Using SAT
Before you start
The SAT has to be used together with a small, portable surface microroughness meter,[28] which users must obtain separately.
It is designed for use on PCs running the Microsoft Windows operating system (98 SE and above) and requires a minimum of 10MB free hard drive space.
Read the release notes[29] and the list of known software issues[30] with the current version 1.1.0 and previous SAT releases
Options for using SAT
You can either download the SAT (for use offline) or use SAT online (via the internet).
The recommended method is to download SAT, as you may wish to use the SAT on site where it may not be possible to connect to the Internet. SAT will also operate faster if installed using the download option.
The data can be entered into a laptop computer (preloaded with the SAT software) on site for an immediate assessment of slip risk. Alternatively, data can be recorded on site using the proforma[31] and entered into a PC later.
Download the SAT
The SAT consists of a number of files that are packaged as a single 'ZIP' file. This can be downloaded by clicking the 'Download the SAT' link above. A copy of WinZip is required in order to extract these files and this can be obtained from http://www.winzip.com [32]. Please read the instructions[33] if you are not familiar with downloading and extracting ZIP files. Once extracted, the SAT can be run by double clicking the 'sat.exe' file, which should be located in the folder that the SAT was extracted to.
Note: This is a large file (approximately 3MB) and may take a significant amount of time to download, particularly if you are using a 'dial-up' modem connection. Please contact sat@hsl.gov.uk if you experience problems downloading the SAT as we can arrange an alternative method of supplying the program.
Notes to existing users
- Please backup your current site assessments before updating the SAT. The saved assessments are stored in a single file named 'satdata.xml' that can be found in the 'data' folder located in the folder that the SAT is installed in. To back up the data, simply copy the file to a secure location using your preferred method.
- It is recommended that you install the new version in the same folder as the existing SAT, after first backing up your existing data (see above). However, if you want to install a new version of SAT in a different folder and wish to load your old assessments, you must copy the existing data file BEFORE saving any assessments in the new version. To do this, copy the 'satdata.xml' file from the original 'data' folder to the new data folder (you may have to create the 'data' folder in the new system). Warning: this will overwrite any assessments already saved in the new version.
Use the SAT online
Important: In order to use the SAT online, you need to install the Adobe Authorware player[35].
This is not the preferred method of running the SAT as an Internet connection is required whenever it is used, which may not be available on site. However, if you do wish to use it this way please click the 'Use the SAT online' link above.
Note: This may take a significant amount of time to load, particularly if you are using a 'dial-up' modem connection.