GripTester is the world's leading trailer based continuous surface friction measuring device. Since its first inception 20 years ago GripTester is in operation worldwide being used everyday to make the world's airports and highways flow safely reducing the risk of wet skidding incidents.
Benefits Authorities should endeavour to ensure that appropriate skid resistance is provided across the whole network, both for safety reasons in respect of skidding and to provide a defence in case of litigation (Code of Practice for Maintenance Management, published by The Institution of Highways and Transportation)
Slips and trips are the most common cause of non-fatal major injuries in both manufacturing and service industries and account for over half of all reported injuries to members of the public. Actions brought as a result of an injury can be extremely damaging to business, especially where the public are involved. Insurance covers only a small proportion of the costs. The TORTUS measures directly the dynamic co-efficient of friction as it traverses a surface or flooring material to be used by pedestrians. The measurements recorded can be date/time stamped and printed from an integral printer, or downloaded as datafiles using a USB memory stick.
Originally designed in the 1940s in the US, the instrument was further developed in the 1960s at the UK Transport Research Laboratory for the testing of road surfaces.
Also known as the British Pendulum Tester, Skid Resistance Tester, Portable Skid Resistance Tester, the instrument which is portable, is designed and constructed to the requirements of BS EN 1097-8:2000, and can be used to give a direct reading measurement of the following options: