Concrete Flooring Expert

The Forensic

Science

of Floors

Forensics is the

science of evidence gathering for presentation to a court. The Forensic Scientists at Interior Specifications focus

on all aspects of floors. We are Slip & Fall Experts.

Each flooring product has a set of rules prepared by the industry’s governing body. As a member of these associations (i.e. The National Wood Flooring

Association, The Marble Institute of America, American Standards Testing and Materials), we are kept up to date of current issues.

When the gathering of evidence goes beyond relevant document review, we go into the field and harvest materials, which our associate laboratories test.

We test

Concrete: moisture, formulation, installation

Adhesives: for identity, effectiveness, appropriateness

Vapor Barriers: performance, installations

Hardwood: moisture, stability, acclimation, gap, cupping, dimensional stability, bugs

Ceramic Tile: dynamic coefficient of friction dimensional tolerance, bond strength,

lippage

Natural Stone: static coefficient of friction, bond strength, lippage, dimensional stability

Carpet: tuft bind, edge ravel, bundle wrap, flame spread, bond strength

Company Profile

Our institutional clients include, Retailers, Hospital Developers, Healthcare

Facility Managers, Real Estate Managers, Educational Institutions, and Governmental Institutions.

Our litigation clients are 50% Defendant and 50% Plaintiff.

Services

Forensic Investigations

Floor Safety Evaluation

Floor Testing Materials Testing Expert Witness Testimony

Written Specifications Like Kind and Quality Assessment

Continuing Education Programs Cost of Repair Assessment Replacement Programs

Moisture Vapor Intrusion

Why have there been so many more failures in the last 30 years than before? The floor-covering industry started to clean up its act in the 1970’s. VOC’s were

removed from chemicals used as bonding and finishing agents. Asbestos was removed from materials and adhesives. This made the materials more sensitive to moisture. We can find your problems and recommend a repair. We can

design installation protocols that will protect your materials.

Hospital Floor Safety

Here is a place where the potential for a slip and fall is always present. We have been hired by both plaintiffs and defendants to find the cause(s) of a slip and

fall. We consider the floor covering, we look at the victim, study shoe research, study age research, body type research, and industry standard maintenance

protocols, looking for answers. We are here to help.

Looking for a Safety Floor Expert?

Retailer Store Flooring

We have helped The GAP, Macy’s, Finish Line, Crate & Barrel and many others with floor-covering materials selection, installation protocols, and ongoing

programs. We have specified Wood, Cork, Dimensional Stone, Rubber, Linoleum, Vinyl, Ceramic Tile, Agglomerated Stone, concrete polishing and sealer. All good things in the right places, installed properly.

Forensic Science of Floors

Each flooring product has a set of rules prepare the industry governing body.

As a member of these associations (i.e. National Wood Flooring Association, Marble Institute of America, American Standards and Materials), Interior Specifications is kept up-to-date of current issues.

When the gathering of evidence goes beyond relevant document review, we go

into the field, and the laboratory to identify those conditions that have an effect on the floor at issue.

We test:

Concrete for moisture, formulation and installation

Adhesives, for identity, effectiveness, appropriateness

Vapor barriers, performance, installations

Wood, moisture, stability, acclimation, gap, cup, dimensional stability,

bugs

Ceramic tile, dynamic coefficient of friction dimensional tolerance

Natural stone, static coefficient of friction, bond strength, lippage, curl,

dimensional stability

Carpet, tuft bind, edge ravel, bundle wrap, flame spread, bond strength

Rubber and Vinyl flooring, bond, compressive strength, tensile strength

We prove both hard and soft evidence as the case requires, with the interpretation of a flooring expert.

MOISTURE VAPOR INTRUSION

Why have there been so many more failures in the last 30 years than before?

The floor-covering industry started to clean up its act in the 1970's. VOC's were removed from chemicals used as bonding and finishing agents. Asbestos was

removed from materials and adhesives. This made the materials more sensitive to moisture.

We can find your problems and recommend a repair. We can design

installation protocols that will protect your materials.

Slip and Fall Expert

An integral part of a “Slip and Fall” accident is the FLOOR. As the complete floor

expert, Interior Specifications is fully aware of the appropriateness of each floor

surface for ambulation. Extensive research and evaluation of floor surface materials

has been underway at Interior Specifications since the enactmentment of Public Law

101, The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.

Interior Specifications reviewed the standards of care for safe ambulation as specified

by OSHA, ANSI, and ASTM. We have read floor maintenance protocols and instructed

major retailers. Aided in the preparation of these protocols for The GAP, and Banana

Republic. Our owner, Kenneth D. Newson, FACFE, DABFE, DABFET, has published

and updated a treatise on the Coefficient of Friction and current science *(read The

Daubert Dilemma in the Slip & Fall Case). Interior Specifications has provided forensic

information on the Coefficient of Friction of Ice, Concrete, Rubber Flooring, Vinyl

Flooring Natural Stone, Ceramic Tile and Carpet. We have made forensic studies for

other experts in the area of shoe safety, ambulation proclivities of the aged, infirm,

and obese.

English XL Slipmeter

ASTM F1679-04 “Standard Test

Method for using a Variable

Incidence

Tribometer (VIT)

ASTM F1679-e1 (Withdrawn

2006)

Brungraber Mark II Slipmeter

ASTM F1677-05 “Standard Test

Method for using a Portable

Incineable Articulating Strut

Slip Tester (PIAST )

ASTM F1677-05 (Withdrawn

2006)

Since 1998, Interior Specifications has represented over 100 slip and fall plaintiffs, and over 100 slip & fall defendants. Interior Specifications has

testified as to the standard of care in the hospitality industry, and the real estate management industry (Mr. Newson complete the Certified Property

Manager Curriculum of the National Board of Realtors), as it pertains to floor safety. Interior Specifications has testified to the appropriate floor safety specifications in airports, on trains, hospitals, restaurants, and banks.

Since 1998, Interior Specifications has represented over 100 slip and fall

plaintiffs, and over 100 slip & fall defendants. We have been hired to provide forensic studies for hospitals, shopping malls, airports, restaurants, boat docks, religious centers, schools and parking lots boat docks, religious centers,

schools and parking lots.

Our clients include many of the liability carriers in the United States, and yet each case is represented on its merits, without regard to the names in the case

caption.

A human being walking on a floor, this makes up a system. Any breakdown in a system can lead to a failure. The point is, if there is an anomaly in the floor it

may precipitate a slip and fall, if there is an anomaly in the human being it may precipitate a slip and fall. This would be a failure of the system.

As Forensic Scientists, it is the job of Interior Specifications to gather information from credible sources and relate that information to our expertise

in floors. We look at standards published by OSHA, ANSI, ASTM and others, such as the National Floor Safety Institute. Interior Specifications investigates the roll the floor plays in a Slip & Fall accident. In our role as investigators we

have studied Age, Health, Obesity, and its effects on ambulation. Also, shoes and their role in a slip & Fall.

Floor covering materials are tested in a laboratory using a bench test under

ASTM F2047, the James Machine. Materials manufacturers then post the result of this test in their “Product Data Sheet”. We are licensed to perform many types of field tests on floors. Since September 2005 ASTM F1028 has

been the applicable protocol for the measurement of Static Coefficient of Friction on a smooth polished surface in the field (see The Daubert Dilemma in

the Slip & Fall Case). The standard describes a drag sled that is cumbersome but effective.

Interior Specifications is a licensed floor covering contractor, and knowledge with construction techniques that effect the floor. Things like the construction

of stairs and ramps, or the location of a hand rail can play a role in a Slip & Fall accident.

IS THIS FLOOR SAFE IN A HOSPITAL?

IS THIS FLOOR SAFE IN A HOSPITAL?

Interior Specifications answers floor safety questions, after a thorough

investigation.

What materials make the safest floor in an area exposed to contaminate? Interior Specifications can answer that question.

Kenneth D. Newson, FABFE, DABFET, DABFET is a graduate of the Institute of

Real Estate Management, part of the National Board of Realtors, qualifying to be a Certified Property Managers. He is fully aware of the standards of care in the Real Estate Management Industry, an experienced facilities manager.

Interior Specifications has provided expert testimony in over 300 Personal

Injury cases, ½ Plaintiff and ½ defense (approx.), in over 10 different states and Federal Court.

There are many standards related to ambulation on planar surfaces.

Is this planar surface safe?

Is this planar surface safe?

MOISTURE VAPOR

INTRUSION

Why have there been so many more failures in the

last 30 years than before?

The floor-covering industry started to clean up its act in

the 1970's. VOC's were removed from chemicals used as bonding and

finishing agents. Asbestos was removed from materials and adhesives. This made

the materials more sensitive to moisture.

We can find your problems and recommend a repair. We can design

installation protocols that will protect your materials.

What We Do

As a member of ASTM, Interior Specifications provides its clients with a variety of professional services that are always accurate, and conform to the latest ASTM standards. We provide a clear understanding of the floor related issues

involved in your project, weather it is construction consultation or litigation.

FLOOR COVERING CONSULTANTS We assist our clients with life cycle studies, value engineering, specifications, purchasing procedures and budgeting. In short, we help our clients decide

exactly what type of floor they need and how much they should budget. At Interior Specifications we provide any value engineering that is appropriate for the project.

FLOOR FORENSICS

We take pride in our floor forensics services. When it comes to safety floor analysis

and slip and fall investigations, we have the expertise and knowledge to back up all of

our claims. If you need evidence for a court case or insurance claim, Interior

Specifications is the company that will be ready to tackle any situation.

Summary of Services

The floor covering industry today is

based on SERVICE. The carpet manufacturers of the world have developed limited distribution to

emphasize this modern approach to a developing industry, as well as control

the quality of its service providers.

Interior Specifications holds a prominent place in this industry because, it provides products and

services the not only equal the best parts of all the alignments, but

furnishes a menu of services that goes beyond any individual floor covering provider. We do not manufacturer any

product, but service all flooring materials required, from conceptions assistance to long term finance and

maintenance.

Development of replacement/new program

Development of

remediation/repair program Life cycle cost study

Budgeting of repair, or replacement

Development of

Purchasing/Leasing program Management of labor

requirements Development of maintenance

program

On going inspection and counseling services

Recycling programs Forensic

Examination Expert Witness services (like

kind and quality) Appraisal of damage

Expertise in Multiple Types of Flooring

Interior Specifications, in conjunction with its manufacturing and service affiliations can offer the consumer, designer, and the general contractor every advantage the newly evolved flooring industry can provide.

Carpet

Carpet ceased to be a luxury item after World War II. Nylon became plentiful,

and broadloom sewing machines could sew on backings wider than 54 inches. In a normal year, the carpet industry of the United States produces enough

carpet, in 12-foot widths, to wrap the Equator 25 times.

Modern commercial carpet is a blend of several scientific disciplines. The blend of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanics produces materials that are durable,

cleanable, long lasting and recyclable. The problem for the Forensic Scientist is one of understanding the manufacturing process and guiding the testing processes (using ASTM and industry standards), when a failure takes place. To

complicate the science of carpet, the Forensic Scientist must have an in depth knowledge of the craft of installation, and an understanding of how carpet is

used in a commercial environment, whether it is Healthcare, Institutional, or Retail.

This is the uniqueness of Interior Specifications. The years of training by several carpet manufacturers, the exposure to the design process (as a member

of the Board of Directors of the Society of American Registered Architects), and 35 years as a licensed floor-covering contractor, has made a complete package.

Interior Specifications has provided expertise in floor covering specification to;

Burbank Airport, Baltimore Washington International Airport, Denver International Airport, the University of California at Los Angeles, University of California at Los Angeles and San Francisco Medical Centers, Cedars Sinai

Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, California State University at Northridge, The GAP, Macy’s, Finish Line Stores, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers

Studios, Paramount Pictures, Bruckheimer Productions, and many others.

Interior Specifications has provided floor installation specifications to; The Gap, Crate & Barrel, Finish Line Stores, The City of Orange, City of Las Vegas, The California State Contractors License Board, UCLA, USC, Barstow College,

California State University at San Luis Obispo, California State University at Long Beach, California State University at Northridge.

For 13 years, Interior Specifications has been the industry expert for carpet

failures for the California State Contractors License Board, and the California Attorney General.

In 1994 Kenneth D, Newson was contacted by the Architects for California State College at Northridge. The Earthquake had decimated their dormitories.

As Forensic Scientists, Interior Specifications is asked to look protocols not only install carpet by use that carpet. Knowledge of adhesives and tools and

move-in schedules are part of such an examination.

Interior Specifications has been task with guiding legal council in the pursuit of the truth about a carpet failure. This carpet is less than 1 year old. Loops of

pile began to pull out and the carpet began to come apart. Being a high traffic public building, repairs were made with left over pieces from construction.

Interior Specifications was asked Why, Who was at fault, how best to repair. We scoured the construction paper trail; we prepared the laboratory test

protocols, and interpreted the results.

Interior Specifications’ 40+ years of experience in interior design and

construction brings an insight to the workings of all of the parts of a floor-covering project.

The complaint was the carpet was rippling due to poor installation. The investigation found that the carpet had an attached cushion, and was glued to

the concrete in new offices. There were ripples in the common areas. The construction timeline showed movers arriving 4 hours after the carpet layers

were finished. The moves used dollies to bring in furniture. The problem, the instructions that came with the adhesive required a 48-cure time prior to wheel traffic. The documents revealed the truth.

Wood

Wood Floor Covering has been around almost as long as dirt, and today

requires an exacting understanding of the materials, related chemicals, installation protocols, site conditions and the industry standards. Wood flooring products can be found in retail stores, commercial offices,

gymnasiums, hotels, museums, and residences.

The complexities of wood flooring system are specific to what type of wood flooring, the thickness, the width, the species, and the manufacturing method.

Included in this mix are solid woods, engineered woods, cork, engineered grass, and plastic laminates. The variability in site conditions and sub-structures

must be in balanced with the floor-covering material.

Wood flooring products are highly sensitive to the presence of moisture. Interior Specifications is licensed to provide all of the required testing related to moisture. This includes ASTM F1869, ASTM F2420 and ASTM F2170,

electronic impedance, and bond test evaluations

As a member of the National Wood Flooring Association, Interior Specifications is kept up to date with changes in the industry. Also, Interior Specifications

keeps an extensive library of standards and instructions for the installation of these materials. The years of training by wood flooring manufacturers and distributors, the exposure to the design process (as a member of the Board of

Directors of the Society of American Registered Architects), and 35 years as a licensed floor-covering contractor, has made a complete package.

Interior Specifications has provided expertise on materials and installation for use in commercial offices, multi-family residential projects, retail stores and athletic facilities, dance studios, and schools. Interior Specifications has provided wood related flooring specifications to, The GAP, Banana Republic, Macy’s, Finish Line, Gymboree, 24 Fitness, Barstow College, City of Los Vegas, City of Orange, City of Huntington Beach, UCLA, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Kirov Ballet, Dance School of the Pacific and The American Institute of Architecture.

Stone

Throughout history, floors have been

constructed using stone. Natural Stone (Dimensional Stone) comes from quarries

around the world. There is a multitude of nuance in each stone. As a member of the

Marble Institute of America, Interior Specifications maintains an awareness of the factors related to a proper selection, installation and expectation of natural

Stone Flooring.

This category of floor covering also includes Ceramic Tile flooring, Engineered Stone Flooring, and Engineered Glass flooring. There is interplay between the

Marble Institute of America and the Tile Council of North America. Interior Specifications maintains a relationship with the Tile Council of North America, and blends the discipline of both organizations in preparing an opinion.

Interior Specifications has been called in by Engineered Stone Manufacturers

and distributors to investigate installation failures. These projects were in Hospitality Healthcare and Retail.

The specification of a sub-structure for each product is related to the items

dimensions and the site conditions. Interior Specifications address these issues with the eye of the long time contractor. The performance of a stone floor is directly related to the

quality of the installation protocol and the contractor’s

adherence to that protocol.

Interior Specifications

is expert in Stone and Ceramic Tile failures.

Engineered

Stone:

Rubber

Rubber flooring this has been

traced back to the 12 century. In

1894, Philadelphia architect

Frank Fumess patented a system

for rubber floor tiles. Rubber

flooring evolved and began to be

popular in the 1970’s. Today the

advantages and values of rubber

flooring are coming to the

forefront of the facilities specifier.

Rubber flooring provides

increased R -values for

insulation, it provides a higher

static coefficient of friction than

other common floor covering materials, it is recyclable, and sustainable. Specify it

wrong and it’s a nightmare.

There are many proper uses for rubber flooring. Healthcare, Sports Floors, Schools, Transportation, Manufacturing and many others. Caution, your

“installation is only as good as the floor you cover”. In other words, proper site testing and preparation are essential.

Interior Specifications, a flooring expert, is fully knowledge in the manners of site testing, sub-floor preparation, adhesives systems, and warranties related

to these products. We are experienced in site investigations related to the failure of rubber flooring.

Interior Specifications has worked in the capacity of expert, contractor and

specifier for rubber flooring on hundreds of projects. Our clients include major hospital managers, such as Kaiser Permanente, Columbia Medical, Tennant Hospitals, UCLA, UCSF, USC. Hospital developers: McCarthy, and PCL.

University facility managers: UCLA, USC, California State University at Northridge, California State University at San Louis Obispo, California State

University at Long Beach, California State University at Los Angeles.

Specialty floor covering requires a superior insight into the working of floors, as floor experts, Interior Specifications has such insight. We have brought in where others don’t meet the challenge.

Concrete

This is a fallacy. As concrete cures, a film appears on the top as the aggregate

settles toward the bottom.

This topcoat is called the

“cream coat” Concrete is porous, vapors

and thin liquids travel through

the pores, often allowing agents to stain. The

cream coat doesn’t wear very well or

long.

Some of the solutions to

making concrete wear better are to seal the concrete, coat the concrete, or polish the concrete.

Interior Specifications, the “floor expert”, knows about these processes and guides the specifier to the proper treatment for the project.

Interior Specifications, the Forensic Examiner, is aware if the installation

protocols for the treatments and investigates coating failures.

Why is the Epoxy topping de-bonding from the concrete in this factory?

In this case Interior Specifications reviewed the installation protocols published by the

manufacturer of the epoxy coating, and looked at the equipment that was actually

used. The site was tested for anomalies. The issue was resolved before trial.

Healthcare

In the years of contracting and specifying, Interior Specifications has found a

niche market, one requiring the utmost in for technical expertise. That market is Healthcare.

We have performed in facilities from

Manhattan to Honolulu, in over 100 hospitals.

We advised on the material

selection for several University Medical Centers,

Regional Healthcare

Centers, and local Doctor’s Hospital. We

have worked in Veterinary Hospitals, and Urgent Care facilities.

All kinds of floor covering materials are used in healthcare facilities. Including Wood, Rubber, Vinyl, Linoleum, Carpet, and Sealers. Interior Specifications

knows them all.

Today there is a focus on materials that will function well, maintain easily and also be GREEN. Interior Specifications can guide in that materials selection

process, as well as develop the proper installation protocol.

Interior Specifications, the forensic scientists have been called into investigations of the truly unusual healthcare floor failures.

Moisture

Since the removal of VOC’s and asbestos from floor covering adhesives, the

floor failure rate has grown disproportionately to the increase in materials consumed. The “Clean Air Act” and health concerns have made floor-covering

materials more susceptible to failure from moisture vapor intrusion.

Interior Specifications is licensed to perform all of the standard moisture vapor intrusion field tests recognized by ASTM and ANSI. We then relate the results

of the tests taken to the requirements published by the manufacturers of each material used.

As part of the investigative process, we look at factors that would indicate that moisture vapor intrusion is likely in a given project. Moisture vapor intrusion is

possible above grade. Given our familiarity with the current science and materials available, we develop protocols that will eliminate the danger or

remediate the damage affected by moisture vapor intrusion.

We have chaired symposiums on moisture vapor intrusion for The Society of American Registered Architects, and the American Institute of Architecture. We have published extensively for the Society of American Register Architects.

Moisture sensitivity must be addressed when floor-covering materials are going

to be installed.

Epoxy Topcoat:

5737 Kanan Road #549

Agoura Hills, California 91301 PH: 818-991-4300 FAX: 818-475-5099

EMAIL: [email protected]

CONTRACTORS LICENSE #710802 ABFE #10104

http://www.4floors.com/

Contact us today.