| Author |
Message |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 01:41 pm: |    |
Does anyone know where I can get a chart comparing the slip resistance (coefficient of friction) of various floor materials??? |
Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: awhitacre
Post Number: 774
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 02:27 pm: | |
the COF is entirely dependent on too many things to turn into a chart:
if the floor is stone, there are a multitude of surface textures, and surface treatments, all of which will influence the slip resistance of the floor. The same thing can be said of tile, VCT, sheet goods, resinous flooring, floor coatings, and the like. What you need is to select specific materials, and then ask the manufacturer/fabricator for the slip resistance of that item, and compare those. the question you're asking now is sort of like "how much gloss is the wall covering?". you need to define more terms before you can answer the question. |
Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: specman
Post Number: 652
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 02:34 pm: | |
To add to Anne's comments, even the type of tests available to measure static coefficient of friction (SCOF) vary. So one product tested using one method will have a completely different SCOF than the same product tested using another method. |
Marc C Chavez
Senior Member
Username: mchavez
Post Number: 307
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 03:11 pm: | |
I looked and looked and one standard was removed and the other people just have recomendations
a good article is at:
http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek05/tw0708/tw0708bp_slip.htm
here is what I put in my specs. A specific number and a specific test:
Provide test data:
For ADA accessible areas: ADAAG recommends a COF of 0.06 flat and 0.08 for ramps when measured with a NBS-Brungraber machine using a silastic sensor shoe on dry surfaces.
For dry flat surfaces for other than ADA accessibility a COF of 0.05 when measured with a NBS-Brungraber machine using a silastic sensor shoe on dry surfaces.
here is a quote from the ADAAG 4.5.1 (appendix)
"The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends that walking surfaces have a static coefficient of friction of 0.5. A research project sponsored by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) conducted tests with persons with disabilities and concluded that a higher coefficient of friction was needed by such persons. A static coefficient of friction of 0.6 is recommended for accessible routes and 0.8 for ramps.
It is recognized that the coefficient of friction varies considerably due to the presence of contaminants, water, floor finishes, and other factors not under the control of the designer or builder and not subject to design and construction guidelines and that compliance would be difficult to measure on the building site. Nevertheless, many common building materials suitable for flooring are now labeled with information on the static coefficient of friction. While it may not be possible to compare one product directly with another, or to guarantee a constant measure, builders and designers are encouraged to specify materials with appropriate values. As more products include information on slip resistance, improved uniformity in measurement and specification is likely. The Access Board's advisory guidelines on Slip Resistant Surfaces provides additional information on this subject." |
Dale Roberts CSI, CDT
Senior Member
Username: dale_roberts_csi
Post Number: 52
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 03:51 pm: | |
The Ceramic Tile Institute of America (CTIOA) www.ctioa.org has several articles on Floor Safety Reports below is the link to the following:
1. Portable methods
2. Maintenance
3. Endorsements of Improved Test Methods and Slip Preventions Standards for New Flooring
4. Design for Stair Safety
5. Improved Slip Resistance Test
http://www.ctioa.org/index.cfm?pi=FSI
I would also recommend a book by George Sotter Stop Slip and Fall Accidents.
ASTM C1028 is the test method that the entire manufactures of tile use for testing slip resistance and obtaining the cof numbers. |
Jo Drummond
Senior Member
Username: jo_drummond_fcsi
Post Number: 24
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 04:09 pm: | |
ASTM C 1028 was withdrawn in 2004, per the ASTM Standards Index. They don't say what, if anything, replaced it. DSA still refers to it for California schools. |
Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: specman
Post Number: 653
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 04:27 pm: | |
Jo:
On the contrary; ASTM C 1028 is still active. The latest edition is 2007. |
|
4specs.com Home Page