Understanding Anti-Slip Ratings for Residential & Commercial Projects
When choosing ceramic or porcelain tiles, slip resistance is a critical factor to consider alongside water absorption rate and hardness, especially for the floors in wet areas such as bathrooms, exposed car porches, and more. Where water will be present on the tile surface, the anti-slip rating of a tile would be the main consideration.
How is Slip Resistance of Tiles Measured?
There are three main ways slip resistance is measured: with an Oil Wet Ramp Test, a Dry Friction Test (also known as Tortus), or a Wet Pendulum Test, which categorises surfaces with an ‘R’, ‘COF’, or ‘P’ rating respectively.
1. Oil Wet Ramp Test
The Oil Wet Ramp Test involves one or more personnel walking forward and backward on a platform with tiles. As they walk, the gradient of the ramp increases gradually until slippage occurs. The recorded degree is then used to determine the R-rating of the tile surface, denoting its slip resistance. R value ranges from R9 (elevation of 6 to 9 degrees) to R13 (elevation of 35 degrees and above), with R9 corresponding to the smallest degree of slip resistance, and R13 to the highest degree of slip resistance.
2. Dry Friction Test (Tortus)
In the Dry Friction Test, a tile’s slip resistance is tested by measuring the friction applied from a rubber slider as the equipment is dragged along a tile sample. This is done using a specialised instrument called Tortus, which is the reason it is sometimes called the Tortus Test. The final reading is given as a coefficient of friction (COF) that ranges from 0 to 1, where the higher the number, the stronger the tile’s slip resistance. A minimum COF of 0.4 is required for tiles to be installed on floors.
3. Wet Pendulum Test
At Niro Ceramic Group, we normally evaluate the slip resistance of our tiles using the Wet Pendulum Test, which measures slip resistance by swinging a pendulum with a standardised rubber slider across it, and noting the energy lost to friction when in contact with the tile’s surface. This reading is given as PTV (Pendulum Test Value) Rating. The PTV Rating corresponds to a specific P-Rating on a scale of P0 to P5, where P5 represents the highest slip resistance.
Consider the following table illustrating P-ratings and their corresponding applications:
| PTV Rating | P-Rating | Description | Suggested Area of Application* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 12 | P0 | Extremely high risk of slipping | Walls |
| 12 – 24 | P1 | Very high risk of slipping | Indoor Dry Areas, e.g. Building Entrances, shopping malls, and Dry Corridors |
| 25 – 34 | P2 | High risk of slipping | Indoor Dry Areas, e.g. Building Entrances, shopping malls, and Dry Corridors |
| 35 – 44 | P3 | Moderate risk of slipping | Occasionally Wet Areas, e.g., Semi-exposed Corridors, Food Courts, Bathrooms, Toilets, and Dry Stairways |
| 45 – 54 | P4 | Low risk of slipping | Wet Areas, e.g. Wet Kitchens, Pool Decks, and Wet Stairways |
| More than 54 | P5 | Very low risk of slipping | Highly Wet & Greasy Areas, e.g., Ramps & Stairs Around Pools, Food Processing Zones, and Commercial Kitchens |
*Based on the Standards Australia Handbook HB197.
The P-ratings categorise the slip resistance of tiles, ranging from low to high, aiding in better understanding and selection of tiles based on their performance in different environments. This method assists in identifying tiles suitable for specific areas, ensuring safety by providing adequate traction in spaces prone to moisture.
In the past, anti-slip effects were achieved on tiles through the pressing of a structured pattern or an application of a rough textured glaze on the tile surface. However, these structured and rough-textured surfaces tend to accumulate dirt, making cleaning and maintenance difficult.
Recent advancements in anti-slip technology have expanded beyond such rough surfaces. Niro Ceramic Group now offers the new and innovative Slip-Stop tiles with matte yet smooth feel textured surfaces that remain easy to clean while exhibiting substantial slip resistance of up to P4 when in contact with water.
Understanding and using these anti-slip ratings helps choose tiles that look good and also offer the needed grip and durability for each place. The mix of technology and understanding helps create safer, stronger tiles, making spaces both practical and stylish.
