ASTM F3539-24 PDF

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 The test procedures and interlaboratory study report that result from coordinator compliance with this Practice are intended to include all information required for an ASTM Test Method and its associated Research Report; the interlaboratory study is to be conducted in compliance with Practice E691, also as required for an ASTM Test Method.3 The reason that the content of this Practice is not prepared as an actual ASTM Test Method is as follows. ASTM regulations preclude reference (in a Standard) to patented or otherwise proprietary test apparatus where “alternatives exist”.4 While a proprietary apparatus may be mentioned in the Test Method’s Research Report, this would prevent the Test Method from being a standalone document containing all information necessary for testing. As such, a standalone Test Method could only be for a non-proprietary apparatus design, with this design expressed in terms of physical characteristics and performance specifications sufficient to enable the reader to fabricate their own “identical” copy of the design. Further, to achieve consensus approval and publication of such a Test Method, it could be considered necessary that ILS results for this design include data from devices made by different entities. However, typical walkway tribometer designs (versus other types of test apparatus) are sufficiently complex that full documentation of all performance-affecting physical characteristics (sufficient that a reader could build one) may be impractical. European standard EN 16165 Annexes C and D illustrate what physical and performance characteristics are and are not documented in that standard’s specifications for two non-proprietary tribometers. In general, each different tribometer design may have advantages and disadvantages for testing different surfaces, and this Practice provides a rigorous and standardized structure for creating tribometer test procedures and interlaboratory study reports that would comply with the requirements fo... SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers creation of interlaboratory study reports and test procedures for the use of portable walkway tribometers for obtaining walkway surface friction measurements. 1.2 This practice does not address the interpretation of data relative to pedestrian safety. 1.3 This practice does not address the suitability of a walkway surface for a particular application. 1.4 This practice does not directly address the important issue of the frictional homogeneity and stability of reference materials and in-use walkway materials. 1.5 Conformance to this practice does not result in an ASTM Test Method. 1.6 Values stated in SI (metric) units are to be regarded as the standard. Values in parentheses are for information only. 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.