Slip Testing of New Products
In addition to slip testing on site, ATTAR is your one-stop-shop for slip resistance testing of new products. We perform all four slip resistance tests outlined in Australian Standard AS 4586:2013, together with other standard test methods, in our NATA accredited laboratories.
As experts of slip testing methods, product performance and relevant codes and standards, we will help you to ensure you get the right test, for the right outcome, in the shortest possible time.
Wet Pendulum Test
The Wet Pendulum test method is used to assess the slip resistance of products that may become wet during service, or as prescribed by the National Construction Code (NCC). This test method provides a classification result of P0 (most slippery), P1, P2, P3, P4 to P5 (most slip resistant).
The Wet Pendulum test (AS 4586: Appendix A) is one of the most common slip resistance test methods requested and in some cases, is mandated by the NCC. Testing for new products can also be replicated on-site to allow for confirmation of results after installation.
The Wet Pendulum test is conducted in our laboratory, using one of two rubber sliders attached to the bottom of a swinging pendulum foot. After conditioning the rubber slider, the pendulum arm is released from horizontal, swinging downwards in an arc movement. At the bottom of the arc, and over a set distance, the rubber slider makes contact with the flooring surface after it has been sprayed with water. How high the pendulum swings on the other side of the arc is dependent on how slip resistant the flooring material is against the rubber slider, allowing the tester to calculate a final slip resistance classification. The P-Rating.
Dry Floor Friction Test
If your flooring materials are to be installed in undercover areas, like large buildings and shopping centres, the Dry Floor Friction Test is appropriate. This test provides a rating of D1 or D0, where D1 is generally regarded as providing a safe slip resistance and D0 an unsafe slip resistance in most applications.
The Dry Floor Friction Test (AS 4586:2013 Appendix B) is conducted in our laboratory but can be used in-situ to monitor the effectiveness of cleaning regimes and coating materials.
Using a portable, battery operated instrument called the Tortus Floor Friction Tester, a rubber slider is dragged across a sample of your flooring, measuring the sliding resistance. For new products, the Dry Floor Friction test provides a measure of how slip resistant your flooring surface is under dry and clean conditions for use in internal areas.
Wet Barefoot Platform Test
The Wet Barefoot Inclining Platform Test is only offered by a handful of companies in Australia, including ATTAR. This unique laboratory based test measures the slip resistance of surfaces to be used in wet areas traversed in bare feet (for example, pool surrounds, shower rooms, and change rooms). This test provides a classification result from no classification (most slippery), to A, B and C (most slip resistant).
The Wet Barefoot Test (AS 4586 Appendix C) is the test of choice for wet barefoot areas such as pool surrounds, shower rooms and change rooms because it best replicates in-service conditions. Consequently, it is preferred over the Wet Pendulum Test for these types of areas.
After testing is completed on a series of specific calibration boards, your flooring product is installed on a platform which has the ability to incline at a controlled rate. Two testing technicians each take turns walking up and down the test flooring in bare feet while the flooring surface is irrigated with water containing a wetting agent. At a certain platform angle, a point will be reached where the tester can no longer maintain grip on the surface and will slip. This critical slip angle is recorded, repeated several times in duplicate with a second tester and ultimately, a final classification for the flooring product is calculated.
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Oil Wet Inclining Platform
The Oil Wet Inclining Platform Test is another NATA-accredited testing technique offered by ATTAR. It is used to test surfaces that are either highly profiled, abrasive “anti-slip” products, or used in environments and industrial applications where they will experience heavy soiling and contamination. This test provides a classification result from no classification (most slippery), to R9, R10, R11, R12 and R13 (most slip resistant).
The Oil Wet Inclining Platform Test (AS 4586 Appendix D) is the test of choice for highly profiled and abrasive products or for environments subject to heavy soiling/contamination. For some surfaces and environments it is preferred over the Wet Pendulum Test.
The Oil Wet Inclining Platform Test is conducted in a similar way to the Wet Barefoot Inclining Platform Test. It involves two technicians each walking up and down the flooring product on an inclining platform. In this case the technicians wear specifically manufactured bootsand the flooring surface is coated in motor oil. As the angle of the platform increases, a point is reached where the technician begins to slipand the angle is recorded. After the test is repeated several times and adjusted per calibration board results, the final classification result is calculated.
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Accelerated Wear Test
If you’re considering installing or manufacturing a new product, ATTAR recommends Accelerated Wear Testing to ensure the durability meets your expectations.
Accelerated Wear Testing provides sound, measured data on a product, and can avoid the costly process of replacing relatively new surfaces which have prematurely worn and become slippery. A surface that may start with a high slip resistance may deteriorate rapidly from the impact of foot traffic and cleaning methods leaving remedial options which may be costly, short term fixes or alter the look of the flooring.
The Wet Pendulum Test is first conducted to determine the initial slip resistance of the product. Then, the flooring product – such as ceramic tiles, laminates and coatings. – is placed on a flat surface and abraded in a cyclic back and forth motion with a coarse scrubbing pad under standardised conditions. After set intervals in the number of wear cycles, the Wet Pendulum Test is conducted, providing a comparison of how the slip resistance falls over time with wear.
The results are presented in an ATTAR Report with NATA accreditation, containing a graphical representation of the loss of slip resistance versus the number of wear cycles.
Luminance Contrast Testing
Australian legislation mandates a minimum luminance contrast between some critical building elements and their background when installed. This is to help the vision impaired to navigate safely around public access areas and avoid hazards. Before these elements are installed, ATTAR can perform Luminance Reflectance testing to determine if the product meets these disability access requirements. In that way, people and properties are adequately compliant and protected against future incidents and risk.
You can be confident you are installing safe and compliant products by having ATTAR test and confirm the Luminance Contrast prior to installation.
ATTAR uses quality calibrated equipment to measure the amount of light reflected from a surface, providing a Luminance Reflectance Value (LRV). This value can be used, along with the LRV of the background surface, to calculate whether there is sufficient contrast to meet the requirements set out in the National Construction Code and associated Australian Standards for disabled access.
TGSI Dimensional Measurement
Australian Standard AS 1428.4.1 provides specific dimensional requirements for directional and hazard, integrated and discrete Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs). As an independent testing body, ATTAR’s NATA accreditation in the dimensional assessment of TGSI’s can help manufacturers of TGSIs demonstrate their compliance with these standards.
Demonstrating compliance can be difficult without an independent report. With our knowledge on access and egress standards/codes, NATA accreditation and being completely independent, an ATTAR TGSI measurement report is a clear way to demonstrate compliance and show commitment to your product.
We complete a series of dimensional measurements of your TGSIs from truncated cone width, height and spacing to integrated tile size and distance between adjoining elements, all per Australian Standard tolerances. Once the dimensional measurement is complete a report with photograph of the product is issued along with a statement of compliance (or non-compliance) to AS 1428.4.1, per the National Construction Code.
How ATTAR Can Help
Whether you’re a manufacturer testing a new product, or a building manager overseeing renovations, the legislation and Australian Standards governing slip resistance can be complex and difficult to navigate. At ATTAR, we focus on giving the right advice with a sharp focus on delivering a high level of service. With extensive experience in compliance requirements, personal injury investigations and testing standards ATTAR is your first point of call for advice and answers.
Contact us to discuss your requirements or download our slip resistance test request form.