FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2022
(Clemson, SC)— Tile Council of North America (TCNA) announces the addition of a five-category “product use classification system” in ANSI A326.3 American National Standard Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials, published today. The five categories, developed by the ANSI Accredited Standards Committee responsible for the standard, will allow manufacturers to directly communicate areas of use based on the slip resistance characteristics of their products, with manufacturers starting to provide these classifications for their products in the upcoming months.
“This revision to A326.3, resulting from years of testing, research, and consensus-building, represents perhaps the most significant slip/fall communications advancement in the flooring industry since the 1950’s when standards were proposed to measure the frictional properties of flooring,” said TCNA Director of Standards Development and Sustainability Initiatives, Bill Griese. “This classification system is a key step forward for better specifications and consumer safety.”
Given its importance and beneficial impact, TCNA has made a free digital copy of the standard available to the public at TCNAtile.com.
The five product use categories are as follows:
1. Interior, Dry (ID)
2. Interior, Wet (IW)
3. Interior, Wet Plus (IW+)
4. Exterior, Wet (EW)
5. Oils/Greases (O/G)
According to the standard, hard surface flooring products shall be classified into one or more of the categories. Additionally, the standard provides informative “possible areas of use” for each category.
To assist manufacturers in providing product use classification ratings, the TCNA Product Performance Testing Laboratory has testing options that can help assess a product’s slip resistance properties, including the “German Ramp” test standardized in DIN 51130 and the “British Pendulum” tests standardized in British Standard 7976 and ASTM E303, in addition to the ANSI A326.3 dynamic coefficient of friction test. These tests, potentially used in combination, can assist manufacturers in determining product use classification in conjunction with their internal quality control criteria, manufacturing parameters, and experience with similar surfaces. According to Katelyn Simpson, TCNA Director of Laboratory Services, “The TCNA lab is prioritizing testing needed for product use classification to achieve widespread adoption, communication, and use of this classification system.”
“The product use classifications in ANSI A326.3 are simple, clear, and easily understood. Most importantly, the availability of this product use information in the marketplace will lead to a reduction in slip events,” said TCNA Executive Director, Eric Astrachan.
To order product testing, visit www.TCNAtile.com/lab for lab testing order forms or contact Katelyn Simpson at ksimpson@tcnatile.com to discuss the tests needed for product use classification.
About ANSI A326.3
The American National Standard A326.3 describes the test method for measuring dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) of hard surface flooring materials in the laboratory and in the field. The standard also includes DCOF specifications, product use classifications, and guidance on specifying hard surface flooring materials. This standard is intended to serve as a guide to the general public, manufacturers, distributors, specifiers, architects, contractors, testing laboratories, building owners, and other businesses and professionals. The standard, originally published in 2017, is referenced by IAPMO’s Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa, & Hot Tub Code (read more here) and will be referenced in the International Code Council’s International Swimming Pool & Spa Code beginning in 2024.
About Tile Council of North America (TCNA)
TCNA is a trade association representing manufacturers of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials and other tile-related products. Established in 1945 as the Tile Council of America (TCA), it became the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) in 2003, reflecting its membership expansion to all of North America.
The Tile Council is recognized for its leadership role in facilitating the development of North American and international industry quality standards to benefit tile consumers. Additionally, TCNA regularly conducts independent research and product testing, works with regulatory, trade, and other government agencies, and publishes installation guidelines, tile standards, economic reports, and promotional literature.
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