According to an article entitled “The Next Step in Floor Protection” by Ron Whipple, he talks about the benefits of using a slip resistant coating instead of counting on the texture of diamond plate flooring to prevent a slippery situation.  He states that a milk loading facility replaced diamond plate flooring on their truck hatches because the “rough metal plate caused some crates to break and leak milk under the floor.”  This not only created a slippery situation, but created a bigger mess for the workers.  The solution was to replace the diamond plate flooring and apply a polyurethane coating. 

Though diamond plate flooring does provide some slip resistance as a result of the raised diamond pattern, the exposed metal plate can still be subject to slippery elements such as oils, grease and in this case, even milk.  Though a polyurethane (plastic) coating is a step up from using diamond plate flooring, it will not provide the same qualities as slip resistant flooring products coated with a metal surface.  According to a book entitled “Castable Polyurethane Elastomers” by Ian Clemitson, it states that the polyurethane coating can be altered if it comes in contact with elements.  “There is a greater driving force for more moisture to enter the polyurethane as the equilibrium has been disturbed.  As the metal support heats up, the moisture is vaporized and there is a high internal pressure.  The pressure will extend the plastic polyurethane layer and a blister will form.”  In essence, polyurethane coating can break down when it comes in contact with elements, thus defeating its purpose of providing slip resistance for diamond plate flooring.  Diamond plate flooring alone, such as diamond floor mats, provide a coefficient of friction of 0.68, where slip resistant metal flooring products have a coefficient of friction of 0.98.  

To ensure your employees a safe walking surface, use slip resistant metal flooring products coated with a metal substrate instead of diamond plate flooring.

Clemitson, Ian.  “Castable Polyurethane Elastomers.” CRC Press, 2008. Page 127

Whipple, Ron.  “The next step in floor protection.” http://www.plantservices.com/articles/2008/129.html?page=2

Filed under: Diamond PLate Flooring by nmoran Social tagging: diamond > floor > flooring > plate > plated > plates > slip > slippery