Floor Slip Resistance Testing – Additional Information

This page explains in more detail the various floor slip resistance tests we do in our certified lab and in the field. If you’d like to order a test, then click on our main Slip Resistance Testing page.

Floor Slip Resistance Testing Lab

Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF) Floor Slip Resistance Testing:

We can run slip resistance tests using these four test methods and instruments, all of which measure dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF):

  • British Pendulum DCOF test (newly revised in 2022 ASTM Method E303-22) with Four-S and/or TRL rubber slider; and BS EN 16165 with CEN, TRL or Four S rubber slider. The British pendulum is used for our highly recommended Sustainable Slip Resistance test. We can also run an ASTM E303 test for road skid resistance with the British Pendulum.
  • BOT-3000E Binary Output Tribometer with Neolite, SBR, Four S, TRL, leather or hosiery sliders. Can measure COF up to 1.00. We can test using the ANSI B101.3 (dynamic coefficient of friction) and ANSI B101.1 (static coefficient of friction – SCOF) methods with the BOT-3000E (not recommended, though), as well as the new ANSI A326.3 (or ANSI A137.1) dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF Rating) AcuTestSM that was part of the 2012 International Building Code.
  • Tortus Floor Friction Tester Digital Tribometer with Four-S (hard) and/or TRL (soft) rubber slider
  • SlipAlert floor slipperiness indicator

Peak-to-valley surface roughness:

  • Taylor-Hobson Surtronic 10 profilometer

Static Coefficient of Friction (SCOF) Floor Slip Resistance Testing:

  • Horizontal dynamometer pull-meter (ASTM C1028-07): Laboratory floor slip-resistance tests for SCOF includes a written report signed and stamped by a California-licensed Professional Engineer. We conduct this test but do not offer the apparatus for sale. ASTM, Ceramic Tile Institute of America, Tile Council of North America, University of California Medical Center and Safety Direct America do NOT recommend this method (or any wet static coefficient of friction test) as a primary means of assessing floor slip resistance. For that reason, this test method was withdrawn in 2014. It is now only sold as an “historical standard.” [ASTM standards rules allow only test devices that do not involve patented or proprietary technology. For this reason most test methods for floor friction, except for the pendulum and the BOT-3000E, are not and can not be specified by ASTM standards.]
  • We can also run the ANSI/NFSI B101.1 static SCOF test, if required.

Field floor slip resistance testing prices at your location are based on time and travel expenses for our technician. Contact us for a quote by email or call John at 1-949-933-6971.

We presently do (or have recently done) floor slip resistance testing both on-site and/or in our laboratory for two major cruise ship companies, Outrigger Reef on the Beach in Waikiki, Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire, the Ceramic Tile Institute of America, Apple, Amazon, Starbucks, The Porsche Experience, LAX, attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants, major insurance companies, the Cities of New York, San Francisco, Encinitas, Boston, Palo Alto and Los Angeles, Cartier, The Montage Resort and Spa, Crowne Plaza Hotels, Intel, Ceramic Tile and Stone Consultants, and many, many other major international companies all over the USA and beyond.

Ceramic Tile Institute of America endorses the Tortus and the Pendulum slip resistance testers. In a study of nine types of tribometers at the University of Southern California Medical Center in which slip-and-fall experts from around the world participated, the Tortus received the highest rating; click here for details on the floor slip-tester test. SlipAlert has had very favorable reviews from British and Australian government safety research agencies. The static coefficient of friction method ASTM C1028 is principally used for manufacturing quality control purposes rather than assessing slip resistance, and was therefore withdrawn in 2014. We recommend using the pendulum slip resistance test instead, as it is more reliable and is recommended for slip resistance testing by Ceramic Tile Institute of America. We also recommend the BOT-3000E as it has an ANSI test method (A326.3 dynamic coefficient of friction test) and safety standards for wet slip resistance testing.

Pendulum Slip Resistance Tester used in ASTM E303-22

Floor slip resistance test method and safety criteria based on 50 years of international research. Has been in use for over 50 years. Has a published, peer-reviewed test method in at least 50 nations. Easily the best test for assessing the real-world slip resistance of flooring of all types in the lab and the field. Utilizes both hard rubber for areas where pedestrians will be shod, and soft rubber for assessing slip resistance of barefoot areas. See ASTM E303.

Pendulum Slip Resistance Tester in action

Pendulum DCOF Tester

BOT-3000E Digital Tribometer used to conduct ANSI A326.3

Primarily for comparing surfaces, not for assessing the slip risk of flooring. The test method sets a very low bar for safety and the standard says that lots of other factors need to be considered besides DCOF, and lots of disclaimers are made within the ANSI A326.3 slip resistance test method.

BOT-3000E Slip Resistance (COF) Tester

BOT-3000E for ANSI A326.3

SlipAlert Tribometer for On-Site Inspections

Slip resistance test results from the SlipAlert largely mirror results from the pendulum, so it is a useful instrument in assessing actual slip risk. Many tests can be done on site quickly by unskilled personnel. Easy to use and useful results on site.

SlipAlert Slip Resistance Tester

SlipAlert Tribometer

Tortus Tribometer Floor Slip Resistance Tester

The Tortus can be used to measure the slip resistance of floors quickly and it is easy to use. It can make wet and dry readings, although wet readings on polished surfaces can suffer from stiction. Uses both hard and soft rubbers, the latter being great for testing the slip resistance of barefoot areas.

Tortus II Slip Resistance Tester (Tribometer)

Tortus Tribometer

Withdrawn SCOF ASTM C1028 Test

This SCOF test was withdrawn in 2014 because it measured how slippery a floor was to someone standing still (static) on it. Anyone who promoted the use of this test as a real assessment of slip risk was either incompetent or purposefully misleading their clients. The wet test suffers from stiction and gives good test results to incredibly slippery floors, which is why it was promoted by the TCNA and other parties interested in helping sell slippery tile in the USA.

ASTM C1028 Slip Test Equipment

ASTM C1028-07

Floor Slip Resistance Testing Methods Explained

The below video explains what gives floors good slip resistance in wet and dry conditions, and it shows several slip resistance test devices (tribometers) testing floors for dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF). Also shows why wet SCOF testing is an invalid way to assess slip risk.

Click here to return to our main Slip Resistance Testing page and order your floor DCOF slip test now!