BS Special Publication 565

|4 Histor/ of Walkway Slip-Resistance Research

I

' *

! at the National Bureau of Standards

National Bureau of Standards

Library, E-01 Admin. Bldg.

MAY 14 1981

1 S08G3

QCI 00

Ml
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The National Bureau of Standards' was established by an act of Congress on March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology

and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts

research and provides: (1) a basis for the Nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technological services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau's technical work is per- formed by the National Measurement Laboratory, the National Engineering Laboratory, and

the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology.

THE NATIONAL MEASUREMENT LABORATORY provides the national system of

physical and chemical and materials measurement; coordinates the system with measurement

systems of other nations and furnishes essential services leading to accurate and uniform

physical and chemical measurement throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry,

and commerce; conducts materials research leading to improved methods of measurement,

standards, and data on the properties of materials needed by industry, commerce, educational

institutions, and Government; provides advisory and research services to other Government

agencies; develops, produces, and distributes Standard Reference Materials; and provides

calibration services. The Laboratory consists of the following centers:

Absolute Physical Quantities2 — Radiation Research — Thermodynamics and

Molecular Science — Analytical Chemistry — Materials Science. THE NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY provides technology and technical ser- vices to the public and private sectors to address national needs and to solve national problems; conducts research in engineering and applied science in support of these efforts; builds and maintains competence in the necessary disciplines required to carry out this research and technical service; develops engineering data and measurement capabilities;

provides engineering measurement traceability services; develops test methods and proposes

engineering standards and code changes; develops and proposes new engineering practices;

and develops and improves mechanisms to transfer results of its research to the ultimate user. The Laboratory consists of the following centers:

Applied Mathematics — Electronics and Electrical Engineering2 — Mechanical

Engineering and Process Technology2 — Building Technology — Fire Research —

Consumer Product Technology — Field Methods.

THE INSTITUTE FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY conducts

research and provides scientific and technical services to aid Federal agencies in the selection, acquisition, application, and use of computer technology to improve effectiveness and

economy in Government operations in accordance with Public Law 89-306 (40 U.S.C. 759), relevant Executive Orders, and other directives; carries out this mission by managing the Federal Information Processing Standards Program, developing Federal ADP standards

guidelines, and managing Federal participation in ADP voluntary standardization activities; provides scientific and technological advisory services and assistance to Federal agencies; and

provides the technical foundation for computer-related policies of the Federal Government. The Institute consists of the following centers:

Programming Science and Technology — Computer Systems Engineering.

'Headquarters and Laboratories at Gaithersburg, MD, unless otherwise noted; mailing address Washington, DC 20234.

! Some divisions within the center are located at Boulder, CO 80303.
A History of Walkway Slip-Resistance Research

at the National Bureau of Standards

Sanford C. Adler and

Brian C. Pierman

Center for Building Technology

National Engineering Laboratory

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D.C. 20234

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Luther H. Hodges, Jr., Under Secretary

Jordan J. Baruch, Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Director

Issued December 1979
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 79-600179

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 565

Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 565, 36 pages (Dec. 1979) CODEN: XNBSAV

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1979

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price

Stock No. 003—003—
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ABSTRACT 1

1. INTRODUCTION 2

2. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE 2

2.1 R. B. Hunter 3

2.2 P. A. Sigler 6

2.3 Federal Construction Council 10

2.4 T. H. Boone 13

2.5 The Man in the Shoe 15

3. RECENT NBS ACTIVITY 16

3.1 Preliminary Study of Floor Slip-Resistance 16

3.2 Literature Review 17

3.3 NBS-Brungraber Portable Slip-Resistance Tester 17

3.4 Problem-Oriented Research 21

4. NOW AND THE FUTURE 22

4.1 Data Base Development 23

4.2 Standard Reference Surfaces 23

4.3 A More General Investigation of Slips and Falls 24

5. SUMMARY 24

APPENDIX - BASIC CONCEPTS RELATING TO FRICTION AND SLIPRESISTANCE MEASUREMENT 26

REFERENCES 30

iii
LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1. Sigler's Characterization of Antislip

Values for Floor and Deck Surfaces 8

Table 2. Comparison of Slip-Resistance Readings

from Three Test Methods 18

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1. The Hunter Machine 4

Figure 2. The Original Model of Sigler's

Pendulum Tester 7

Figure 3. The NBS Electro-Mechanical Force Plate (1951) .... 11

Figure 4. The British Portable "Skid-Resistance" Tester .... 14

Figure 5. NBS-Brungraber Portable Slip-Resistance Tester ... 20

iv
A History of Walkway Slip-Resistance Research at the

National Bureau of Standards

Sanford C. Adler

and

Brian C. Pierman

ABSTRACT

This report summarizes NBS research in the area of walkway and shoe

slip-resistance measurement since 1924 and outlines current activities

that will provide a technical basis for slip-resistance measurement. The

work of Sigler, Hunter, Boone and Brungraber represents the historic perspective. Current activities in data base development and identification

of standard reference surfaces contribute to a rational basis for quantitative slip-resistance criteria for building codes and standards. Proposed

future research thrusts include personal factors such as. human biokinetic

and perceptual variables, as well as environmental factors such as lighting

in the built environment. This research will contribute to the development

of new intervention strategies to reduce deaths and injuries due to slips

and falls.

Key Words: Friction; measurement; reference standards; safety research;

walkway slip-resistance.

1
1. INTRODUCTION

The National Safety Council reports that slips and falls are the

major building-related cause of accidental death and injury [1].^ In

1976, over 8 million falls resulted in 1.6 million disabling injuries

and 14,896 deaths. The victims are primarily the young and the old,

with more serious consequences for the elderly. Children under 15

(approximately 30% of the U.S. population) suffered nearly half of the

disabling injuries. Adults over 65 (approximately 10% of the U.S.

population) experienced 20% of the fatalities. In more than half of

the falls, slippery surfaces were identified as a major contributing

factor.

Existing standards and codes for walkway surfaces are generally

vague and difficult to enforce since they lack quantitative definition

of acceptable levels of slip-resistance.

The Center for Building Technology is advancing research to permit

the inclusion of quantitative criteria for slip-resistance now missing

from voluntary standards and mandatory regulations.

2. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

The earliest work at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) related

to slips and falls focused exclusively on the measurement of coefficient

of friction. Later work demonstrated a recognition of the complex array

of factors which affect the risk of a slip or fall on a walkway surface.

Numbers in brackets refer to References.

2
2. 1 R. B. Hunter

NBS has been involved in slip-resistance research for over 50

years. As early as the 1920's there was a recognized need for a quantitative safety code for walkway surfaces.

A committee of the American Standards Association''" examined the problem

and found that available data were inadequate. A new manufacturers'

subcommittee was formed within the American Standards Association and

arrangements were made to sponsor a research fellowship at NBS to

investigate the frictional resistance of walkway surface materials.

The investigations carried out from 1924 to 1926 by R. B. Hunter

included the development of a process for preparing (abrading to

simulate wear) the specimens and a test device and procedure for

measuring the coefficient of friction. Additional investigations were

carried out by Hunter at NBS during 1928 to 1929. The results of all

of the studies have been reported by Hunter [2].

Hunter established the following test conditions:

1. The walkway materials tested were abraded sufficiently to be

representative of worn surfaces.

2. The contact area between the surfaces was comparable to the contact

area between an average shoe sole and a walkway.

3. The load applied to the test sole was approximately the same as the

average load to the shoe sole in walking.

Founded in 1918. Changed name in 1966 to the United States Standards

Institute, and again in 1969 to the American National Standards

Institute (ANSI).

3
c igure i

The Hunter Machine

4
4. The test apparatus gave repeatable results on the same surfaces.

Hunter described his test apparatus, illustrated in Figure 1 as

follows:

"It operates on an oblique thrust principle corresponding to the

thrust on the shoe in walking and consists of a right-angled frame

carrying a slotted 75-pound weight between two vertical bars of the

frame which serves as guides to the weight. A 10-inch thrust arm

is pivoted at one end near the center of gravity of the weight and

at the other end through the center of an area of a 3 by 3 inch

shoe. The weight may be raised by means of the windlass, and is

supported in the raised position by the friction of the shoe on the

surface under test. By means of a screw and lug the shoe may be

drawn forward by small increments, increasing the horizontal

component of the force until the shoe slips on the surface, letting

the weight drop. The lug is left in the position at which the slip

occurred. The lug carries an index which shows (on a scale

graduated in inches) the horizontal distance of the shoe from its

position when the thrust arm is vertical."

The Hunter Machine measured dynamic rather than static friction,

since the shoe was dragged across the walkway specimen until slip

occurred. Hunter used rubber and leather shoe sole materials to

evaluate a number of walkway surfaces, including natural and artificial

stone, vitrified tile, wood, metal and various manufactured products.

Hunter found that there was no direct relationship between the

coefficients of friction on clean, dry surfaces and on the same materials under various actual service conditions. For example, he found

that the coefficient of friction for leather appeared to increase on

wet and/or oily surfaces. For most materials, the coefficient of friction depended upon the smoothness, cleaness, and moisture content of

the two surfaces. Adaptations of his test device have been incorporated into currently used test devices such as the James Machine [3],

and the newly developed NBS-Brungraber Portable Tester [4].

5
2.2 P. A. Sigler

During the 1940's and the early 1950's, an extensive program of

slip-resistance research was carried out under the direction of

Percy A. Sigler. The work included analysis of slow-motion photography

of people walking, a study of wear patterns of shoe heels, development

of a new pendulum-type tester, and electromechanical determination of

the forces exerted by the foot on a walkway surface.

Sigler reviewed the previous investigations of the slip-resistance

of floors and noted that measurements made of the coefficient of static

friction between floor surfaces and leather soles yielded the counterintuitive result that some smooth-faced materials had a higher coefficient of friction when wet than when dry. Sigler attributed this

result to the comparatively large area of contact between the leather

sole and the floor surface; a condition representative of a person

standing rather than walking. In retrospect, it now seems more likely

that the improved slip-resistance of wet surfaces arises from the adhesion that can be developed by a thin layer of liquid between the surfaces. The relatively long delay time between the application of the

normal force and the application of the lateral force that is inherent

in most slip-resistance testers can encourage the development of this

adhesion.

6
Figure 2

The Original Model of Sigler's Pendulum Tester

7
Sigler approached the problem by developing a pendulum-type laboratory machine which estimated dynamic friction by indicating the energy

loss of a mechanical heel sliding over a walkway surface. The Sigler

laboratory machine is illustrated in Figure 2. Sigler reported "antislip coefficients" for samples of over 100 materials which he categorized as poor, fair and good [5]. In general, he found almost all

flooring surfaces were "good" under dry conditions, and many rated

"poor" under wet conditions. Table 1 describes the range of "antislip"

values Sigler considered as "poor, fair and good."

Table 1. Siglers 1 Characterization of Antislip Values for Floor and

Deck Surfaces.

Classification Leather Heel as Sensor Rubber Heel as Sensor

Poor Less than 0.15 Less than 0.25

Fair 0.15 to 0.30 0.25 to 0.40

Good More than 0.30 More than 0.40

Taken from Sigler, Percy A., Relative Slipperiness of Floor and Deck

Surfaces , BMS Report 100, NBS, July 1, 1943.

Sigler recognized that the difference in slip-resistance of the

same material wet and dry may represent a hazard [5]. For example, the

difference in slip-resistance of wet and dry rubber heels is greater

than the difference in slip-resistance of wet and dry leather heels.

Hence, wet rubber heels offer more of a "surprise" to the user than wet

8
leather heels, even though rubber heels are generally more slipresistant. Current NBS research, which considers factors like

"surprise" is discussed in Section 4.3 of this report.

As a further fundamental study of the reasons for slips and falls,

and to aid in the design of slip-resistance testers, an analysis was

made of human locomotion [6]. Slow motion pictures of people walking

were taken with concealed cameras in a natural setting. The films

showed that when the leading foot is first placed upon the walkway,

the rear foot remains in contact with the walkway, bearing part of the

vertical load until the leading heel rocks forward and the foot is

fully planted. A survey was also made of worn heels to determine the

probable angles at which heels of shoes make initial contact with walkway surfaces. Information gained from the human locomotion studies was

utilized in the design of a portable model of the pendulum tester. The

portable model of the tester was used by Sigler, Geib, and Boone to

test a number of floors in actual service. A careful series of tests

showed the device to give repeatable results. However, adjustment of

the machine settings, such as level and spring tension could appreciably

change the antislip values obtained. For this reason, Sigler indicated

that the antislip coefficients obtained should be considered as relative, rather than absolute values, and if incorporated into a specif

cation or code should be based on a definite method of testing.

In a related study under Sigler's direction, an electro-mechanical

force plate developed by W. E. Williams was used to give a quantitative

determination of the vertical and horizontal components of the force

exerted by the leg on a walkway surface during locomotion [7]. The

9
published data seemed to indicate that a coefficient of friction greater

than 0.2 is required to prevent slippage in the forward direction and a

coefficient of friction greater than 0.4 is required to prevent slippage

in a backward direction. The device is illustrated in Figure 3.

2.3 Federal Construction Council

In 1961, NBS contributed substantially to a definitive study which

established a rational framework for the development of quantitative

slip-resistance standards [8]. The Federal Construction Councils 1

Operating Committee appointed a task group of qualified technical

personnel for six Federal agencies to examine the causes and measurement of walking slipperiness.

Thomas H. Boone was the NBS participant in this group which sought

to recommend performance tests to be used as a basis for establishing

slip-resistant characteristics of various surfaces, with a primary

focus on interior surfaces subject to pedestrian traffic.

The Task Group reviewed the literature of the field, observed

demonstrations of various testing machines, and contacted flooring

product manufacturers, insurance companies, trade associations,

research laboratories, and others to assess the state-of-the-art of

slip-resistance measurement. The Task Group reported the following

conclusions and recommendations in 1961:

Task Group Conclusions

1. Present Status of Knowledge and Practice

a. Considerable research has been done.

10
11
b. Existing machines and methods are useful tools for measuring the relative slip-resistance of various materials

under controlled, laboratory conditions.

c. Available data on friction are too closely associated with

the type of apparatus used and the operator's techniques

to be given broad significance.

d. A designer who has determined the slip-resistance requirements he desires in a structure has no means of translating his requirements into a meaningful specification

except by selecting products which provided satisfactory

performance in past experience. Similarly, maintenance

personnel have no exact method of checking to ensure that

the slip-resistant properties of a flooring material are preserved.

e. Given the current state-of-the-art, it would be impracticable to attempt to establish a specific standard to ensure safety from slips.

f. In the absence of a universally accepted criterion and

method of measurement, slip-resistance claims for a particular product or material are of questionable validity.

Future Needs

a. To develop a set of standard reference surfaces for use

by designers and manufacturers and to serve as constants

for calibrating and comparing all types of friction measuring equipment.

b. To develop or select a simple, portable, economical piece

of equipment which could be readily used by maintenance

personnel to establish a comparative relationship between

surfaces in service and a standard surface.

Task Group Recommendations

At the present time (1961). Initiate research and development

program to:

a. Develop a set of standard reference surfaces which are economically reproduced; usable under field or laboratory conditions, and have long-term stability/durability

or are expendable.

b. Select or develop a simple portable device for field use

in measuring slip-resistance.

c. Conduct a comprehensive series of tests on in-service

floor surfaces thought to be hazardous and correlate the

results with the standard surfaces.

d. Develop slip-resistance standards which consider locations

and conditions of use.

In the Interim

a. Before installing any material which claims slip-resistant

characteristics, it should be tested under conditions

which simulate actual usage conditions.
b. No single criterion should be established for all pedestrian surfaces.

3. In the Future

The Task Group should be reconvened after the recommended

research and development is completed, with the following

objectives

:

a. To classify materials intended for pedestrian traffic with

respect to slip-resistance and appropriate use.

b. To recommend the most suitable type of "antislip" materials for each type of walkway surface.

c. To recommend maintenance procedures.

The Task Group also suggested that the recommended activities might

appropriately be done by NBS.

2.4 T. H. Boone .

At the time the Federal Construction Council's report was published, work was in process at NBS on the slip-resistance of walkway

and roadway surfaces [9].

Thomas H. Boone, the NBS representative in the FCC study group,

directed research at NBS in cooperation with the Bureau of Public

Roads and ASTM Committee E-17 on Skid-resistance.

The test measurements were made with the British Portable SkidResistance Tester (Figure 4) developed by the Road Research Laboratory

of England. This tester is identical in principle with the NBS tester

developed by Sigler in 1943. The research included an evaluation of a

synthetic rubber developed as a material for vehicle tires, and tests

to determine the effect of 4 years of pedestrian use on samples of

asphalt tile, vinyl asbestos tile, cork, lineoleum and vinyl.

An attempt was also made to identify materials that could be used

as standard reference surfaces. However the difficulties encountered

13
lb
in controlling the instrument's variables precluded an exacting study.

Further research on slip-resistance was not carried out at NBS until

the early 1970's.

2.5 The Man in the Shoe

In January 1973, the Social and Engineering Sciences Group of the

Technical Analysis Division of NBS produced an internal memorandum

entitled "The Man in the Shoe" which outlined a research program on

human walking. The goal of the proposed research was to develop

requirements for shoe construction and materials which would reduce the

risk of slips and falls. In addition to proposing extensive research

programs on the human engineering aspects of walking, the memorandum

reviewed the concept of "equivalent adherence."

A major cause of slips and falls may be an unexpected , i.e., sudden

change in the adherence characteristics of the surface being walked

upon. If the factor of unexpectedness could be avoided or controlled,

the majority of slips and falls might be avoided. Hence, the development of a sole and heel material and tread design which offers the

same slip-resistance, or "equivalent adherence" to most surfaces under

most conditions could significantly reduce accidental slips and falls.

While it was reported that the French have successfully developed such

material for footwear used in the marine industry [10] the concept has

not been extended for footwear in general. The concept of "equivalent

adherence" implied that an optimum level of slip-resistance must strike

a balance between slipperiness and excessive gripping.

15
However, a major impediment to carrying out the recommended research

program was the lack of a portable, easy to use, reliable tester and a

set of standard reference surfaces for calibration of test results.

3. RECENT NBS ACTIVITY

Recent NBS research on slip-resistance was initiated in 1974 by the

Building Safety Section (BSS) of the Center for Building Technology

(CBT). The mission of the Building Safety Section was to reduce

building-related accidental deaths and injuries by conducting research

to support the development of safety criteria, test methods and

standards.

An initial analysis of accident statistics developed by the National

Safety Council and the Consumer Product Safety Commission clearly

identified slips and falls as the major cause of building-related

accident death and injury. Hence, one of the first projects undertaken

by the Building Safety Section was a preliminary study of the slipperiness of flooring.

3. 1 Preliminary Study of Floor Slip-Resistance

A preliminary study by Cramp and Masters involved three test

methods, three flooring materials and two sensor materials under dry

and wet conditions [11]. The three test methods included the James

Static Friction Tester [3], the British Portable Skid Tester [12], and

the Horizontal Pull Slipmeter [13], a device designed to measure static

or dynamic friction. Samples of vinyl asbestos tile, vinyl tile and

lineoleum were selected as representative of the three most commonly

16
used types of resilient flooring. The sensor materials were cowhide

and styrene butadiene rubber. Table 2 is a summary of the test results.

A brief examination of the test results indicates that (a) absolute

friction values are a function of the test device as well as the materials being tested, and (b) different testers are inconsistent with

respect to relative ranking of materials. For example, the British

Portable Tester ranked dry leather as more slip-resistant than wet

leather on all three surfaces, while the Horizontal Pull Slipmeter

ranked wet leather as more slip-resistant than dry leather on two

surfaces and found no difference on the third surface.

3. 2 Literature Review

From June 1974 to November 1976, Dr. Robert Brungraber of Bucknell

University joined the NBS staff as a visiting scholar under the terms

of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act. During this period he made

significant contributions to the slip-resistance research program at

NBS. One of his first tasks was to conduct an extensive review of the

literature on slip-resistance and related fields [14]. The resulting

document, NBS Tech Note 895, contains an annotated bibliography of over

120 relevant publications. However, Dr. Brungraber's most important

contribution to this field was the development of a reliable, easily

calibrated, portable slip-resistant tester.

3. 3 NBS-Brungraber Portable Slip-Resistance Tester

Most published research on slip-resistance assumes that slipresistance is related to coefficient of friction in a fundamental way.

17
Table 2. Comparison of Slip-Resistance Readings From Three Test Methods

(Data from Table 17 of NBSIR 74-613, Preliminary Study of the Slipperiness of Flooring by A. Phillip Cramp and Larry W. Masters)

TEST METHOD

Test James Static^ British Portable 2 Horizontal Pull 3

Condition Fri ction Tester Skid Test er Slipmeter

VINYL ASBESTOS TTT P

LEATHER/ DRY .42 36.9 .44

LEATHER/WET .41 10.2 .66

RUBBER/ DRY 101.4 .82

RUBBER/WET ::: 24.3 .81

VINYL TILE

LEATHER/ DRY .60 19.4 .60

LEATHER/WET .35 10.4 .60

RUBBER/ DRY 91.1 .94

RUBBER/WET — 14.2 .96

LINEOLEUM

LEATHER/ DRY .57 57.8 .64

LEATHER/WET .45 26.3 .88

R TfRRFR / f)R Y 117 9 .80

RUBBER/WET 41.3 .87

1 Tables values for the James Sta tic Friction ister ar e static

coefficient o f fri ction.

Table values for the British Po rtable Skid Tej>ter are expressed in

"British Portable Skid Tester Numbers," whi ch cannot be readily

converted int o coe fficients of friction. The values can be used to

compare teste rs as to "relative ranking" of materials •

Table values for the Horizontal Pull Slip Meter are coefficient of

friction values derived from the "slip index" measured by the tester.

18
More specifically, there are considerable research data which indicate

J that static coefficient of friction (rather than dynamic) is the releI vant variable when considering normal walking [15, 16, 17]. Owing to

the serious limitations found in existing devices, Dr. Brungraber

developed at NBS a new portable tester for measuring the static coefficient of walkway surfaces. The new NBS-Brungraber Tester (Figure 5)

has the following characteristics:

1. It is based on the same principle of operation as the James

Machine, a recognized ASTM Standard.

2. It is completely portable, and can be used under wet or dry,

laboratory or field conditions.

3. It provides highly repeatable and accurate results.

4. It can be easily and reliably calibrated.

5. It accepts a wide variety of sensor materials which may be representative of bare or shod feet.

6. It is self -starting and produces a measurement immediately after

being placed on a walkway surface, thereby reducing the problem of

time-dependent adhesion.

7. It can be used on stairs, and on ramps inclined up to 4°.

Details of the tester development and operation are contained in

NBS Tech Note 953 [4]. In 1977, R. Braun and R. Brungraber carried

out an reported [18] an extensive evaluation of the theoretical basis

for and empirical operation of the NBS-Brungraber tester.

19
BHHHHHHMiiHnHHM!

>

20
3.4 Problem-Oriented Research

A number of recent, narrow-in-scope research activities have been

carried out for other agencies, using the NBS-Brungraber Tester and

other test machines.

The Building Safety Section measured and compared the slipresistance of five deck paints to the slip-resistance of bare concrete.

A leather sensor mounted on a standard James Machine [3] was used to

measure the slip-resistance of the five paints applied to both smooth and

rough finished concrete under dry and wet/icy conditions. Under all test

conditions, bare concrete was more slip-resistant than any of the painted

specimens

.

The Architectural Research Section of the Center for Building

Technology, NBS, directed an extensive field study to identify characteristics of existing stairways which increase the likelihood of an

accidental slip or fall. As a part of this study, the NBS-Brungraber

Tester was used to collect over 3,000 measurements on 112 stairways.

A comparison of the slip-resistance of stairways in general to the

slip-resistance of stairways where accidents were known to have

occurred led to the conclusion that slip-resistance is not a significant factor in stairway accidents [19]. This important finding may

have a significant impact on stairway accident research.

In response to a petition from the National Swimming Pool Institute

and the Aquaslide 'N 1 Dive Corp., the Consumer Product Safety Commission

(CPSC) requested and subsequently funded a study by the Building Safety

Section of the slip-resistance of swimming pool deck surfaces.

21
The objective of the study was to develop a test procedure for reference

in a national safety standard for slippery surfaces around in-ground

swimming pools. Preliminary results of the study indicated that the

slip-resistance of pool deck surfaces could be adequately evaluated

with the NBS-Brungraber Tester.

In the spring of 1975, ASTM Subcommittee F15.03.1 (Specifications

and Test Methods for Slip-Resistance of Bathing Facilities) requested

technical assistance from the Building Safety Section in developing a

performance test for quantitatively establishing an acceptable level of

slip-resistance for bathtub and shower bases. Close cooperation

between the subcommittee members and the Building Safety Section staff

resulted in the development of a reliable performance test which

approximates the conditions that are likely to occur on a bathtub or

shower surface, and adequately discriminates between currently available tub and shower materials. The test procedure uses an NBSBrungraber Tester equipped with a silicone rubber sensor immersed in a

soap solution. The work was funded by the CPSC and the proposed test

procedure is currently under ASTM review [20, 21].

4. NOW AND THE FUTURE

The slip-resistance work is now being conducted in the newly created

Building Safety and Security Group, of the Environmental Design Research

Division at the National Bureau of Standards. This group and the

Construction Safety Group have assumed the tasks previously performed by

the Building Safety Section.

22
4 . 1 Data Base Development

An extensive series of tests of commonly encountered walking

surfaces has been conducted at selected locations including Bucknell

University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and Gallaudet College and the

National Gallery of Art, in Washington, D.C. Many of the surfaces

have had long service histories with a variety of maintenance regimes.

The goal of this work is to provide an understanding of the range of

existing walkway conditions typically encountered in public places.

Data for common floor materials including polished and worn wood, terrazo, marble, concrete and vinyl-asbestos tile will be provided. Both

wet and dry measurements have been completed and a report will be published in 1979.

4.2 Standard Reference Surfaces

The Building Safety and Security Group is investigating the

feasibility of utilizing standardized reference surfaces as a universal

calibration system for slip-resistance testers. The objective is to

develop a set of reference surfaces which are:

1. Easy to duplicate.

2. Durable (or inexpensive enough to be expendable).

3. Stable over the duration of recommended use.

4. Suitable for laboratory and field use, i.e. usable in a wet or

contaminated environment.

5. Uniform and sufficiently close in coefficient of friction values

to permit assessment of a tester's ability to discriminate between

similar but not identical materials.

23
6. Sufficient in number to cover a wide range of slip-resistance

values.

A universal calibration system will give researchers in different

laboratories, utilizing different test devices, a meaningful way to

compare interlaboratory results. Similarly, codes and standards

requirements for slip-resistance could be expressed in terms of standard reference surfaces.

4. 3 A More General Investigation of Slips and Falls

Even for relatively slippery surfaces, slips and falls are rare

events. Current NBS projects are expanding research on falls to

include other variables such as related environmental factors (lighting, appearance), biomechanical considerations (gait, human structural

deviations), and human perception and behavior ("surprise" concept).

Examination of these additional factors and their interactions

will lead to a fuller understanding of slips and falls and identification of appropriate intervention strategies.

5. SUMMARY

The National Bureau of Standards has a long history of research in

the measurement of walking surface friction and the causes of slips and

falls on walkway surfaces. Current activities are concerned with further quantification of coefficient of friction measurements of walkway

surfaces, as well as the development of a broader perspective on the

nature, causes, and prevention of slips and falls. Proposed future

research thrusts are related to the evaluation of personal as well as

environmental factors that contribute to falls, including biomechanical,

24
perceptual and behavioral considerations of users and lighting and

differential conditions of the environmental.

25
APPENDIX

Basic Concepts Relating to Friction and Slip-Resistance Measurement

Friction - The force which resists the relative movement of two surfaces

in contact with each other.

Static Friction - The resisting force at the instant relative motion

begins.

Dynamic Friction - The resisting force when movement is occurring

without interruption. For most materials, dynamic friction is less than

static friction.

Coefficient of Friction - Defined as the ratio of the force required to

move one surface over another to the total force pressing the two

surfaces together.

= HORIZONTAL FORCE

P VERTICAL FORCE

Measurement of Friction - There are two approaches to measuring friction.

In the direct approach, the test device measures or indicates the

horizontal and vertical forces. This includes drag-type meters and

articulated strut devices. The indirect approach calculates the frictional force by observing an energy loss in the test device. The most

common example of the indirect approach is a pendulum-type device.

These devices are illustrated in Fig. A-l.

Drag-Type Meters - A weight of known value, faced with a shoe sole or

heel material is pulled across a floor surface. The force required to

26
a. DRAG TYPE METER

b. ARTICULATED STRUT

DEVICE

Figure Al

Typical Friction Measurement Devices

27
start motion (static friction) or maintain motion (dynamic friction) is

recorded. (Figure Al-a)

Articulated Strut Devices - A known vertical force is applied to a shoe

faced with shoe sole or heel material. An increasing lateral force is

then applied until slip occurs. The ratio of lateral force at slip to

the known vertical force is the coefficient of friction.

Note in Figure Al-b, there are three ways of going from the initial

position to the position at the instant of slip.

- The shoe can be pushed/pulled to the left until slip occurs

(dynamic friction, Hunter Machine).

- The floor surface can be moved to the left until the shoe

slips (static friction, James Machine).

- The weight can move to the right until the shoe slips (static

friction, NBS-Brungraber Tester).

Pendulum-type Tester - In a pendulum-type tester, a pendulum, faced with

a shoe sole or heel material sweeps a path across a flooring surface.

The potential energy of the pendulum at the beginning of a swing and its

residual energy at the end of a swing can be determined from the known

weight and position of the center of gravity of the pendulum. The

difference, or loss in energy, is equal to the work done in sliding the

contact material over the walkway surface, which is the average contact

friction force times the distance of contact. By definition, the average

frictional force is equal to the coefficient of friction times the

average force normal to the plane of contact. From these relationships

28
an equation can be established for the coefficient of friction in which

all factors except the scale reading at the end of the swing are known

constants of the instrument. (Fig. Al-c)
References

1. U.S. Nat. Safety Council, Accident Facts : 1977 Edition, Chicago,

111.

2. Hunter, R. B. , "A Method of Measuring Frictional Coefficients of

Walkway Materials," National Bureau of Standards Journal of Research , RP 204, Vol. 5, p. 329 (August 1930).

3. ASTM, "Standard Method of Test for Static Coefficient of Friction

of Polish Coated Floor Surfaces as Measured by the James Machine,"

ASTM D2047, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia,

Pa.

4. Brungraber, R. J. , A New Portable Tester for the Evaluation of the

Slip-Resistance of Walkway Surfaces , National Bureau of Standards

Tech. Note 953, Aug. 1977.

5. Sigler, P. A., "Relative Slipperiness of Floor and Deck Surfaces,"

Building Materials and Structures Report , BMS 100, National Bureau

of Standards (July 1, 1943).

6. Sigler, P. A. , Geib, M. N. , Boone, T. H. , "Measurement of the

Slipperiness of Walkway Surfaces," National Bureau of Standards

Journal of Research , RP 1879, Vol. 40, p. 339 (May 1948).

7. "Electronic Stepmeter Revels Mechanics of Walking," National Bureau

of Standards Technical News Bulletin , Vol. 35, No. 4, April 1951.

8. Causes and Measurement of Walking Slipperiness , Federal Construction

Council Technical Report #43, National Academy of Sciences, National

Research Council Publication 899, Washington, D.C., 1961.

9. Boone, T. H. and Auld, C. W. , Standard Measurements of Slipperiness

on Walkway and Roadway Surfaces , Progress Report 1, National Bureau

of Standards Report 7510, May 1962.

10. "How an Antislip Sole was Born," National Safety News , Nov. 1966,

pp. 38-39.

11. Cramp, A. P. and Masters, L. W. Preliminary Study of the Slipperiness of Flooring , National Bureau of Standards Report, NBSIR 74-613

(July 1974).

12. ASTM, "Standard Method of Test for Measuring Surface Frictional

Properties Using the British Portable Tester," ASTM E303-69,

American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pa.

13. Irvine, C. H. , "A New Slipmeter for Evaluating Walkway Slipperiness,"

Materials Research and Standards , Vol. 7, No. 12, Dec. 1967, pp. 535-541

American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pa.

30
14. Brungraber, R. J. , An Overview of Floor Slip-Resistance ^With Anno - tated Bibliography , National Bureau of Standards Tech Note 895

(Jan. 1976).

15. Carlsoo, Sven, How Man Moves: Kinesiological Methods and Studies , Heinemann: London, 1972.

16. Ekkebus, C. F. and Kelly, W. , "Measurement of Safe Walkway

Surfaces," Soap/ Cosmetics/ Chemical Specialities , Feb. 1973.

17. Schuster, K. , "Slip-An Investigation of Practical Accident

Prevention," Die Berufagenossenschaf t/Betriebssicherheit , Sept.

1966.

18. R. Braun and R. J. Brungraber, "A Comparison of Two Slip-Resistance

Testers", in Walkway Surfaces: Measurement of Slip Resistance , Proceedings of the ASTM Symposium in Denver, Colo., 30 June 1977,

American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pa.

19. Carson, D. H. , Archea, J., Margulis, S. T. , and Carson, F. C.

,

Safety on Stairs , National Bureau of Standards Building Science

Series (No. 108, Dec 78).

20. Final Report of ASTM Task Group F15.03 on Safety Standards for

Bathtub and Shower Structures, Aug. 31, 1976, contains a detailed

description of the proposed test method. Available from American

Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pa.

21. R. J. Braungraber and S. C. Adler, "Technical Support for a SlipResistance Standard," in Walkway Surfaces: Measurement of SlipResistance , proceedings of the ASTM Symposium in Denver, Colo.

,

30 June 1977, American Society for Testing and Materials,

Philadelphia, Pa.

31

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1379 31 I-046/32H
NBS-114A (REV. 9-781

U.S. DEPT. OF COMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. PUBLICATION OR REPORT NO. NBS SP 565

2. Gov't Accession No. 3. Recipient's Accession No.

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

A History of Walkway Slip-Resistance Research

at the National Bureau of Standards

5. Publication Date December 1979

6. Performing Organization Code

7. AUTHOR(S)

Sanford C. Adler and Brian C. Pierman

8. Performing Organ. Report No.

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, DC 20234

10, Project/Task/Work Unit No. 7433205

11. Contract/Grant No.

12. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (Street, City, state, ZIP)

Same as above

13. Type of Report & Period Covered Final

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES Library of Congress Catalog Card Number

|_j Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FIPS Software Summary, is attached. 79-600179

16. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant bibliography or

literature survey, mention it here.) This report summarizes NBS research in the area of walkway and shoe slip-resistance

measurement since 1924 and outlines current activities that will provide a technical

basis for slip-resistance measurement. The work of Sigler, Hunter, Boone and

Brungraber represents the historic perspective. Current activities in data base

development and identification of standard reference surfaces contribute to a rational basis for quantitative slip-resistance criteria for building codes and

standards. Proposed future research thrusts include personal factors such as human biokinetic and perceptual variables, as well as environmental factors such as lighting in the built environment. This research will contribute to the development

of new intervention strategies to reduce deaths and injuries due to slips and falls.

17. KEY WORDS (six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only the first letter of the first key word unless a proper name;

separated by semicolons) Friction; measurement; reference standards; safety research;

walkway slip-resistance.

18. AVAILABILITY [Xj Unlimited

I I For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

P^] Order From Sup. of Doc, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC

20402, SD Stock No. SN003-003Q2142 -3

I I Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA. 22161

19. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS REPORT)

UNCLASSIFIED

20. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS PAGE)

UNCLASSIFIED

21. NO. OF

PRINTED PAGES

36

22. Price $1.75

U SCOMM- DC
NBS TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS

PERIODICALS

I JOURNAL OF RESEARCH—The Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards reports NBS research and develop- ment in those disciplines of the physical and engineering sciences in

' which the Bureau is active. These include physics, chemistry,

engineering, mathematics, and computer sciences. Papers cover a

j broad range of subjects, with major emphasis on measurement

methodology and the basic technology underlying standardization. Also included from time to time are survey articles on topics

I closely related to the Bureau's technical and scientific programs.

I As a special service to subscribers each issue contains complete

1 citations to all recent Bureau publications in both NBS and nonI NBS media. Issued six times a year. Annual subscription: domestic

$17; foreign $21.25. Single copy, $3 domestic; $3.75 foreign. NOTE: The Journal was formerly published in two sections: SecI tion A "Physics and Chemistry" and Section B "Mathematical

! Sciences."

| DIMENSIONS/NBS—This monthly magazine is published to in- form scientists, engineers, business and industry leaders, teachers,

! students, and consumers of the latest advances in science and

j technology, with primary emphasis on work at NBS. The magazine

] highlights and reviews such issues as energy research, fire protecI tion, building technology, metric conversion, pollution abatement,

j health and safety, and consumer product performance. In addition, it reports the results of Bureau programs in measurement

standards and techniques, properties of matter and materials, engineering standards and services, instrumentation, and

automatic data processing. Annual subscription: domestic $11;

foreign $13.75. NONPERIODICALS

Monographs—Major contributions to the technical literature on

J various subjects related to the Bureau's scientific and technical activities. Handbooks—Recommended codes of engineering and industrial

practice (including safety codes) developed in cooperation with in- terested industries, professional organizations, and regulatory

bodies. Special Publications—Include proceedings of conferences sponsored by NBS, NBS annual reports, and other special publications

appropriate to this grouping such as wall charts, pocket cards, and

bibliographies. Applied Mathematics Series—Mathematical tables, manuals, and

studies of special interest to physicists, engineers, chemists,

biologists, mathematicians, computer programmers, and others engaged in scientific and technical work.

National Standard Reference Data Series—Provides quantitative

data on the physical and chemical properties of materials, compiled from the world's literature and critically evaluated. Developed under a worldwide program coordinated by NBS under

the authority of the National Standard Data Act (Public Law

90-396).

NOTE: The principal publication outlet for the foregoing data is the Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data (JPCRD)

published quarterly for NBS by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Institute of Physics (AIP). Subscriptions,

reprints, and supplements available from ACS, 1 155 Sixteenth St., NW, Washington, DC 20056.

Building Science Series—Disseminates technical information developed at the Bureau on building materials, components,

systems, and whole structures. The series presents research results, test methods, and performance criteria related to the structural and

environmental functions and the durability and safety characteristics of building elements and systems.

Technical Notes—Studies or reports which are complete in themselves but restrictive in their treatment of a subject. Analogous to monographs but not so comprehensive in scope or definitive in treatment of the subject area. Often serve as a vehicle for final reports of work performed at NBS under the sponsorship of other government agencies.

Voluntary Product Standards—Developed under procedures

published by the Department of Commerce in Part 10, Title 15, of

the Code of Federal Regulations. The standards establish nationally recognized requirements for products, and provide all concerned interests with a basis for common understanding of the characteristics of the products. NBS administers this program as a supplement to the activities of the private sector standardizing

organizations. Consumer Information Series—Practical information, based on NBS research and experience, covering areas of interest to the con- sumer. Easily understandable language and illustrations provide

useful background knowledge for shopping in today's tech- nological marketplace. Order the above NBS publications from: Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Order the following NBS publications—FIPS and NBSlR's—from

the National Technical Information Services, Springfield, VA 22161

.

Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS

PUB)—Publications in this series collectively constitute the Federal Information Processing Standards Register. The Register

serves as the official source of information in the Federal Govern- ment regarding standards issued by NBS pursuant to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 as amended,

Public Law 89-306 (79 Stat. 1127), and as implemented by Executive Order 1 1717 (38 FR 12315, dated May 11, 1973) and Part 6 of Title 15 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations).

NBS Interagency Reports (NBSIR)—A special series of interim or

final reports on work performed by NBS for outside sponsors

(both government and non-government). In general, initial dis- tribution is handled by the sponsor; public distribution is by the National Technical Information Services, Springfield, VA 22161,

in paper copy or microfiche form.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

The following current-awareness and literature-survey bibliographies

are issued periodically by the Bureau:

Cryogenic Data Center Current Awareness Service. A literature sur- vey issued biweekly. Annual subscription: domestic $25; foreign

$30. Liquefied Natural Gas. A literature survey issued quarterly. Annual

subscription: $20.

Superconducting Devices and Materials. A literature survey issued quarterly. Annual subscription: $30. Please send subscription or- ders and remittances for the preceding bibliographic services to the National Bureau of Standards, Cryogenic Data Center (736) Boulder, CO 80303.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D C. 20234

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Penalty for Private Use. $300

POSTAGE AND FEES PAID

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE COM-2 1 5

SPECIAL FOURTH-CLASS RATE BOOK