KNOWLEDGE
Why should we investigate
skid resistance?
What should you know?
Legal Acts
§305. 1. The surface of accesses to buildings, external and internal stairs and ramps, passageways in the building and floors in rooms intended for human habitation, as well as the floor in the garage, should be made of materials that do not cause a danger of slipping.
§320. Balconies, loggias and terraces should have floors made of non-absorbent, frost-resistant and non-slip materials.
PTV factor
What is the coefficient
PTV slip values?
The values of the pendulum test range from 19 (which translates into a very high risk of slipping 1 in 2) to 36 - a much lower risk of slipping 1 in a million).
The previously used R9-R13 ramp anti-slip scale has been replaced by a new, more authoritative and practical PTV (Pendulum Test Value) standard.
The risk of slipping can be determined using the pendulum test. This test (regulated by the Polish standard PN-EN 13036-4) imitates a pedestrian's foot striking the tested floor surface. The value of friction between the heel and the floor is quantified and assigned a Pendulum Test Value (PTV). This is a test recommended by the Building Research Institute and the State Labor Inspection Service when inspecting floors, as part of a periodic inspection of facilities or as part of an investigation after an accident.
The value of 36 PTV is considered by the Ministry of Investment and Development as the minimum coefficient of friction for all public facilities where people with disabilities move.
Safety
Only specialized measurements, with certified equipment, can answer this question.
Litigation
Proper, compliant measurements will avoid this type of unpleasantness.
Laws and regulations
Measurements of the slip resistance of floors are required by the Building Research Institute and the Ministry of Development.
Hazards
The ability to take early action before dangerous situations occur.
Claims
Anti-slip performance reports will deter potential fraudsters.
Health, safety and requirements
Meeting the requirements of inspectors.
Recommendations
British Pendulum
One method of verifying a floor's slip resistance is slip resistance testing. This test is performed using an instrument called an English pendulum, hence the test is referred to as PTV (Pendulum Test Value) for short. The test method is described in detail in PN-EN 13036-4:2011.
The British Pendulum Test is also recommended by the State Labor Inspection:
This test replicates the actual dynamics very well and mimics the movement of the heel while walking. It allows measuring the coefficient of friction in real conditions, both on dry and wet pavement. Various interchangeable tips allow you to mimic moving in shoes, as well as barefoot. - Practical ways to prevent tripping and slipping. This test can be used to assess the risk of slipping in real-life conditions, as well as to investigate the circumstances and causes of accidents, and answers the key question „how slippery is the floor when someone walks on it?”.
You can read more about the measurement methods and our services by clicking
here.
Designers, building inspectors, investors, managers, administrators of public facilities or residential buildings, wanting to make sure that their floors are safe and in compliance with applicable laws, guidelines and guides, regularly test the slip resistance, of new and in-service floors.
| Floor Location | Requirements | Verification method |
|---|---|---|
| Entry zone (external and internal) | PTV slip resistance ≥36 in dry and wet conditions. | PN-EN 13036-4² |
| Communication strings | ||
| Sanitary and hygienic rooms | ||
| Commercial and service area | ||
| Terraces, balconies | ||
| Other areas where the floor is subject to exposure to water or precipitation during use | ||
| Other rooms where the floor is not subject to exposure to water or precipitation during use. | slip resistance PTV ≥36 in dry conditions | |
| Floors for sports activities | slip resistance PTV 80÷ 110 in dry conditions | PN-EN 13036-4 |
KNOWLEDGE
In which facilities should we
test the slip resistance?
Testing the safety of floors for safety features and anti-slip parameters is very important, and the maintenance of proper anti-slip properties of surfaces has a significant impact on increasing the safety of their use.
In which facilities is such testing mandatory? Two basic references can be distinguished. According to the guidelines of the Building Research Institute, slip resistance testing should be tested once every 5 years in public buildings. These include buildings:
- Office
- Healthcare (e.g. hospitals, clinics)
- Commercial (e.g., shopping malls, markets)
- Services (e.g., train stations, airports, banks).
- Educational (e.g., schools, universities).
- Of cultural function (e.g., cinemas)
- Hotels
The second reference that defines the areas in which slip resistance should be tested is the Ministry of Investment and Development (ob. Development and Technology) Guidebook „Standards for the Design of Buildings for Persons with Disabilities” of 2018.
It specifies that surfaces in this type of facilities should have an anti-slip surface that retains its parameters also in harsh weather conditions - in a test according to PN EN 13036-4 or PN-EN 14231, the slip value (PTV or SRV) of a wet surface must not be lower than 36 units.
It follows that all facilities where people with disabilities can move are subject to control of the PTV parameter. In particular, we should take care of the safety of the surface on which they move, among other things:
- wheelchair users
- blind and visually impaired, hearing impaired
- people with intellectual disabilities
- pregnant women, caregivers of young children in strollers
- elderly people
- obese, short or very tall people
- people with temporary mobility limitations (e.g., people who move with the help of crutches)
CONSTRUCTION LAW
(Article 5(1)(1)(d))§„Obligation to ensure, among other things, the safety of use and accessibility of facilities.”
CONSTRUCTION LAW
(Article 62(1))§„The obligation of the owner or manager to subject the facilities to periodic inspection, at least once every 5 years.”
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT LAW
(Article 148b)§„Obligation to ensure safe use and proper operation of real estate.”
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