In the process of selecting the right tile for your home, one important factor to look out for is slip resistance. This aspect becomes even more essential if you are choosing tiles for spaces like your bathroom, pool decks, kitchen, patios or any other area that is prone to moisture.

Tile Slip Rating: Meaning and Types

Tile Slip Rating is an assessment conducted to evaluate the slip resistance of tiles. In Australia, we have three types of tests.

Pendulum Test

This test measures the level of friction between a wet tile and a standard shoe. The rating under this test starts at P0 and goes on till P5. P0 and P1 represent very low slip resistance. P2 represents low slip resistance. P3 represents medium slip resistance. P4 represents high slip resistance and P5 represents very high slip resistance. So, the degree of slip resistance increases as the number increases in this assessment.

Oil Wet Ramp Test

In this test, lubricating oil is evenly applied to tiles and then the tiles are loaded onto a treadmill ramp. A tester walks on the ramp while on the harness as the pitch angle of the ramp is being adjusted continually. The angle acts as a basis to determine the degree of slip resistance. This assessment measures the slip resistance in values of R9 to R13. The higher the value, the higher the slip resistance and the lower the slip risk. This means R9 and R10 are the riskiest because they have lowest slip resistance. R13 on the other hand will be highest slip resistance and lowest risk.

Barefoot Wet Ramp Test

In this test, tiles are laid on a ramp and sprayed with water continuously. Testers walk barefoot on the wet tiles once they have soaked their feet. The tiles are inclined to determine the unsafe angle. This evaluation rates tiles on the scale of A, B and C. A means low slip resistance and high slip risk, B rating signifies that tiles are moderately slip resistant and C refers to high slip resistance and low slip risk.

Significance of Tile Slip Rating

Tile slip rating is a very beneficial test. Here are some of the primary reasons it can be helpful.

Helps customers select the right tiles

Living rooms are one place that has comparatively low chance of getting exposed to moisture. Walls are an area that people don’t walk on. On the other hand, kitchen floors, bathrooms, patios, pool decks and shower areas are places that can witness foot traffic and get wet regularly. Tile slip rating helps determine which tile should be used in which area.

Moderate slip resistant tiles can easily be used in living rooms. Walls can be tiled with low slip resistant tiles. Similarly, bathrooms and outdoor areas need to be tiled with highly slip resistant tiles. It is through tile slip ratings; we can use the right tiles in the right place.

Promotes safety

Through the tile slip rating assessment, we have the information to select tiles that are suitable and safe for areas that can get wet. Installing slip resistant tiles in moisture prone areas will make sure we don’t meet any accidents due to the wrong selection of tiles.

Compliance with regulations

Many buildings, commercial areas and offices need to comply with specific slip resistance requirements. This helps ensure the safety of visitors, employees and customers.

Any Questions? Get A Free Tile Consultation at Royal Tiles

If you have any questions or concerns about tile slip rating or any tile topic, you can get a free consultation with one of the experts at Royal Tiles. Visit our showroom or contact us on [phone number] to book an appointment!

You can also view our collection of tiles here.

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Australian Slip Rating Resistance for Tiles