Pictoform® Cast iron Ø36 knobbed tiles. Søndre Strand beach, Køge coast.
TACTILE GUIDANCE SYSTEM
– FOR THE BLIND AND THE SIGHT-IMPAIRED
The Pictoform® tactile guidance system is one of the results of a Danish research project called ‘Bykort for Blinde’ (which means “urban mapping for the sight-impaired”). This initiative was set in motion in 1993 by Dansk Design Center and the Danish Board of Business Development in 1993. GH Form won the 1997 ID award and the 2015 iF Award for its Pictoform® tactile guidance system for the sight-impaired.
In collaboration with Knud Holscher Industrial Design and landscape architect Charlotte Skibsted, GH Form came up with the idea of a system of tactile paving in 1995, which is intended to make it easier for the blind and sight-impaired to navigate urban environments. The Picto-line® range was designed by White Arkitekter in partnership with GH Form.
They can serve as a guided route across a particular space, signal a transition from (for example) pavement to road or indicate the location of a bus stop, and so on. There will be a particular need to install the system at traffic hotspots and town centres with open squares and pedestrianised streets.
All the principles set out in the catalogue are for instructional purposes only, as there is currently no universally-adopted standard. Specifications can vary from country to country, based on differing cultural requirements. Local sight-impairment consultants can be brought into each specific project as and when required.
All our cast iron Pictoform® products are EPD certified. EPD is an environmental product declaration that was developed to European and international standards as defined in EN 15804.
Product-specific EPD certifications help our customers to provide appropriate environmental declaration. Our EPD certifications can be downloaded from the EPD Denmark database at epddanmark.dk.
PRINCIPLES
A square or circular attention block is laid where guidance lines meet, perpendicular to the attention block. Pictoform® Cast iron tile Ø36 knobbed and Pictoform® 36 Tile with 4 guidance lines. / Aarhus City Centre.
ESTABLISHING OF TACTILE GUIDED PATHS
PRINCIPLES
GH Form tactile guide elements should be laid to follow natural lines of movement. They can be traced by foot or using a stick. The special form of the paving and the sounds the various profiles produce when contacted by a mobility guidance stick are a way to aid the blind and the sight-impaired to navigate.
This is a very simple system that uses only two guidance indicators.
The first guidance element uses a repeated elongated form that means “go”.
The second is a semi-spherical element that is positioned in blocks to indicate “pay full attention”.
A guidance line is laid perpendicular to an “attention block”. A route should not change direction without the presence of the latter.
The guidance line should start and end with an attention block to ensure that the guidance line is easy to locate.
There should be plenty of space on either side of the guidance line to ensure that it can be followed in both directions.
Attention blocks should draw attention to a new “event”, such as the end of the guided route, a change of direction, a pedestrian crossing, a ticket sales point, stairways and lifts/elevators.
Attention blocks can be laid with no connected guidance line, but guidance lines should not be established without the presence of an attention block.
These principles are key to the concept and apply both indoors and outdoors.
The size of the attention block will depend on traffic conditions. As a general rule, outdoor blocks should be at least a single step. Smaller attention blocks can be used where space does not permit the use of normal size blocks.
Blocked fields at pedestrian crossings and at the top of stairs must be at least 600 mm deep. The blocked field should cover the entire width of the crossing or stairway.
Indoor environments may necessitate guided routes to reception desks, lifts/elevators, toilets, routes to/from the main entrance and so on.
Smaller attention blocks may suffice indoors, as people normally walk more slowly indoors than they do outside.
GUIDED PATHWAYS AND ATTENTION BLOCKS FOR:
CHANGE OF DIRECTION
A square attention block should be positioned where guided pathways meet, perpendicular to the attention block.
STAIRWAYS
A 600 mm deep attention block should be positioned at least 300 mm before the topmost step, covering the entire width of the stairway. An attention block is not required at the foot of stairways, unless you want to communicate “this is where the stairway is.”
PEDESTRIAN
CROSSING
A 600 mm deep attention block should be positioned at least 300 mm before the kerb, covering the entire width of the crossing.
OPEN SPACES
Guided pathways with attention blocks can be laid on large open spaces and squares etc., where there may be no other navigation points. A minimum of 500 mm passing space should be left on both sides of the guided pathway when setting up booths, cycle stands and clothing racks etc.
TRAFFIC
HOTSPOTS
Traffic hotspots should be planned according to the aforementioned principles.
INDOORS
Guided pathways can be required indoors for reception desks, lifts/elevators, toilets, routes to/from the main entrance and so on. Smaller attention blocks may suffice indoors, as people normally walk more slowly indoors than they do outside.
Guidance lines are laid to follow natural walking routes and can be followed by foot or stick. Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen.
The indicators are cast either as “knobs” or a linear path. Guided pathways can be selected with either a single line or with a triple parallel line profile.
On large open squares etc. with no other orientation points, a guided pathway is established using attention blocks.
PICTOFORM ® 26 PAVING AND TILES
TACTILE GUIDANCE SYSTEM
The cast iron elements are available in several variants and can be supplied and installed as tiles or paving slabs. The tactile guidance texturing is cast either as semi-spherical “knobs” or as elongated lines. Guided pathways can use either a single line or a system of three parallel lines.
When installing guided pathways, we recommend the installation of attention blocks where the guided pathway starts and ends. This helps users to find their way to and from the guided pathway. Attention blocks should also be laid where the pathway changes direction. Attention blocks can be laid in isolation, such as at pedestrian crossings, stairways and so on.
For an overview of product numbers, please go to page 24.
All solo elements in the Pictoform® 26 series are available in bronze and can be supplied with or without holes.
D23038
Indoor environments may necessitate guided routes to reception desks, lifts/elevators, toilets, routes to/from the main entrance and so on.
Smaller attention blocks may suffice indoors, as people normally walk more slowly indoors than they do outside.
PICTOFORM ® 26 SOLO ELEMENTS
GUIDED PATHWAY SYSTEM USING SOLO ELEMENTS
Rust-resistant steel and bronze are very durable materials, which can cope with large amounts of wear and tear.
Guided pathway system elements are available in two sizes: 26 x 70 mm and 26 x 90 mm. They can also be produced to custom lengths on a “by project” basis. Each semi-spherical “knob” is 26 mm in diameter.
The elements are available in two variants: one for securing to a glued anchor point and one for securing with glue alone. This type of guided pathway will require a certain amount of maintenance, according to where it is positioned.
For an overview of product numbers, please go to page 25.
Paving slabs and tiles in the Pictoform® ranges feature cast indicators in the form of lines or semi-spherical knobs.
B11027
Attention blocks can be laid in isolation, such as at pedestrian crossings, stairways and similar locations where pedestrians need to be advised of a potential hazard or point of interest.
PICTOFORM ® 36 PAVING
TACTILE GUIDANCE SYSTEM
AND TILES
The cast iron elements are available in various sizes and can be supplied and installed as tiles or paving slabs. The textured guide pattern is cast either as lines or semi-spherical “knobs”, which designate a path to follow and an “attention” block, respectively.
The square tiles and paving slabs each have four rows of lines, each line being 36 mm wide. The rectangular tiles and paving slabs each have one row of lines, each line being 36mm wide. The Ø36 mm “knobs” on the square tiles and paving slabs are aligned in a diagonal pattern covering the item.
When installing guided pathways, we recommend the installation of attention blocks at the beginning and end of the guided pathway. Attention blocks should also be positioned where the path changes direction and at other locations where attention is required. Linear pathways and attention blocks should, as far as possible, be perpendicular to each other.
For an overview of product numbers, please go to page 26.
E13057 & E23053
Pictoform® Solo elements from both the, 26 and 36 ranges can be used both indoors and outdoors, depending on the surfacing. Both types should be installed on top of existing surfacing.
Ø36 Solo elements are available in cast iron or rust-resistant steel in the variants presented in the product overview. The 35 mm long Ø8 installation wedges on the underside are conical.
The rust-resistant elements are available with durable inlaid epoxy in contrasting colours.
PICTOFORM ® 36 SOLO ELEMENTS
GUIDED PATHWAY SYSTEM USING SOLO ELEMENTS
Solo elements are available in both cast iron and rust-resistant steel variants. Please see the product overview for the exact details. The elements have conical Ø8 mm 35 mm long studs.
The rust-resistant elements are available either with or without durable inlaid epoxy in contrasting colours.
When installing guided pathways, we recommend the installation of attention blocks at the beginning and end of the guided pathway. Attention blocks should also be positioned where the path changes direction and at other locations where attention is required. Linear pathways and attention blocks should, as far as possible, be perpendicular to each other.
Attention blocks can be laid in isolation, such as at pedestrian crossings, stairways and similar locations where pedestrians need to be advised of a potential hazard or point of interest.
For an overview of product numbers, please go to page 27.
We offer the option of contrasting colours in reflective finishes where extra accentuation of guided pathways and attention blocks is required.
E13071 & E23074
PICTOFORM ® 36 SOLO ELEMENTS
– WITH REFLECTIVE CONTRAST COLOURS
We offer the option of contrasting colours in reflective finishes where extra accentuation of guided pathways and attention blocks is required.
The light-sensitive particles in these elements store up light during daylight, even on overcast days. After dark, the elements emit a flourescent illumination effect that remains visible during the hours of darkness.
For an overview of product numbers, please go to page 27.
PICTOFORM ® 26 PRODUCT OVERVIEW
PAVING AND TILES
A21003 Pictoform® Knobbed element / Concrete
A21004 Pictoform® knobbed element / Concrete
B21005 Pictoform® Knobbed element / Cast iron
B21006 Pictoform® Knobbed element / Cast iron
B21007 Pictoform® Knobbed element / Cast iron
B21008 Pictoform® Knobbed element / Cast iron
E11050 Pictoform® Knobbed element / Rust-resistant steel
A11011 Pictoform® Guide element / Concrete
A11012 Pictoform® Guide element / Concrete
B11013 Pictoform® Guide element / Cast iron
B11018 Pictoform® Guide element / Cast iron
B11019 Pictoform® Guide element / Cast iron
B11021 Pictoform® Guide element / Cast iron - single line
x
x
x 70
x 300 x 70
x
x 70
x 70
x 300 x 70
x
x 70
B11020 Pictoform® Guide element / Cast iron 300 x 300 x 70
B22021 Pictoform® Knobbed element / Cast iron
B22023 Pictoform® Knobbed element / Cast iron
B22027 Pictoform® Knobbed element / Cast iron
x 300 x 8
x 300 x 8
x 400 x 8
E22029 Pictoform® Knobbed element / Rust-resistant steel 350 x 350 x 8
B12031 Pictoform® Guide element / Cast iron
B12033 Pictoform® Guide element / Cast iron
B12034 Pictoform® Guide element / Cast iron
B12035 Pictoform® Guide element / Cast iron
E12036 Pictoform® Guide element / Rust-resistant steel
B12037 Pictoform® Guide element / Cast iron
x 350 x 8
x 300 x 8
SOLO ELEMENTS
D23038 Pictoform® Solo knobbed element Ø26 with installation hole
E23039 Pictoform® Solo knobbed element Ø26 with installation hole
Bronze
Rust-resistant steel
D23040 Pictoform® Solo knobbed element Ø26
E23041 Pictoform® Solo knobbed element Ø26
Bronze
Rust-resistant steel
D13042 Pictoform® Solo guide element 26 x 70 with installation hole
D13046 Pictoform® Solo guide element 26 x 90 with installation hole
E13043 Pictoform® Solo guide element 26 x 70 with installation hole
E13047 Pictoform® Solo guide element 26 x 90 with installation hole
Bronze
Bronze
Rust-resistant steel
Rust-resistant steel
D13044 Pictoform® Solo guide element 26 x 70
D13048 Pictoform® Solo guide element 26 x 90
E13045 Pictoform® Solo guide element 26 x 70
E13049 Pictoform® Solo guide element 26 x 90
ACCESSORY
E25001 Glue anchor point, rust-resistant steel with hole
E25002 Wood screws, Pictoform wood stainless 4 x 20 TX20
GH131083 Template 900 x 900 for Ø36 / Diagonal Pictoform® knobbed block
GH131084 Template 900 x 900 for Ø36 / Square Pictoform® knobbed block
GH131085 Template 600 x 600 for Ø36 / Diagonal Pictoform® knobbed block
GH131086 Template 600 x 600 for Ø36 / Square Pictoform® knobbed block
GH131087 Template 300 x 300 for Ø36 / Diagonal Pictoform® knobbed block
GH131088 Template 300 x 300 for Ø36 / Square Pictoform® knobbed block
Picto-line
350 x 350 x 70 mm.
Picto-line® is part of a range of two paving elements: a guide slab and a warning slab that are each designed for various situations. The guide slab is also available in a variant with an integrated kerb stone.
PICTO-LINE ® WHITE
ARKITEKER
Picto-line® slabs are either 350 mm or 600 mm wide. The paving slab is made of cast iron and features a tactile pattern. It is designed to help the blind and sight-impaired to find their way around urban environments.
Picto-line® is part of a range of two paving elements: a guide slab and a warning slab that are each designed for various situations. The guide slab is also available in a variant with an integrated kerb stone.
Picto-line® is made of cast iron. It can be laid as paving in the exact same way as any other solid paving slab.
The guide pattern is constant and continues without interruption for the entire length of the guided pathway.
The warning slab has a knobbed pattern that is formed according to the design of the guide element.
WA124011 Picto-line® Slab with linear guide
WA124012 Picto-line® Slab with linear guide
WA124013 Picto-line® Slab with linear guide
WA124014 Picto-line® Kerb slab with knobbed pattern
WA124015 Picto-line® Kerb slab with linear guide / Slip-resistant
WA124021 Picto-line® Kerb slab with linear guide
x
x
D23038 & D13046
PRODUCT RANGE AND MATERIALS
PRODUCT INFORMATION
All slabs and tiles should be inlaid with the standard paving. Paving slabs are suitable for outdoor use. The tiles can be used both indoors and outdoors and are particularly suitable for large halls, at entrances and similar locations.
Paving slabs and tiles in the Pictoform® and Picto-line® ranges feature cast indicators in the form of linear profiles or semi-spherical knobs.
Linear paving slabs or tiles should be positioned to form a continued line indicating the path that should be followed. Paving slabs or tiles with kobbed patterns should be used to form attention blocks in sizes appropriate to the specific location.
Pictoform® solo elements from both the, 26 and 36 ranges can be used both indoors and outdoors, depending on the surfacing. Both types should be installed on top of existing surfacing.
Elements from the Solo elements 26 range should only be installed with glue and/or glue and a glue anchor point. Elements from the Solo elements 36 range are supplied for either gluing or with cast tapered studding.
Before installing indivdual elements there should be an assessment of the underlying surface. Test holes should be drilled if appropriate.
The floor surfacing, structure and any underlying installations (such as in-floor heating) determines whether the elements should be secured into drilled holes or only attached to the surface with glue.
Element dimensions should be chosen so as not to cover surface grouting.
On granite surfaces or other surfaces that are unsuitable for drilling, the elements should only be secured with glue.
For outdoor installation we generally recommend that each element is secured with a glue anchor point/tapered studding.
All the individual elements are available in several different variants. One example of this flexibility is that the elements from the solo elements 36 range are available in rust-resistant steel with contrast colour inlays.
MATERIALS
CAST IRON
Cast iron is a material that most people are already familiar with in urban environments in the form of street surfacing elements like manhole covers and drainage grates. The Pictoform® and Picto-line® ranges are cast in a material that, over time, has the same durability, strength and patina as these familiar features.
Cast iron tiles and paving slabs are supplied with a slightly water-repellant surface treatment in a brownish shade. This treatment prevents the cast iron from shedding onto the surrounding paving surface. When the surface treatment has worn off after a while, the cast iron patinates to the same deep brown tone we are all so familiar with on our streets.
During outdoor installation, cast iron slabs must rest on a plastic underlay to prevent rust from coming into contact with existing paving nearby.
All paving and tiles in the Pictoline® and Pictoform® ranges, as well as the series 36 solo elements are made of cast iron. Paving slabs are 80 mm (Picto-line®) or 70 mm (Pictoform®) in height. They are cavitied castings and can be supplied with a sand/concrete mix, which makes not only them a good match with surrounding paving, but allows them to be laid in the same way as normal paving slabs.
Tiles are 8 mm high and are normally laid in wet concrete, both indoors and outdoors.
RUST-RESISTANT STEEL
Rust-resistant steel elements are built to AISI 316 standard, which makes them acid-resistant and very durable. The various elements have a high degree of surface uniformity but a small amount of variation can occur. This will become less noticeable after a short period of wear and tear and will eventually disappear altogether. Elements can be supplied in stained variants if the guided pathway is to be installed in particularly demanding environments, such as in proximity to railway lines or at indoor swimming pools etc.
All the Pictoform® 26 and 36 series solo elements, glue anchor points and some of the paving slabs and tiles are made of rust-resistant steel. 26 series solo elements can be supplied with or without holes. 36 series solo elements can be supplied with or without tapered studding and with or without inlaid epoxy contrast colours. Contrast colours are cast directly into the element and do not require the use of traditional solvents. Contrast colours are supplied on a by-order basis.
BRONZE
Bronze elements are built to CUSN 10 standard, which makes them acid-resistant and very durable. The various elements have a high degree of surface uniformity but a small amount of variation can occur. This will become less noticeable after a short period of wear and tear and will eventually disappear altogether.
All solo elements in the Pictoform® 26 series are available in bronze and can be supplied with or without holes. The elements are secured to the same rust-resistant steel glue anchors as those used for the steel elements from the same product range.
GH Form tactile guide elements should be laid follow natural lines of movement. They can be traced by foot or using a stick. Pictoform® 36 Soloelements.
E13057 & E23053
CALCULATING QUANTITIES
CALCULATING QUANTITIES - SOLO ELEMENTS
PICTOFORM ® 26
For one metre of guided pathway, use:
10 pcs. 90 mm guide elements
12 pcs. 70 mm guide elements
Diagonally patterned attention block with vertical/horizontal distance to centre of 75 mm:
300 x 300 mm = 0,1 m2 = 25 knobbed elements
600 x 600 mm = 0,36 m2 = 113 knobbed elements
900 x 900 mm = 0,81 m2 = 265 knobbed elements
1000 x 1000 mm = 1 m2 = 356 knobbed elements
PICTOFORM ® 36
For one metre of guided pathway, use:
3,3 stk af 290 mm guide elements
5,5 stk af 180 mm guide elements
Diagonally patterned attention block with vertical/horizontal distance to centre of 100 mm:
300 x 300 mm = 0,1 m2 = 13 stk knobbed elements
600 x 600 mm = 0,36 m2 = 61 stk knobbed elements
900 x 900 mm = 0,81m2 = 145 stk knobbed elements
1000 x 1000 mm = 1 m2 = 181 stk knobbed elements
Square patterned attention block with distance to centre of 60 mm:
300 x 300 mm = 0,1 m2 = 25 knobbed elements
600 x 600 mm = 0,36 m2 = 100 knobbed elements
900 x 900 mm = 0,81 m2 = 225 knobbed elements
1000 x 1000 mm = 1 m2 = 279 knobbed elements
Square patterned attention block with distance to centre of 85 mm:
GH Form has many years of experience providing advice to planned Pictoform® Tactile guided pathways and is pleased to be at your disposal to provide suggested solutions and advice about how to establish pathways using the minimum quantity of materials within the context of your project.
MAINTAINING TACTILE GUIDED PATHWAYS
We recommend an annual inspection of guided pathways and attention blocks that use solo elements so that any damage can be repaired.
Outdoor snow clearing with brushes and rotary brush snow removal machines is recommended wherever solo elements have been installed. The use of a snowplough can potentially cause installed elements to dislodge. Cast iron paving slabs and tiles should be cleaned in the same way as the surrounding paving.
INSTALLATION
GH Form also recommends that solo elements should be installed by GH Forms own fitters or by one of our regular partners in the Nordic countries. This is the only way we can be certain of the durability of the installed guided pathways and attention blocks. We also recommend that developers conclude maintenance agreements with GH Form or one of our partners.
DOKUMENTATION
Each delivered Pictoform® is supplied with the following for the supplied product
• FDV-dokumentation
• Installation instructions
EPD CERTIFIED PRODUCTS
All our cast iron Pictoform® products are EPD certified. EPD is an environmental product declaration that was developed to European and international standards as defined in EN 15804.
Product-specific EPD certifications help our customers to provide appropriate environmental declaration. Our EPD certifications can be downloaded from the EPD Denmark database at epddanmark.dk.
Please call us on +45 59 44 09 90 or send us an e-mail on mail@ghform.dk if you need any help or advice.
