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Author
Brungraber, R. J.
Title
Overview of Floor Slip-Resistance Research with Annotated Bibliography.
Coporate
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
Report
NBS TN 895
January 1976
113 p.
Distribution
Available from Government Printing Office
Keywords
building safety | floor surface friction | occupancy safety | slip-resistance | slip-resistance testers | walking friction
Abstract
Slips and falls in the home as well as in public buildings have reached serious proportions (8,000,000 accidents per year in the home, resulting in 9,600 deaths and 1,600,000 disabling injuries). This paper reviews the literature relating to this problem. Based on studies of kinesiology and anthropometry, the coefficient of friction between foot surfaces and floor surfaces is found to be a significant parameter controlling slips and falls. A review of the general study of friction on slip-resistance of floors leads to a guide for selection of slip-resistance criteria. The paper concludes with a discussion of the legal aspects of the problem and the present status of slip-resistance specifications.