Ada Coefficient Of Friction For Flooring

This guide explains requirements in the ada standards for floor and ground surfaces.

Ada coefficient of friction for flooring.

Specifications for floor and ground surfaces address surface characteristics carpeting openings and changes in level. Cof or coefficient of friction slip ratings published by tile manufacturers. Astm c1028 coefficient of friction coefficient of friction test cof floor slip resistance standards osha osha slip test scof skid test. Firmness stability and slip resistance 302 1 carpet 302 2 openings 302 3 changes in level 303 common questions.

For decades it was widely believed the americans with disabilities act ada required a static coefficient of friction dry or wet as applicable of 0 60 or higher for level floors and 0 80 for ramps. Slip resistant flooring is an important element of ensuring a public access floor is compliant with ada regulations. A cof of 0 5 which is based upon studies by the university of michigan and reported in the work surface friction. Currently a floor must have a minimum dynamic coefficient of friction dcof between 0 30 0 42 for standard flat flooring where sloped or ramped surfaces exceeding a 2 slope requires a dcof between 0 30 0 45.

Definitions laboratory and field measurements and a comprehensive bibliography is recommended as a guide to achieve proper slip resistance. Department of justice has disavowed any responsibility for this custom. Until now the value of 0 60 static coefficient of friction scof as determined by the astm c1028 test method has been the most commonly specified and often misunderstood standard for ceramic tile. Cof slip resistance ratings help you determine if you are buying the right tile for the right location.

There are standards that allow for these differences and safety direct america can supply the test data and safety standards to determine whether a particular flooring is appropriate. Osha recommends that walking surfaces have a coefficient of friction of 0 5. Ground and floor surfaces along accessible routes and in accessible rooms and spaces including floors walks ramps stairs and curb ramps shall be stable firm slip resistant and shall comply with 4 5 specifically the ada discusses coefficient of friction requirements in appendix a4 5 1. A reasonable measure of slip resistance is static coefficient of friction cof.

There is a reliable way to know how slippery floor tile will be under both wet and dry conditions. Acutestsm determines dynamic coefficient of friction dcof with a sophisticated instrument called the bot 3000 a type of tribometer1 specific for flooring applications. Specifiers routinely cite the 0 60 value as a requirement for americans with disabilities act ada compliance which isn t entirely accurate. In fact this was never true and the access board of the u s.