Comparative Slip Resistance of Recycled Plastic & Hardwood Floor Planks

This plank had a grained surface texture. Three comparative samples of commercial square-edged profiled surface hardwood were tested. These surfaces presented 3, 3, 5 and 10 flats between 4mm, 1mm, 1mm and 4mm deep recesses in each 138mm wide surface, giving a flush top surface of 90%, 90%, 51% and 58% of the area respectively.

The following tests were carried out on the sample supplied:

a) Dry surface slip resistance to BS 7976/BS 812 (Department of Transport – TRRL)
b) Wet surface slip resistance to BS 7976/BS 812 (Department of Transport – TRRL)

Table 1 shows the measured data and calculated mean values for dry and wet slip resistance of the samples.

TABLE 1. SLIP RESISTANCE MEAUREMENTS

Under both dry and wet conditions the plastic plank’s slip resistance exceeded the recommended minimum of 40 for a pedestrian area.

The slip resistance of the hardwood is much more variable, depending on grain orientation, grain width and surface finish. Although the 10-flat section profile was significantly better than the other hardwood timber planks, even if it did not achieve anywhere near the desired slip resistance along the grain direction. Timber slip resistance tends to be better when damp rather than when it is very dry or when puddled water sits on the surface, so the figures quoted do not reflect well for the timber samples. However, timber does also provide a nutrient source for algal growth, and slip figures of low single digits have been measured for these conditions in the past.

There appears to be no exterior situation in which the recycled plastic plank sample did not better the performance of the hardwood timber planks.