause a leverage effect: with every step, the weight pulls at the front of the tread, increasing micro-movement and potentially creating new creak points over time. An ultra-thin build-up with integrated nosing structurally eliminates this effect.
System heights — overview of all systems
| System | Total system thickness | Includes | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature / Signature Solid™ | approx. 3.0 mm | Primer + intermediate layer + UV top coat | Applied directly to substrate — no mounting adhesive |
| EverStep / EverStep Solid™ | approx. 4.7 mm | Composite + sound-dampening mounting adhesive | Includes elastic polymer adhesive |
| GripStep / GripStep Pro™ | approx. 4.7 mm | Anti-slip layer + primer + UV top coat | Same build-up height as EverStep |
Exact thicknesses depend on situation and specification. Consult the technical data sheet for project-specific details.
4.2 Substrate flatness tolerance
The existing substrate must comply with DIN 18202, Table 3, Row 3 for enhanced aesthetic floor finishes. Larger dimensional deviations or irregularities must be levelled prior to application using suitable cement-based repair mortars or project-appropriate levelling systems.
4.3 Integrated stair nosing
The stair nosing is an integrated part of the system. Purpose: reducing dirt accumulation, minimising trip-hazard details and preserving architectural coherence. Loose aluminium nosing profiles or separate finishing edges do not apply.
4.4 Sealed surface structure
The top layer must be liquid-tight, sealed, UV-cured, scratch-resistant, wear- and impact-resistant and low-maintenance. SolidLux Top Coat 910 AS is immediately mechanically load-bearing, easy to clean and suitable for intensive circulation use.
Substrate preparation
5.1 Removal of laitance (concrete surface film)
For concrete substrates, the existing cement film — known as laitance — must be mechanically removed before the system is applied. This may sound like a detail. In practice, it is the single most decisive step for the long-term performance of the system.
Permitted methods:
Diamond grinding — mechanically removes laitance and exposes the load-bearing concrete core
Shot blasting — opens the concrete pores for maximum bonding surface
Low-dust mechanical preparation — in accordance with dust class M or H
Laser cleaning / laser ablation — contactless removal of laitance and surface contaminants via laser energy · no mechanical load on the substrate · suitable for sensitive or historic structures
In practice, we see that this is the most common cause of early failure in coating renovations. When a renovation system is applied to laitance without mechanical pre-treatment, it bonds to a weak intermediate layer — not to the load-bearing concrete. Under the load of intensive use, vibrations and moisture, that intermediate layer can come loose. This is the most common cause of premature failure in coating renovations on concrete stairs.
5.2 Wooden stairs & existing timber structures
For wooden stairs, the existing structure must be mechanically inspected, stabilised and prepared in advance before the system is applied. Unlike concrete substrates, wooden stair structures are more sensitive to movement, micro-motion, resonance and impact sound.
In practice, problems with existing wooden stairs usually do not arise from the finishing system itself, but from movement in the underlying structure. Loose risers, insufficient fixings, old staple joints, open joints or air gaps can, under load, lead to creaking, resonance, stress build-up and reduced stability. The system must be applied exclusively to a stable, dry, mechanically sufficiently load-bearing and fully fixed substrate.
Mechanical stabilisation — fix loose treads, risers and joints using screw connections or structural fixings
Removal of loose layers — fully mechanically remove loose paint, lacquer, adhesive or levelling layers
Sanding and roughening — mechanically open dense or smooth surfaces for optimal bonding
Fully dust-free cleaning — deliver dust-free, grease-free and dry in accordance with processing guidelines
Sealing joints and connections — structurally seal open joints, gaps and air pockets to limit resonance and impact sound
Full-surface bonding — system fully bonded with structural, permanently elastic sound-dampening adhesives
Impact sound is structurally reduced because the elastic bonding acts as a vibration-dampening intermediate layer. Full bonding contributes to: reduction of resonance · limiting cavity effects · a more stable walking experience · reduction of micro-movement · lower transmission of impact sound.
Substrate stable · no loose treads or risers · no active moisture load · no loose paint or adhesive layers · no air pockets · structure mechanically fixed · fully dust-free.
5.3 Moisture measurement & substrate moisture control
Moisture control of the existing substrate is essential for the long-term performance of the system. Excess residual moisture can lead to reduced bonding, stress build-up, osmosis, blistering and accelerated degradation of adhesives and coating systems. Both concrete and wooden substrates must be checked prior to application.
| Substrate | Maximum permitted residual moisture |
|---|---|
| Cement-bound substrates | ≤ 4 CM% |
| Anhydrite-bound substrates | ≤ 0.5 CM% |
| Timber structures | Stable, dry and stress-free |
| Existing coating systems | Fully dry and vapour-stable |
Electronic moisture measurement — indicative measurement via digital moisture meters for a quick check of surface moisture and risk areas
Calcium carbide measurement (CM measurement) — destructive reference measurement in accordance with standard construction measurement methodology for determining residual moisture in cement-bound substrates
Structural assessment — check for rising damp · construction moisture · leaks · condensation issues · insufficient ventilation · moisture load from the existing structure
In practice, we see that surface dryness often creates a misleading picture. A substrate can feel dry to the touch while deeper down, elevated residual moisture is still present. In case of doubt or for project-based applications, an additional check via CM measurement or long-term moisture monitoring is carried out.
Acoustics & resonance control
The system is installed with full-surface bonding using structural, permanently elastic sound-damping polymer adhesives. The aim is to prevent air pockets, reduce resonance, limit sound-box effects, and minimise impact noise and hollow footfall sound. Structure-borne impact noise — the direct transmission of footfall vibrations through the structure to adjoining spaces — is substantially reduced because the elastic adhesive acts as a vibration break between the existing tread and the renovation system.
In older apartment buildings, renovation increasingly includes smooth wall finishes, which can reflect sound more strongly than traditional surfaces. The greatest acoustic improvement is often achieved not in the staircase itself, but in the surrounding space. Additional measures include absorptive wall panels, acoustic artwork, textile wall finishes, and other sound-damping interior applications.
UV curing & immediate serviceability
The system uses direct UV curing with mobile UV equipment and SolidLux® instant-curing technology. This immediately produces a sealed, mechanically load-bearing surface without conventional drying or waiting times.
Unlike conventional coating systems that require hours or days to cure, the surface is ready for daily use immediately after UV curing. This makes the system particularly suitable for circulation areas, stairwells, access galleries, apartment buildings, healthcare facilities, and commercial projects where prolonged closure is undesirable or impossible.
Technical benefits of UV curing
Three steps — from application to serviceability
Application — the system is applied layer by layer to the prepared substrate · sound-damping installation adhesive · stone composite or mineral layer
UV curing — mobile UV equipment instantly cures the SolidLux® topcoat · no waiting time · sealed surface forms immediately · low emissions during curing
Immediately serviceable — the surface is immediately ready for daily use · the circulation route can be reopened straight away · minimal disruption to residents
Practical project applications
UV curing makes it possible to renovate circulation routes tread by tread or floor by floor without fully closing the stairwell. Residents and users experience minimal disruption — a decisive advantage in tenders for apartment buildings, healthcare, and commercial projects.
Maintenance & management protocol
8.1 Facility cleaning
Daily: Remove loose sand and dirt using a dry method — vacuum cleaner or soft brush
Weekly: Damp-clean using the two-bucket method with a mild residue-free cleaner
Recommended products: Marcel's Green Soap All-Purpose Cleaner · James Floor Cleaner
Products that build up persistent films (polish, gloss layers, or cumulative maintenance coatings). These can retain dirt, increase the maintenance burden, and affect the system’s certified slip-resistance performance.
8.2 Entrance matting zones
Professional entrance matting is strongly recommended at all building entrances. Its purpose is to limit sand, de-icing salt, moisture, snow, and abrasive contamination. The result is lower cleaning costs, a surface that retains its appearance for longer, and reduced wear on the lower stair treads.
Long-term maintenance planning & operation
The systems are designed for long-term operation, controlled maintenance, and integration into a long-term maintenance plan (MJOP). In practice, owners’ associations that base their choice on Total Cost of Ownership require fewer repeat renovations, resulting in less disruption to residents, a lower management burden, and lower reserve-fund contributions over the same operating period.
Architectural integration & colour coordination
The system supports contemporary circulation-space architecture centred on visual calm, simplicity, material continuity, and integrated detailing. Together with the landing, entrance, and access gallery, the staircase as a vertical circulation route forms a single architectural whole — not a series of separate finishing elements. It can be applied to stairs, landings, intermediate landings, access galleries, entrances, and adjoining circulation floors.
The mineral structure of recycled stone composite provides a tactile material experience that responds to light and wear differently from plastics or conventional coating systems. This property is architecturally relevant: the material ages gracefully rather than visually deteriorating.
Available collections
Explore the colours interactively and compose your own mix.
The digital Omnistair Colour Studio allows mineral textures, stone compositions, design pigments, and material nuances to be coordinated with an architectural identity, hospitality concept, housing-association aesthetic, or commercial-building design.
Summary matrix of system requirements
| Technical parameter | Minimum performance requirement | Standard / reference |
|---|---|---|
| Build-up height | approx. 2–4.3 mm | System build-up |
| Fire classification | Bfl-s1 | EN 13501-1 |
| Slip-resistance classification | R10 / R11 | DIN 51130 |
| Dynamic grip | μ > 0.60 | NEN 7909 |
| Abrasion resistance | 10,000 Taber cycles | ASTM D4060-84 |
| Bond strength | > 4.0 N/mm² | EN 1542 |
| Indoor air quality | Indoor Air Comfort Gold level | Eurofins |
| Curing | Immediately serviceable | SolidLux® UV |
| Surface structure | Sealed / liquid-tight | Top Coat 910 AS |
| Installation | Fully bonded | Permanently elastic polymer adhesive |
| Material | Recycled stone composite | Circular material composition |
| Flatness tolerance | DIN 18202 T3/R3 | Enhanced aesthetic finish |
| Substrate moisture content | ≤ 4% | Measurement before application |
Project-specific system warranty
For professional circulation-area, access-gallery, and staircase applications, Omnistair offers a 10-year project-specific system warranty in collaboration with SolidLux®. The warranty applies when the system is installed correctly, used normally, and maintained regularly in accordance with the management protocol.
Warranty term & coverage
| Year | Coverage | Year | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 100% | Year 6 | 50% |
| Year 2 | 90% | Year 7 | 40% |
| Year 3 | 80% | Year 8 | 30% |
| Year 4 | 70% | Year 9 | 20% |
| Year 5 | 60% | Year 10 | 10% |
Quality assurance & inspection stages
Start-up and substrate inspection — written report before work begins
Inspection during execution — interim inspection and reporting
Final inspection at handover — written handover report · basis for the warranty statement
Must be reported in writing to SolidLux® and the installer within four weeks of discovery. Remedial work is carried out by the original installer or a party approved by SolidLux®. If ownership is transferred, the warranty may be transferred in writing subject to approval by SolidLux® and the installer.
Maintenance & periodic system inspection
For owners’ associations, housing associations, and heavily trafficked circulation areas, an annual system inspection is the simplest way to retain full warranty coverage. One brief annual inspection — carried out by a certified Omnistair installer — identifies stress or damage at an early stage, before it leads to unnecessary costs. Owners’ associations and property managers that choose this approach safeguard both system performance and full warranty coverage throughout the term. Maintenance and inspection arrangements are recorded for each project in a separate service agreement.
Architectural circulation-space systems developed for durable performance, ease of maintenance, and high-quality finishes. This system warranty is subject to: the General Terms and Conditions of Lowland Coatings International B.V. · relevant industry terms · SolidLux® product information sheets and technical application guidelines · supplementary project-specific agreements and inspection reports.
Concluding note & quality assurance
This technical guideline is based on practical experience, project applications, materials expertise, circulation-space architecture, and the available technical system documentation.
Project-specific assessment — always assess requirements separately based on building type, occupancy function, escape-route function, and applicable regulations
Substrate inspection — document moisture measurement and laitance removal as part of the project file
Certificate management — retain test reports (NEN 7909, Bfl-s1, Taber, Indoor Air Comfort Gold level) as part of the building file
Long-term maintenance-plan integration — periodic inspections in accordance with NEN 2767 as part of the warranty file and operating plan
Warranty certification — available in collaboration with SolidLux: project inspection, quality assurance, and maintenance agreements
Frequently asked questions about specifications & engineering
Practical guidance for architects, specification writers, and technical advisers
Yes. This document has been prepared specifically for use in specifications and tender documents and may be included as a technical appendix. For project-specific amendments or a custom specification, please contact an Omnistair project specialist.
The 10-year project-specific system warranty applies when the system is installed correctly and in accordance with the instructions in this handbook. Installation must be carried out by a certified Omnistair installer or a party approved by SolidLux® — this is a condition of warranty coverage and is not tied to one specific company.
Larger dimensional deviations or irregularities must be levelled before application using cement-based repair mortars or levelling systems suitable for the project. This is assessed for each project during the substrate inspection, before work begins.
Please contact an Omnistair project specialist. Technical drawings and connection details are made available on a project-specific basis and tailored to the particular application.
This document covers all four professional project systems: EverStep Solid, Signature Solid, GripStep Pro, and the associated SolidLux® finish. The consumer versions (EverStep and GripStep Home) are not included; the standard product pages apply to those systems.
The performance requirements in this handbook are general in nature. Project-specific requirements — for example based on building type, escape-route function, or local regulations — must always be assessed separately by an Omnistair project specialist or the competent building consultant.
See also
This technical handbook is used by architects, owners' association (VvE) boards, painters, advisors and stair renovation companies. See the application for your field: architects, owners' associations (VvE), painters, advisors and stair renovation companies. Looking for an installer near you? See the dealer overview.
Would you like a technical assessment of your project?
Do you have questions about application, system selection, or project-specific requirements? An Omnistair project specialist will work with you — including technical documentation and detail drawings on request.
Omnistair™
Noordkade 68 · Waddinxveen · The Netherlands Proprietary technology · patent protected · registered design Developed in collaboration with SolidLux® — Koninklijke Van Wijhe Verf
The information in this technical handbook is based on practical experience, product-specific system build-ups, internal test data, and general application techniques used in Omnistair® systems. Substrates, building conditions, moisture exposure, structural properties, and project circumstances may vary from one situation to another. Application, preparation, and suitability must therefore always be assessed for the specific project by a competent executing party.
The guidelines, detailing principles, system build-ups, and illustrations in this document are provided solely as general technical information and do not constitute a complete execution guarantee for every project situation. Omnistair® reserves the right to amend product specifications, system build-ups, and technical recommendations without prior notice in response to technological developments, practical experience, or changes in regulations.
All texts, system details, illustrations, visualisations, detail drawings, and technical elaborations in this document are the intellectual property of Omnistair® and may not be copied, reproduced, or used commercially without written permission.
© Omnistair® — All rights reserved.
Technical documentation intended for architectural, renovation, commercial-building, and project applications.