Slip update for children’s shoes

New performance guidelines on the testing of slip resistance in children’s shoes (measured by SATRA TM144).

SATRA has recently reviewed its recommendations for the slip resistance of children’s footwear. SATRA guidelines for children’s shoes were introduced a number of years ago and have formed the basis of our acceptance criteria for these products ever since. One important performance characteristic is slip resistance with a coefficient of friction value developed appropriate to this type of footwear when using the SATRA TM144 test method.

Since the introduction of the original guideline values, SATRA has continued its research relating to children’s footwear with the help of a number of members.

A large body of data now exists which shows that children’s outdoor shoes achieving at least 0.4 coefficient of friction (CoF) in the forward flat test mode on the standard clay quarry tile test surface do not form a significant part of safety-related returns, where poor slip resistance is indicated as the cause. This has prompted SATRA to adjust the guideline value to 0.4 CoF (minimum) with regard to the clay quarry tile test surface (dry and wet). The guideline values for the other two tests modes (forward angled heel and backward forepart tread) remain unaltered at 0.3 minimum (dry and wet).

Children’s shoes were not explicitly covered in the previous guidelines for indoor slippers. We have now clarified that these guidelines do include children’s shoes – again, with 0.3 for the heel and forepart test modes and 0.4 for the flat test mode. This is based on the clay quarry tile test surface and, in addition, any other test surface that may be specified. Of course, indoor floor conditions are mostly (or should be) dry, and therefore this can be the main focus of the testing. However, if wet testing is excluded, it is suggested to advise the end user that the footwear is unsuitable for wet areas (which also this applies to adult slippers).

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 18 of the October 2017 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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