Outdoor Living
Ensuring
safety with
aluminium
decking
Endurawood decking has
twice the slip resistance
of standard requirements
» EXTERIOR CLADDING AND
outdoor living product supplier, Endurawood
has announced that its decking boards have
achieved a maximum pendulum test value
(PTV) of 84 for slip resistance. According
to Health and Safety England (HSE), a
surface must obtain a minimum value of
36 before it can be classed as slip resistant.
Endurawood supplies wood coated
aluminium products for building and
outdoor applications including fencing,
enclosures and exterior cladding to
commercial and residential sectors. The
new product line from windows and doors
manufacturer Euramax Solutions Limited,
part of Omnimax International Group,
has developed a decking system with a slip
resistance that exceeds that of traditional
wooden decking.
Complying with British Standards
BS:7976A, a pendulum test must be
conducted to determine the slip resistance
of a floor to identify its potential as a health
and safety risk. Pendulum tests are designed
to re-enact a heel striking a floor surface, and
measure the dynamic coefficient of friction
(CoF) of the surface under both wet and dry
conditions.
The pendulum is operated by a swinging
arm that sweeps over a floor area. If the arm
does not stop when it contacts the floor, it is
categorised as a high-risk slip potential. If the
arm stops, this demonstrates good friction and
is categorised as low risk.
“The natural aesthetic of wood has been
widely desired as a decking material for many
years. However, it can be extremely dangerous
when it becomes wet”, said Nick Cowley,
managing director at Endurawood. “Wooden
decking can become slippery when water soaks
‘Not only is it safer,
but Endurawood is
also better for the
environment as we use
100 per cent aluminium
that can be recycled’
into the wood and even when wood is dry,
mould, mildew and fungus can accumulate
and make wooden decking slippery.
“While this can be prevented with regular
maintenance such as removing leaves that
settle or applying anti-slip oil and strips, it can
be timely and costly. Aluminium on the other
hand is naturally resistant to mould, algae and
fungus, and water cannot soak through. These
properties eliminate the hazardous factors
posed by decking, enhancing its slip resistance
and reducing maintenance”, continued
Cowley.
“Our decking system has been third party
tested in both the woodgrain and powder coat
finishes we offer, achieving a value between 46
in wet conditions and 86 when dry. Naturally,
the rating is lower in wet conditions, but with
the minimum standard at 36, a PTV of 46
is considerably higher than the majority of
decking surfaces. This means that Endurawood
can be safely used throughout the year,
whatever the weather. Not only is it safer, but
Endurawood is also better for the environment
as we use 100 per cent aluminium that can be
recycled.
“The new decking system is ideal for areas
that require a low slip risk, such as a public
area or around a garden pool. Endurawood
also complies with BS EN 13501-1 for
reaction to fire, with a class A rating.
“Aluminium is the future of decking.
With a higher slip resistance than wood,
Endurawood takes the hassle out of
maintenance and increases the safety of the
people that use it.”
To find out more information about
Endurawood, its applications and to
view technical data sheets, go to
www.endurawood.co.uk or contact
info@endurawood.co.uk.
CLEARVIEW-UK.COM » AUG 2020 » 45