QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. What is Safe-Stride Slip Resistive Safety Floor Formula?
A. Safe-Stride Floor Formula is a chemical process which increases the coefficient of friction on hard mineral surfaces. It alters the mineral structure of the floor which in turn increases the slip resistive properties and makes the floor safer when wet. As it works into the surface, it removes soft particles and leaves the hard particles. So, what used to look like the Great Plains of America now looks like the Rocky Mountains, but only under a microscope.
Q. Will Safe-Stride damage the floor?
A. The definition of a micron is: 1/247,000 of an inch. The Safe-Stride process goes into the surface approximately 3,000 microns, so small it can’t be seen with the naked eye and therefore will not change the overall appearance . Normal foot wear will remove this many microns within a three year period in certain traffic areas.
Q
. How much of an increase in friction will it create?A. It depends on the coefficient of friction before treatment. But the increase on a wet surface will increase anywhere from 100% to up to 500%. The objective is to increase by a good margin the minimum threshold for a safe walkway, which is 0.50 coefficient of friction on a wet surface.
Q. How many types of floor surface can Safe-Stride treat?
A. Safe-Stride can treat any hard mineral surface. Some surfaces like polished marble can be treated but require some consultation before attempting an installation.
Q. Is the installation difficult.
A. The easiest is Quarry Tile. Other surfaces including Ceramic require a test in a small, out of the way area, to determine how long the product should remain on the floor. See section on How to Apply.
Q. Will my grout lines be affected?
A. No Safe-Stride formula contains propriety chemicals which protect grout lines form damage, the formula also protects stainless steel from muting if some product comes in contact.
Q. How long will Safe-Stride remain effective?
A. It depends on the foot traffic in the typical commercial kitchen the normal life is about two years. It will only wear out as the tile itself wears out. In applications around swimming pools the life could be as long as 10 years because bare feet will not wear the surface down as fast. In commercial bathtub, the normal life is about two years because the tubs are scrubbed out each time a tenant checks out. In a shopping center entrance way the life may be only 3 months, depending on the hardness of the tile.
Q. Is Safe-Stride safe to handle?
A. Safe-Stride is a combination of acids which have a low Ph. very much like oven cleaner or bleach. All chemicals should be treated with respect and kept away from children. However, in over 10,000 Safe-Stride installations not once have we been alerted to a mishap in handling the product.
Q. What effect does Safe-Stride have on the waste water management system?
A. Before the product is rinsed and drained a medium box of baking soda should be mixed with a pail of water and applied to the floor. This brings the Ph back to a neutral (7) and becomes harmless in the drain.
Q. How long does it take to install?
A. One person can install one gallon (500 Sq. ft.) in about and hour. A porcelain bathtub requires about ten minutes. Either installation can be used immediately, no down time involved.