How to Estimate Tactile Indicator Quantities from a Floor Plan (With Worked Examples)

Counting tactile indicators from a plan is quick once you know four numbers. This article gives the numbers, the method and three worked examples, using the MetalX standard geometry: studs at 50 mm centres, bars at 75 mm centres, 300 × 300 mm tiles.

The four numbers

For a 600 mm-wide path double the bars (26.7 per metre). For bar tiles on a 300 mm path use 3.3 per metre. A warning square at a junction is usually the path width squared or 600 × 600 mm: 144 studs or 4 tiles.

The method

1. Mark every hazard on the plan: top and bottom of each stair and escalator, each lift, each level change, each platform edge, each kerb ramp. Measure the width of each.
2. Draw the guiding paths from each entrance to the destinations the standard requires (reception, gates, lifts, platforms). Measure the length. Mark every turn, junction and end.
3. Count fields: width × 240 studs, or width ÷ 0.3 × 2 tiles, for each.
4. Count paths: length × 13.3 bars.
5. Count squares: 144 studs or 4 tiles per turn, junction and destination.
6. Add wastage: 2% for stainless steel, brass, aluminium and PU; 3–5% for porcelain.
7. Round up to cartons (studs 500 or 1,000; bars 100 or 200; tiles 10 or 20).

Worked example 1: an office staircase

Stair 1.8 m wide, three flights, floors connected by long landings. Fields at the head and foot of each flight: 6 fields × 1.8 m × 240 = 2,592 studs, or 6 × 12 = 72 tiles. Add 2%: 2,650 studs or 74 tiles. Order 3,000 studs (three cartons) or 80 tiles. See laying out tactile indicators on stairs for the setback rules.

Worked example 2: a metro platform

Two side platforms 140 m long. Edge fields: 2 × 140 × 6.7 = 1,876 tiles. Four escalator and stair landings 2.4 m wide top and bottom: 8 × 16 = 128 tiles. Two lifts per platform: 4 squares × 4 = 16 tiles. Total 2,020 tiles; add 2% and round: 2,070 tiles. Guiding paths from the two entrances through the concourse, 180 m total: 180 × 13.3 = 2,394 bars, plus 12 junction squares × 144 = 1,728 loose studs. Order 2,500 bars and 2,000 studs.

Worked example 3: a hospital OPD corridor

Guiding path 120 m from reception along the corridor with 8 department entrances and 3 junctions. Path: 120 × 13.3 = 1,596 PU bars. Squares: 11 × 144 = 1,584 PU studs. Two stair sets 1.5 m wide: 4 fields × 1.5 × 240 = 1,440 studs. Total: 1,600 bars and 3,024 studs; add 2% and round to 1,700 bars and 3,500 studs.

Common counting errors

• Forgetting the field at the top of a stair.
• Counting a path but not its junction squares.
• Measuring platform length but not both platforms.
• Assuming 300 mm depth instead of 600 mm.
• Ordering exact quantities with no spares for the facilities team.

Send MetalX the plan and we will return a bill of quantities by product and material, with a quotation, usually within two working days.