Assessment of the slip-resistance of floors in the laboratory and in the field: Two complementary methods for two applications

There are numerous methods available to measure the slip-resistance of different floor-coverings. The INRS has developed two distinct methods for the evaluation of the slip resistance of a given surface within the framework of its studies on the prevention of slips:

• - One method that can be used to compare new surfaces. It uses a static device developed at the INRS and it is based on the evaluation of a coefficient of dynamic friction between a sample of a new oiled surface and an elastomer. This method is well-adapted to the needs of standardisation work;

• - Another method that can be used to evaluate slippage in the field where the surfaces are often worn and polluted with a specific product. It uses a portable device developed in Sweden and it is based on the continuous evaluation of a coefficient of dynamic friction over a variable distance between the surface to be tested and an elastomer.

These two methods which present well-correlated results are described in this publication, and their distinctly different uses will be underlined.