Anti Slip Grading

 

There are a number of things to consider when choosing tiles for a floor space - the colour, the shape, the design. But you should also be thinking about slip resistance, depending on the area you’re tiling. For example, a wet room floor will be covered in water, so it is important to use a tile with a good anti-slip rating. To find the right non-slip tile for your project, watch out for the anti-slip tile gradings. These come in two formats, a PTV rating or an R rating. 

 

What is a PTV Rating? 

 

Here at Walls and Floors, we use PTV ratings - the British Standard way of assessing a tile's slip resistance. PTV, which stands for Pendulum Test Value, measures how slippery a surface is and calculates its slip resistance. This rating is determined using a pendulum, a device designed to simulate the action of a shoe or barefoot on the surface. The resulting PTV score runs from 0 upwards, with a scale indicating slip resistance. This scale is as follows:

  • 0-18 - low slip resistance
  • 18-25 - moderate slip resistance
  • 25-36 - good slip resistance
  • 36+ - excellent slip resistance

For areas like wet rooms where water exposure is frequent, a PTV rating of 36+ ensures an anti-slip surface, making it a reliable choice for safety. 

 

What is an R Rating? 

 

The 'R' stands for 'ramp test'. The Ramp Test is derived from the German Ramp Test, and is a standard European test. It assesses slip resistance by determining the angle at which a person begins to slip while walking on an inclined surface coated with oil.

This 'R' value ranges from R9, which has a small degree of slip resistance, right up to R13, which has the highest slip resistance. This 'R' value shows the degree of slip resistance the tile has.

R13 is the resistance recommended by many professionals for public wet areas such as showers in a changing room and pool surrounds, whereas R9 and R10 values are often used for domestic situations such as bathrooms and kitchens.

 

What’s the Difference Between PTV and R Anti Slip Ratings? 

 

  • Testing Conditions - The PTV assess slip resistance under both dry and wet conditions, while the R rating primarily evaluates performance under oily conditions. 
  • Measurement Approach - PTV uses a pendulum to simulate foot movement on a flat surface, whereas the ‘R’ rating involves a person walking on an inclined plane.
  • Rating Scales - PTV provides a numerical value indicating slip potential, with higher numbers representing better slip resistance. In contrast, the ‘R’ rating categorises slip resistance into classes (R9 to R13) based on the angle of inclination at which slipping occurs.

 

 

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