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Testing Methods for Slip Resistance
2019/06/28
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It is important to know how slippery your floor is, as there is a level of friction below which people tend to slip over and above which people don't. There are many different slip-resistance testing standards. The proliferation of standards creates confusion by both consumers of slip-resistance testing services and even those offering such services. Below is a summary of the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) standards on slip resistance .
ASTM F-1679 (expired)
The is the testing method which was specific to the English XL tribometer. Because the standard used a proprietary, patented testing method, which was counter to ASTM guidelines, and that a specific precision statement was not available the standard was left to expire in 2006. The testing method however, is still valid and an effective way to evaluate hazards on floors. The English XL was subsequently shown to meet the new ASTM F-2508 standard. The English XL is approved for both dry and wet testing and the testing method can be used on nearly all surfaces. This method avoids the problem of sticktion by applying the horizontal and vertical forces simultaneously.
ASTM F-1677 (expired)
This testing method was also specific to a device called the Brungraber Mark II. This method also used a proprietary, patented testing method, which was counter to ASTM guidelines and did not have a specific precision statement, so this standard was also left to expire. The testing method however, is still valid and an effective way to evaluate hazards on floors. This method, like the English XL is also approved for dry and wet testing. The method can be used on nearly all surfaces. The method also avoids the problem of sticktion by applying the horizontal and vertical forces simultaneously. This device has not be put through a F-2508 approval to date.
ASTM F-1678 (expired)
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 F-489 (expired)
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. The James Machine can still be used to test floor or shoe material, but has limitations of dry-testing only.
ASTM D-2047
This method is for the laboratory measurement of the static coefficient of friction of polished and floor maintenance coatings. The James Machine apparatus is used and is not suitable for use on wet, rough, or corrugated surfaces. Because of the leather pad specification and problem with sticktion, this method should not be used for wet testing. Because most slips and falls occur on contaminated (water) surfaces, the value of measuring dry COF is limited.
ASTM F-609
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 generate sticktion problems on wet surfaces, so it is not recommended for evaluating wet slip-resistance. The instrument is a Horizontal Pull Sled (HPS), a traditional drag-sled method.
ASTM C-1028
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 is subject to sticktion problems on wet surfaces, but is approved for this use. The method understates the slip-resistance when used in wet testing.
ASTM F-462
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. The method uses a Mark I, which are not readily produced. The method evaluates wet and dry conditions. The wet condition includes soap-contaminated specifications.
ASTM F-2048
This standard addresses the recommended format and content of reports addressing slip resistance evaluations.
ASTM F-2508
To be meaningful, walkway tribometer results must correlate the slip characteristics of a surface or contaminant, or both, to the actual propensity for human slips. To achieve this goal, walkway tribometer models must be validated against a standard with relevance to human ambulation. This standard, rather than specifying a method, provides a framework under which tribometers can be validated. The English XL (F1679) was the first tribometer to be validated under this standard.
ASTM F-2913
This standard addresses the evaluation of a sole / footwear surface against a specific flooring surface. Various combinations of floor and footwear are possible. The method utilizes the whole shoe, so it seems to offer a more complete picture than those methods which require sections of the footwear to be tested.
Standards Dealing with Design Requirements:
ASTM F-1637
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 F-1679 (expired)
The is the testing method which was specific to the English XL tribometer. Because the standard used a proprietary, patented testing method, which was counter to ASTM guidelines, and that a specific precision statement was not available the standard was left to expire in 2006. The testing method however, is still valid and an effective way to evaluate hazards on floors. The English XL was subsequently shown to meet the new ASTM F-2508 standard. The English XL is approved for both dry and wet testing and the testing method can be used on nearly all surfaces. This method avoids the problem of sticktion by applying the horizontal and vertical forces simultaneously.
ASTM F-1677 (expired)
This testing method was also specific to a device called the Brungraber Mark II. This method also used a proprietary, patented testing method, which was counter to ASTM guidelines and did not have a specific precision statement, so this standard was also left to expire. The testing method however, is still valid and an effective way to evaluate hazards on floors. This method, like the English XL is also approved for dry and wet testing. The method can be used on nearly all surfaces. The method also avoids the problem of sticktion by applying the horizontal and vertical forces simultaneously. This device has not be put through a F-2508 approval to date.
ASTM F-1678 (expired)
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 F-489 (expired)
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. The James Machine can still be used to test floor or shoe material, but has limitations of dry-testing only.
ASTM D-2047
This method is for the laboratory measurement of the static coefficient of friction of polished and floor maintenance coatings. The James Machine apparatus is used and is not suitable for use on wet, rough, or corrugated surfaces. Because of the leather pad specification and problem with sticktion, this method should not be used for wet testing. Because most slips and falls occur on contaminated (water) surfaces, the value of measuring dry COF is limited.
ASTM F-609
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 generate sticktion problems on wet surfaces, so it is not recommended for evaluating wet slip-resistance. The instrument is a Horizontal Pull Sled (HPS), a traditional drag-sled method.
ASTM C-1028
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 is subject to sticktion problems on wet surfaces, but is approved for this use. The method understates the slip-resistance when used in wet testing.
ASTM F-462
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. The method uses a Mark I, which are not readily produced. The method evaluates wet and dry conditions. The wet condition includes soap-contaminated specifications.
ASTM F-2048
This standard addresses the recommended format and content of reports addressing slip resistance evaluations.
ASTM F-2508
To be meaningful, walkway tribometer results must correlate the slip characteristics of a surface or contaminant, or both, to the actual propensity for human slips. To achieve this goal, walkway tribometer models must be validated against a standard with relevance to human ambulation. This standard, rather than specifying a method, provides a framework under which tribometers can be validated. The English XL (F1679) was the first tribometer to be validated under this standard.
ASTM F-2913
This standard addresses the evaluation of a sole / footwear surface against a specific flooring surface. Various combinations of floor and footwear are possible. The method utilizes the whole shoe, so it seems to offer a more complete picture than those methods which require sections of the footwear to be tested.
Standards Dealing with Design Requirements:
ASTM F-1637
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.
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