Titus’ HP2 stands for “High Polish – High Performance”. We at Titus Restoration Services, Inc. understand your concern about non slip flooring and the slip resistance of polished concrete. In fact, our research and product testing by the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) indicates that “shiny” does not always mean slippery.
There are two common misconceptions concerning slip resistant flooring (SCOF – static co-efficient of friction). The first misconception is that OSHA has a slip resistance requirement of SCOF 0.5.
OSHA does not mandate a slip resistance of 0.5.
The second misconception is that the ADA has a slip resistance requirement of SCOF 0.6. The ADA acknowledges that researchers recommend 0.6 SCOF for flat surfaces 0.8 SCOF for ramps, but the ADA clearly states that these SCOF numbers are in no way mandatory.
The only standard that exists at the date of this writing for measuring the SCOF of walkway surfaces in the field is Standard B101.1 ANSI/NFSI. This is a standard for measuring the wet SCOF of hard surface flooring in the field using a properly calibrated and approved tribometer.
We hope our research into this matter proves to be beneficial to our customers.
By providing these links to articles for our customers review, we believe safer pedestrian traffic can be maintained because there is more to slips and falls than polished concrete or shiny floors. The following articles will point out that most slips and falls do not happen on dry floors, but wet or dirty floors. All slips and falls involve complex human dynamics that contribute to that slip or fall. All hard surface flooring, including polished concrete floors, require good housekeeping practices. At lobbies or entrances to public buildings appropriate walk-off mats are the first line of defense for slip resistant flooring.
Titus’ research concerning non slip flooring standards concludes that there are many human factors involved in slips and falls that cannot be tested for inclusion in standards, such as human physiology, psychology (mind set at time of fall and mind set of blame), and wear apparel (specifically shoes and including the condition of the shoes).
Below are a few links concerning slip resistant flooring and our brief description of each link. We hope you find these links useful in understanding slips and falls and preventing them, regardless of the complexities involved in slips and falls and slip resistance testing.
Ceramic Tile Institute of America Position Paper on Floor Care and Slip Resistance
Titus considers this article from the CERAMIC TILE INSTITUTE OF AMERICA, INC. a “must read” for those seriously interested in hard surface floor safety, the legal responsibility of the business for slips and falls, and hard surface floor maintenance. It is written in layman’s terms and addresses many issues of hard surface flooring care, maintenance, chemicals, and safety. Much of what is written herein is applicable to polished concrete.
Ceramic Tile Institute of America Endorsement of Standardized Slip Resistance Testing
According to the Ceramic Tile Institute of America, Inc.’s above linked article in 1998 there were over $3 billion in slip fall costs in the workplace alone. The article goes on to say that the Ceramic Tile Institute of America, Inc.’s Slip Resistance Committee is endorsing slip resistance standards now currently used in other countries.
Also see www.cmit.csiro.au/vb2/345/58/index.htm and www.infotile.com.au/magazines/tiletoday/past/2005/45/article.pdf.
http://englishxl.com/stds.htm
This link covers many slip testing procedures and many other helpful links. It contains a wealth of information and written by William English the inventor of the EnglishXL tribometer, a device used for slip resistance testing.
Measurement of Slip Resistance
A very technical article by Barrett C. Miller, MEd, OHST explaining the operations of various slip resistance testing equipment and procedures used in the United States. Mr. Miller notes that the ASTM standard for the EnglishXL tribometer (above) has been withdrawn by ASTM.
National Safety Council Article on Slip and Fall
More from Barrett C. Miller in an article published by the National Safety Council.
Complex Dyamics of Simple Slips and Falls
Written by Barrett C. Miller. Miller again presents the complexities of slips and falls in terms a layman can understand.