There appears to be a lot of confusion out in the marketplace regarding the specification of Slip Resistance Testing with regards to which standards are applicable.

STMW Testing Services deals with a lot of builders, Architects and certifiers on new builds. We are finding that quite commonly the incorrect standard is referred to in the specification. This page will endeavour to provide some clarity to enable correct specification.

Currently there are two standards  AS 4663-2013 Slip Resistance measurement of existing pedestrian surfaces and AS 4586 -2013 Slip Resistance of new pedestrian surface materials. These two standards are accompanied by a handbook  HB 197 1999 designed to help with the specification of Slip testing requirements. 

What we are commonly finding is that specifiers are getting confused by the wording on the two standards. consider the following scenario.

An architect specifies a concrete finish for a shopping centre of P4 honed concrete to AS 4586- 2013 Slip Resistance of new pedestrian surface finishes

. As per the standard A new pedestrian surface is considered to become an existing surface once installed and made available for pedestrian traffic.

The contractor installs the concrete the concrete is honed and sealed. The areas are opened to pedestrian traffic and to allow access to other trades to finish their scope of works.

The correct Standard relevant to this test now becomes AS 4663-2013 slip resistance measurement of existing pedestrian surfaces. As the surface finish has been trafficked by pedestrian traffic.

Scenario 2: A tile manufacturer sends tile samples to be tested the tiles have come straight from the manufacturer and have not been trafficked by pedestrian traffic.

The correct standard for this test is AS 4586 -2013 Slip resistance of new pedestrian surfaces.

The testing is completed in the same manner for both standards and the rating system for both standards is exactly the same in fact the only difference will be the standard number referenced on the report.

For Further information please feel free to call on the team at STMW Slip Testing on PH: 0428 680 882