SATRA Technology Centre has invested in excess of £150K in a new specially built floorcoverings laboratory at its site in Kettering, England. In addition, a further £50K of new equipment has been ordered.
The purpose-built facility can carry out specification testing on a wide range of flooring materials such as textiles, resilients, laminates, timber, natural stone, entrance matting, ceramic tiles and underlays.
The laboratory comprises two conditioned rooms operating at 23°C / 50% relative humidity (rh) and 20°C / 65% rh, enabling tests on both textile and resilient materials to be carried out under controlled conditions. All testing is UKAS accredited.
Products are assessed to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and meet National and International regulations, in areas such as slip resistance and reaction to fire.
The new laboratory houses specialist test machines including hexapod and tetrapod tumblers, both of which are used to test textiles, as well as a dynamic loading machine, the SATRA designed biomechanical abrader, an inclined ramp test and a TRL pendulum.
The laboratory also provides a base for SATRA’s slip team who visit companies and carry out on-site testing on various floorcoverings in situ using a portable slip tester machine, which gives a direct reading of the coefficient of dynamic friction (CoF) under actual conditions with various surface contaminants.
Steve Ferry, leader of SATRA’s floorcoverings team, said:
“This new laboratory shows SATRA’s commitment to the floorcoverings sector. This area of testing at SATRA is growing at a rapid pace and the new facility and increased staff compliment will shorten turnaround times. We are also currently awaiting the delivery of several new pieces of machinery including a second Lisson tre-trad, a Castor chair tester and hexapod tumbler drum.
For find out more about our new laboratory or the tests SATRA can offer in relation to floorcoverings, please contact:
Steve Ferry
Telphone: +44 (0)1536 410000
Email:
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