DIN 51130 ramp testing is a German method for obtaining pedestrian slip resistance propeties. Flooring samples are mounted on the ramp tester and a subject clad in safety boots performs a standardised walk up and down the sample. The sample is slowly inclined and the process repeated while motor oil is fed onto the surface. The angle at which the subject slips is recorded.

The DIN 51130 standard classifies results as follows:

Classification

Angle of Slip

R9
6° - 10°
R10
10° - 19°
R11
19° - 27°
R12
27° - 35°
R13
>35°

The HSE "has reservations" about this form of slip testing as the lubricant is not representative of common contaminants and the R scale is often misinterpreted as running from R1.

The 'R rating' covers wide bands of CoDF spanning the accepted high, medium and low slip risk categories as shown below.

Classification

Angle of Slip

CoDF

Slip Risk

R9
6° - 10°
0.11 - 0.18
High
R10
10° - 19°
0.18 - 0.34
High & Moderate
R11
19° - 27°
0.34 - 0.51
Moderate & Low
R12
27° - 35°
0.51 - 0.70
Low
R13
>35°
>0.70
Low

Another drawback of the method, and indeed all 'in-house' test methods is that tests are conducted on ex-factory samples. It is often the case that flooring installed and in use for a short period of time will have a different slip resistance to flooring leaving the factory. This is due to factory sealants wearing off, new sealants/polishes being applied, cleaning regimes and contamination. It is for this reason that the pendulum is such a widely used tool as it is the only accurate measure of slip resistance in situ as experienced by pedestrians using the surface.

To conduct DIN 51130 testing we require a sample of 1m x 1.5m and generally turn samples around in under 10 working days. To commission a test, please contact us.

Return to Test Methods

Contact us

DIN 51130 testing is suited to industrial applications where oil contamination is prevalent. Due to the mechanics of a contaminated slip it is impossible to use the R rating to deduce the performance of a surface with a different contaminant. Despite this, many imported ceramic tiles are sold as 'slip resistant' with a R rating of 10 or even 9.

More testimonials

Request a call back from one of our friendly, impartial advisers

Name:
Company:
Telephone:
E-mail:

Comments:

When would you like us to contact you?

ASAP
14:00 - 17:00
9:00 -12:00
After 17:00
12:00 -14:00
Tomorrow

Alternatively, give us a call on

0845 163 0 163

Or e-mail us

info@grip-potential.com

 

Slips and trips account for...

Don't be a HSE statistic, get in touch today.