A GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE OF SLIP RESISTANCE Vol. 2
// November 2018 earp.com.au
B E T T E R S U R FAC E S F O R L I F E
WHY IS SLIP RESISTANCE IMPORTANT?
The Australian Building Codes Board indicate that falls are the greatest health & safety risk in buildings.
Inadequate slip resistance can cause significant risk of serious injury.
Slip and falls are the most common cause of personal injury claims involving architects.
Architects, project managers, builders and certifiers are usually implicated by not selecting / specifying/checking compliant products.
Compare the cost of falls in society to other serious injury mechanisms
Think about motor vehicle accidents and the development of safety features.
Consider the amount of effort involved to ensure that there are adequate fire safety measures, including ongoing maintenance.
Now compare the costs of these to that of falls and potential litigation.
Has floor selection been given enough consideration?
Without future-proofing your building and accounting for real costs, you are losing your competitive advantage.
CODE COMPLIANCE / LEGISLATION Building Code of Australia Ramp, stair treads and stair landings must have slip resistance classification (D2.10,D2.13, D2.14) Workplace Health & Safety Act - National Harmonised Legislation Under section 22 WHS Act, the designer must ensure structures are designed to be safe when it is used as a workplace during its life-cycle. Under section 22 (4) and 22 (5) WHS Act, the designer must provide information to anyone who is issued with the design, indicating the purpose for which the structure is designed, the results of any testing and analysis undertaken and any conditions necessary to ensure that the designer has designed the structure to be without risk to health and safety when it is used as a workplace during its life-cycle. Current relevant information must also be provided to people who use, construct, maintain or demolish the structure on request.
WHS Regulations 295 requires the designer to provide the PCBU client with a safety report outlining potential hazards unique to that design that may pose a hazard to people carrying out construction work.
Disability Discrimination Act All continuous accessible paths of travel must be slip resistant (AS 1428.1) Australian Standards
AS 4586, Slip resistance classification of new pedestrian surface materials.
AS 4663, Slip resistance measurement of existing pedestrian surfaces.
HB 198-2014: Guide to the specification and testing of slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces.
Local Government Development Control Plans Willoughby City Council (NSW) requires “Upon completion, certification that all floor finishes and floor surfaces (Excluding carpet) have been tested on site to achieve a slip resistant classification under wet and dry conditions to comply with the current version of AS/NZS4586, Table 3 of CSIRO/SA publication HB 198 (An Introductory Guide to the Slip Resistance of Pedestrian Surface Materials) and Council’s DCP No 14 (Access and Mobility). (Reason: Public Safety)”. Common Law Have you caused loss of amenity to others by negligent design that otherwise would not have occurred?
USING HANDBOOK 198 HB 198 provides guidance to designers, specifiers, manufacturers and suppliers in the application of AS 4586 (2013) & AS 4663 (2013). HB 198 shows that slip hazard is affected by a large number of factors:
The slip resistance of the material
The nature of the pedestrian traffic
Its wear characteristics
Footwear (or lack thereof)
Maintenance
Slope
Contamination
Environmental factors such as lighting,
Presence of water or lubrication on surface
handrails, etc
TABLE 3B
WET PENDULUM TEST OR OIL-WET INCLINING PLATFORM CLASSIFICATIONS Wet pendulum test or oil-wet inclining platform classifications for applications where the NCC does not require slip resistance.
WHAT IS SLIP RESISTANT, NON-SLIP OR NON-SKID? ‘The coefficient of friction required to maintain movement at a constant speed’
AS 4586: Slip Resistive “Property of a pedestrian surface where the available friction is sufficient to enable a person to traverse that surface without an unreasonable risk of slipping.”
REQUIRED FRICTION & RELATIVE RISK Research conducted by Pye, Building Research Establishment, UK Most people require between 0.16 and 0.22 Coefficient of Friction for level walking. RISK
STRAIGHT WALKING
TURNING: LEFT FOOT
TURNING: RIGHT FOOT
1 IN 1,000,000
0.36
0.40
0.36
1 IN 100,000
0.34
0.38
0.34
1 IN 10,000
0.29
0.34
0.33
1 IN 200
0.27
0.31
0.32
1 IN 20
0.24
0.27
0.29
WHICH SLIP TEST BEST REFLECTS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS? AS 4586 Recommended test method for environmental conditions.
AS 4586
TEST
CONTAMINATION
FOOTWEAR
EXAMPLE
APPENDIX A
Pendulum
Water
Smooth Soled Shoes
Entry Foyer (Wet)
APPENDIX B
Dry FFT
Dry & Clean
Smooth Soled Shoes
Internal Dry Areas
APPENDIX C
Wet Barefoot
Water
Barefoot
Swimming Pool Surrounds
APPENDIX D
Oil Wet
Oil
Profiled Safety Boots
Commercial Kitchens
WET PENDULUM TEST AS 4586 Appendix A - Recommended for wet areas. CLASSIFICATION
SRV-SLIDER 96
SRV-SLIDER 55
P5
> 54
> 44
P4
45 - 54
40 - 44
P3
35 - 44
35 - 39
P2
25 - 34
20 - 34
P1
12 - 24
> 20
P0
< 12
DRY FLOOR FRICTION TEST AS 4586 Appendix B - Recommended for dry internal areas. AS 4586 Clause 5.3 Means of demonstrating compliance. 5.3(ii) For Classification D1 in Table 3 (A) The mean of the test results shall be equal to or greater than 0.4; and (B) Each individual slope corrected result shall be equal to or greater than 0.35. Schematic diagram from AS 4586
If either of these criteria is not met the lot shall be considered to be Classification D0.
WET BAREFOOT RAMP TEST AS 4586 Appendix C - Recommended for wet barefoot areas only.
ANGLE OF INCLINATION (DEGREES)
CLASSIFICATION
≥ 12
A
≥ 18
B
≥ 24
C
OIL WET RAMP TEST AS 4586 Appendix D - Recommended for industrial areas only.
ANGLE OF INCLINATION (DEGREES)
CLASSIFICATION
≥ 6 < 10
R9
≥ 10° < 19°
R10
≥ 19° < 27°
R11
≥ 27° < 35°
R12
≥ 35°
R13
RAMP R10 ≠ PENDULUM P3 Graph from Tile Today Issue #40, “Are your slip resistant certificates out of date?” ~ Richard Bowman. Ramp R13 27
R12 18
AREA OF CONCERN
R11
R10
10 6
R9 0
12
P0
25
P1
35
P2
45
P3
55
P4
P5
DOCUMENTATION CLASS REQUIRED
MEETS HB 198
COMMENTS
AREA
SURFACE
TEST REPORT
CLASS (AS 4586)
External Footpath - Archer St
Segmental Pavers, Lightly Shot Blast 300X300mm
R279a
P4
P4
Compliant
External Walkway
Principal Public Entrance To Commercial Building (Ramp)
Honed Travertine (Filled)
R279b
P2
P5
Non Compliant
External Ramps
Internal Lift Lobby
Honed Travertine (Filled)
R279b
P2
P3
Non Compliant
Entry Foyers Office Buildings - Wet Shops With External Entry
Rear External Entrance
Honed Travertine (Filled)
R279b
P2
P4
Non Compliant
External Walkways
Ground Floor Rear Disabled Toilet
Speckled Beige Unglazed Ceramic Tile 300X300mm
R279c
P3
P3
Compliant
Toilet Facilities In Offices
(COMPARABLE LOCATIONS OF SIMILAR RISK WITHIN HB 198)
SAMPLES & TEST DOCUMENTATION Samples and test documentation supplied during specification must represent the material that will be supplied to site.
SUSTAINABLE SLIP RESISTANCE INITIAL ILLUMANCE
?
All surfaces can drop in slip resistance significantly to a level that is hazardous over a relatively short period of time. MINIMUM ILLUMANCE
New Installation
Modeled from lighting industry.
Maintenance Required
Some contributing factors may be:
Installation Process
Contamination
Surface Treatments
Cleaning Residue
Cleaning & Maintenance
Pedestrian Traffic
Wear
Quality of the Product
Maintenance Cycle
HB 198 states the other design factors including the product Figure B1 - Illustration of reduction in illuminance over the maintance cycle.
characteristics such as wear resistance & clean-ability should be
IMPLICATIONS FOR GOING GREEN & FIT FOR PURPOSE
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Pendulum Class P5 Product Selected (BPN 65) A few months later the slip resistance dropped to BPN 40 (Class P3) Entourage of property developer, cleaner, tile supplier, and scientist converged on site to work out “why is it so?”
HARD LESSONS LEARNT AFTER CASE STUDY 1 Slip resistance changes over time. The pendulum and dry FFT are the only slip resistant test methods that can be used on site. What use is the ramp test? How do we account for changes in slip resistance into our design? AS 4586
TEST
CONTAMINATION
FOOTWEAR
EXAMPLE
Entry Foyer (Wet) Internal Dry Areas
APPENDIX A
Pendulum
Water
Smooth Soled Shoes
APPENDIX B
Dry FFT
Dry & Clean
Smooth Soled Shoes
APPENDIX C
Ramp Test Methods Can Not Be Conducted On-site
APPENDIX D
Ramp Test Methods Can Not Be Conducted On-site
TEST REPORT 1 ACCELERATED WEAR TEST 35 BPN Mean
Stone Mix S/R Tile by Earp Bros - Chinese Porcelain.
TEST REPORT 2 ACCELERATED WEAR TEST Diana Royal Leathered by Earp Bros - Micro-structured Stone Surface. 35 BPN Mean
TEST REPORT 3 ACCELERATED WEAR TEST Starwood S/R Timber Look Tile by Earp Bros. 35 BPN Mean
TEST REPORT 4 WET BAREFOOT RAMP TEST Pietra Di Borgorna S/R Tile by Earp Bros - Stone Floor Tile.
TEST REPORT 5 OIL WET RAMP TEST Porcelain Tile with a Slip Resistant Finish.
“No floor surface will ever be made available to the public in the condition that it was originally tested” Sparke Helmore Lawyers
ACCELERATED WEAR TEST METHOD
Investigation of effects of abrasive materials
Initial trials performed by hand
Using the Gardco 12VFI linear motion wash-ability machine
Traditionally used for wear resistance of paint
100mm x 100mm friction boat
Operates 50 cycles per minute over 300mm length
Can be used on site
Test 5 tiles to assess variability
PLAN
DO
- Identify current position & proceedures
- Implement accelerated wear test procedure
- Legislative requirements
- Develop proceedures at organisational level
- Gap analysis - Plan solutions
- Set inital benchmark
- Allocation of resources
CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT CYCLE
ACT - Liase with stakeholders - Cost / benefit analysis - Reassess initial benchmark - Does this procedure really work?
CHECK - Requires insitu testing i.e. dry friction or pendulum testing - Measure changes in slip resistance over time on location - Monitor ancillary data such as pedestrian traffic, cleaning etc.
SLIP RESISTANCE WITHIN A CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT CYCLE
INDUSTRY BEST PRACTISE Slip resistance can not be considered without understanding the performance of the flooring material over time. Industry best practise is to consider the life cycle of the product, so to reduce unknown risks associated with looking at factory fresh samples only.
Using accelerated wear testing (AWT) enables all parties to understand the proposed flooring performance over time.
CASE STUDY 2 NEW SHOPPING CENTRE Initial Tile Selection
6 weeks after opened to public
Ramp Rating R11 Pendulum Class P4 (BPN 52)
Main thoroughfare BPN 34 Corner of room BPN 44 BPN Vs Cyles
85 75
CYCLES
0
100
500
1000
5000
65 55 45
MEAN BPN OF LAST 3 SWINGS
35
52
32
26
24
21
25 15
Note: only one tile was tasted, these results should be seen as indicative rather than definite
5 0
1000
2000
3000
Cycles
4000
5000
CASE STUDY 3 N EW OUTDOOR GAMING AREA Initial Tile Selection
Ramp Rating R11 Pendulum Class P3 (BPN 37) 3-4 weeks later BPN 27 18 months later BPN 22
RAMP R10 ≠ PENDULUM P3
Amenities in new commercial building
HB 198 recommends Pendulum P3 & Ramp R10
Building owner conducts testing at handover
On-site testing confirms BPN 19 - Class P1
Surface is considered ‘Very High Risk’
Finger pointing as to who is to blame
Almost everyone has non-negligible involvement
Currently being treated with an acid etch
SEALERS WILL AFFECT SLIP RESISTANCE
Pavers tested as new at BPN 64
On-site verification achieved results between 29 & 64
Sample of sealer tested however no verification or quality assurance of large scale application
Sealer was removed at expense of contractor (over 4000m2)
CLEANING PROGRAMS ARE ESSENTIAL WITHIN THE SPECIFICATION
Higher Slip Resistant materials require better cleaning programs.
Most modern slip resistant finishes are easier to clean
Ensure your supplier has a cleaning guide to insert into your specification
INTERNAL SHOPPING CENTRE Renovations Within Shopping Centre
SWIMMING POOLS & WET BAREFOOT AREAS
Increased risk with children / aquarobics for aging population / hydrotherapy
Barefoot ramp B / Pendulum Class P4
Barefoot ramp testing cannot be conducted on site to assess changes in slip resistance
Pendulum test can be used on site to assess changes in slip resistance
Resilient Slider 55 rubber is softer, replicating human skin better than Slider 96 rubber
Wide range of factors:
Cleaning
Sunscreen
Wear
Algae
Chemicals
Surface structure in the tile surface is beneficial
SLIP RESISTANT TREATMENTS
Good housekeeping
Mats at entry foyers
Chemical ‘acid etching’
Grinding
Shot Blasting
Coatings
Adhesive tapes
AS/NZS 3661.2 provides guidance on the reduction of slip hazards
SLIP RESISTANT TREATMENTS
Suitable interim measure to reduce risk immediately, however not a long term solution
Beware of unrealistic claims, read the detail in the warranty
Ongoing etching is required, albeit in a more diluted form
Generally hazardous hydrofluoric or phosphoric acid
Many claims that its not acidic... It’s a bi-fluoride, so technically not until activated on floor Requires strict adherence and ongoing testing on a weekly / monthly basis Use as last resort. Not as a solution.
Min Required Slip Resistance
Time
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
Identify possible control measures
Assess sustainable slip resistance not just initial compliance
Consider other performance criteria
Conduct cost benefit analysis
Monitor and review
SUMMARY
Are you aware of your current risk?
Need to be proactive, Not reactive
lassify each floor area during design for slip resistance using the most appropriate C test method. For the majority of public common areas, the ramp classification is not suitable. nsure products meet slip resistance performance criteria, find E alternative solutions if results are lower than recommendations by using additional control measures to minimise risk. ccelerated wear testing can indicate limitations on products, thus eliminating A potentially dangerous products from being specified. BPN of 35 after 500 cycles is a conservative initial benchmark.
QUESTIONS & FEEDBACK Richard Earp
Paul Mander
Wayne Sponneck
Joint Managing Director
State Infrastructure Representative
Sydney Branch Manager
P / 0408 452 113
P / 0400 306 738
P / 0422 800 472
E / richarde@earp.com.au
E / paulma@earp.com.au
E / waynes@earp.com.au
earp.com.au
ABOUT Richard Earp
Carl Strautins
Over the last 30 years, Richard has been developing ceramic materials with superior technical benefits specifically for the Architecture and Interior Design Industry. Richard noticed a lack of understanding with regards to ceramic tiles, and now educates Architects and Interior Designers on the appropriate use of technical ceramic products to minimise risk liability, now and into the future.
As a principle at Safe Environments, Carl Strautins first started his career at CSIRO conducting research in slip resistance and developed the accelerated wear slip resistance test. He holds a degree in materials science, masters in occupational health and safety and a masters in occupational hygiene. Carl provides guidance to industry to minimise the risk of slip and fall incidents. He is engaged on a regular basis to provide expert opinion
E/ R icharde@earp.com.au
for disputes and legal proceedings.
www.earp.com.au
E/ C arl@SafeEnvironments.com.au www.SafeEnvironments.com.au