Epirez Safestep 550 Non-Slip Epoxy Coating 8L

EPIREZ Safe Step 550 is a high-solids, heavy-duty epoxy anti-slip coating designed for slippery areas where strong traction is required for pedestrians and rolling equipment. It creates an aggressive, textured surface designed for demanding industrial, commercial and marine environments.

Safe Step 550 is formulated with epoxy resins to provide toughness, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance and strong adhesion to concrete and metal surfaces. Its sealed, nonporous surface also makes the coating easier to clean.

The coating has been developed for areas exposed to heavy traffic from forklifts, steel-wheeled vehicles and pedestrians, including wet areas, ramps, loading terminals, stairways, catwalks, gangplanks and harsh marine environments.

Key Features and Benefits

• Heavy-duty anti-slip coating: Designed for slippery areas requiring high traction for pedestrian and rolling traffic.
• R12 slip resistance: Tested by CSIRO according to AS 4586:2013 Appendix D.
• Aggressive friction profile: Provides a high-traction surface for demanding traffic areas.
• Excellent wear resistance: Designed for areas exposed to heavy traffic and demanding conditions.
• High impact resistance: Formulated for industrial and marine environments.
• Chemical resistance: Resistant to acids, alkalis, solvents, grease, oil, salt water and other listed substances.
• Strong adhesion: Provides optimum adhesion to concrete and metal surfaces.
• High-solids formulation: Contains 93% solids.
• Multiple application methods: Can be applied by roller, trowel or spray equipment.
• Colour options: Available in a full range of colours with EPIREZ Colourpack.

Where Can EPIREZ Safe Step 550 Be Used?

Safe Step 550 is designed for areas where a durable, high-traction surface is required.

• Ramps for vehicular and pedestrian traffic
• Wet areas subject to vehicular and pedestrian traffic
• Chemical plants
• Printing plants
• Wharves and loading terminals
• Heavy manufacturing
• Commercial fishing operations
• Oil refineries
• Wet deck areas of cargo vessels
• Harsh marine environments
• Fuel handling depots
• Stairways, catwalks and gangplanks
• Oil platforms
• Mining and construction industries

Anti-Slip Performance

Safe Step 550 has been tested by CSIRO and has an R12 anti-slip rating according to AS 4586:2013 Appendix D.

The coating is designed to create an aggressive friction surface with high traction. Roller application produces the most aggressive non-slip characteristics with an irregular, ridged profile, while trowel application produces a rough, textured surface.

For roller application, the non-slip aggregate needs to remain properly exposed. If the aggregate is not adequately exposed, the surface may become slippery when wet.

Chemical and Corrosion Resistance

EPIREZ Safe Step 550 is formulated to provide resistance to a wide range of substances encountered in industrial, marine and commercial environments.

• Acids
• Alkalis
• Solvents
• Grease
• Oil
• Salt water
• Salt spray
• Detergents
• Alcohol
• Petrol
• Diesel
• Jet fuels
• Hydraulic fluids

The coating's tenacious bond is designed so that rust will not creep beneath the coating if it becomes fractured.

Coverage and Kit Size

Each 8 L Safe Step 550 kit requires 1 kg of EPIREZ Colourpack.

Application Method	Kit Size	Colourpack	Estimated Coverage
Roller	8 L	1 kg EPIREZ Colourpack	6.4 m²
Trowel	8 L	1 kg EPIREZ Colourpack	8.8 m²

Application of EPIREZ Safe Step 550

Safe Step 550 can be applied using:

• Roller
• Trowel
• Spray equipment, where required

Roller Application

Roller application creates the most aggressive non-slip profile, with an irregular and ridged surface.

• Use a hard-faced roller.
• Pour a ribbon of Safe Step 550 approximately 600 mm long and 150 mm wide.
• Roll in one direction using slow, straight strokes.
• Pull the material towards you using moderate pressure.
• Avoid excessive rolling or pressing down too heavily.
• Roll across welds rather than along them to avoid excessive material build-up.
• Do not apply the material too thickly, as it may not cure properly.

Trowel Application

Trowel application produces a rough, textured surface with excellent non-slip characteristics.

• Use a flexible-bladed plasterer's finishing trowel approximately 100 mm × 300 mm.
• Use smooth edges rather than a notched trowel.
• Pour a ribbon of Safe Step 550 approximately 600 mm long and 150 mm wide.
• Hold the trowel at approximately 45° to the surface.
• Spread using a sweeping motion.
• Reverse the trowel angle for the opposite stroke.
• Use straight strokes when covering corners and similar areas.

Concrete Surface Preparation

Remove previous coatings, loose crumbly material and drummy areas before applying Safe Step 550.

• New concrete must be at least 28 days old.
• Remove oil and grease using a suitable surface degreaser.
• Hose off with high-pressure water.
• Allow the surface to dry.
• Acid etch using EPIREZ® Concrete Etch & Cleaner.
• Neutralise with fresh water and allow the surface to dry.

As an alternative, lightly captive blast clean the concrete to expose firmly held aggregate to industrially accepted standards.

Good-quality, dense prepared concrete can be coated directly. Porous or highly absorbent concrete should be primed with EPIREZ Epoxy Primer/Sealer before application.

Steel Surface Preparation

Steel should be abrasive blast cleaned to AS 1627 Part 4:2005 to a Class 2½ white-metal finish, with a minimum profile height of 75–100 microns.

Coating of prepared steel should be completed within 4 hours.

Porous, highly absorbent surfaces and steel should be primed with EPIREZ Epoxy Primer/Sealer before applying Safe Step 550.

Priming and Recoating

When primer is required, apply EPIREZ Epoxy Primer/Sealer using a long-nap roller or airless spray. Work the primer into the surface profile and pores to ensure complete penetration.

Allow the primer to dry for approximately 3 hours or until touch dry before applying Safe Step 550. High humidity and low temperatures can extend drying time.

Safe Step 550 should be applied within 24 hours after priming.

Mixing Instructions

The mixing ratio is 1 part Hardener to 5 parts Compound by volume.

• Precondition the product to between 18°C and 25°C before use.
• Add the complete selected Colourpack contents to each 8 L Compound.
• Mix thoroughly using a slow-speed mechanical mixer at approximately 400 rpm.
• Make sure any settled material is lifted from the bottom and uniformly dispersed.
• Add the entire Hardener container to the Compound.
• Mix for approximately 3–5 minutes until the colour and appearance are uniform.
• Scrape the bottom and sides during mixing to ensure complete incorporation.
• Avoid air entrapment by keeping the mixer propeller below the liquid line.

The working pot life is approximately 1 hour at 20°C.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Technical Data
Product	EPIREZ Safe Step 550
Product Type	High-solids, heavy-duty non-slip epoxy coating
Mixing Ratio by Volume	1 Hardener to 5 Compound
Solids Content	93%
Density	1.92
Application Temperature	10°C to 40°C
Work Time	1 hour at 20°C
Tack Free Time	8 hours at 25°C
Light Traffic	24 hours
Heavy Traffic	72 hours
Full Chemical Resistance	7 days
Dry Coefficient of Friction	0.88
Wet Coefficient of Friction	0.93
Slip Resistance	R12 according to AS 4586:2013 Appendix D, as tested by CSIRO
Application Methods	Roller, trowel or spray equipment
Roller Coverage	6.4 m² per 8 L kit with 1 kg EPIREZ® Colourpack
Trowel Coverage	8.8 m² per 8 L kit with 1 kg EPIREZ® Colourpack
Steel Blast Profile	Minimum 75–100 microns

Important: Always read the current manufacturer's Technical Data Sheet before mixing, surface preparation or application.