Testing and Instruments
Sotter Engineering Corporation provides specialized floor friction testing services and instruments, both for the laboratory and in the field. We offer not only one-time field tests, but the option of periodic (quarterly, annually, etc.) monitoring, which includes testing dry only for areas that stay dry in use; and dry and wet for areas that get wet in use. Our monitoring and our floor maintenance recommendations based on test data from your floors can drastically reduce your expenditures for slip-and-fall claims in areas with heavy foot traffic. We can test using the following methods:
Static Coefficient of Friction:
- Horizontal dynamometer pull-meter (ASTM Method C1028-07) We conduct this test but do not offer the apparatus for sale. ASTM, Ceramic Tile Institute of America, Tile Council of North America and Safety Direct America do NOT recommend this method as a primary means of assessing floor slip resistance.
Dynamic Coefficient of Friction:
Tortus with Four-S (hard) and/or TRRL (soft) rubber slider
British Pendulum (adapted for floors from ASTM Method E 303) with Four-S and/or TRRL rubber slider
SlipAlert floor slipperiness indicator
Peak-to-valley surface roughness:
- Taylor-Hobson Surtronic 10 profilometer
Normally three pieces of flooring are considered one sample. This allows for variation between pieces. Laboratory tests usually have a turnaround time of 2-4 business days. Please contact us for prices.
The Tortus, SlipAlert, and the Pendulum are available for purchase from our Mission Instruments subsidiary: please call 949-582-0889. See below for online video demonstrations of all three of these products.
Ceramic Tile Institute of America endorses the Tortus and the Pendulum. In a study of nine types of tribometers at the University of Southern California Medical Center in which slip-and-fall experts from around the world participated, the Tortus received the highest rating; click here for details. SlipAlert has had very favorable reviews from British and Australian government safety research agencies. The static coefficient of friction method ASTM C 1028 is principally used for manufacturing quality control purposes rather than assessing slip resistance, but is sometimes specified as an indicator of slip resistance. We recommend using the Tortus or pendulum test instead, as these are more reliable and are recommended for slip resistance by Ceramic Tile Institute of America.
Horizontal dynamometer pull-meter (ASTM Method C 1028-07):
Click on the photo below to see VIDEO OF THE TORTUS IN ACTION (80 seconds):
Click on the photo below to see VIDEO OF THE PENDULUM IN ACTION (80 seconds):
The pendulum flies from right to left, sweeping out a five-inch-long path where its three-inch-wide slider contacts the floor
Click on either of the photos below to see VIDEO OF SLIPALERT IN ACTION (20 seconds):
SlipAlert’s 1 3/4-inch slider contacts floor on its trailing edge while rolling of front wheels adds negligible friction:
