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 moisture, formulation, installation
for identity, effectiveness, appropriateness
Concrete: performance, installations
Adhesives: moisture, stability, acclimation, gap, cupping, dimensional stability, bugs
Vapor Barriers: dynamic coefficient of friction dimensional tolerance, bond strength,
Hardwood:
Ceramic Tile: static coefficient of friction, bond strength, lippage, dimensional stability
lippage tuft bind, edge ravel, bundle wrap, flame spread, bond strength
Natural Stone:
Carpet:

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  Development of
replacement/new program
The floor covering industry today is
based on SERVICE. The carpet  Development of
manufacturers of the world have
developed limited distribution to remediation/repair program
emphasize this modern approach to a  Life cycle cost study
developing industry, as well as control
the quality of its service providers.  Budgeting of repair, or
replacement
Interior Specifications holds a
prominent place in this industry  Development of
because, it provides products and
services the not only equal the best Purchasing/Leasing program
parts of all the alignments, but  Management of labor
furnishes a menu of services that goes
beyond any individual floor covering requirements
provider. We do not manufacturer any  Development of maintenance
product, but service all flooring
materials required, from conceptions program
assistance to long term finance and
maintenance.  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:

Contact us today.

5737 Kanan Road #549
Agoura Hills, California 91301
PH: 818-991-4300 FAX: 818-475-5099

EMAIL: Ken@4floors.com
CONTRACTORS LICENSE #710802

ABFE #10104
http://www.4floors.com/