Flooring Friction Coefficients

Cof slip resistance ratings help you determine if you are buying the right tile for the right location.

Flooring friction coefficients.

A common method to measure the coefficient of friction on a floor involves a leather shoe heel which has a 50lb weight placed on it before being put flat onto the floor it is being tested on. The cof of two surfaces is the ratio of the horizontal or lateral and vertical or normal forces required to move one surface over another surface to the total force pressing the two surfaces together. Fpo katelyn simpson laboratory manager tile council of north america when it comes to coefficient of friction cof a measurement that relates to traction and tile. There are standards that allow for these differences and safety direct america can supply the test data and safety standards to determine whether a particular flooring is appropriate.

This coefficient is a measurement of the relative ability of various surfaces to resist the sliding or slipping of the selected material. Architects and designers play a direct role in the specification of safe floors and flooring materials which is why a dramatic new change to the standard governing coefficient of friction cof for ceramic tile means that specifiers need to get up to speed on the new testing methods to ensure their flooring specs remain up to par. Floor slip resistance testing is the science of measuring the coefficient of friction or resistance to slip accidents of flooring surfaces either in a laboratory before or after installation or on floors in situ. When it comes to flooring measuring the coefficient of friction helps to establish how safe a surface is.

Acutestsm determines dynamic coefficient of friction dcof with a sophisticated instrument called the bot 3000 a type of tribometer1 specific for flooring applications. There is a reliable way to know how slippery floor tile will be under both wet and dry conditions. Original article november 1 2013. Coefficient of friction cof is a mathematical term used to describe the effect of dragging one substance shoe sole material over another flooring surface.

Cof or coefficient of friction slip ratings published by tile manufacturers. Astm c1028 coefficient of friction coefficient of friction test cof floor slip resistance standards osha osha slip test scof skid test. Measuring coefficient of friction. Having the right amount of friction between the floor and the soles of the shoes of the person walking on it is essential.

Coefficient of friction is a common unit of measurement used to characterize the slip retardance of a surface. Today tribometry figures heavily into floor safety.