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Translating high quality research specific to better design and building practice

Why can't data on Coefficient of Friction (COF) values of timber be located?

Last Updated

The Home Modification Information Clearinghouse Systematic Review of timber decking (Bridge, 2002), and the timber slip resistance Forum held in February 2005 at the University of Sydney confirmed that no data on timber COF has ever been published.

Additionally, current testing methods may be unreliable for timber. Timber is difficult to test, because there are many variables to be considered, such as timber variety (hard versus softwoods), milling and profiling (cupping, reeding and ribbing), coatings and weathering. These variables also interact with the natural environment with variables of precipitation (rain & ice) and mould both known to reduce resistance and increase the likelihood of slips, trips and falls.


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