Testing Methods
R Rating DIN 51130
Pendulum BS7976-2 A1 2013
ABC barefoot DIN 51097
Surface
Roughness
Ramp test DIN 51130
The R or ramp test was originally developed as a footwear test, this was adapted for floors & adopted across Europe in the late 1980’s. The test subject walks on a ramp forwards and backwards, if still standing the angle of the ramp is increased. The angle at which the “point of release” occurs is how the rating is defined.
It is important to note that the contaminant used in this test is motor oil.
This is not a portable test, and doesn’t really replicate real life situations.
DIN 51130 incline:
R9 = 6° - 10° incline
R10 = 10° - 19° incline
R11 = 19° - 27° incline
R12 = 27° - 35° incline
R13 = 35° and greater
Liquid Displacement:
V4 4dm³/cm²
V6 6dm³/cm²
V8 8dm³/cm²
V10 10dm³/cm²
Contaminant is low viscosity Motor Oil
The Pendulum (PTV)
BS7976-2 + A1 2013 / BS EN 13036-4
This test is carried out using different rubber sliders, depending upon whether the tiles are going to be tested for barefoot or shodfoot, wet and dry conditions.
The two sliders have different densities; the barefoot slider is softer than the shodfoot one, this is to replicate bare feet and shoes.
This machine is portable making it possible to test the actual floor in question after installation with little or no disruption to the end user.
55s slider – barefoot
96s slider – shodfoot
8 passes in 3 directions
3 bands of slip potential
Recognised
The Pendulum is the ONLY test recognised in the UK by HSE and UKSRG
(United Kingdom Slip Resistance Group).
HSE Categories
Potential for slip :
Apply to both shodfoot & barefoot tests
Contaminant used is distilled water
It is important to note that different colours within the same collection may have different PTV’s values.
The categories that the HSE will refer to are your guide for specification with hard floor finishes. The requirement of which band you need is entirely down to a risk assessment.
ie. The ground floor of a multi-occupancy building will most likely require low potential for slip resistance, yet it is quite feasible that the occupier on the 7th floor may have a polished floor with a high potential for slip as all contaminants are likely to be removed from footwear by the time they get to the 7th floor.
Slip resistance comparison
Pendulum Testing
Only test recognised in the UK
Portable
Can be used on site
Can determine differences between the colours of same range
Ramp Testing
Accepted throughout Central Europe
Not portable
May not replicate real life situations
Cannot determine differences between colours of the same range