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SATRA Testing Results

Soft Floor are certified by SATRA the materials testing agency.

Product Safety EN71 - CE: Toxicity & Child safety (100Kb)

Flame Impingement EN11925-2: Ignite & Flame test (87Kb)

Slip Test (Rubber Stud Tile) DIN 51130 (93Kb)

Slip Test (Classic, Gym25 & Gym40) (92Kb)
(UK Slip Resistance Group guidlines - issue 3 - 2005 Slider mark55

'DMF' product ban by Belgium causes confusion

Recently the European Union (2009/251/EC) is now restricting the import of products that contain "DMF" = dimethylfumarate; which is causing confusion amongst importers & retailers of some consumer goods.

Dimethylfumarate is mainly presented as a biocide, used to prevent mould growth on furniture products during transit or storage. It is most frequently supplied in the form of a small paper sachet through which the chemical will be released. Dimethylfumarate is recognized as a potential skin irritant and has been implicated in cases of contact dermatitis from furniture products in several EU countries.

SATRA Technology & Testing Centre is finding that problems & confusion for consumers are arising because a very different chemical called dimethylformamide also abbreviated to DMF which is a solvent associated during the manufacture of some polyurethanes which is harmful by inhalation.

Dimethylformamide is not banned, some restrictions do exist during raw material manufacture. And it is most unlikely that any residues of dimethylformamide would be present in the final finished products after transit and storage.

Source: http://www.satra.co.uk/portal/media_item_view.php?id=257

Fall Heights

Soft Floor UK products also comply with density/shock absorption, stiffness and friction suitable for 14mm EVA Foam tiles / 25mm tiles and 40mm tiles EN12503 - 3:2001 (replaces the BS1892) and cross comply with EN12503 - 1/4/5/6/7. Advised fall heights; EN1177.

The following mats were subjected to testing as per the requirements of European standard test EN1177. EN 1176 requires that the surfacing should not have an 'HIC 'reading in excess of 1000.

The mats were tested by dropping a dummy head-form that meets the specification EN 1176 onto the mats to determine the HIC reading at various heights and from this the maximum height of drop to provide a HIC reading of 1000 was calculated. The mats were placed on a solid surface, which had no impact absorption (Similar to mats being laid on top of concrete). EN1177 only requires that for falls below 600mm there should be local precautions by the users.

14mm Thickness Mats - Classic, Oak, Carpet & Mesh
The maximum fall height acceptable for these mats is 700mm (0.7m - 2'4"ft)
i.e child or small person falling over while standing or running.

25mm Thickness Mats - Sport
The maximum fall height acceptable for this mat is 1m - 3'4" ft
i.e. a person who falls from a clear drop.

40mm Thickness Mats - Giant & Pro
The maximum fall height acceptable for these mats is 2.5m - 8'ft
(Soft Floor UK suggest that this is not used for falls from above 2m - 7'ft)

Base Surface

All results are from a non impact surface to emulate concrete (worse case scenario). Should the mats and tiles be used on a softer surface such as carpet, grass, gym 'sprung' floor or wood chippings the fall height would be greater, but without specific tests for your actual main surface or host surface, it is not possible to comment on how much better the fall height would be. When looking at other competitors’ products, please check on what surface the tests were actually carried out.