What are the Omnistair claims based on?

Anyone researching stair renovation encounters claims everywhere: the strongest material, the best anti-slip, fully fire-safe. Often without a source, without a figure and without a standard. Omnistair takes a different approach. Every technical claim we make publicly is based on a test report, a product information sheet or an official standard; legal claims such as the patent are based on granted registrations — and in this article you can read exactly which ones, what they mean and why some properties only apply to specific products.

Why we state claims per product, not brand-wide

The Omnistair platform consists of several systems: EverStep, EverStep Solid, Signature and the GripStep line. These systems share the same base material — recycled natural stone composite — but differ in construction and finish. That is why not every property applies to every product. Fire class Bfl-s1, for example, applies exclusively to EverStep Solid and GripStep Pro, because it is achieved through the specific finish. Claiming a property brand-wide when it differs per product does not inform the customer honestly. We therefore state for each property which product it has been demonstrated for.

Strength: demonstrated by test report

Natural stone composite is a compound mineral material with recycled natural stone components. The mechanical properties of the overlay tread profile have been established in an independent test report: tensile strength 535 MPa, compressive strength 752 MPa and flexural strength 680 MPa. Our fixed wording therefore always reads in full: stronger than structural steel — tensile strength 535 MPa, demonstrated by test report. The test values are based on standardised test samples and serve as an indicative guideline. In the article on the strength of natural stone composite we explain all values and test methods.

Anti-slip: in accordance with NEN 7909 — and why this does not apply to every product

NEN 7909 is the Dutch standard for slip resistance of walking surfaces. EverStep Solid and GripStep Pro meet the requirements of this standard: the measured dynamic coefficient of friction is well above the threshold values for dry and wet use. The standard EverStep deliberately carries no NEN reference: there, the anti-slip is integrated into the colour pigments and the material composition — real texture, not a layer on top. We explain the difference between both approaches in the article on anti-slip and NEN 7909.

Fire class Bfl-s1: exclusively for EverStep Solid and GripStep Pro

EverStep Solid owes its fire class Bfl-s1 to the SolidLux coating system, tested in accordance with the European standard EN 13501-1. The addition s1 stands for limited smoke development — an essential factor for staircases, the escape route of every building. Within Omnistair, fire class Bfl-s1 applies to EverStep Solid and GripStep Pro, both through the SolidLux finish and tested in accordance with EN 13501-1. This classification is relevant for schools, care institutions and other public buildings where fire requirements apply; whether the full programme of requirements is met is assessed per project. We do not claim this fire class for the other Omnistair systems. More on this in the article on fire class Bfl-s1.

Indoor air and emissions: tested by Eurofins

The SolidLux coating system of EverStep Solid has been tested by Eurofins and meets the requirements of Indoor Air Comfort Gold — one of the strictest European assessments for emissions into indoor air. The system is also solvent-free and is applied with a bio-based adhesion primer, produced by Royal Van Wijhe Verf, the first chemical company in the world with B Corp certification. What these test results mean for homes, schools and care environments can be read in the article on emissions and indoor air. How primer, base coat and top coat together make these performances possible can be read in the article on the SolidLux UV coating system.

Patented system: what that does and does not mean

Omnistair is the only patented system in recycled natural stone composite in the world. The patent has been granted and the design is registered. In addition, Omnistair works with exclusive production agreements: the same Omnistair system is not offered under other names through the same production chain. For dealers this is market protection; for consumers it is certainty about the origin of the installed system. In the article on the patented system we explain the difference between a patent, a registered design and exclusive production.

For professionals: documentation on request

Architects, homeowner associations, housing corporations and dealers preparing a project file or tender can request the underlying documentation: test reports on the mechanical properties, the product information sheets of the SolidLux coating system and the relevant standard references. This way, every claim in a quotation or specification can be substantiated with the corresponding document. The overlay treads are produced under exclusive production agreements for Omnistair.

A claim is only worth something if it can be verified. That is why Omnistair works with fixed wordings, fixed figures and fixed sources — on the website, in the brochure and in every conversation. In doubt about anything, or would you like to see a specific document? Contact us via our contact page and you will receive the substantiation behind the claim.