2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide

11B-504.4.1 Contrasting stripe.

Interior stairs shall have the upper approach and lower tread marked by a stripe providing clear visual contrast. Exterior stairs shall have the upper approach and all treads marked by a stripe providing clear visual contrast.

The stripe shall be a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm) wide to a maximum of 4 inches (102 mm) wide placed parallel to, and not more than 1 inch (25 mm) from, the nose of the step or upper approach. The stripe shall extend the full width of the step or upper approach and shall be of material that is at least as slip resistant as the other treads of the stair. A painted stripe shall be acceptable. Grooves shall not be used to satisfy this requirement.

Advisory 11B-504.4.1 Contrasting stripe.  Some designers propose to provide a group of tooled grooves in lieu of the contrasting color. While grooves do provide shadow lines in some lighting conditions, these shadows cannot be relied upon under all lighting conditions. In addition, the spaces between the grooves do not provide any contrast.◼