Why use a surefooted system?

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An integral part of demonstrating the effectiveness of our products is being able to test floors before and after treatments. This enables us to decide weather are products are required and if so what performance can be achieved.

The apparatus used for this is the only HSE approved instrument commonly known as a pendulum metre. With are technicians not only qualified in the use of the machine but also with qualifications in Health and Safety we are also able to offer independent testing of floors, roads and car parks for use in insurance disputes or just for peace of mind that your floor meets current legislation..

PENDULUM

The pendulum coefficient of friction test (also known as the ‘portable skid resistance tester’, the ‘British pendulum’, and the ‘TRRL pendulum’) is now the subject of a British Standard, BS 7976.2

Figure 1 The ‘pendulum’ coefficient of friction test, HSE/HSL’s preferred test method for the assessment of floor surface coefficient of friction.

This instrument, although often used in its current form to assess the skid resistance of roads, was originally designed to simulate the action of a slipping foot. The method is based on a swinging, dummy heel (using a standardised rubber soling sample), which sweeps over a set area of flooring in a controlled manner.

The slipperiness of the flooring has a direct and measurable effect on the pendulum value given (known as the ‘slip resistance value’, ‘pendulum test value’ or ‘British pendulum number’).

HSL research has confirmed the pendulum to be a reliable and accurate test, leading to its adoption as the standard HSE test method for the assessment of floor slipperiness in dry and contaminated conditions. The instrument requires a competent operative both to use it and interpret the results. HSE currently believes this to be the only portable instrument that accurately simulates the action of a foot slipping on a wet floor. However, HSL has a programme to evaluate new test methods.