Standards & Test Results

SlipNOT® Metal Safety Flooring ASTM Test Results:

SlipNOT® products far exceed ALL standards and recommended guidelines for slip resistance. Certified independent laboratories have tested SlipNOT® products in accordance with the following ASTM test procedures for Coefficient of Friction. Please call 800-754-7668 or e-mail us at info@slipnot.com for hardcopy test results.

Slip Resistant Standards

Summary of Standards and Recommendation Guidelines For Coefficient of Friction (COF):

Americans with Disabilities Act (U.S. Department of Justice)

A4.5 Ground and Floor Surfaces.

A4.5.1 General. People who have difficulty walking or maintaining balance or who use crutches, canes, or walkers, and those with restricted gaits are particularly sensitive to slipping and tripping hazards. For such people, a stable and regular surface is necessary for safe walking, particularly on stairs. Wheelchairs can be propelled most easily on surfaces that are hard, stable, and regular. Soft loose surfaces such as shag carpet, loose sand or gravel, wet clay, and irregular surfaces such as cobblestones can significantly impede wheelchair movement.

Slip resistance is based on the frictional force necessary to keep a shoe heel or crutch tip from slipping on a walking surface under conditions likely to be found on the surface. While the dynamic coefficient of friction during walking varies in a complex and non-uniform way, the static coefficient of friction, which can be measured in several ways, provides a close approximation of the slip resistance of a surface. Contrary to popular belief, some slippage is necessary to walking, especially for persons with restricted gaits; a truly "non-slip" surface could not be negotiated.

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.

OSHA Recommendation

OSHA requires the use of slip resistant surfaces in several locations in their standards.

29 CFR 1910.24(f)

"Stair treads." All treads shall be reasonably slip-resistant and the nosings shall be of non-slip finish. Welded bar grating treads without nosings are acceptable providing the leading edge can be readily identified by personnel descending the stairway and provided the tread is serrated or is of definite non-slip design. Rise height and tread width shall be uniform throughout any flight of stairs including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs.

A proposed standard for Subpart D does make a reference to a 0.5 requirement for coefficient of friction. However, this standard was never promulgated as a final rule. Some product manufacturers point to this proposed standard as a rule to which employers must comply.

The most significant regulation affecting slip resistance can be found in the OSHA construction standards as they relate to steel erection.

1910.68 Subpart F - Powered Platforms, Manlifts, and Vehicle-Mounted Work Platforms

(c)(3)(v)

"Surfaces." The upper or working surfaces of the step shall be of a material having inherent nonslip characteristics (coefficient of friction not less than 0.5) or shall be covered completely by a non-slip tread securely fastened to it.

1910 "Walking and Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

This proposed rule issued by OSHA included a non-mandatory appendix specifying a minimum slip resistance of 0.5 as reasonable slip resistance performance. Although they are still on the books, none of the proposed revisions to subart D has been promulgated at this time.

29 CFR 1926.754(c)(3)

Slip resistance of skeletal structural steel.

Workers shall not be permitted to walk the top surface of any structural steel member installed after July 18, 2006 that has been coated with paint or similar material unless documentation or certification that the coating has achieved a minimum average slip resistance of .50 when measured with an English XL tribometer or equivalent tester on a wetted surface at a testing laboratory is provided. Such documentation or certification shall be based on the appropriate ASTM standard test method conducted by a laboratory capable of performing the test. The results shall be available at the site and to the steel erector. (Appendix B to this subpart references appropriate ASTM standard test methods that may be used to comply with this paragraph (c)(3)).

ANSI A1264.2

The A1264.2 sub-committee began writing a standard with the intent of reducing falls due to slippery conditions which in are some way preventable in the workplace. The three basic areas of the standard are

• Provisions for reducing hazards
• Test equipment
• Slip resistance criteria

The first area constitutes the largest part of the standard and addresses: Footwear applications and considerations, Mats & Runners, Housekeeping, Warnings, Symbols, Controlled Access, Selection and/or treatment. The test equipment portion essentially refers to ASTM standards and test methods.

NFPA 1901

The National Fire Protection Association standard 1901 entitled Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus has a specification in seciton 13-7.3 for slip resistance. It states that all external surfaces used for walking and standing shall have a slip resistance of at least 0.68 when wet as tested by the English XL VIT (per ASTM F1679 Standard Test Method for Using a Variable Incidence Tribometer), or at least 0.52 when wet as tested by the Brungraber Mark II PIAST (per ASTM F1677 Standard Test Method for Using a Portable Inclinable Articulated Strut Slip Test). Internal walking and standing surfaces must have a slip resistance of at least 0.58 per the English XL VIT or 0.47 per the Brungraber Mark II PIAST.

ASTM STANDARDS

There are many different slip resistance testing standards. Below is a summary of the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) standards for testing slip resistance.

Standards For Testing Methods for Slip Resistance

ASTM 1679
The premier testing method approved for both dry and wet testing. The testing method can be used on nearly all surfaces. This method avoids the problem of adhesion by applying the horizontal and vertical forces simultaneously. The English XL is the device used for this method. Operators should be certified to use the equipment.

ASTM 1677
This testing standard is also approved for dry and wet testing. The method can be used on nearly all surfaces. The method also avoids the problem of adhesion by applying the horizontal and vertical forces simultaneously. The Brungraber Mark II is the device used for this method.

ASTM 1678
This test method covers the operational procedures for using a portable articulated strut slip tester (PAST) to determine the slip resistance of footwear sole, heel, or related materials (test feet) against planar walkway surfaces or walkway surrogates (test surfaces) in either the laboratory or field under dry conditions.

ASTM F489
This covers laboratory measurement of the dry static coefficient of friction of shoe sole and heel materials on controlled walking surfaces and under controlled conditions. This method uses the stationary James Machine. This method is not used to test floor slip resistance.

ASTM D2047
This method is for the laboratory measurement of the static coefficient of friction of floor surfaces. The James Machine apparatus is not suitable for use on wet, rough, or corrugated surfaces. Because of the leather pad specification and problem with adhesion, this method should not be used for wet testing.

ASTM F609
This test method covers measurement of the static slip resistance of footwear sole, heel, or related materials on walkway surfaces in the laboratory and in the field. Note that this method is not intended to test walkway surfaces, but the footwear material. In addition, this method would also result in ashesion problems on wet surfaces.

ASTM E303
This method is for measuring surface frictional properties using the British Pendulum Tester (exterior), which is designed primarily for wet and oily testing. This test is a dynamic slip resistant test method.

ASTM C1028
This test method covers the measurement of static coefficient of friction of ceramic tile or other surfaces under both wet and dry conditions while utilizing neolite heel assemblies. This test method can be used in the laboratory or in the field. This test method uses a large 50 lb. drag-sled that is constructed in accordance with the procedure. The method also would be subject to adhesion problems on wet surfaces, but is approved for this use.

ASTM D5859
This test method covers the measurement of the traction of footwear on painted walkway surfaces under both dry and wet conditions in the laboratory and the field. The method uses the English XL device. The method is out of date and will likely be withdrawn in the future in favor of ASTM 1679.

ASTM F462
This consumer safety specification covers the slip resistance of bathtubs and shower structures or combinations, used for bathing or showering. This consumer safety specification is intended to describe a means to reduce accidents to persons, especially children and the aged, resulting from the use of bathing facilities.

Standards For Design Requirements:

ASTM F1637
This practice covers design and construction guidelines and minimum maintenance criteria for new and existing buildings and structures. This practice is intended to provide reasonably safe walking surfaces for pedestrians wearing ordinary footwear. These guidelines may not be adequate for those with certain mobility impairments.

ASTM F802
This guide is intended to assist in the selection of walkway surfaces where the presence of foreign materials may produce the danger of a slip or a fall