The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), together with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and National Standard of Canada (CAN) established a slip resistance standard for recreational water facilities. Formalized in NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 – 2019, the standard requires a wet Slip Resistance Value, SRV, of 40 or greater, measured using the pendulum slip resistance test method. Though no pendulum slider material is specified, it makes sense to use soft rubber (Slider 55) as a better simulation of bare feet than is the harder rubber (Slider 96) used for simulating street shoes, high heels, etc.

The SRV (or PTV, Pendulum Test Value) recommendation above is identical to that which has been recommended here on the Safety Direct America web site since 2014.

Safety Direct America offers both laboratory and on-site pendulum testing for floor slip resistance. Our transparent coating SparkleTuff™ Anti-Slip Floor Coating passes the NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 – 2019 requirement, with a wet PTV of 45 when new. SparkleTuff™ has excellent wear resistance as quantified using the McDonalds Sustainable Slip Resistance test. SparkleTuff™ is kind to bare skin, is resistant to UV light and to the chemicals in pool water. With a material cost of about a U.S. dollar per square foot, SparkleTuff™ is cheaper than a broken hip. Looks great, no slips!

NSF International (founded 1944) is an independent, not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization. Their relevant standard is titled, “Equipment and Chemicals for Swimming Pools, Spas Hot Tubs, and Other Recreational Water Facilities.” It was designated as a National Standard of Canada by Standards Council of Canada.