Past and Present Classifications of the Australian Slip Testing Standards

AS/NZS 4663:2004. Slip resistance measurements of existing pedestrian surfaces.

Appendix A. Wet Pendulum Test Method (In-situ and Lab Testing)

Appendix B. Dry Floor Friction Test Method (In-situ and Lab Testing)

AS/NZS 4586:2004. Slip resistance classifications of new pedestrian surface materials.

Appendix A. Wet Pendulum Test Method (Lab Testing)

Appendix B. Dry Floor Friction Test Method (Lab Testing)

Appendix C. Wet/Barefoot Ramp Test Method (Lab Testing)

Appendix D. Oil-Wet Ramp Test Method (Lab Testing)

Appendix E. Displacement Volume Test Method (Lab Testing)

Handbook HB 197:1999. An introductory guide to the slip resistance of pedestrian surface materials

Chapter 3 Use of AS/NZS 4586 Classifications in Selecting Pedestrian surface Materials.

Chapter 4 Which Wet Slip Test should I use as the bases for my Specification?

Chapter 5 General Commentary

Ramp Classifications

Pendulum Classifications

Chapter 6 Requirements for Ramps and other Sloped Surfaces

Chapter 7 Selection of Pedestrian Surface Materials According to the Ramp Tests

Wet Barefoot Slip Resistance

Slip Resistance in Commercial and Industrial Areas

The meanings of terminologies used for reporting slip resistance values.

Appendix (A) Wet Pendulum Test Method (MBPN) Mean British Pendulum Number.

V Class Classification = >54BP

W Class Classification = 45-54BPN

X Class Classification = 35-44BPN

Y Class Classification = 25-34BPN

Z Class Classification = <25BPN

Appendix (B) Dry Floor Friction Test Method (Coefficient of Friction)

F = ≥40CoF

G = ≤40CoF

Appendix (C) Wet/Barefoot Ramp Test Method (Laboratory testing only)

A ≥12 <18

B ≥18 <24

C ≥24

Appendix (D) Oil-Wet Ramp Test Method (Laboratory testing only)

R9 = ≥6 <10

R10= ≥10 <19

R11 = ≥19 <27

R12 = ≥27 <35

R13 = ≥35

Please keep in mind that Australian Standards AS/NZS 4586:2004 was designed for laboratory testing in controlled conditions and Australian Standards AS/NZS 4663:2004 for In-situ Testing.

Reference HB197:1999 Table 3 Pedestrian Flooring Selection Guide-Minimum Pendulum or Ramp recommendations for specific Locations

Specific Locations	Pendulum	Ramp	MBPN
Assessable internal stair nosing’s (Dry) – Handrail present	X	R10	35-44
Assessable internal stair nosing’s (Wet) – Handrail present	W	B/ R11	45-54
External colonnade, walkways and pedestrian crossings	W	R10	45-54
External Ramps	V	R11	>54
Entry foyers hotel, office and public Buildings – Wet	X	R10	35-44
Entry foyers hotel, office and public Buildings – Dry	Z	R9	<25
Lift lobbies above external entry level	Z	R9	<25
Internal ramps, slopes(greater than 2 degrees) – Dry	X	R10	35-44
Shopping Centre excluding food court	Z	R9	<25
Shopping Centre – Food Court	X	R10	35-44
Other separate shops inside shopping centre	Z	R9	<25
Other shops with external entrances – entry area	X	R10	35-44
Fast food outlets, buffet food servery area	X	R10	35-44
Hospitals and aged care facilities – dry area	Z	R9	<25
Hospitals and aged care facilities – en/suites	X	A/R10	35-44
Supermarket aisles except fresh food area	Z	R9	<25
Shop and supermarket fresh fruit and vegetable areas	X	R10	35-44
Toilet facilities in offices, hotels and shopping centres	X	R10	35-44
Undercover concourse areas of sports stadiums	X	R10	35-44
External stair nosing	W	R11	45-54
Communal changing rooms	X	A	35-39
Swimming pool ramps and stairs leading into water	V	C	>44
Swimming pool surrounds and communal shower rooms	W	B	40-44

Note

1. Appropriate measures need to be taken to exclude casual water from dry areas. (15min wand System)

2. All floors with a wet pendulum classification of Z should have a dry friction classification of F (≥ 0.40 CoF) unless normal usage dictates that the floor should have a low dry coefficient of Friction, e.g. dance floors.

3. Table 5 contains higher requirements for some specific types of shops.

4. Refer to Tables 2, 4 and 5 in AS/NZS 4586for derivation of Classifications

TABLE 2 Interpretationsof Dry Floor Friction Result

Floor Friction Tester Mean Value	Notional* contribution of the floor surface to the risk of slipping when Dry
F            ≥0.40	Moderate to very low
G            <0.40	High to very high

The term notional has been used to highlight the need to consider all potential contributing factors to a slip incident.

Note: for a ‘Moderate to very low ‘interpretation, each individual test result shall be equal to or greater than 0.35.

Reference: Australian Standards AS/NZS 4663:2004.

CHANGES

Some of the noticeable changes to the Australian Slip Testing Standards are below; I have included a possible scenario to the changes to Table 3Pedestrian Flooring Selection Guide-Minimum Pendulum or Ramp Recommendations for Specific Locations in the classifications.

AREA CLASSIFICATIONS

· Dry areas  those areas in which appropriate control measures ensure an area remains dry when in use.

· Transitional areas  those areas that are intended to be kept dry, such as by the provision of design features (awnings, drains, mats, air locks etc.) appropriate to the physical locations, climate and general exposure to water as maintained in a dry and clean conditions by the facility manager.

· Wet areas  those areas that are not defined as a dry or transitional areas, which may be either constantly or intermittently wet or otherwise contaminated.

AS 4663-2013 Slip Resistance Measurements of Existing Pedestrian surfaces.

Appendix A. Wet Pendulum Test Method. (In-situ and Lab Testing)

Appendix B. Dry Floor Friction Test Method. (In-situ and Lab Testing)

Appendix C. Examples of Determining Slope Design Value (SDV) and Slope Correction Value (SCV)

BIBLIOGRAPHY SA

AS 4586-2013 Slip resistance classifications of new pedestrian surface materials

Appendix A. WET PENDULUM TEST METHOD

Appendix B. DRY FLOOR FRICTION TEST METHOD

Appendix C. WET – BAREFOOT INCLINING PLATFORM TEST METHOD

Appendix D. OIL – WET INCLINING PLATFORM TEST METHOD

Appendix E. DISPLACEMENT VOLUME TEST METHOD

Appendix F. EXAMPLE OF DETERMINING SLOPE DESIGN VALUE (SDV) AND SLOPE CORRECTION VALUE (SCV)

Slip Resistance Value (SRV)

The SRV is the mean BPN value for the sample that has been tested, regardless of whether the surface was level or on a slope.

Slope Correction Value (SCV)

When the slip resistance of a sloping surface of known maximum gradient is measured, the SCV is an adjusted SRV, giving a value equivalent to that of the equivalent SRV for a level surface.

Slope Design Value (SDV)

The SDV is the mean BPN value required of a known maximum gradient. The SDV may be calculated by using the tables that are given in Appendix D, using the minimum SRV that is considered appropriate for a level surface.

TESTING RUBBER: NEW CLASSIFICATIONS FOR PENDULUM TESTING

The Standards Four S rubber is now also known as Slider 96. It was developed as a rubber of average slip resistance characteristics. When assessing products for wet barefoot areas, or unusually rough products, the use of the softer more malleable TRL may be advantageous. The TRL rubber is now also known as Slider 55.

HB198:2014 Table 3B Recommended Minimum Pendulum or Ramp Classifications.

For Application where the National Construction Code Dose Not Require Slip Resistance

Specific Locations	Pendulum	Ramp	MBPN
External pavement & Ramps External ramps including sloping driveways, footpaths etc. Steeper than 1 in 14 External ramps including sloping driveways, footpaths etc. under 1 in 14 External sales areas (e.g. Markets), external car parks, external colonnade walkways, pedestrian crossings, balconies, verandas, carports, driveways, courtyards and roof tops. Undercover Car	P5 P4 P3	R12 R11 R10	>54 45-54 35-44
Hotels, offices, public buildings, schools& kindergartens Entries and access areas including hotels, offices, public buildings, shopping centres, shops, school, kindergartens, common areas of public buildings, internal lift lobbies. Wet Areas Transitional Areas Dry Areas Toilet facilities in office, hotels and shopping centres. Hotel bathrooms, ensuites and toilets. Hotel toilets and laundries	P3 P2 P1 P3 P2 P2	R10 R9 R9 R10 A R9	35-44 25-34 12-24 35-44 20-34 25-34
Supermarkets and Shopping Centres Fast food outlets, buffet food servery areas, food courts and fast food dining areas in shopping centres. Shops and supermarkets fruit and vegetable areas. Fast food outlets and buffet food servery areas. Shop entry areas with external entrances. Supermarket aisles (fast food areas). Other separate shops inside shopping centres – Wet. Other separate shops inside shopping centres – Dry. (See note 3)	P3 P3 P3 P3 P1 P3 P1	R10 R10 R10 R10 R9 R10 R9	35-44 35-44 35-44 35-44 12-24 35-44 12-24
Loading Docks, Commercial Kitchens, Cold Stores, Serving Areas Loading docks under cover and Commercial kitchens. Serving areas behind bars in public hotels and clubs, cold stores and freezers.	P5 P4	R12 R11	>54 45-54
Swimming Pools and Sporting Facilities Swimming pool ramps and stairs leading to water. Swimming pool surrounds and communal shower rooms. Communal changing rooms. Undercover concourse of sporting stadiums	P5 P4 P3 P3	C B A R10	>44 40-44 35-39 35-44
Hospitals and age care facilities Bathrooms and en-suites in hospitals and age care facilities. Wards and corridors in hospitals and age car facilities.	P3 P2	B R9	35-39 25-34

Note

Recommendations highlighted in red are to be tested according to Appendix (A) Wet Pendulum Test Method using Rubber Slider 55.

Table 1

Classification of Pedestrian Surface Materials According to AS 4586 – 2013 wet pendulum Test method

	Pendulum SRV
Classification	Rubber³ Slider 96	Rubber³ Slider 55	Relative² contribution of the floor surface to the risk of slipping when water – Wet
P5	>54	>44	Very Low
P4	45-54	40-44	Low
P3	35-44	35-39	Moderate
P2	25-34	20-34	High
P1	12-24	<20	Very High
P0	<12	–	Extremely High

1. The slip test is known as the Wet pendulum Test Method, reflecting the fact that it is commonly applied to hard and resilient floor surfaces to which water is applied. One exception is for internal carpets which are tested dry.

2. The term Relative has been used to highlight the need to consider all potential factors contributing to a slip incident.

3. While either Slider 96 or Slider 55 rubber may be used depending on the material and its intended application, the test report shall specify which rubber was used.

Table 2

Classification of Pedestrian Surface Materials According to AS 4586 – 2013 Dry Floor Friction Method

Classification	Floor Friction Test Mean Value	Relativeⁱ contribution of the floor surface to the risk of slipping when water Dry
D1	≥0.40	Moderate to Very Low
D0	≤0.40	High to Very High

Note 1. The term “relative” has been used to highlight the need to consider all potential factors contributing to a slip incident.

Note 2 For Moderate to Very Low interpretation, each individual slip test result shall be equal to or greater than 0.35.

Table 3A

Specified Minimum Pendulum or Ramp Classifications

Deemed – to – Satisfy the Requirements in the National Construction Code

Location	Wet Pendulum Test Method	Oil-Wet Inclining Platform Test
Stair Treads and Stairway Landings Building covered by the National Construction (Code 2014 – BCA Volume 1 and 2) Stair Treads and a stairway landing (DRY) Stair Treads and a stairway landing (WET)	P3 P4	R10 R11
Nosings for Stair Treads and Stairway Landings Building covered by the National Construction (Code 2014 – BCA Volume 1 and 2) Dry stair treads, a non-skid strip and a stairway landing. Wet stair treads, a non-skid strip and a stairway landing.	P3 P4	R10 R11
Ramps Building covered by the National Construction Code 2014 – BCA Volume 1 Ramps not steeper than 1 : 14 Gradient (when DRY) Ramps not steeper than 1 : 14 Gradient (when WET) Ramps steeper than 1 : 14 but not steeper than I : 8 (when DRY) Ramps steeper than 1 : 14 but not steeper than I : 8 (when WET)	P3 P4 P4 P5	R10 R11 R11 R11

Slip Resistance Value (SRV)

The SRV is the mean BPN value for the sample that has been tested, regardless of whether the surface was level or on a slope.

Slope Correction Value (SCV)

When the slip resistance of a sloping surface of known maximum gradient is measured, the SCV is an adjusted SRV, giving a value equivalent to that of the equivalent SRV for a level surface.

Slope Design Value (SDV)

The SDV is the mean BPN value required of a known maximum gradient. The SDV may be calculated by using the tables that are given in Appendix D, using the minimum SRV that is considered appropriate for a level surface.

APPENDIX A

WET PENDULUM TEST METHOD

A1 SCOPE

This Appendix sets out the method for the measurement of the frictional characteristics of new pedestrian materials under wet conditions using a pendulum friction tester.

A2 CARPET

When this pendulum test method is used for the measurement of the frictional characteristics of new carpet or carpet like surface materials, the presents of any underlay and the condition of the surface shall be reported.

A3 AGEING or WEAR

If a product Standard or specification contains a requirement for the permanence of slip resistance, this requirement shall be determined after the appropriate accelerated ageing or wear testing procedure.

APPENDIX C

WET BAREFOOT INCLINING PLATEFORM TEST METHOD

C1 SCOPE

This Appendix sets out a method for the measurement of the friction characteristics of pedestrian surface materials using the wet-barefoot inclining platform method. Classification Values A, B or C, refer to Table 4 Classification of Pedestrian Surface Materials According to the Wet-Barefoot Inclining Platform Test.

APPENDIX D

OIL –WET INCLINING PLATEFORM TEST METHOD

D1 SCOPE

This Appendix sets out the method for the measurement of the friction characteristics of pedestrian surface materials using the oil-wet inclining platform method. Classification Values R9 to R13, refer to Table 5 Classification of Pedestrian Surface Materials According to the Oil-Wet Inclining Platform Test.

Reference to Australian Standards

AS/NZS 4586:2004

AS/NZS 4663:2004

Handbook HB 197:1999

AS 4586-2013

AS 4663-2013

Handbook HB 198:2014

Kind regards,

SlipSmart Pty Ltd

Peter Vournechis

Floor Safety Consultant

Mob: 0410 657 399

email: peter@slipsmart.com.au

Web: www.slipsmart.com