DIN 51130: R-rating ramp test
Tested with oil on a ramp. The R-rating is the highest angle of incline at which a person walking can still maintain footing. R9: dry indoor (suitable for offices, lobbies, dry circulation). R10: standard commercial (light wet, corridors, retail). R11: regularly wet (commercial kitchens light, wet rooms). R12: oily/grease (commercial kitchens heavy). R13: severe industrial wet/oily.
AS 4586 / BS 7976: pendulum test
Pendulum Test Value (PTV) is measured in wet condition using a swinging pendulum with a rubber slider. Higher PTV = higher slip resistance. PTV ≥ 36 is the typical "low slip risk wet" threshold used in healthcare and hospitality specifications.
Application requirements by area
Offices, retail (dry): R9 acceptable. General commercial corridors: R10. Hospital wards, schools, hotel corridors: R10. Hospital wet rooms, patient bathrooms: R11. Commercial kitchens (light grease): R11. Commercial kitchens (heavy grease): R12. Food processing severe: R12-R13. Indoor pool surrounds: R11.
Maintaining slip resistance
Safety vinyl achieves R-rating via embedded aggregate (silicon carbide, quartz, aluminium oxide) in the wear layer. Polishing or waxing strips the aggregate and destroys the rating. Use neutral pH cleaners with brush-augmented machine scrub. Never wax. Replace if aggregate visibly worn.