FAQs: Slip resistance testing

Kate Tonkin, Materials Testing Specialist – Finishes Evaluation Services

Kate Tonkin oversees the Surface Finish Evaluation Department, encompassing slip-resistance, accelerated wear, stain-resistance and sealer selection. She is motivated by seeing how the effective use of dimension stone contributes to outstanding building projects.

Stone Initiatives answers your FAQs about slip resistance testing.

How much of a sample do you require for slip resistance testing before installation (in-lab testing)?

We usually require a minimum 5 pieces or tiles that are no smaller than 100mm x 150mm in area size for the wet pendulum test method. If you have a limited amount of sample and they are larger format, it is still possible to complete a test on your sample. In this case, please contact us for further information about sample requirements.

Are the slip resistance tests different for wet areas (such as a bathroom) and dry areas (such as a lobby)?

For a dry area such as an office lobby or shopping mall, we can complete both wet pendulum testing and dry slip resistance testing, to ensure that the surface meets the relevant requirements in both dry and wet scenarios (such as a spilled drink on a floor that would usually be dry). For a wet area such as a public bathroom, we would generally only need to carry out wet pendulum testing. See our slip resistance testing page for more information or get in touch to discuss your project.

Is skid resistance the same as slip resistance?

Slip resistance and skid resistance are tested in similar ways, but skid resistance testing is more relevant to roadways where there is the use of a softer rubber, like a sneaker or a car tyre.

What is accelerated wear testing?

Accelerated wear testing involves testing a surface to see how it will perform after a certain number of cycles (or scrubs) of wear. There is no set number of cycles that equates to a certain amount of real-life traffic, but a common gauge for a high traffic area is 500 cycles. If a surface still meets its slip resistance requirements after the 500 cycles carried out in an accelerated wear test, this indicates that the slip resistance of the surface has longevity.

Determining slip resistance after accelerated wear is becoming a critical part of testing programs, especially with so many new developments using stone flooring. Stone Initiatives performs standard accelerated wear testing to method SI-AWT:2016 that incorporates AS4586:2013 and is recognised by NATA.

What is an R-rating?

An R-rating is a classification achieved from an oil ramp test, which we don’t undertake at Stone Initiatives. Our slip resistance testing includes wet pendulum testing (which gives a P-rating) and dry slip resistance testing (which gives a D classification). The Standards Australia handbook (HB198:14) states a requirement for pendulum or ramp testing and these can be considered interchangeable. It’s also worth noting that ramp testing can’t be performed on site, making pendulum testing a more versatile test. An R-rating isn’t always required – chat with us about your slip resistance testing requirements.

What kind of information does a typical slip resistance test report tell us?

Our reports outline the slip resistance rating, and if it’s a new surface we give it a classification. We also provide useful comments on what the results mean – for example, what the ratings and classifications mean in terms of suitability for use on a proposed project. Our reports are more than just a list of numbers!

If you have additional questions about slip resistance testing after reading these FAQs, or if you’d like to organise a quote for your project, visit our contact page to get in touch.

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