Full definition
Standard Test Method for Static Coefficient of Friction of Polish-Coated Flooring Surfaces as Measured by the James Machine — the principal reference test in the Americas for classifying floor surfaces as non-slip or slip-hazardous. The James Machine presses a weighted leather-bottomed test foot against the flooring surface at a controlled rate and measures the force required to initiate sliding. The result is the static coefficient of friction (SCOF): a value ≥0.5 classifies the surface as "non-slip" and is considered reasonably safe for pedestrian traffic. OSHA references this threshold in 29 CFR 1910.22, and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) uses it for accessible routes. Testing conditions: flat, clean, dry surface at standard temperature 23±2°C. For wet conditions, ANSI A326.3 (dynamic COF using BOT-3000E tribometer, threshold ≥0.42) is increasingly specified as a complement. Rubber flooring with textured surfaces typically achieves SCOF 0.6-0.9, well exceeding the minimum. Per ASTM D2047-17. For industrial flooring sales in Mexico and LATAM, stating "COF >0.5 per ASTM D2047" on product data sheets provides the recognized non-slip certification reference.