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Wayne Yancey
Senior Member
Username: wayne_yancey

Post Number: 504
Registered: 01-2008


Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 02:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Does anyone have a solution to retrofit EPE wood decking to make it slip-reistant? Location is Seattle WA.
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski

Post Number: 1355
Registered: 07-2002


Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 02:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I haven't heard of a problem with the slip-resistance (and spec'd it for exterior use by Lake Michigan). Is there an issue? Or is it perception?
Richard L Matteo, AIA, CSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: rlmat

Post Number: 471
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 02:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Wayne,

Are you talking about the "Trex" product?
We had an issue about it at a local high school in California, but I don't know the outcome.

It had to do with the deck getting wet, and apparently a school employee allegedly "slipped".
Wayne Yancey
Senior Member
Username: wayne_yancey

Post Number: 505
Registered: 01-2008


Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 02:46 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Richard,

Deck boards are true Epe. New construction. Two slip-falls have occured.
Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP
Senior Member
Username: ecwhitby

Post Number: 127
Registered: 03-2003
Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 03:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Are you referring to “Ipe” wood?

I though Ipe had superior slip resistance?

Was the deck coated or stained?
anon (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 03:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

what the heck is "epe" decking? Do you mean ipe?
Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP
Senior Member
Username: ecwhitby

Post Number: 128
Registered: 03-2003
Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 03:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Some more info;

Ipe (Tabebuia of family Bignoniaceae)

Some resources to check:

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf2001/willi01d.pdf

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf2003/mille03a.pdf

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr67.pdf

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fpl_gtr190.pdf

http://www.woodsthebest.com/ipe_decking/ipe-wood.htm

http://www.advantagelumber.com/ipedecking.htm
Steve Taylor
Senior Member
Username: steveatwi

Post Number: 44
Registered: 07-2008
Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 05:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Is there a hard finish on the Ipe? Or moss growing on it? I would expect Ipe to weather to a fairly rough surface with no help.
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski

Post Number: 1357
Registered: 07-2002


Posted on Friday, December 23, 2011 - 09:13 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

One suggestion: Ipe decking is used throughout the Milwaukee River boardwalk and where there may be an incline or steps, the deck boards have been incised with grooves (2 per 5-1/2” wide board , equally spaced), parallel to the long dimension. The boards are installed perpendicular to the general direction of travel. Otherwise they are left unfinished. The grooves, plus the natural spacing between the boards, provides additional slip resistance (or the perception of it, anyway, which may be more important). Any wood or composite, when installed parallel to the direction of travel, will most likely be more slippery (going with the grain of the wood, rather than across the grain).
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg

Post Number: 120
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Friday, December 23, 2011 - 11:46 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

In the same vein, has anyone come across a non-wood decking product with good slip-resistance? We have a client who slipped on a "Trex"-type deck (we're not sure if it was Trex or another product) and wants to make sure that none of their projects have the same issues. Still, they're not willing to let us use Ipe and don't want to maintain any other type of natural wood decking. Any suggestions? Based on the client's perception, Trex is definitely out of the running (so to speak).

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