Slip Resistance for Flooring
A floor should provide a safe walking surface when it is both wet and dry. The coefficient of friction (COF) is a number that measures the slip resistance of a flooring surface.
If the COF is measured from a resting position, it is called the static coefficient of friction. If it is measured when the surfaces are in relative motion, it is known as the dynamic coefficient of friction. Since measuring the dynamic COF is difficult and requires a strict laboratory environment, most meters measure the static COF. The higher the static coefficient of friction, the less slippery a surface is. If the static COF is too high, it can be difficult to walk on a surface. Static COF can be measured in a laboratory or in the field.
The Americans with Disabilities Act was adopted in 1990. It said that people who use crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs need floor surfaces that are slip-resistant. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that walking surfaces have a static COF of 0.5.
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) conducted tests with people who have disabilities and determined that they needed a higher static COF. It recommended a static coefficient of friction of 0.6 for accessible routes and 0.8 for ramps.
The ADA does not specify required COFs or specific methods of test measurement. It only refers to the OSHA and Access Board recommendations.
The COF can vary significantly due to contaminants, water, finishes, and other substances on the floor that the designer and builder cannot control. Nonetheless, many building materials are labeled with information related to the static coefficient of friction. Buildings and designers are encouraged to choose products with appropriate values. Recommended values are given only for a dry state.
If the COF is an important factor for your floors, Elite Concrete Systems can mix a special top coating to your specifications. By adding a fine powder called Aluminum Oxide to Elite Crete AUS-V urethane top coat, the surface becomes slip-resistant as well as hard-wearing.