The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends that walking surfaces have a static coefficient of friction of 0.5. A research project sponsored by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) conducted tests with persons with disabilities and concluded that a higher coefficient of friction was needed by such persons. A static coefficient of friction of 0.6 is recommended for accessible routes and 0.8 for ramps.
Whitacre Greer dry-pressed, fired-clay brick pavers in smooth and textured finishes have slip resistances that exceed recommended values. The coefficient of friction of the standard smooth paver averaged .95 dry and .84 wet in recent testing. The coeffiecient of friction of Whitacre Greer’s textured finish averaged 1.13 dry and .97 wet. Tests were conducted by The Tile Council of North America. A pdf version of the TCNA test results is available for download here. For additional information about the Access Board and OSHA recommendation try the following links:
Technical Bulletin: Ground and Floor Surfaces
Standard Interpretations: Static coeffiecients of friction for walking/working surfaces
Skid resistance values as measured by the National Brick Research Center of Whitacre Greer smooth and textured pavers are also provided.
