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BS 7976: 1- 3 2002; “The Pendulum Method” describes the operation of the TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) Pendulum for slip resistance testing. Originally designed to replicate the actions of the slipping foot, the pendulum skid tester was subsequently adopted extensively for the testing of road surfaces.

The BS 7976 pendulum slip testing method remains the only test method expressly recommended by the HSE. This is in part due to its extensive history in slip risk assessment and strong correlation to any slip incidents. The pendulum slip test remains one of the few methods to accurately recreate the hydrodynamic squeeze film generated in a slip in moist conditions. Though the pendulum slip tester is somewhat awkward to use and requires an experienced operator it is considered the best method of pedestrian slip testing and is used extensively in legal proceedings.

Operation

The device swings a rubber slider mounted on a weighted ‘foot’ from horizontal, striking the floor surface near vertical and subsequently providing a reading as the foot swings back up. The dynamic coefficient of friction of the surface has a measurable effect on the Pendulum Test Value (PTV), which was previously known as the Slip Resistance Value (SRV).

Prior to pendulum slip testing being conducted, full slider calibration is carried out. Sliders are initially prepared or ‘faced’ by swings over 400 grit sandpaper and lapping film, tests are then conducted on lapping film and float glass before results are compared against known values. In addition to the check testing, before and after every direction/condition measured, the pendulum foot is swung 3 times without striking the surface. The zero can be adjusted as necessary and any discrepancy can be investigated.

Once the pendulum slip tester is assembled, check tested, levelled and zeroed, testing can commence. The pendulum height is adjusted as required to ensure a slider contact length of 126±1mm along the floor surface. Tests of any floor surface are conducted parallel, at 45 degrees and perpendicular to the direction of foot traffic in dry and then contaminated conditions. The contaminant is often water; however it is advised that the contaminants likely to be found in the normal use are used. In the past we have conducted tests with icing sugar, oil, MDF dust, mayonnaise, cement, flour, soap, ketchup and chocolate.

Sampling & Results

8 measurements are taken in each direction and each condition. The first 3 measurements of each run are discarded as the slider is mounted freely and requires adjustment. The average of the remaining 5 readings is calculated and an average dry and wet/contaminated result can then be produced.

The HSE classify risk of slip from 4S PTV as follows;

0-24  High  (approx 5%)

25-35 Moderate (approx 0.5% to 0.005%)

36+ Low (approx 0.0001%)

Sampling should be conducted across all surfaces of differing material, wear, cleaning regime or age. The BS 7976 standard states that “at least four tests should be carried out but in larger areas one test per 250m2 is more appropriate. Sampling should identify areas of differing slip resistance and provide evidence of uniform PTV’s across similar areas.

It should be noted that it is not as simple and straight forward as conducting BS 7976 pendulum testing and signing the floor off as a ‘low risk of slip’. Many external factors can significantly affect the frictional demands of people using the surface. The HSE have developed a robust risk assessment method in the “Slips Potential Model” which should be used in conjunction with any other slip resistance measurement.

Advantages

The pendulum remains the only method expressly recommended by the HSE for slip resistance measurement. Factors contributing to its success are;

An extensive history of correlation between PTV’s and slip incident data. The method is widely accepted by experts as the most accurate method of measuring slip resistance in situ.

The accurate modelling of the hydrodynamic squeeze film formed in a contaminated slip. This allows the method to take into account the hydraulic uplift effects which have a critical impact on slip resistance.

Portability and versatility, the pendulum tester can be used to test discrete areas down to 126mm, slopes up to 10 degrees, stairs with a variety of dry and wet contaminants. Different rubber compounds can be used to represent the likely different traffic types.

Industry recognition means the pendulum method can be used for specification and certification of flooring surfaces as well as forensic investigation.Pendulum testing provides complete evidence that statutory obligations have, or have not, been fulfilled.

Disadvantages

The pendulum is not used universally for the following reasons;

Operation requires experienced technicians to obtain reliable results. Mistakes made by people with inadequate training can significantly affect results.

The requirement for trained and experienced operatives means the method is often expensive.  Purchase and upkeep of the pendulum tester is also very expensive.

Testing takes around 30-45 minutes per sample due to the complex procedure.This is far longer than alternative, less accurate test methods available.

Conclusion

BS7976 pendulum testing remains the most accurate and most widely recognised measurement of slip resistance. Whilst relatively expensive in terms of time and money the method produces highly accurate results suitable for risk assessment, floor specification and certification and legal proceedings.

How many individuals face major problems in their lives because they received a “driving under the influence” conviction? On an annual basis, how many alcoholics fail to get the professional alcohol treatment they need? How many junior high, high school, and college students lose their lives every year due to an alcohol overdose? How many individuals die each year from a condition that is totally preventable, such as alcohol poisoning? How many individuals get injured or lose their lives in alcohol related traffic accidents every year? How many people are the victims of alcohol related crime or violence each and every year? How many individuals lose their lives every year because of drinking problems? How many children are born each year with fetal alcohol syndrome? How many people’s lives are cut short due to abusive and excessive drinking?

Why Would Anyone Want to Drink in an Irresponsible and Excessive Manner?

So what’s the point in asking these questions? Basically to highlight the devastating and destructive nature of unhealthy and abusive drinking. Indeed, and based on the above questions, I wonder why anyone would choose to drink in a hazardous and irresponsible manner.

Stated another way, with the host of health problems, financial difficulties, legal proceedings, relationship dilemmas, and employment issues that are associated with alcohol dependency and chronic alcohol abuse, why would any individual with a common sense mentality want to drink in an abusive and excessive manner? In fact when some of the above topics are looked at more closely, unhealthy drinking becomes more illogical and makes even less sense.

Wouldn’t you think that heavy drinkers would be able to see some of the alcohol symptoms that they display? In a similar way doesn’t it seem logical to think that more families would involve themselves in an alcohol intervention for the person in the household who is an alcohol abuser or an alcoholic? What is more, wouldn’t you think that people who drink irresponsibly would try to learn more about their drinking behavior by researching various alcohol related statistics?

After reviewing the alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction research findings, the point is so important that it needs to be said again: With all of the dangerous and debilitating effects that are directly or indirectly interlinked with repetitive and continuous alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse, why would any individual want to engage in abusive and excessive drinking?

What Can be Done About the Pervasive Nature of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse in the United States?

So what can be done about the extensive nature of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency in our country?

1. Our students need more relevant and more meaningful educational and preventative approaches and methods so that more students at all grade levels, including those at college, are “reached.
2. In a similar way, our students need to learn how to become problem solvers in life rather than gravitating to the ”quick fix” and the “instant gratification” of a drug or alcohol abuse “buzz” or “high”.
3. People who are alcohol addicts or alcohol abusers need to look in the mirror and ask why they are not getting the professional alcohol rehab they need.
4. Society needs to get the message to more people about the damaging and destructive effects of excessive and careless drinking.

There’s Room For Hope if Those Who Engage in Excessive and Unhealthy Drinking Can Become Motivated to Get the Alcohol Treatment They Need

There’s lots of room for hope and optimism if people can start drinking in moderation and those who engage in hazardous and excessive drinkingcan become persuaded to get the alcohol rehabilitation they require. Indeed, why put your loved ones through pain, turmoil, and suffering because of your hazardous and careless drinking when you have the power to control your life by drinking responsibly or even refraining from drinking if you can’t control your drinking?

How many individuals get injured or lose their lives in alcohol related traffic accidents every year? How many individuals face serious consequences in their lives because they received a DWI conviction? How many individuals lose their lives every year because of drinking problems? On an annual basis, how many alcoholics fail to get the professional alcohol treatment they require? How many children are born each year with fetal alcohol syndrome? How many individuals lose their lives each year from a condition that is one hundred percent preventable, such as alcohol poisoning? How many people’s lives are cut short due to irresponsible and destructive drinking? How many junior high, high school, and college students lose their lives every year due to an alcohol overdose? How many people are the victims of alcohol related violence or crime each and every year?

Why Would Anyone Want to Drink in a Hazardous Manner?

So what’s the point in asking these questions? Basically to highlight the devastating and destructive nature of excessive and careless drinking. Indeed, and based on the above questions, I wonder why anyone would choose to drink in an excessive and irresponsible manner.

Stated differently, with the host of relationship issues, health problems, financial dilemmas, employment difficulties, and legal proceedings that are linked to chronic alcohol abuse and alcoholism, why would any individual with any sense at all want to drink in an abusive and hazardous manner? If truth be told when some of the above topics are put under the microscope more closely, abusive and unhealthy drinking becomes more illogical and makes even less sense.

Wouldn’t you think that heavy drinkers would be able to see some of the alcohol symptoms that they display? In a similar manner doesn’t it seem plausible to think that many more families would involve themselves in an alcohol intervention for the individual in the household who is an alcoholic or an alcohol abuser? Not only this but wouldn’t you think that individuals who drink irresponsibly would try to learn more about their drinking behavior by reading about various alcohol related statistics?

After reviewing the medical research findings, the point is so important that it needs to be repeated: With all of the damaging and disastrous outcomes that are directly or indirectly interlinked with continuous and repetitive alcohol dependency and alcohol abuse, why would any person want to engage in excessive drinking?

What Can be Done About the Pervasive Nature of Alcohol Addiction and Alcohol Abuse in the United States?

So what can be done about the extensive nature of alcoholism and alcohol abuse in our country?

1. Our students need more meaningful and more relevant preventative and educational approaches and methods so that more students at all grade levels, including those at college, are “reached.
2. In a similar way, our students need to learn how to become problem solvers in life rather than resorting to the “instant gratification” and the “quick fix” of an alcohol or drug abuse ”high” or “buzz”.
3. People who are alcohol abusers or alcohol addicts need to look look at themselves honestly and ask why they are not getting the professional alcohol treatment they require.
4. Society needs to get the message to more individuals about the debilitating and dangerous outcomes of abusive and unhealthy drinking.

There’s Room For Hope if Those Who Engage in Abusive and Hazardous Drinking Can Become Encouraged to Get the Alcohol Treatment They Need

There’s lots of room for optimism and hope if people can start drinking in moderation and those who engage in continuous and repeated drinkingcan become persuaded to get the alcohol treatment they need. Indeed, why put your loved ones through pain, turmoil, and suffering because of your hazardous and abusive drinking when you have the power to control your life by drinking in moderation or even quitting drinking if you can’t control your drinking behavior?

Foreclosure: What is it?

Bank foreclosure, or just foreclosure is initiated by the banks if you have not been fulfilling the necessary mortgage agreement obligations which you have signed with the bank for regular monthly loan payments and in such a situation the bank or lender will have to sell your home in an auction or otherwise and use the sale proceeds to get back their loan amount. In case you fail to pay your bank this installment regularly the bank will start initiating a process to recover this loan by selling your property for which the bank will start legal proceedings to obtain a court order to sell your home for clearing the outstanding mortgage amount and this process is referred to as Bank foreclosure, or more commonly as just foreclosure.

Foreclosure is not an unusual thing with many home buyers and these buyers at the time of purchasing a home think that they will be able to repay the loan regularly without any problem; however, after sometime they find that their expenses are more than what they earn and mortgage payments being major expenditure item find it difficult to repay and hence default on the loan repayments.

Home buying is a lifetime dream of many people and once they purchase it they would not like their homes being taken away; this is not only due to sentimental reasons but also because of the financial problems you may have to face while trying to find a new home and hence you should avoid foreclosure of your home at any cost.

Tips

The tips given here may be of much use for you to avoid foreclosure of your home. First and foremost thing is that you should always prepare a household budget. Then you must list down all expenses including that of your mortgage payment expenses.

The objective of preparing your budget is to monitor the expenditures against income and to facilitate this, you must make a list of expenditure items in the descending order of their value; this exercise will indicate the high, medium and low value items of your expenditure and then you could decide the expenses that are essential as well as nonessential. Analyze this list to eliminate or postpone expenses so that there is a balance between your income and expenditure.

Save Money With Discount Divorce Services Now

Getting a divorce is emotionally draining and exceptionally taxing on your wallet. Most of us pay too much for divorce support services. In fact, divorce is a lucrative business, generating approximately twenty-eight billion dollar a year. The average cost of a divorce is twenty thousand dollars. That figure is a just a few thousand shy of an American’s median income. Can you imagine spending a year’s salary on a divorce?

It is easy to see how divorce fees can rack up. Most attorneys charge between one-hundred and four-hundred and fifty dollars an hour. Other attorneys charge less – say seventy-five dollars an hour. Either way, most demand a retainer that can range from five-hundred and ten-thousand dollars. This money is paid in advance prior to the lawyer accepting the case.

Fortunately, there are ways of finding divorce support that won’t break the bank. Divorce services provided by a legal protection plan, for example, can save you a lot of money. A legal insurance program is similar to a health plan but covers matters of a legal nature. The legal insurance protection program is good for all legal matters including divorce. It provides services at a discount rate via a small fee charged on a monthly basis that averages out to around twenty dollars.

Similar to medical insurance, an individual invests a small fee each month and when they need legal assistance they enjoy a discount. It sounds simple, and it is as simple as it sounds.

Even if you are already involved in the divorce process, you can usually obtain a legal protection plan. Through the plan, you are afforded several luxuries and resources. For example, consumers are provided with a list of approved professionals in their state to utilize during the legal proceedings. These experts offer affordable services that help you save money.

In addition, you are protected by the insurance program on an elevated level and enjoy divorce support online. The the insured person has an issue with their attorney, the program will provide dispute assistance to help him or her through the disagreement. This is an added bonus for the consumer and protects them from losing the money and time they have invested into that particular attorney.

Essentially, a legal protection package is inexpensive and a more affordable option as compared to a traditional divorce. It has the ability to save you hundreds or thousands of dollars and gives you additional protection as compared to locating online divorce support or assistance via a traditional attorney.