Our treatments can be applied to a wide range of surfaces, including tile, marble, concrete, engineered wood, and more.
The lifespan of our treatments depends on the type of surface and the level of foot traffic. However, our solutions are designed for long-lasting effectiveness, with regular maintenance and testing recommended to ensure peak performance.
Yes, our treatments are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and safe for children and pets. You can feel confident in your home or business with Slip-X.
Treatments are applied by trained professionals, ensuring correct and effective application for optimal results.
Slip resistance and DCOF are not synonymous terms.
From the ANSI A326.3 standard:
Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF) is the ratio of the force necessary to keep a surface in motion sliding over another surface, divided by the weight (or normal force) of the sliding object. Different contaminants such as dirt, water, soap, oil, or grease can change this value.
There are many factors that affect the possibility of a slip occurring on a surface, including, by way of example, but not in limitation, the following: the material of the shoe sole and the degree of its wear; the presence and nature of surface contaminants; the speed and length of stride at the time of a slip; the physical and mental condition of the individual at the time of a slip; whether the floor is flat or inclined; how the hard surface flooring material is used and maintained; and the DCOF of the material, how the flooring surface is structured, and how drainage takes place if liquids are involved. Because many variables affect the risk of a slip occurring, the measured DCOF value shall not be the only factor in determining the appropriateness of a hard surface flooring material for a particular application.
Summarizing the above, DCOF can be helpful in comparing surfaces, but it does not predict the likelihood a person will or will not slip-on a given surface, and it is not synonymous with slip resistance.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A326.3 standard was revised, balloted and approved in 2021 with a product use classification system, where products are classified into one or more of five categories based on their slip resistance properties: Interior, Dry; Interior, Wet; Interior, Wet Plus; Exterior, Wet; and Oils/Greases.
The specific requirements for each product use category are shown in Table 1 of ANSI A326.3-2021, copied below.
Table 1: Product Use Classification
Classification Reference Category Criteria
Interior, Dry ID ≥ 0.42 dry DCOF* (per Section 10.1)
Interior, Wet IW ≥ 0.42 wet DCOF* (per Section 9.1) or Manufacturer-Declared
Interior, Wet Plus IW+ Manufacturer-Declared
Exterior, Wet EW Manufacturer-Declared
Oils/Greases O/G Manufacturer-Declared
“Manufacturer-declared” refers to Section 3.4 of the ANSI A326.3 standard which states the following:
Manufacturer shall declare product use classification based on manufacturing parameters, internal quality control criteria, their experience with similar surfaces, and the criteria in this standard for all surfaces classified under Sections 4.1.3, 4.1.4, and 4.1.5 [respectively, “Interior, Wet Plus,” “Exterior, Wet,” and “Oils/Greases,”], mosaic surfaces, and flooring where surface structure (e.g. three-dimensionally patterned or profiled surfaces) results in misleading DCOF measurements due to test device constraints. Optionally, surfaces classified under Section 4.1.2 [“Interior, Wet”] shall also be permitted to be manufacturer declared.
Hard surface flooring manufacturer shall define internal product selection criteria (for example, but not in limitation, DCOF limit values established using this test method or other test methods, internal reference standards and practices, and/or the presence of abrasive grain and/or surface structure) for each product where the manufacturer-declared product use classification is not based on DCOF criteria developed per this standard.
Regardless of declared product use classification, specifier shall determine materials appropriate for specific project conditions, considering by way of example, but not in limitation, type of use, traffic, expected contaminants, expected maintenance, expected wear, and manufacturers’ guidelines and recommendations. [Text in brackets is not part of the standard and has been added for clarity. For footnotes, see the A326.3 standard.]
For the “Interior, Wet Plus,” “Exterior, Wet,” and “Oils/Greases” classifications, and optionally for the “Interior, Wet” classification, manufacturers are not limited to DCOF criteria.
To meet the standard, hard surface flooring products shall be classified into one or more of the provided categories, i.e., whatever categories are applicable. As an example, a product classified as “Interior, Wet Plus” would likely also be classified “Interior, Dry” and “Interior, Wet”.
From the A326.3 standard:
Hard surface flooring materials which have a coating applied after firing (for ceramic manufactured products), after fabrication (for non-ceramic manufactured products), or after installation of flooring materials onsite shall only be used in areas that can be kept dry, unless otherwise declared by the coating’s manufacturer. If testing data is required after a coating is applied, use the test method specified by the manufacturer, or the dry testing procedure in this standard [A326.3] if no test method is specified by the manufacturer of the coating.
No, ramps and inclined surfaces are not addressed by any of the five product use categories.
The classification system in A326.3 communicates where the manufacturer of the product expects the product can be used based on slip resistance-related criteria, under the conditions specified in the standard, and subject to final determination by the specifier based on actual project conditions.
Further, the standard provides possible areas of use for the specifier’s consideration. This provides architects, specifiers, interior designers, and consumers in general with information from the manufacturer to help choose appropriate hard surface flooring products, ultimately benefiting all end-users of flooring through better choices.
Yes. Per the standard, specifiers must consider a variety of factors when determining hard surface flooring materials appropriate for specific project conditions. Some considerations include, but are not limited to, type of use, traffic, expected contaminants, expected maintenance, expected wear, and manufacturers’ guidelines and recommendations.
There is no specific requirement for how product use classifications shall be communicated.
No, ANSI A326.3 is a hard surface flooring material standard.
Yes, Sections 5.0 onward describe the test method for measuring the dynamic coefficient of friction of hard surface flooring materials. The method is applicable in the lab and the field, and it can be performed in wet or dry conditions.
ANSI A326.3 is relied upon as a test method to provide repeatable, precise DCOF test data.
Previously, in the 2017 version of the standard, hard surface flooring materials needed to have a minimum Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF) of at least 0.42 for level interior floors expected to be walked upon when wet with water.
In addition, the 2017 version is referenced in the IAPMO Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Code. Additionally, the next cycle of ICC’s International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (published in 2024) references the 2017 version of ANSI A326.3. Presumably, both codes will be updated in the future to the 2021 version or potentially a subsequent version.
The surface treatment is suitable for practically any work area. Indoor or outdoor surfaces including offices, factory floors, entrances, restaurants, clubs, stairs, walking paths, workshops, kitchens, bathrooms and change rooms. We have a solution for all your slippery tiled surfaces, whether it’s concrete, Spanish tile, glazed brick, terrazzo, quarry tile, ceramic tile, marble, or porcelain/enamel tile.
Yes, you do! Give us a call or email us and we can show you the difference our service can make. This application will reduce the likelihood of any future potential catastrophic slip and fall injuries. The floor product will ensure that all of your staff, visitors, and clients will have a safe and happy
environment.
One lawsuit can put you out of business.
In the U.S., slip and fall accidents result in an estimated $70 billion in annual compensation and medical costs. This includes expenses for emergency room visits, hospital stays, and rehabilitation, as well as lost wages and workers’ compensation claims. The average cost per slip and fall injury can range from $30,000 to $40,000 .
Surface treatment is suitable for practically any work area. Indoor or outdoor surfaces including offices, factory floors, entrances, restaurants, clubs, stairs, walking paths, workshops, kitchens, bathrooms, and change rooms. We have a solution for all your slippery tiled surfaces, whether it’s concrete, Spanish tile, glazed brick, terrazzo, quarry tile, ceramic tile, marble, or porcelain/enamel tile.
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