The Pendulum Test is commonly used across the world to measure the slip potential of safety flooring products. Wet flooring measuring ≥36, which translates to a one-in-a-million chance of slipping, indicates a low slip risk; the Altro Safety Flooring range exceeds this performance. Water is used as the contaminant in the Pendulum Test for greater accuracy and reliability. However, this test may not be sufficient to assess the safety of flooring in commercial kitchens.
Commercial kitchens can throw up several contaminants ranging from greasy water, milk and oil to food particles and flour. Apart from spillages, contamination can also occur when hot oil evaporates into the air, cools and settles on the floor, creating a constant hazard. The contaminants found in a kitchen are often denser than water or, in the case of food particles, dry rather than wet, increasing the risk of slipping.
While commonly used safety floors may perform well in a standard Pendulum or Ramp Test, they may not match up to the standards required for real working kitchens with varied contaminants, putting staff at risk.
The Ramp Test results in R9-R13 values, which are based on the angle at which a person slips while walking on a motor-oil covered ramp, with R9 indicating the least slip resistance. However, Altro Safety Flooring believes this test does not give a clear enough indication of slip resistance.
Altro Stronghold 30 safety flooring, which measures PTV ≥55, was developed specifically for areas exposed to grease, oils and fats, such as kitchens, canteens and food preparation areas. Instead of the standard Pendulum Test or the Ramp Test, Altro decided to carry out their own tests using contaminants that would actually be found in commercial kitchens.
The results show that flooring with a Ramp Test value of less than R12 cannot prevent slips when vegetable oil or greasy water is present; the risk of slipping on such floors is reduced to one in 20, even when the Pendulum Test result is ≥36.
However, on Altro Stronghold 30/K30 safety flooring measuring PTV ≥55, the risk of slipping on surfaces contaminated with vegetable oil or greasy water is one in a million.
In kitchens used for preparing food, the chosen flooring needs to be able to perform against wet and dry contaminants, and also provide confidence of sustained lifetime slip resistance rather than a coating that will wear away.
Altro Stronghold 30 safety flooring gives peace of mind, allowing commercial kitchen operators to keep up with the pace of their business without compromising on safety.
