Slips and falls are among the most common workplace accidents, and many of these events can be prevented by selecting the right epoxy flooring system for a specific application. In addition to aesthetic considerations, durability, and ease of maintenance, flooring materials should always be selected with safety in mind.
SRI & Co. is often called in to replace slippery epoxy flooring systems that, in another setting, would have been perfectly safe and functional, but are unsuitable in that specific environment. Production plants and warehouses, for example, will have different floor slip-resistance requirements from commercial kitchens or medical facilities, and various other factors must also enter the equation to narrow down epoxy floor system choices.
Slip resistance of flooring products is stated in terms of its coefficient of friction (COF) as determined through independent laboratory testing. The higher the COF, the better the slip resistance. Most epoxy floors have a minimum COF of 0.5 and, with the addition of aggregates, can achieve slip-resistance as high as 1.0. Common epoxy flooring additives include silica sand, quartz, micronized polymers, and aluminum oxide. These aggregates can be incorporated into the epoxy or broadcast onto the flooring surface while still wet.
Selecting the right epoxy additives for your needs, however, goes way beyond simply picking the highest-COF material and calling it a day. What are the demands and performance requirements? Is the floor in a high foot traffic area? Are forklifts and other wheeled vehicles to be used on the floor? Will it be regularly exposed to solvents, chemicals, oil, acids, standing water, etc.? Proper cleaning agents and methods must be used for different types of epoxy floor systems as the wrong product or approach can affect grit and texture, thereby reducing slip resistance.
As a highly-experienced flooring contractor specializing in epoxy floors, SRI & Co. works with clients to sort through the myriad of options and considerations to determine the best flooring system for their specific needs. For more information, please contact SRI & Co. at 973-832-7627.
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