Slip Resistance Rating: How to Assess It?

Slips and falls can have dangerous consequences. When choosing floor tiles for a specific location, you should consider not only the aesthetic appearance but also the degree of slip resistance.

The diversity of floors and anti-slip mats means there is a solution for every environment where water must be taken into account, as well as contaminants in the form of oils, greases and fuel.

What is an anti-slip floor?

An anti-slip floor is a type of surface that provides adequate grip by increasing friction on the surface, reducing the risk of slipping and falling. It should be adapted to the conditions prevailing in a given place.

Moisture, oil and dust can reduce the friction between the shoe and the floor, increasing the risk of slipping. Our anti-slip rubber floors have been designed to be safe for use in residential and utility rooms (garages, basements, bathrooms, halls), commercial and industrial applications (warehouses, workshops), as well as in public spaces (educational institutions, hospitals, playgrounds, swimming pools).

Standards for slip prevention

The DIN 51130 and DIN 51097 standards are recognized worldwide and aim to assess the slip resistance of flooring materials in areas where people walk in footwear (DIN 51130 standard) and barefoot (DIN 51097 standard). Both standards use the ramp test method.

DIN 51130 standard

The DIN 51130 standard is required for indoor and outdoor surfaces in dry and wet conditions where footwear is used. Slipperiness is measured in laboratory tests based on the ramp test and its value R is calculated. The higher the R value, the greater the slip resistance.

Slip resistance class (R)

To measure the slip potential based on the ramp test according to DIN 51130, a floor sample is placed on a ramp and covered with a contaminant (in this case an oily substance). The tester walks in work shoes on the ramp, which changes the incline of the surface. The maximum slip angle, which ranges from 6 degrees to 35+ degrees, is also taken into account. The test ends when the tester is unable to remain stable on the greasy surface, which gives an R rating based on the coefficient of friction (COF).

The R value determines the friction value on a scale from R9 to R13, where R denotes the ramp test and the numbers indicate the degree of slip resistance, with R9 having the least grip and R13 the most. Tiles with a class below R9 are not slip-resistant.

Slip resistance:

R9 - normal level of grip on surfaces with an incline from 3 to 10 degrees; for use in indoor and dry areas, i.e. halls, entrance areas, corridors and on stairs;

R10 - medium level of grip on surfaces with an incline from 10 to 19 degrees; for use in outdoor and indoor areas exposed to contact with water, i.e. kitchens and bathrooms, garages, sanitary rooms; recommended for domestic rooms with a low degree of humidity;

R11 - high level of grip on surfaces with an incline from 19 to 27 degrees; suitable for indoor and outdoor use, especially in rooms exposed to high contact with water; safe for use in environments in dry and wet areas, i.e. bathrooms, kitchens, corridors, laundries, living rooms, building entrances;

R12 - high level of grip on surfaces with an incline from 27 to 35 degrees; tiles marked R12 are intended for use both indoors and outdoors; they are suitable for use in areas contaminated with water and oily substances; R12 floor tiles are suitable for safe installation in bathrooms, kitchens, corridors, swimming pools, changing rooms, airports, commercial surfaces, cold stores, in industrial rooms with a high degree of humidity;

R13 - very high level of grip on surfaces with an incline greater than 35 degrees; this group of tiles offers the best grip in places where there is heavy contamination of the surface with water and greases; intended for use in areas with wet surfaces, in public utility places, on commercial and residential floors, around pools, showers, changing rooms, for industrial applications in rooms with the highest degree of humidity;

DIN 51097 standard

The DIN 51097 standard is required for floors in wet rooms such as pools and bathrooms. The slip resistance of tiles compliant with DIN 51097 concerns areas where one can walk barefoot. Slipperiness is measured based on the ramp test for bare feet, where the contaminant is soapy water, and it is classified into rating groups: A, B, C depending on the associated slip risk. The measure of the test is the angle of inclination of the ramp plane that allows a person to stand stably and safely without slipping.

Slip classes:

A - angle 12-18 degrees - suitable for changing rooms

B - angle 12-18 degrees - suitable for pool surrounds

C - angle <24 degrees - suitable for ramps or steps leading to the water

Looking for a high-quality, anti-slip floor?

At the Power Rubber store we offer rubber floor tiles and mats that have been specially designed to reduce the likelihood of slip accidents in various conditions, even if the floor is exposed to dirt and contaminants such as: moisture, dust, dirt, oily substances and more.

Why buy rubber tiles and anti-slip mats from Power Rubber?

Achieving the appropriate level of slip resistance is essential to ensure the safety of people moving in a given area, especially in places exposed to heavy traffic and moisture and liquid spills.

Benefits of using rubber anti-slip floors

A wet and slippery floor is one of the most common causes of accidents. Properly designed anti-slip tiles prevent accidental slips and dangerous falls.

Rubber mats from Power Rubber offer a range of benefits, including anti-slip properties. Anti-slip mats increase safety in potentially wet areas by reducing the risk of injury to employees and guests. Attention should also be paid to rubber coverings with special studs which, in addition to improving grip, drain water from the standing surface. In addition, our rubber tiles are flexible, thereby preventing adverse health effects caused by standing on hard surfaces. They feature very good technical and performance parameters, including resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage.

If you need help choosing floor tiles, please contact us by phone: +48 22 292 40 24 or +48 505 16 03 03, or by email (power|powerrubber.com| |Power|PowerRubber.com) or via our contact form