Slipperiness and Standards - Overview

Code of compliance regarding to slip resistance is governed by various Codes, Acts, Standards and the Laws, namely;

Relevant Australian Slip Resistance Standards currently in force are;

AS/NZS 4586 & 4663 are standard test procedures to determine slip resistance characteristics HB 197 assesses relative risk and suitability of surfaces evaluated by the standard test procedures.

Standards Defined Slip Resistance Terms

Test Methods

There are four different test methods
(Short descriptions are extracts from http://www.cmit.csiro.au and http://www.cmmt.csiro.au )

  1. Wet Pendulum Test
    De facto in-situ test device, the most commonly used. The pendulum is a portable instrument used in the laboratory or on site for classifying the wet slip resistance of new flooring (pedestrian surface) materials.
    Read more about Wet Pendulum Test

    Click on the photo below to see VIDEO OF THE PENDULUM IN ACTION (80 seconds):

    Wet Pendulum Test
    Above photo and video are courtesy of Safety Direct America.

  2. Dry Floor Friction Test
    Although pedestrian surface materials are classified according to the dry floor friction test, there is no notional interpretation of each class. While there are very few new pedestrian surfaces that would have a dry mean coefficient of friction of less than 0.4, they would make a high contribution to the risk of slipping. However, it would be inappropriate to assume that all products that have high coefficients of friction would make a very low contribution to the risk of slipping when dry.
    Read more about Dry Floor Friction Test
    Click on the photo below to see VIDEO OF THE PENDULUM IN ACTION (80 seconds):

    Dry Floor Friction Test
    Above photo and video are courtesy of Safety Direct America.

  3. Wet Barefoot Ramp Test
    Since slip resistance test methods have inherent limitations, some test methods will be more appropriate for specific circumstances. For instance, since rubber is a poor surrogate for human skin, the wet barefoot ramp test should provide the best indication of slip resistance for areas such as bathrooms.
    Read more about Wet Barefoot Ramp Test
  4. Oil Wet Ramp Test
    The ramp uses human subjects to subjectively assess the slip resistance of floorings under closely controlled conditions. Ramp testing can evaluate a wider range of products than the wet pendulum test, particularly highly profiled products that are intended to allow drainage or entrapment of contaminants.
    Read more about Oil Wet Ramp Test

Methods 1. and 2. are used for testing existing surfaces (in situ), while 3. and 4. are used for classification of new surfaces.

So, which test is the best?

Relevant tables for slip resistance

How the Non Slip can relate to Coefficient of Friction

Relevant tables for slip resistance
Note: Adapted from ASTM D21.06 questionnaire reprinted in Ergonomics, 1985 28(7), 1052

HB 197:1999 An Introductory Guide to the Slip resistance of pedestrian Surface Materials

Two tables Table 3 and table 5 that are really important. Table 3 defines the Minimum Pendulum or Ramp Recommendations for Specific Locations, while Table 5 is a Classification for Commercial and Industrial areas.

Some samples

Shopping centre
Shopping centre- food court
Internal ramps
Toilets
Entry foyer (wet)
Swimming pool surrounds
Undercover concourse
External stair nosings
External walkways
External ramps
Car parks
Commercial kitchens
Z
X
X
X
X
W
X
W
W
V
-
-
R9
R10
R10
R10
R10
B
R10
R11
R10
R11
R10
R12 V4

For further information about the various test methods please read the article Practical Aspects of Slip Resistance of Stone

For further information where to get the relevant Slip Resistance Standards please visit www.standards.org.au

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