Testing how slip resistant a flooring is and understanding how this is done is a bit of a minefield!
Firstly it might be a good idea to understand what can makes a floor slippy, the most obvious probably being spillages, leaks, rain and mud being trafficked in, but did you know that powder and dust can also make areas slippery? Also are there any slopes or ramps in the area? And what do you think people will be wearing on their feet? For instance in a sports changing room area you might have people running around barefoot! Like I say, it is quite complicated with lots of considerations for manufacturers and specifiers.
There are several ways we can undertake the task of testing slip resistance and that is probably why it can be so confusing.
A portable system that can be used on site so is deemed the best and most accurate by the HSE, is the TRRL or Pendulum test which is basically a swinging rubber foot which sweeps over a set area of flooring. The reading is then shown on a metal gauge and is measured against set test values giving a "potential for slip" reading. For safety flooring this has to be 36+ which equates to low potential for slip when wet.
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Potential
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PTV
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High slip potential
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0–24
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Moderate slip potential
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25–35
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Low slip potential
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36 +
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Slip potential classification, based on pendulum
There is also a little gadget called a Surface Micro roughness Meter and this is used to examine the on-going slip resistance on site, usually used alongside the Pendulum Tester. This shows readings of the surface roughness in microns so basically indicates what the surface slipperiness is!
That's not all folks!! Lastly there is the Ramp Test and I suppose this is the reading that most people in the trade know about and is usually carried out at the manufacturer's plant. This is because somebody has to stand on a ramp covered in the flooring to be tested, which is then covered in oil for instance, or water for a barefoot reading. The operative has to walk down the ramp to gain a reading but don't worry they have a safety harness to prevent them from falling should this occur!
The reading is known as the 'R' value and ranges from R9-R13, this is the angle of the ramp while the test is carried out. These ratings sometimes cause further confusion with people thinking that the scale starts at R1. It doesn't, in fact R9 is the lowest rating and even a smooth flooring can achieve this.
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Classification
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R9
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R10
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R11
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R12
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R13
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Slip angle (°)
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6–10
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10–19
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19–27
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27–35
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> 35
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R–Value slipperiness classification
There are European tests developed by the European Committee for Standardisation and it is compulsory for manufacturers like us to pass if they are to claim that a flooring is slip resistant and can be sold in Europe. There are also BS and DIN Standards!
STILL CONFUSED? – book a RIBA APPROVED CPD covering Slips and Trips or call us on 01462 489516 for further information...