Understanding Tile Slip Rating & Resistance

Tiles come in all shapes, sizes, colours and... slip ratings?

Yes, slip ratings. They keep our buildings safe and reduce the chance of accidents occurring in areas of verticality (stairs), wetness (pools), and high traffic (shopping centres). How can slip rating guide you in choosing the right materials for the right spaces? And do certain areas of the home need to meet a certain slip rating?

We’ll explain everything you need to know about tile slip ratings below.

What is Tile Slip Rating?

Tile slip ratings are a collection of tests used to assess the slip resistance of a tile surface.

Various locations in a building (e.g. bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor areas) have strict standards around slip resistance. Slip ratings assist in determining if the tile type is suitable for a particular area in the building.

Slip ratings come into play often in commercial applications. Buildings with high foot traffic (e.g. shopping centres or industrial workspaces) need to consider slip resistance in relation to pedestrian stride. They must also consider how resistant the flooring will be if the surface is contaminated by water or another foreign substance. 

Why Are Slip Ratings Important?

Various areas of a building need to be developed under Australian Standards. The standards are in place to reduce the likelihood of injuries caused by slips and falls.

Feeling the texture alone isn’t enough to determine how ‘grippy’ a tile is. Slip ratings ensure consumers buy the right tile (not just any tile) for the right area of a home or commercial space. Installing tiles without the proper slip rating could lead to injury, accidents, and potential liability for commercial building owners.

Australian Standards For Slip Resistance

There are 3 nationally accepted tests for rating slip resistance:

Pendulum Test

The pendulum test assesses the friction offered by a floor surface when a foot comes into contact with it. It can measure the slip potential of both dry, wet and contaminated flooring.

The test simulates the act of a shoe sole walking onto a tile. The pendulum “leg” is attached to a rubber shoe-sized mass, the “foot”. Frictional resistance is measured when the pendulum releases. The higher the foot swings, the slippier the tile.

Pendulum classifications range from P0 to P5. The higher the number, the lower the risk of slipping. This makes P4-P5 tiles the ideal tile type for outdoor areas (e.g. pools). Lower ratings are generally better suited for indoor spaces.

Working on a commercial build? Check this out: Slip Resistance Guidelines for Pedestrian Surfaces

Oil-Wet Ramp Test

In this test, tiles are evenly coated with lubricating oil and then loaded onto a treadmill-like ramp. One tester is harnessed into the ramp while another continually adjusts the pitch angle of the ramp. The tester continually walks on the incline (forwards and backwards) until it becomes unsafe to do so. The angle is used to determine the degree of slip resistance.

The higher the slip resistance value, the lower the slip risk.

Barefoot Wet Ramp Test

This evaluation is similar to the oil-wet test, with water used instead. Tiles are secured onto the ramp and continuously sprayed with water. Testers soak their feet and then proceed to walk barefoot on the wet tiles. As with the oil-wet ramp test, the ramp incline is incrementally adjusted until testers can no longer safely walk on the surface.

This test is commonly used to evaluate tiles used in predominantly wet areas (e.g. showers, locker rooms, and pools).

Slip Rating For Stair Treads & Stairways

With stairs being a particular area of concern when it comes to slips and accidents, there are even more specific NCC standards in place for stair nosings, landings, and ramp inclines. These are not guidelines but mandates across commercial and residential builds.

To learn more about slip ratings for stairways check out our in-depth, easy-to-read guide: Stair Tread & Stairway Landing Compliance.

Care & Maintenance For Tiles With Slip Resistance

Do tiles with high slip resistance require special cleaning methods? Generally, the first clean is the most important, with higher slip-rated tiles requiring additional care and attention. Approximately 24 hours after the grout has completely dried, apply a Residual Surface Cleaner to remove excess grout.

If your tiles appear dull over the next few days, apply the surface cleaner once more to remove excess residue.

From then on, everyday cleaning is the same as with any other household surfaces. Our All-Purpose Cleaner is specially formulated to work on a variety of tile surfaces, making it ideal for routine cleaning.

Working on a commercial build? Check this out: Slip Resistance Guidelines for Pedestrian Surfaces

Find The Right Tiles For Your Space

Ready to find the right tiles for your indoor or outdoor space? You can find slip ratings for any item in the ‘Product Specifications’ dropdown on the item’s Product Page. And don’t forget to check out our range of non-slip tiles online or head in-store to get expert advice.