Understanding and Mastering Slip-Resistance

Every design professional knows that slip-resistance is critical in commercial flooring applications. But when you see the numbers, you may wish there was a way to have a little extra assurance that your tile selection is the right one. The good news: there is.

Here’s a snapshot of slip-and-fall ramifications:

• According to the National Safety Council (NSC), over 9 million disabling slip-and-fall injuries occur every year in the USA alone.

• The annual direct cost of disabling occupational injuries due to slips, trips and falls is estimated to exceed $11 billion.

• Wet walking surfaces account for 55 percent of slip and fall accidents.

When it comes to flooring, the type of mishap of greatest concern is slipping, tripping and falls on the same level, rather than falls from one level to another. The Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index reports that falls on the same level are the second most costly occupational injury, with an estimated annual cost of $6.7 billion. Bodily reaction, which comprises injuries from slipping or tripping, is the third highest injury category.

If a building occupant or visitor has an accident, there is no limit to the fees (medical, legal, etc.) for which companies will be responsible. Those costs add up quickly, and if they happen to your client, chances are they’ll be looking back to their architect for answers. Here’s what you need to know:

The relatively new DCOF AcuTest measures Dynamic Coefficient of Friction, which better relates to the friction coefficient at work when a person slips on tile flooring. The new 0.42 DCOF wet rating replaces the old 0.60 DCOF wet rating as the benchmark for friction in flooring applications.

Certain specific applications or various municipal building codes may already require more than the minimum. But even if the spec doesn’t require it, with the stakes so high, why not look for tile offering extra “insurance” for wet areas? Mosa has applied state-of-the-art technology to develop a range of porcelain tile that exceeds the minimums for slip resistance, offering even more assurance against costly accidents. Mosa tiles offer slip resistance of 0.70 DCOF, nearly double the ASTM standard, so you and your clients can spend less time worrying and more time admiring your gorgeous design.