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Keywords - Floor Slip R Ratings, Floor Testing ABC Ratings, Wet Floor Ratings, Ramp Test Ratings, Floor Safety Ratings

Services supplied across the UK from Lands End to Dover and Southampton to John O-Groats Contact Northern Regional Office -  07774 323267 - Contact Southern Regional Office   07506 559952. Contact by Phone or E:mail FloorSlip for more info

FloorSlip Limited, Reg No: 07757686 - Version Site-Pendulum-Test-dot-co-uk-new–mar-2019-webplus-X8

Risk of Slips on Floor Slopes

It seems obvious that the steeper a floor slope, the more likelihood of slipping on that slope

Yet one of the big issues FloorSlip observes is understanding the factor that a slope on a floor requires an higher Slip Resistance Value (SRV) or ‘Pendulum Test Value’ (PTV) to prevent slips on floors and the resultant slip accident injury claims that occur throughout the UK, especially on wet or contaminated floors.

On a horizontal floor the HSE expects a Pendulum Test Value of 36 PTV on a WET or CONTAMINATED  floot to ensure a ‘Low Slip Potential’ but for every one degree of slope the PTV value must increase by 1.75 PTV*.It is suggested to use approximately 2 PTV per degree to allow for tolerancing and floor wear

*Floor Slope Data Sources

http://www.hse.gov.uk/SLIPS/step/general/advanced/8E7F777B-3B84-49FE-A3D6-D0324E25A801/HSLCourseTemplate/28531/slidetype1_130567.htm

and

http://www.ukslipresistance.org.uk/

What Pendulum Test Values should I use on a Floor Slope?

A Pendulum Test Value value of 36 ‘PTV’ has been determined by the UK Health & Safety Executive and UK Health & Safety Laboratories as a minimum Floor Pendulum Testing Value on a horizontal floor (0 degree slope) to reduce the risk of slip to less than 1 in 1 million footfalls termed by the HSE as a ‘Low Probability of Slip’.

Any value less than 36 PTV when WET or CONTAMINATED will increase the possibility of a slip injury claim

A WET (or CONTAMINATED) floor is a far worse slip risk condition than any DRY floor that the probability of slip is maintained at a minimum 1 in 1 million and the HSE has determined 90% of slips occur on WET floors*

*The 2 links below to the HSE inform in detail in respect to slips involving food or drink

http://www.hse.gov.uk/food/drink.htm

http://www.hse.gov.uk/food/slips.htm

The HSE/HSL and UKSRG inform “The target PTV on a slope compared to a level walkway needs to be increased by: 100 x tan α (where α is the slope angle)” which simply put means for every 1 degree of slope, an increase in Pendulum Test Value is required to ensure the HSE recommended minimum probability of slip is maintained at 1 in 1 million.  

How do I prove a floor has suitable PTV (Or SRV - Slip Resistance Value) for the slope?

The HSE recommended Pendulum Floor Slip Resistance Test can ascertain if the floor slope will meet HSE minimum requirements to provide a ‘Low Probability of Slip’. You may also send samples to FloorSlip for testing before laying / specifying a floor type

Worked Example of Adjustments in Pendulum Test Value on a Floor Slope of 5 Degrees

A 5 degree slope would require an additional 9 PTV where 5 x 1.75 PTV = 8.75 PTV; the value is always rounded UP to the next highest whole value. Add 9 PTV to the minimum HSE expectation of 36 PTV means a floor slip resistance of 45 PTV would be required. A DIN 51130 R12 rated floor would be required for this purpose. Read more about Floor R Ratings

The Equality Act formerly known as the DDA Requirements or Disability Discrimination Act mandates floor slopes should NOT be greater than a 5 degree slope relating to a maximum gradient value of 1 in 12. Read more about Floor Safety in Care Homes

Table of Pendulum Test Values for Floor Slopes of 0 to 5 degrees