A slip-and-fall is the last thing you want to see on your property. Whether you’re a restaurant owner trying to prevent litigation, or you’re worried about people hurting themselves at your water park, it’s essential to understand slip resistance.
As a contractor in Palm Beach, we’ve helped a variety of businesses determine the slip resistance they need. While there are some general rules we follow (e.g., if an indoor area has the potential to get exposed to water regularly, its DCOF should be at least .42), there are many factors to consider.
Today, we’ll explain the terminology around slip resistance, as well as explaining some of the questions we ask before determining necessary slip resistance. We hope this helps you prepare for a discussion with your friendly commercial construction contractor in Palm Beach County!
Understanding SCOF and DCOF Slip resistance is measured with either:
SCOF (Static Coefficient of Friction)
DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction)
SCOF was the industry standard for a long time, but DCOF has become more popular because it takes the human stride into account. Essentially, SCOF was only measuring how slippery a material was when static, which wasn’t as useful for understanding how the material actually functioned.
SCOF and DCOF are both rated on a scale of zero to one. The higher the number, the more slip resistant it is.
Questions to Ask When Determining How Slip Resistant Your Flooring Needs to Be When choosing the right patio flooring, it’s essential to determine the necessary slip resistance rating. There are several factors to consider when determining how much slip resistance a material needs:
How frequently is it going to be exposed to liquids? – A pool deck is more likely to get exposed to water than a porch. Similarly, an outdoor shower floor is going to be exposed to even more water than a pool deck.
Is it going to be inside or outside? – Any outdoor flooring could be exposed to rain, which means you’ll need to use a material that takes the potential for exposure to liquids into account.
Is it intended for residential or commercial use? – Commercial spaces typically have a higher slip resistance than residential areas. They typically get more foot traffic from people whose actions you can’t anticipate. Also, commercial properties need to consider potential lawsuits.
Does the surface have an incline? – It's easier for people to slip-and-fall on an inclined surface than it is on a flat surface. For that reason, you’ll want to consider incline when determining how much slip resistance it needs.
Are Slip Resistant Floors More Durable Than Slippery Floors? Not necessarily. Hardness and durability are measured by a different metric. If you’re getting tile, you can use the Porcelain Enamel Institute’s ratings (PEI ratings), which delineates which tiles can only be used on walls, which are designed for heavy foot traffic, and all the durability levels in-between.
Looking for a Commercial Construction Contractor in Palm Beach County?
You’ve come to the right place! At Fischman Construction, we’re committed to helping both homeowners and business owners create the perfect outdoor space. We’ve been in the commercial contracting business for decades, which means you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands.
Have any questions about what we can do for you? Looking to book an initial consultation with us? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. We’re excited to hear from you!