Laboratory and Field Testing and Instruments
Sotter Engineering Corporation provides specialized floor friction and Sustainable Slip Resistance 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, University of California Medical Center and Safety Direct America do NOT recommend this method as a primary means of assessing floor slip resistance. [ASTM standards rules allow only test devices that do not involve patented or proprietary
technology. For this reason the best test methods for floor friction, except for the pendulum, are not and can not be specified by ASTM standards.]
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; and EN 13036-4 with CEN rubber slider
SlipAlert floor slipperiness indicator
BOT 3000 Binary Output Tribometer with Neolite, SBR, Four S, TRL or hosiery sliders. Can measure COF up to 1.00.
SlipAlert $2948.00* - video demonstration, more information
Tortus $5749.00* - video demonstration, more information
BOT 3000 $5995.00 - BUY NOW, video demo, more info
Pendulum $7999.00* - video demonstration, more information
*phone 949-582-0889 for current price; may vary with U.S. dollar.
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.
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 two photos below to see VIDEO OF SLIPALERT IN ACTION (50 seconds):
SlipAlert’s 1 3/4-inch slider contacts floor on its trailing edge while rolling of front wheels adds negligible friction:
BOT 3000 Binary Output Tribometer can measure both static and dynamic friction, and with "smart" sensors is the latest in floor friction technology (click on the photo below for a 2 minute VIDEO DEMONSTRATION)
