What is the purpose of Slip Testing?
Slip testing is used to assess potential risks associated with flooring materials within a building. Types of testing include dry floor friction test which is recommended for dry areas only, wet pendulum test method should be used for all external pedestrian surfaces and internal surfaces that have a reasonably foreseeable risk of the presence of wet substances such as water, grease and/or oil.
Continuous monitoring of your pedestrian surface through regular testing will ensure the risk of slipping remains known and a responsible risk management plan is maintained. Regular monitoring involves slip resistance testing using either or both methods in AS 4663 (Dry Floor Friction and/or Wet Pendulum Testing).
With time, some pedestrian surfaces will deteriorate and become more slippery. You may elect to replace or treat the surface rather than accept the increased risk of slipping.
SlipLab floor safety services also include
- Independent recommendations on appropriate solutions to either maintain or increase slip resistance properties.
- Complimentary preparation of site testing schedules and timely reminders.
- Risk assessments and site surveys.
- We are CM3 Prequalified – Demonstrating our OHS/WHS capability
As common sense would dictate, smooth surfaces are slippery when wet; therefore, they should not be used in areas likely to become wet or contaminated with water, beverages or foods. On this basis the more likely a surface is to become wet the more slip resistant a surface should be. The Australian Standards Handbook HB198 specifies various recommended slip resistance classifications based on likelihood of a surface becoming wet. To further extend this logic, internal areas not likely to become wet only require the lowest slip resistance classification; whereas external areas and external sloping areas exposed to rain require the highest classifications.
SlipLab can support you by conducting site survey’s that will assist you in collecting information on the various flooring surfaces for your building and make some preliminary judgements on the potential risks for the various floor surfaces. This information will be reviewed in more detail on the day slip testing is performed.
Some of the areas and floor surface characteristics you should consider when reviewing you building include:
- External entrance with smooth surfaces ( slippery when wet)
- External ramps with smooth surfaces (external sloping ramps require highest classification)
- Exterior stairs with smooth edges (stair nosing’s)
- Worn surfaces such as anti-slip tape and softer flooring materials including rubber and anti-slip vinyl.
- Internal wet areas (bathrooms, showers, staffrooms/kitchens) with smooth surfaces
- Smooth polished concrete in loading docks and car parks
- Painted concrete floors likely to get wet (including smooth line marking in car parks)
- Internal wet areas (bathrooms, showers, staffrooms/kitchens) with smooth surfaces
- Pooling of water on exterior surfaces
- Mould or soil on pedestrian surfaces due to inadequate cleaning
- Damaged floor such as broken tiles, uneven floors
- Worn and torn floor coverings
- Poor lighting, dark areas and sudden changes in lighting levels
Feel free to contact us any time for a free initial consultation and quote.