Anti-slip test results

Measurement of surface slipperiness

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require floors to be suitable, in good condition and free from obstructions. People must be able to move around safely.

Research carried out by the Health and Safety Executive, in conjunction with the UK Slip Resistance Group (UKSRG) and the British Standards Institution, has shown that scientific test instruments such as the Pendulum CoF test can accurately assess the slipperiness of flooring materials.

The pendulum CoF test

The skid resistance tester method is based on a swinging, imitation heel (using a standardised rubber soling sample), which sweeps over a set area of flooring in a controlled manner. The slipperiness of the flooring has a direct and measurable effect on the Pendulum Test Value (PTV) given.

Slip risk classification based on pendulum test value

Pendulum measurements were taken in 3 directions for accurate assessments. The average pendulum test values are shown below.

Products tested July 2016.

Surface microroughness - slip risk classification

An indication of slipperiness in water-contaminated conditions where obtained by measuring the surface roughness of our flooring materials.

Measuring the Rz parameter allows slipperiness to be predicted. Rz is a measure of total surface roughness, calculated as the mean of several peak-to-valley measurements.

Applicable for water-wet, low activity pedestrian areas. Data could not be generated due to the level of roughness exceeding the range of this instrument. This suggests the measurement would be at least 100 and therefore a low slip risk.

The test results presented relate only to the flooring samples under study at the time of testing.

The performance of installed materials may change significantly during their lifetime: slip resistance is critically dependent on the level and type of contamination, application of the surface treatment, wear, maintenance and effective cleaning subsequent to installation.