3.11.3.3 Walls and Column Finishes Selection
The requirements of wall and column finishes may differ over three zones. These three
zones are:
• Skirting (from floor finish to a minimum of 150mm high)
• Walls within reach (between the top of the skirting and 2600mm above floor finish) • Walls out of reach (above 2600mm).
a) Skirting
The skirting zone is highly vulnerable to damage and discolouration due to foot traffic,
floor cleaning methods and vandalism. Therefore the design and selection of the skirting
must consider the following assessment criteria.
General skirting assessment must include:
• Design life as specified in the User Requirements Brief
• Resistance to damage from cleaning machines and skateboarders)
• Options for colour contrast to the floor as required by AS1428 parts 1 and 2
• Visibility of accumulated dirt, grease and scuff marks
• Coordination with door hardware, stair details stairs and skirtings
• Coordination with kerb up-stands as part of any adjacent balustrade
Integrate control joints, expansion joints, access covers, air grilles etc, all with their
associated framing and fixings
b) Walls Within Reach
The heavy use wall zone is highly vulnerable to damage and discolouration due to:
• Intensive use, including the regular ‘wear and tear’ of passengers brushing up
against the wall surfaces as they use the station
• Vandalism
• Infrequent cleaning and maintenance.
The design and selection of the heavy use wall material must consider the following:
• Design life as specified in the User Requirements Brief
• Visual contrast and surface reflectance requirements as prescribed by AS1428
parts 1 and 2
• Avoidance of distracting or disorientating patterns, texture and glare
• Sub-structure and framing requirements
• Ease of integration with balustrades, glazing and canopies
• Integrate access covers, air grilles etc, all with their associated framing and fixings
• Light reflectance values as required to support the lighting design
• Sound absorption where required to support the overall station acoustic design
• Ease of replacing individual damaged panels
• Coordination with station operational requirements including signage, door
hardware, PA speaker mounting etc.
c) Walls Out Of Reach
The requirements of the high level zone are similar to the heavy use wall zone except
that it is less likely to be subject to vandalism or impact forces. For this reason, the high
level zone is more likely to be lightweight and integrate the functions of acoustic
absorption, services coordination and incorporate fixtures such as EWIS, lighting and PA
speakers. At some stations, this zone may also form part of the smoke management
system.
Refer to
• Figure 3.7.1 – Wall and Column Finishes Zones