SATRA Technology Centre is an independent research and testing organisation. As well as testing products and components to European and international standards across a wide range of industry sectors, SATRA develops, manufactures and sells test equipment. SATRA is also a Notified Body for various European directives including personal protection equipment (PPE), and has its own chemicals analysis laboratory for testing restricted substances in accordance with European REACH and US chemicals regulations.
In this exclusive interview, the Company talks about slip testing, flooring testing and PPE.
Why is slip testing important for the construction industry?
Slip incidents frequently result in injuries and can lead to significant compensation claims against the company or authority considered responsible for health and safety, and their duty of care regarding supplied footwear and floorings products.
Therefore, companies need to ensure that products are carefully designed and tested for slip resistance between footwear and the ground.
What are the standards for slip?
The SATRA TM144 ‘Friction test for footwear and floorings’ is the most widely established and used test method for footwear around the world. As the title indicates, however, it can also be used for flooring testing, after all, footwear and floorings are the two halves of the same slip resistance equation.
The development of SATRA TM144 started in the 1970s when a prototype test machine was built to test any type of footwear. This has subsequently been developed into the modern computer controlled SATRA STM 603 slip test machine and which can now run a number of different test methods. In the 1980s, SATRA started working with the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and the International Standards Organisation (ISO) to develop a test standard specifically for routine slip resistance testing of PPE (safety) footwear. SATRA TM144 eventually formed the basis of the safety footwear test, EN ISO 13287, and more recently, the US adopted it in their standard ASTM F2913 for all types of footwear.
The standard footwear tests (SATRA TM144, EN ISO 13287 and ASTM F2913) specify closely controlled, calibrated standard flooring surfaces, designed to give reproducible footwear slip test results. However, a wide range of different types of ground/floor surface can be tested in dry, lubricated or otherwise contaminated conditions to simulate real world environments. To simulate cold weather conditions, an optional piece of SATRA equipment allows a temperature-controlled block of ice to be produced and used in the STM 603 slip test machine.
Today, SATRA TM144 test method (and EN ISO 13287 and ASTM F2913) and SATRA STM 603 test machine are recognised in global footwear supply chains for slip resistance testing.
What are the slip resistance performance requirements for footwear?
The only international standards for footwear slip resistance relate specifically to PPE footwear and are given in EN ISO 20344/5/6/7. SATRA however, offers guidance on appropriate performance levels for all other types of footwear.
So, how is flooring tested for slip?
At SATRA, we employ a holistic Slip Potential Model as the key to slip accident prevention. This systematic and careful examination of all the factors that could cause harm to people and an evaluation of whether the controls in place are sufficient to prevent harm. To better understand the requirements of the floor in practice, a full site analysis should be conducted. This approach ensures that flooring products and materials for use in private and public buildings and outdoor areas, for example pavements (walkways), are fit for purpose.
Friction measurement is only one part of the model. To identify the amount of friction the floor should offer for its intended application we identify the key factors that may influence the interaction between the user, the user’s footwear and the floor. The friction measurement taken in a slip test is only a single parameter, indicating how the floor will behave with a standardised shoe sole under the conditions of test.
At SATRA we employ various test methods, dependent on the floor type, including a pendulum which is used to assess hard, smooth surfaces under wet and dry conditions and, where appropriate, to measure the micro-roughness of the floor surface.
What other factors are considered when testing flooring?
SATRA also works with manufacturers, resourcing companies and retailers on a number of other safety-critical aspects of both flooring and footwear; e.g, fire resistance. Flooring can be tested for biomechanical wear, resilience, flammability, chemical resistance, noise reduction and environmental characteristics.
What else does SATRA test?
SATRA is a Notified Body under the EU Construction Products Regulation (305/2011), which applies to any construction product that is produced for permanent incorporation in building and civil engineering construction works. SATRA can undertake construction product testing of a wide variety of product types to enable companies to apply the CE Mark. Construction products include all types of floor coverings, ceramic tiles and ceramic tile adhesives, building hardware, thermal insulating products and reflective road studs.
SATRA also tests for light reflectance value (LVR) – the way in which objects or the differences between surfaces are seen. This is an important factor when considering the fitting or furnishing of a building – especially as the needs of the visually impaired will need to be taken into account. Having good contrast between surfaces and objects can overcome issues that prevent people with a reduced level of eyesight from making full use of buildings and their surroundings. By measuring the LRV of different materials, fixtures and fittings, items can be chosen that give an acceptable contrast.
Can we buy SATRA test equipment?
SATRA test equipment is supplied to a wide range of industry sectors, including: leather, footwear, flooring, textiles and garments, safety products, rubber, printing and automotive. We also serve a diverse range of customer types including; brands, retailers, manufacturers and component suppliers as well as to test laboratories and research institutes.
How do I find out more?
If you would like to discuss slip issues in more detail with one of SATRA’s technical team, please call +44 (0) 1536 410 000 and your phone call will be directed to the relevant person.
Alternatively, please email floorcoverings@satra.co.uk for floorings enquiries, or footwear@satra.co.uk for safety footwear testing.
FOR 10 PER CENT DISCOUNT ON FIRST SATRA TEST please quote ‘UK Construction Media’. The discount will only be available for new customers and can be used for footwear testing, flooring testing and PPE testing. The discount is valid until 7th September 2015 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.
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