ASTM F3132-20

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3132 − 20
Standard Practice for
Selection of Walkway Surfaces When Considering
Pedestrian Safety
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3132; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope F2965 Guide for Selection of Walkway Surfaces and Treat-
ments When Considering Aggressive Contaminant Con-
1.1 This practice outlines key elements for selecting new or
ditions in Commercial and Industrial (Not Including
planned walkway surfaces for reduced risk of slips and falls. It
Construction) Environments
is intended for use by those involved in decisions regarding
selection of interior and exterior slip resistant walkway sur- 2.2 Other Documents:
faces under expected use conditions. Elevation and obstacle ANSI/TCNA A137.1 American National Standard Specifi-
risk, trips and falls are excluded from this standard. cation for Ceramic Tile
1.2 Conformance with this standard practice will assist in
3. Terminology
the reduction of slip and fall risk on walkway surfaces.
3.1 See Terminology F1646 for the following terms:
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
contaminant, fall, pedestrian, ramp, slip, slip resistant, slip
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
resistance, and walkway.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2 Definitions:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.1 aggressive contaminants, n—See Guide F2965.
Where more stringent standards exist, those standards should
3.2.2 available friction, n—an inherent characteristic of a
be followed.
walkway surface that would result in measurable friction upon
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
the attempted or actual sliding of another object across that
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
surface; can only be measured using a method, apparatus and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
contaminant (if any) that have their own inherent influences on
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
the measurement value itself.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.3 friction, n—the resistance to the sliding of one surface
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
across another surface; may be evaluated through different
methodologies and described using different terms.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Significance and Use
F1646 Terminology Relating to Walkway Safety and Foot-
4.1 Use of this standard practice will enable architects,
wear
design and construction engineers, facility managers, property
F1694 Guide for Composing Walkway Surface
managers and safety professionals to be more proactive in
Investigation, Evaluation and Incident Report Forms for
reducing the risk of slips and falls through selection of
Slips, Stumbles, Trips, and Falls
walkway surfaces and materials. This standard practice will
F2508 Practice for Validation, Calibration, and Certification
help with decisions regarding selection of slip resistant walk-
of Walkway Tribometers Using Reference Surfaces
way safety solutions at the design phase of new construction
and renovation as well as maintenance during occupancy
phases. This standard practice should reduce the need to treat
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F13 on Pedestrian/
or replace slippery walkway surfaces post installation.
Walkway Safety and Footwear and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F13.50 on Walkway Surfaces.
4.2 The information in this standard may be superseded by
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published October 2020. DOI: 10.1520/
federal and jurisdictional regulations and laws.
F3132-20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
5. Selection of Walkway Surfaces
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 5.1 General:
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3132 − 20
5.1.1 Walkway surface materials addressed in this standard 5.3.2 Determinetheappropriatenessoftesting(forexample,
are described in Guide F1694, subsection 6.3.2.2, Walkway wet testing for a wet environment). If the test method was
Construction Materials. “modified” (often indicated as “mod”), the modification should
5.1.2 Selecting walkway surface materials for specific ap- be documented particularly when selecting products for higher
plications and locations shall be in conformance with the available friction or for other specific applications. Assess
manufacturer’s recommendations. whether the testing procedure was clearly defined with details
regarding modifications made to the test method.
5.2 Conditions of Use:
5.3.3 Review the credentials of the testing organization, if
5.2.1 Conditionsofusethatdeterminetheneedforwalkway
available, and whether friction test readings (including outli-
surfaces with higher available friction include, but are not
ers) are provided or just averages.
limited to:
5.3.4 Recognize the limitations of the manufacturer’s fric-
5.2.1.1 Areas expected to be normally wet with water.
tion test data. Manufacturer’s published results are for new
5.2.1.2 Areas where aggressive or persistent contaminants
products only.Available friction could change over time due to
such as grease, oil, soils, or deicing materials are commonly
wear and floor maintenance.
found.
5.2.1.3 Typically-uncontaminated walkways that may be-
5.4 Evaluation of Friction Test Results of Flooring Materi-
come hazardously contaminated due to reasonably foreseeable
als:
misuse (for example, use of a walkway surface in a manner not
5.4.1 When walkway tribometer measurements are taken as
intended by the specifier, manufacturer, or property holder but
part of the selection process, only walkway tribometers that
which may result from readily predictable human behavior).
meet the requirements of Practice F2508 shall be used.
5.2.2 Specify walkway areas where higher available friction
5.4.2 If friction testing is conducted, perform the testing in
may be required, for example restrooms, entrances, lobby
accordance with the tribometer manufacturer’s operational
areas, cafeterias or areas where water and contaminants are
instructions or per a published standard test method. Friction
foreseeable in normal usage and through maintenance prac-
test results from different tribometer models are not compa-
tices. See Section 6.
rable.
5.2.3 Conditions that shall be considered in the selection of
5.5 Surface Roughness:
walkway surfaces:
5.5.1 Surfaceroughnesscanaffectavailablefrictionparticu-
5.2.3.1 Whether the walkway is part of a code-mandated
larly when the walkway is wet or when grease, oil, or other
means of egress,
friction-reducing contaminants are present.
5.2.3.2 Durability of materials including applied finishes
5.5.2 Surface Microroughness—Typically measured with a
and coatings,
stylus-type profilometer. While research on surface roughness
5.2.3.3 User characteristics such as age and physical
measurement and slip risk is limited, some studies in the UK
disabilities/limitations,
haveproducedguidelinesonRzroughnessandslipprobability.
5.2.3.4 Likely distractions and expected user degree of
See Appendix X1, Surface Roughness Guidelines, Micror-
awareness of surroundings and conditions,
oughness – Measurement and Slip Risk Research.
5.2.3.5 Slopes, ramps, or stair treads,
5.2.3.6 Low illumination levels below 0.2 ft.-candle (2.2 5.5.3 Surface Macroroughness—Certain walkway materials
(for example, broom-finished concrete) have a high degree of
lux),
5.2.3.7 Facility owner/manager/employer control of ex- inherent macroroughness. It is of note that walkways with high
macroroughness can be more difficult to clean. Grit can be
pected footwear,
applied to walkway surface materials in coatings using broad-
5.2.3.8 Existence of other warnings and informational
cast or blended methods during construction/installation to
devices,
improve available friction. Blended grits are generally more
5.2.3.9 Visual adaptation transitions (for example, from
durablethanbroadcastmethods.Typesofgritsinorderofmost
high illumination levels to low illumination levels),
to least durable include silicon carbide (Mohs hardness 9.5),
5.2.3.10 Foreseeability and conspicuity of conditions,
aluminumoxide(Mohs9.0),andsilicaorsand(Mohs7.0).The
5.2.3.11 Intended use and location,
uniformityofavailablefrictionongritcoatedwalkwaysurfaces
5.2.3.12 Primary and transient contaminating processes,
will depend upon the uniformity of the grit distribution. Grits
5.2.3.13 Exposure to weather,
and coatings manufactured for this type of application should
5.2.3.14 Anticipated maintenance (see 6.3.4 Janitorial Prac-
be utilized in accordance with manufacturer instructions. See
tices in Guide F1694),
Appendix X1, Surface Roughness Guidelines, Macrorough-
5.2.3.15 Levels of usage such as expected pedestrian traffic,
ness – Coatings and Surface Texture.
and
5.2.3.16 Facility commonly used by the elderly.
5.6 Examples of Walkway Surface Materials:
5.3 Walkway Surface Manufacturer Laboratory Friction 5.6.1 There are many flooring materials available. The
Data: following are material descriptions with comments on general
5.3.1 Obtain and evaluate manufacturer friction test results frictional characteristics. Consult manufacturer specifications
for walkway surface products for when the walkway is dry. If and recommendations for guidance on specific products but
walkway surface is recommended for use in wet areas, obtain note that such information may be incomplete or obsolete if
and evaluate test results when walkway surface is wet. obtained from retailers or distributors.
F3132 − 20
5.6.1.1 Quarry Tiles—Quarry tiles are manufactured with 5.6.1.9 Resinous Floors—Examples include epoxy,
unglazed or glazed surfaces, and some have structured/raised urethane, and acrylic/methlymethacrylate (MMA), polyure-
patterns or abrasive media to increase surface roughness and thanes and polyaspartics. Check with manufacturer and in-
the available friction of the surface. staller about methods to improve available friction where
desired.
5.6.1.2 Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles—Ceramic and porce-
5.6.1.10 Clay Brick Pavers—Clay brick pavers are manu-
lain tiles are manufactured in many sizes and finishes. Some
factured in many different sizes, but usually come in two basic
are intended for use only in dry areas and some are specifically
textures, smooth and wirecut (rough).Wirecut textures provide
engineered to have higher available friction in wet areas.
higher available friction. Waxes and polishes that are often
Ceramic/porcelain tiles used in interior applications expected
applied to brick pavers will affect available friction so infor-
to be wet shall conform with the 2012 (or later) revision of
mation on their performance and proper usage shall be ob-
ANSI/TCNA A137.1. Note there are some tiles with raised
tained.
patterns or textures which may increase available friction or
5.6.1.11 Unit Concrete Pavers and Slabs—Precast concrete
may be purely for aesthetic purposes. Gaps between mosaic
pavers and slabs may offer adequate available friction wet or
tiles may increase available friction by increasing the “sharp”
dry and are manufactured in many different sizes, textures and
edges that may contact footwear; this effect may be reduced if
finishes. Chamfers and certain textures enhance available
the mosaic tile edges are rounded.
friction. Joints between units also enhance available friction.
5.6.1.3 Resilient Floor Coverings—This includes vinyl tile
Certain glazed, ground, or polished surfaces on these products
and sheet vinyl, vinyl composition tile, “linoleum”, rubber,
may result in less available friction. Some sealants applied to
cork and thermoplastic flooring. Check with manufacturers as
concrete pavers and slabs will affect available friction. Manu-
many resilient floor coverings are not recommended for use in
facturer instructions shall be followed for sealers, finish
wet applications. Check with manufacturers regarding the use
coatings, and maintenance products.
of polishes and coatings which may affect available friction.
5.6.1.12 Painted Walkway Surfaces—Certain painted walk-
5.6.1.4 Dimension Stone (natural stone such as granite,
way surfaces may be more slippery than unpainted surfaces;
marble, limestone, slates, quartz) and Engineered Stone—
when deemed hazardously slippery, an additive may be re-
Dimension stone flooring is typically made in a wide range of
quired to increase available friction. Paints and any recom-
finishes, for example polished, honed/matte, flamed, bush
mended additives shall be used in accordance with manufac-
hammered, etc.Available friction is affected by the stone finish
turers’ usage guidelines.
and may differ depending on the type of stone. Smooth,
5.6.2 Effects of walkway surface topography on
polished dimension stone and engineered stone products
tribometry—Typical tribometer designs operate with more
should be avoided at entrances in wet and humid climates and
statistical reliability on planar walkway surfaces. Precision and
around areas expected to
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