The Art of Safe Flooring: Da Vinci, Bean Bags & SkidTech
The Art of Safe Flooring:
Da Vinci, Bean Bags & SkidTech
What do Leonardo da Vinci, bean bags and SkidTech have in common? They all have played a part in improving traction on slippery flooring.
Science teacher’s love to describe how Leonardo da Vinci observed the different ways materials moved across a variety of surfaces. In the 1930s, janitors followed in his footsteps with a 10-pound bag of beans. Pulling it across the floor, they measured the coefficient-of-traction (COF). COF is defined as “the ratio of the weight of an object being moved along a surface and the force that maintains contact between the object and the surface." (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/coefficient+of+friction )
At SkidTech, COF is the focus of all of our SURESTEP products. A SURE STEP floor increases the coefficient of friction when a floor or surface gets wet. The result is that your foot will no longer slip out from under you. This higher coefficient of friction makes it dramatically more slip-resistant and therefore, safer.
"A static anti-slip coefficient of friction of .50 or above is considered a safe walkway surface with a dry condition. A reading below .50 is considered an unsafe walkway surface." (http://skidtech.net/science_of_safety.php)
In testing done by the National Testing Standards, Inc. of Anaheim California - performed and documented in accordance with A.S.T.M. procedures - SURE STEP was proven to increase the coefficient of friction of the treated surface by 200 - 400% when subjected to water.
This improvement in COF equates to dollars saved for your business. Injuries from both employees and customers slipping and falling are one of the biggest impacts to the bottom line for retailers, restauranteurs, and hotel chains; not to mention swimming pools. An application of SURE STEP is a cost effective way to reduce risk at your venue.
Da Vinci once said, “Knowing is not enough, we must apply." And at SkidTech, we make that easy. SURE STEP will not change the appearance of a floor and there is no downtime; you can use the floor immediately following treatment. Want to make your businesses’ floors more safe? Give us a call today at 701-353-9948. ■
