Skudo has always focused on being completely performance driven, and in the development of the new Mat systems, slip resistance was a top priority. Skudo wanted to ensure its range of products had the highest performance so as to create the safest possible working environment for all concerned.
Both the MT and the HT Mats were tested for slip resistance in both wet and dry conditions using internationally recognized test methods.
The results reveal that Skudo achieved the highest slip rating for both Wet and Dry conditions.
THE RESULTS:
For Wet conditions, a V rating (with score higher than mean 54) is the highest possible rating for Wet Slip resistance. Both the MT and the HT surpassed that figure significantly, recording incredibly high 59 and 60 mean scores respectively.
For the Dry Slip Resistance, the Skudo Mats needed to receive a dynamic coefficient of friction mean equal to or higher than 0.40 to achieve the highest rating of “F”. Skudo Mats registered an incredible 0.80 and 0.85 respectively giving them a safety rating double that of the highest rated figure.
| Wet Pendulum test – MT | mean 59 or V Classification |
| Wet Pendulum test – HT | mean 60 or V Classification |
| Dry Floor Friction test – MT | mean 0.80 or F Classification |
| Dry Floor Friction test – HT | mean 0.85 or F Classification |
ABOUT THE TESTS:
Skudo commissioned two main tests in Australia, where Skudo was developed, from ATTAR (Advanced Technology Testing and Research) – a NATA (National Associating of Testing Authorities) Accredited facility: The Wet Pendulum Slip Resistance Test, and the Dry Floor Friction Slip Resistance Test. The wet pendulum slip resistance test (AS/NZS 4586 Appendix A) is generally conducted using a Wessex or Munro – Stanley London Pendulum Friction Tester. This pendulum device is portable and consists of a weighted foot with a test slider that swings down and slides across the surface wetted with water. The weighted foot comprises a spring-loaded rubber test slider that exerts a prescribed force over the specimen as it slides across the surface. The results of expressed as a British Pendulum Number (BPN) and classified according to AS/NZS 4586 as shown in the table below:
| Pendulum Mean BPN | AS/NZS 4586 Classification | AS/NZS 4663 Notional* contribution of the floor surface to the risk of slipping when wet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four S | TRL | ||
| > 54 | > 44 | V | Very Low |
| 45-54 | 40-44 | W | Low |
| 35-44 | n/a | X | Moderate |
| 25-34 | n/a | Y | High |
| < 25 | n/a | Z | Very High |
The dry floor friction slip resistance slip test (AS/NZS 4586 Appendix B) uses a battery operated machine commonly referred to as the “dry FFT” a or “Tortus”. The dry FFT measures the force opposing the motion of a 9 mm diameter test slider of Four S rubber as it moves across the surfaces at a constant speed of 1m/min. The average of two measurements of 800 mm is taken and the results are expressed as Coefficient of Friction (CoF). The coefficient of friction is a ratio of the horizontal and vertical forces and the slip resistance test results are classified as follows:
| Floor friction tester mean value | AS/NZS 4586 Classification | AS/NZS 4663 Notional* contribution of the floor surface to the risk of slipping when dry |
|---|---|---|
| ≥ 0.40 | F | Moderate to very low |
| < 0.40 | G | High to very high |
