Stone Initiatives - the stone quality & care specialists
In today’s world of litigation, it appears that accidents never happen, someone is always to blame – slips and falls are no exception. Pedestrian surfaces are becoming litigation minefields following falls on surfaces as wide ranging as polished stone to linoleum and bitumen roadways. There is a need for everyone from the architect to the maintenance supervisor to keep in mind the potential hazard of all pedestrian surfaces.
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In Australia and New Zealand slip resistance is measured according to two different (but similar) standards depending on whether the surface is new or existing. New pedestrian surfaces are tested in accordance with the current version of AS/NZS 4586 while existing pedestrian surface are tested in accordance with AS/NZS 4663. The standard for new pedestrian surfaces (AS/NZS 4586) provides a method for determining dry slip resistance (using a Floor Friction Tester) and a range of different methods for evaluating slip resistance in a wet condition (i.e. Pendulum, Wet/barefoot Ramp and Oil-wet Ramp). Only one of these methods (Pendulum) can be used on a fixed (installed) surface and this method is documented within AS/NZS 4663 along with the method for the Floor Friction Tester which is also able to be used on site. |