ISU Research Study
The risks of slip-and-fall incidents—consistently ranking among the most costly workers’ compensation claims—demand proactive, science-backed solutions. That’s why, in 2024, we proudly partnered with Iowa State University to fund a groundbreaking safety study on roofing materials commonly used on commercial and industrial flat and low-slope roofs.
The results of this independent research were clear: the type of roofing material plays a decisive role in safety, while factors like shoe type have minimal impact. Textured thermoplastic membranes emerged as a critical minimum for roof safety, with materials like smooth TPO, PVC, and silicone performing the worst in participant testing.
Spray Grade Instant Set
Textured Vs. Smooth
This report recommends that higher friction would result in lower slip and fall events and higher participant trust in the surfaces. This would, in turn, increase the safety of anyone who walks on these materials and decrease the worker’s compensation claims that would result from walking on commercial and industrial rooftops.
“Material Type had a very strong effect on participant performance while Shoe Type was found to have next to no effect on the performance.”
Spray Grade Instant Set
Spray Grade Instant Set
Spray Grade Instant Set
Spray Grade Instant Set
Slides, Slips & Falls
Notably, textured thermoplastics outperformed smooth thermoplastics by significant margins. The survey concludes that “higher friction, as provided by textured thermoplastics, leads to lower slip-and-fall events and increases participant trust in the surfaces, potentially decreasing workers’ compensation claims from walking on commercial and industrial rooftops.”
“This report recommends the implementation of materials that are textured thermoplastics as the minimum for safety.”
Spray Grade Instant Set
Spray Grade Instant Set
Spray Grade Instant Set
Spray Grade Instant Set
TritoFlex & TritoCryl vs. Silicone
Nine different roofing materials commonly found on commercial and industrial flat and low-slope roofs were tested. The study investigated the performance when walking on different materials such as: material type, Coefficient of Friction, shoe type, and smoothness of the surface. Performance was measured by the following: time to complete tasks, participant ‘trust’, and frequency of slip and fall events.
The trial was tested in 10-month period in 5 different weather conditions and material cleanliness.
Spray Grade Instant Set
Spray Grade Instant Set
Spray Grade Instant Set
Spray Grade Instant Set
Slides, Slips, & Falls
Liquid coatings such as TritoFlex and TritoCryl significantly outperformed Silicone when it came to slides, slips, and falls. Silicone, Smooth TPO, and Smooth PVC ranked the three worst in terms of participant performance.
Triton prioritizes safety and is proud to offer stronger, safer, sensible products like TritoFlex and TritoCryl, proudly 100% made in the USA.
Spray Grade Instant Set
Spray Grade Instant Set
Spray Grade Instant Set
Report on the Findings of the Investigation into the Biomechanical Interactions with Roofing Materials by Dr. Richard Stone, Braden Westby; Iowa State University (ISU).