I just finished sitting in and testifying in a 4 day Arbitration. As a Forensic Scientist I was asked how I can be a Scientist if I don’t have a degree in science. I explained that Forensic Science is the accumulation of evidence, both written a tested for in your field if expertise, which is…
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Floor Forensic Scientist
As a Flooring Forensic Scientist I use the “Scientific Method” to evaluate floor failures. I test materials in a laboratory or on site, as a floor expert to that California State Contractors License Board I judge the quality of installation. As a floor covering contractor and member of the National Wood Flooring Association, the Marble…
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Is This Rug Safe?
As a floor safety expert witness, I have been asked my opinion of over 500 floor conditions. Recently I was shown this photograph, and asked “is this rug dangerous”? This area rug was on the display floor of a retail store. There are specific guidelines published by American Testing and Materials International regarding the placement…
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New Retail Client
4Floors’ Flooring Expert Kenneth Newson, has been selected to be the national flooring expert for the fast growing hair solon chain known as DryBar. He has been tasked to evaluate and recommend floor covering products, develop installation protocols, and create the maintenance protocols.
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Changes in acceptable Slip Resistance Testing.
The legal profession has a new challenge. The appropriateness of a field slip resistance test will be dictated by the local building codes. These codes will conform to the international code (IBC). The new standard does not currently cover all floor covering materials, but over time other materials authorities will adopt the new standard. Attorneys…
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Expert Witness Testimony
The job of the Forensic Scientist is to gather the scientific and industry data that makes up the body of knowledge used by the standards setters to present a consensus guideline. A flooring expert must know the relevant information published by the wood flooring industry, the ceramic tile industry, the natural stone industry, carpet manufacturers,…
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Is Tribometry akin to Snake Oil?
Members of the ASTM F-13 Committee who use the Tribometer as their device to measure Static Coefficient of Friction, are still trying to convince the world that this is a valid basis for evidence of a floors safety in slip & fall cases. In 2005 ASTM withdrew its sanctification for the use of Tribometers….
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Slip & Fall standards change
The 2010 revision of the Americans With Disabilities Act Guidelines have changed. Te new guidelines have rescinded the recommendation for Static Coefficient of Friction testing with an English XL. The new guidelines change the requirements for slip resistance. Many agencies responsible for setting floor safety standards are recommending ASTM C1028 only. To understand why go…
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Floor Expert Needed
Over the last year we have been asked to give expert testimony in 12 states. The flooring issues were not just slip & fall (Florida, Texas, Illinois,), but failures of adhesives (Oregon), rubber flooring (California), Hardwood flooring (Vermont, Wisconsin), Ceramic Tile (Nevada), and carpet (Colorado), and sheet vinyl (Ohio). In each of these instances,…
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Unique Floor Conditions
In recent months we have had an influx of very interesting cases. A brand new hospital had all of its rubber flooring come loose. The sealer on a slate pool deck was flaking off. A house was shaking so badly that the stone flooring was braking. Moisture vapor intrusion caused a solid wood floor to…