Skid Resistance Scale for Tile Flooring

Coefficient of Friction: Wet/Dry

The skid resistance scale is used to determine the degree of slippage on a tiled surface. While assessing different tile surfaces, wet and dry conditions along with the speed of the subject are monitored. Also, the required force to move that subject and the angle of the tiled place are considered too. The Ceramic Tile Institute identifies tile in the following three categories:

• Slip Resistant: Coefficient of friction is 0.60 or greater (wet). Meets or exceeds general safety and health regulations, ADA and OSHA requirements.

• Conditionally Slip Resistant: Coefficient of friction is 0.50 to 0.59 (wet). Meets or exceed general safety and health regulations and OSHA requirements.

• Questionable: Coefficient of friction less than 0.50

One important fact is that the more textured a tile is, the less slippery it is. And that�s why, polished or highly polished tiles are not recommended for high traffic areas or for residential sites with children and the elderly. Also, as a rule the greater the anti-slip finish on the tile, the harder it is to keep clean.

The DIN classification for tile slippage

DIN, the German Institute for Standardization classifies tile slippage within the DIN 51130 set. In this set, the various working areas are classified in five groups, according to the degree of slippage. To determine in which of these groups a material should be classified, it is applied on a surface that is gradually sloped. A person wearing shoes walks up and down the slope until he starts slipping. The value in degrees of the slope reached before he starts slipping determines the classification of the material in class. Here are the ratings:

Also, another set DIN 51097 classifies tiles from A to C for non-slip suitability, but this time for foot traffic in wet areas:

There is also the Pendulum Skid Resistance Test, which also gives following ratings for tiles: