Slip Resistant Coefficient

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Author Message mcc351 (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 09:54 am:    I'm trying to reference an ASTM or an ANSI number for dynamic coefficient of friction. For tile we typically reference ANSI A-137.1. But what do you reference if it is another flooring material such as resilient tile? The best answer I've come up with is "DCOF AcuTest using the BOT-3000 testing device". This appears to be a European/German standard. Not sure what to reference here in the US... Ronald L. Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 1371 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 10:14 am:    Try ANSI/NFSI B101.3-2012 "Test Method for Measuring Wet DCOF of Common Hard-Surface Floor Materials." Ron Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com Richard Gonser AIA CSI CCCA SCIP Senior Member Username: rich_gonser Post Number: 115 Registered: 11-2008 Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 10:39 am:    FYI; this ANSI/NFSI B101.3-2012 appears to be about testing and certifying the equipment to do the testing. mcc351 (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 10:25 am:    Thanks! OK I'm reviewing this standard. I'm reading an article that states the two use the same testing equipment but some of the requirements are different. The result is that what may pass under ANSI A-137.1 may not under B101-3. Article: https://safetydirectamerica.com/ansi-standards-floor-slip-resistance/ Ronald L. Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 1372 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 10:53 am:    Richard: Here's what ANSI says is covered in the standard: "This test method specifies the procedures and devices used for both laboratory and field testing to measure the wet dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) of common hard-surface floor materials." This method references standards for calibrating the equipment, but does not address calibration directly. It is a field or laboratory test for measuring the DCOF of wet surfaces. Ron Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com Richard Gonser AIA CSI CCCA SCIP Senior Member Username: rich_gonser Post Number: 116 Registered: 11-2008 Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 01:02 pm:    It mentions 6 labs and 60 tests each. In my quick read it does not state what passes as compliant. Perhaps I found an old draft copy... This is an issue. I happen to like the concept of the BOT-3000 ANSI B101.3 test. It is a simple tool that one just figuratively sets it down and get a result. TCNA also publishes what is an acceptable COF. ADA/DOJ does not publish a COF method or standard. So this is all fuzzy logic that allows lawyers to argue for more damages on slip and fall. It would be nice to find a "safe harbor" definition and to test to. The CBC/IBC only states "slip-resistant". I did find a company website that has a shopping list of the various tests. I think this really points out the confusion on this issue. http://safetydirectamerica.com/floor-friction-testing/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAtMSzBRDs7fvDosLZmpoBEiQADzG1vMO9zFXFck6KcOIpnGLRmEg2E2AFu6JF9doNaF1JZu8aAsfb8P8HAQ Ronald L. Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 1373 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 01:27 pm:    Richard: You must be looking at an old edition. I have the current one. The industry has moved away from the static coefficient of friction (SCOF) to the dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF). TCNA's DCOF recommendation is just that, a recommendation. Neither the IBC or the current ADA/ABA standards specify a minimum SCOF or DCOF. Even OSHA has dropped their nonmandatory COF (didn't specify whether it was a SCOF or DCOF) of 0.5 from the appendix. The ANSI standard does not mention what is a compliant DCOF, because (1) it is subjective and (2) there are many variables involved (e.g., walking style, shoe materials and design, slope, etc.). This is just like ASTM E 119, which doesn't mention what is a compliant fire rating, just the performance of an assembly. Ron Geren, FCSI, AIA, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com Richard Gonser AIA CSI CCCA SCIP Senior Member Username: rich_gonser Post Number: 117 Registered: 11-2008 Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 01:35 pm:    So the result is, we have a standard and a requirement with no actual definition. J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 880 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 03:03 pm:    I was just talking to the terrazzo folks this morning. I would disagree with Mr. Geren's characterization that "the industry is moving to a dynamic coefficient of friction." There are many moving parts in this discussion; not only the floor materials manufacturers and installers, but the floor finish/sealer materials manufacturers as well. The sealer guys are frequently the last people to put something down before the building is occupied, and the sealer manufacturers are invested in the static COF method. One of the reasons that the AHJ are not jumping into this is that the maintenance is key to maintaining the COF, and no one is willing to invest a lot in how well the floors are maintained. As I have opined before, all dry floor surfaces are reasonably slip resistant, and most wet surfaces are not. The COF (static or dynamic) is not a good indicator of whether someone is going slip and fall on a surface. Good maintenance (including promptly wiping up spills) is a much better indicator. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 103 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 04:39 pm:    The principal of Safety Direct America is George Sotter, PhD. See his bio at https://safetydirectamerica.com/slipandfallexpert/ He gave a presentation to the LA CSI Chapter last year that was illuminating. I have also used his services as test lab. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1659 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Saturday, December 19, 2015 - 03:09 pm:    ANSI and ASTM standards very often are only a methodology to measure something (and what equipment and tools to do so), without stating what will meet the code. In fact, maybe more are like this that those that give an "pass/fail" criteria. It is the code promulgating and regulating bodies that say what the minima or maxima are. This doesn't make an ASTM test less useful. However, the essential point remains that there is not really a requirement for how un-slippery a floor can be. As pointed out, the number of variables is extremely large (flooring material, shoe material, cane tip material, maintenance coating, detergent residue, surface moisture, etc.) so a single figure is hard. Plus, something that is not slippery enough has also been shown to be a potential hazard. So, should there be a maximum SCOF as well as minimum? Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 1583 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - 05:40 pm:    Ok, so what are other spec writers basing tile finishes on SCOF or DCOF? Is there any difference between an interior condition versus an exterior condition? My apologies for being vague, my tile installation contacts are unreachable and a client has reached out to me for an immediate answer. Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 774 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - 05:45 pm:    DYNAMIC COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION (SLIP-RESISTANCE): ANSI B101.3, 0.42. Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 1585 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 - 05:54 pm:    Wayne, isn't that for interior surfaces expected to be wet? how about exterior surfaces? Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 775 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 - 10:01 am:    Yes it is. Interior is where the most liability lays. What kind of soles are on the bottom of your shoes that you will be wearing on wet exterior surfaces? What is the DCOF for wet truncated domes on a sloped ramp at a crosswalk? Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 1404 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 - 06:52 pm:    I use the DCOF as one of the criteria when describing a product, mostly to assure than any substitutions will not be completely out of line. Since the DCOF isn't a required test for anything -- ADA doesn't require it, after all -- its really only useful when comparing products among themselves, not as a guarantee of slip resistance. I've had owner's insurers require a much more slip resistant floor, but our typical response is that the owner can provide a topical coating, if they wish, after occupancy. According to the ADA, something too slip resistant is equally difficult to navigate as something too slippery.