
- How does NAS-T Solutions work?
- Why is our solution so important?
- How do WE know it really works?
- How long will it last?
- Will the solution change the appearance of the
surface?
- How do you clean a coated surface?
- Are there any
warranties or guarantees?
- How much does this cost?
- Are
there any tax breaks for my company in having this solution applied?
NAS-T Solutions Inc. Floor and Safety treatment uses technology from the
computer chip industry to make tiled surfaces extremely slip resistant through
micro-etching. The surface does not look rough to the human eye, but with a
high-powered microscope it looks like the Himalayan Mountains with millions of
peaks and valleys. When a shoe makes contact with the wet tile, water is
evacuated, forming a suction that greatly decreases slipping.
Typically a surface has to meet a certain
Government requirement. These
are set up by O.S.H.A., (Occupational
Safety & Health Administration), and the ADA American Disability Act.
Section 1810.22 General Requirements
Slip-resistance.
A reasonable measure of slip-resistance is static coefficient of friction (COF).
A COF of 0.5, which is based upon studies by the University of Michigan and
reported in "Work Surface Friction: Definitions, Laboratory and Field
Measurements, and a Comprehensive Bibliography," is recommended as a
guide to achieve proper slip-resistance. A COF of 0.5 is intended to
be a bare minimum. A higher COF is necessary for certain surfaces, or work
tasks, such as carrying objects, pushing or pulling objects, or walking up
or down ramps or areas acceptable to water laying on the surface.
Slip and fall injuries occur when
someone slips, trips, or falls usually because an area is unexpectedly wet or uneven. A slip
and fall injury may render the property owner liable if the slip and fall
was preventable or due to negligent and or unsafe conditions.
If the property owner knew
about the unsafe condition and did not attempt to correct it he may be liable for any injury
sustained in a slip and fall injury. If the property owner caused the
condition he may also be held accountable.
Engineers and
Architects deal with a measurement called COF (coefficient of friction--the
ratio of the weight of an object being moved along a surface and the force
that maintains contact between the object and the surface). The COF is a
scale with measurements from zero to one, with one being the most slip
resistant. Historically, any tile floor with a rating of 0.5 was considered
safe. The ADA (American with Disabilities Act) standards for slip resistance
recommended 0.6 for level floors and 0.8 for ramps, and steps. By
comparison, a COF of 0.6 means that you can literally run on ceramic tile
while it is wet. NAS-T
Solutions guarantees that your tile will meet 0.6, or we will pay for the
test. Most NAS-T Solutions treated floors test from 0.7 to 0.8. Some tests
have surpassed 0.9!
In general,
you can expect a treatment to last about 8 years. Our epoxy mixes for stamped
concrete , concrete, and pavers might be longer depending on the type of
traffic. Our
solutions for tubs and showers can last well over 8 years.
Yes and no. The solution will change the appearance, but it will only be
visible with a high-powered microscope. To the human eye, the surface will
look exactly the same as it did before the solution was applied.
The cleaner the
floor, the more effective the treatment. If dirt, oil, and other contaminates
are allowed to remain on the floor, they will cover the microscopic grooves
and the COF will go down. We meet the ASTM D-3450 test for wash
ability and easy clean-up. Beware of companies insisting that
you use their expensive floor cleaning products. Any commercially available
"free-rinsing" cleaner/degreaser is all you will need. A thorough
rinsing is more important than expensive, private label, cleaners.
As stated before,
NAS-T Solutions guarantees that your tile will meet 0.6, or we will pay for
the test.
Our warranty
is prorated for five years. At
the time of this writing we have not had a claim, and do not expect one. Amortizing
the expense of a NAS-T Solutions Inc. treatment over five years makes the
cost practically irrelevant. One lawsuit for a slip-fall injury, can dwarf
the cost of NAS-T Solution Inc. treatment by a factor of thousands.
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How much does it
cost?
How
much does all of this incredible toughness and durability cost? Probably
not a penny more than what you'd pay for paint. Starting at only $1
to $3/sq. ft., N.A.S.-T Solutions Inc.®
Anti-Slip Coatings cost the same as ordinary industrial floor paints,
but last up to 5 times longer. Occasionally, some form of
penetrating sealer is recommended at a small, additional, cost.
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Are
there any tax breaks for my company in having this solution applied?
N.A.S.-T
Solutions®
can apply its Anti-Slip products and guarantee your compliance with the
law plus you can qualify for Federal Tax Credits. Check with your accountant about IRS Form 8826 for
applicability of ADA credit. You
can get up to 50% from the ADA credit.
With this tax credit and a normal right off, this expense is
almost free!
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