There are three widely-held misconceptions about pedestrian slip resistance. If you’re aware of them it can help you avoid a nasty, expensive, and possibly life-changing surprise. Fallacy #1: “If a floor has a matte finish — that is, it’s not “shiny” —, it won’t be slippery when wet.” Truth is, many floors that have a matte … Continue reading “Three Common Fallacies about Floor Slip Resistance”
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Situation-Specific Floor Slip Resistance Testing Standards
In the USA, pedestrian slip resistance standards for flooring have traditionally been pass-fail. For instance, a coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.60 might be considered “safe” but 0.59 was “not safe.” This applied to any situation provided the floor was level. Recently the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has published some standards that are a … Continue reading “Situation-Specific Floor Slip Resistance Testing Standards”
Variables that Affect Slip Resistance of Polished Concrete
At the 6th Annual International Concrete Polishing & Staining Conference in Atlanta in September 2013, a panel discussion was organized and chaired by Ken Fisher of Nu-Safe. On the panel were the manufacturer of the BOT-3000E tribometer (floor slip resistance test meter); an Orlando attorney for large international property owners; and slip and fall prevention … Continue reading “Variables that Affect Slip Resistance of Polished Concrete”
BOT-3000 Data Can Help Building Owners Monitor Changes in Floor Slip Resistance
Periodic testing of your company’s floors’ slip resistance can detect problems so they can be solved before they cause an accident, and can help verify that there are no remaining problems. Routine monitoring slip tests are typically conducted quarterly, semiannually, or annually. However, various unrelated pedestrian factors such as prescription and non-prescription drug use, intoxication, … Continue reading “BOT-3000 Data Can Help Building Owners Monitor Changes in Floor Slip Resistance”
Misleading ASTM C 1028 Friction Test Continues to Wreak Havoc in the USA
Misguided investments of hundreds of millions of dollars in slippery flooring … pain, suffering, and financial losses to accident victims and their families … lawsuits by the thousands … and lack of consumer confidence in ceramic tile and other hard flooring: these are some of the consequences of a poorly-conceived floor “slip-resistance” test — ASTM … Continue reading “Misleading ASTM C 1028 Friction Test Continues to Wreak Havoc in the USA”
Anti-Slip Transparent Coating Lets Hotels Eliminate Tub/Shower Mats
Most hotels and motels with slippery bathtub and shower floors have been using suction cup mats to give bathers safer footing, albeit only on a small part of the slippery surface. These mats need to be laundered daily or they will harbor bacteria, foot fungus and mold. Because of the laundering the mats deteriorate quickly … Continue reading “Anti-Slip Transparent Coating Lets Hotels Eliminate Tub/Shower Mats”
BREAKING NEWS: Dynamic Slip Testing Enters International Building Code!
Slip accident prevention in the USA and Canada finally emerged from the Stone Age when dynamic coefficient of friction testing with a specific test method and safety standard became a verified part of the current International Building Code (IBC) in February 2013. The IBC is used mainly in the USA, but a few others use it … Continue reading “BREAKING NEWS: Dynamic Slip Testing Enters International Building Code!”
Top 5 Ways of Keeping your Slippery Floor Dry
Many of the most attractive floors are smooth and glossy, and over 99 percent of those are slippery when wet although they often have excellent slip resistance when dry. When they’re near an outside door special care is needed to keep them dry to prevent slip accidents. Here’s how. 1. Have an overhang outside so … Continue reading “Top 5 Ways of Keeping your Slippery Floor Dry”
Travel and Dining Apps, Websites Report on Slippery Floors
Think no one notices that your business has slippery floors? Check out web sites and apps like TripAdvisor and Yelp. Customers are likely to report slippery floors, and this could attract scammers. (Some of the reports may even be posted by scammers in preparation for their next score!) You don’t need that kind of publicity. … Continue reading “Travel and Dining Apps, Websites Report on Slippery Floors”
Safe Coefficient of Friction Values for Inclined Surfaces (Ramps)
At Safety Direct America, we are experts in slip resistance (or coefficient of friction) testing. There is little information available in regards to what COF is required for different angles of pedestrian ramps.This blog entry discusses some published information on the subject of how much coefficient of friction is needed on various types of ramps … Continue reading “Safe Coefficient of Friction Values for Inclined Surfaces (Ramps)”