Why ASTM C1028 Was Withdrawn (and What It Can’t Tell You)

Why ASTM C1028 Was Withdrawn, and What It Can’t Tell You

If you see a product claiming to be “slip resistant” based on ASTM C1028, be skeptical.

This outdated test was officially withdrawn in 2014, yet many manufacturers continue to cite it on technical data sheets. Why? Because it’s easy to pass, even when the floor is dangerously slippery in the real world.

The Problem with ASTM C1028: Static Friction Isn’t Real Life

ASTM C1028 measures the static coefficient of friction (SCOF): how much force it takes to move a stationary 50-pound weight. But let’s be clear:

People don’t slip while standing still.
They slip when walking, turning, or transitioning between surfaces. That’s dynamic movement, and a static test doesn’t measure it.

That’s why the C1028 method was discredited and withdrawn. It simply doesn’t reflect real-world slip conditions. Leading safety bodies and researchers had rejected it long before it was officially pulled.

A Real-World Example: When SCOF Lies

We recently tested a Miami pool deck after six people slipped in two weeks. The dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) was dangerously low, in the high .30s and low .40s, confirming the surface was hazardous.

One caveat on method: for a wet, barefoot surface like a pool deck, our preferred test is the Pendulum Slip Tester with the Slider 55 rubber, which is built to model a bare wet foot. DCOF flagged the problem here, but for barefoot wet areas the pendulum is the tool we reach for first.

But guess what? The SCOF reading was 0.80.

If we had stopped there, we’d be calling the floor “safe” — while people kept getting hurt.

The Right Way to Test Slip Resistance

For accurate, defensible, and meaningful results, floors should be tested using:

• ASTM E303 (Pendulum Slip Tester – the method used worldwide for real-world wet slip risk)

• ANSI A326.3 (BOT-3000E tribometer – good for verifying product DCOF ratings)

Both focus on dynamic slip resistance, which is what actually matters when people are walking, not standing.

What You Should Do

• Be cautious of slip-resistance claims based only on SCOF tests like ASTM C1028.

• If a product’s spec sheet references C1028, ask for ANSI A326.3 or Pendulum Test results.

• If you’re unsure whether your flooring is safe, schedule a slip resistance test with certified professionals.

Bottom Line

Test with the right method. It protects people from injury and protects your facility from liability.

If you’re relying on ASTM C1028, you’re using the wrong tool for the job.

Contact Walkway Management to get your floors tested the right way.

Get a free quote or call 1-833-DIAL-WMG to have your floors tested.