Tile Slip Resistance: 4 Globally Accepted Testing Methods (ASTM, ISO, DIN)

1. Introduction

Slip resistance is a critical factor when selecting floor tiles for areas with a high risk of slipping, such as swimming pools, bathrooms, public lobbies, or sloped surfaces. Evaluating slip resistance cannot rely on visual inspection alone; instead, it must be conducted using standardized international testing methods [1].

Currently, there are four commonly recognized testing methods worldwide. Each method reflects a different aspect of real-world usage. This article will help you understand each method in detail—including the test procedure, applicable standards, measurement scale, and appropriate applications.

2. Overview of 4 Tile Slip Resistance Testing Methods

Below are the four most commonly used slip resistance testing methods today

• Ramp Test (Inclined Platform Method):
  Simulates a person walking on an inclined surface with oil or water. Applied in areas with slopes, pools, or food processing factories.

• Pendulum Test (British Pendulum Tester):
  Measures slip resistance through the energy loss of a rubber slider mounted on a swinging pendulum. Common in the UK, Australia, and Singapore.

• Tribometer Test – DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction):
  Measures the dynamic friction between tile surfaces and rubber soles using specialized devices. Common in the US and Canada.

• Surface Roughness Test – Rz:
  Evaluates surface texture to indirectly estimate slip resistance. Often used for quality control in manufacturing.

3. Detailed Summary of Each Method

Ramp Test (Inclined Platform Method)

• Standards: DIN 51130 (shod foot); DIN 51097 (barefoot)

• Purpose: Assess slip resistance on inclined surfaces

• Procedure: A person walks on a surface with increasing slope until slippage occurs

• Measurement Scale:

  • DIN 51130: R9 to R13 (R13 = highest slip resistance, >35° angle)

  • DIN 51097: A, B, C (C = highest level for barefoot areas)

• Advantages: Realistic simulation of human motion

• Disadvantages: Costly, not practical on-site, depends on human subjectivity [1], [2]

Pendulum Test (British Pendulum Tester)

• Standards: BS EN 13036-4, ASTM E303, AS 4586

• Purpose: Simulates heel strike and sliding on wet or dry surfaces

• Procedure: A pendulum with a rubber slider swings across the tile surface, measuring energy loss

• Measurement Scale (PTV – Pendulum Test Value):

  • 25: High slip risk

  • 25–35: Moderate risk

  • 36–44: Moderate safety

  • ≥45: High safety

• Advantages: Represents real walking behavior; portable for field testing

• Disadvantages: Sensitive to environmental conditions [1], [3]

Tribometer Test – DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction)

• Standards: ANSI A326.3 (USA); tested using BOT-3000E equipment

• Purpose: Measures dynamic friction while walking on wet tiles

• Procedure: The equipment drags a rubber pad across a wet surface and calculates the DCOF

• Measurement Scale:

  • DCOF ≥ 0.42 (wet condition): considered safe under ANSI standard

• Advantages: Accurate and quantifiable results

• Disadvantages: Does not simulate human gait behavior; equipment is expensive [1], [4]

 Surface Roughness Test – Rz

• Standard: ISO 4287

• Purpose: Evaluate texture to estimate slip potential

• Procedure: A profilometer moves across the surface and records deviations

• Measurement Scale:

  • Rz ≥ 10 µm: typically considered acceptable for slip resistance

• Advantages: Fast and easy to apply at factories

• Disadvantages: Does not account for real-life conditions (wetness, oil, slope) [1]

4. Evaluation & Comparison

The Ramp Test is the most realistic method as it involves human subjects. It is ideal for inclined, oily, or wet areas such as industrial kitchens or swimming pools. However, due to its complexity and cost, it is rarely used outside Europe.

The Pendulum Test strikes a balance between practicality and accuracy. It is well-suited for field testing, providing objective results for both dry and wet conditions. Many countries use it as a legal or regulatory standard.

The Tribometer – DCOF test is particularly favored in the US for its clarity in defining thresholds (e.g., DCOF ≥ 0.42). Yet, it lacks real-world gait simulation and may over- or underestimate risk in complex environments.

The Surface Roughness Test – Rz is a useful quality control tool during manufacturing but should not be used as a standalone slip resistance assessment due to its limited environmental realism.

5. Conclusion

No single test method can fully assess slip resistance in all situations. Each method is designed for a different usage scenario. In practice, combining multiple indicators—such as R-Value (Ramp), DCOF (Tribometer), and PTV (Pendulum)—offers a more comprehensive understanding of tile safety.

For residential, commercial, or public spaces, stakeholders are encouraged to request certified slip resistance test results from at least one of the above methods—particularly DCOF or Pendulum, which are widely accepted across international markets.

References 

[1] Tile Council of North America, TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.calameo.com/read/006507186b2596f3525e4

[2] A. Terjék and A. Dudás, “Ceramic Floor Slipperiness Classification – A new approach for assessing slip resistance of ceramic tiles,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 164, pp. 809–819, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.12.242

[3] ASTM International, “ASTM E303‑22: Standard Test Method for Measuring Surface Frictional Properties Using the British Pendulum Tester,” 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.astm.org/e0303-22.html

[4] Tile Council of North America, “ANSI A326.3‑2021: Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF) of Hard Surface Flooring Materials,” 2021. [Online]. Available: https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/tca/ansia3262021

• Share
• Facebook
• twitter
• linkedin
• pinterest