Published 2026-03-04 · Slip-Tests UK
The five things that actually matter
A properly formatted UKAS-accredited BS 7976 / BS EN 16165 pendulum test report contains many things, but you only need five to make decisions:
- The test areas covered (and their locations)
- The PTV for each area in dry conditions
- The PTV for each area in wet conditions
- The classification against UKSRG thresholds
- The accreditation references (UKAS schedule, calibration, engineer qualifications)
Everything else in the report is supporting context and traceability.
Reading the PTV tables
Each tested area appears as a row (or a separate page) in the report, typically accompanied by a photograph showing where the test was performed. For each area you will see:
Dry PTV — the average Pendulum Test Value measured in dry conditions, usually averaged across multiple test runs. This is the baseline.
Wet PTV — the average PTV measured with the surface wetted with clean water. This is the number that matters most for real-world UK slip risk.
You may also see:
Slider — typically "96" (the standard UK slider for shod environments) or "55" (the barefoot slider for pool and shower areas).
Direction — some reports test in multiple directions to account for grain, pattern, or direction of traffic.
Classifying each number
Against the UK Slip Resistance Group (UKSRG) and HSE thresholds:
- PTV 36 or above — low slip potential. Compliant.
- PTV 25 to 35 — moderate slip potential. Requires active risk management (matting, signage, cleaning regime).
- PTV below 25 — high slip potential. Unacceptable, requires immediate action.
The classification applies independently to dry and wet PTV. A floor with dry PTV 45 and wet PTV 22 is not safe — the wet reading is the one that matters, because real-world slip incidents overwhelmingly occur in wet or contaminated conditions.
What to look for in the accreditation section
A legitimate UKAS-accredited report will clearly display:
UKAS logo and schedule number — the testing laboratory's unique UKAS reference (Surface Performance's is 7933). The UKAS register is publicly searchable at ukas.com.
Equipment calibration references — the serial number and most recent calibration date of the pendulum instrument used. Calibration should be within the last 12 months.
Engineer qualifications — the name and training level of the engineer who conducted the test.
Method reference — should cite BS 7976 / BS EN 16165 (or DIN 51097 for wet barefoot).
Environmental conditions — temperature and humidity at the time of testing, because these can affect PTV.
If any of these elements are missing, the report is not meeting UKAS standards regardless of what logo it displays.
What to do if values fall below 36 wet
If wet PTV is 25–35 (moderate)
This is actionable but not an emergency. Review the cleaning regime, matting placement, signage, and user flow for the tested area. Most areas in this range can be brought above 36 through non-destructive measures — better matting, revised cleaning chemicals, improved drainage.
If wet PTV is below 25 (high slip potential)
This is unacceptable and requires action. Options include surface treatment (chemical or mechanical anti-slip), matting, physical barriers preventing wet-condition access, or flooring replacement. A UKAS-accredited provider will not sell you the treatment — but they can test before and after any treatment to verify the intervention actually worked.
If a previously-compliant area now fails
Most common causes: cleaning chemical change, matting degradation, wear from increased footfall, or polishing of the surface over time. Investigate the cause before applying a fix — a floor that has silently polished over 10 years will polish again after re-treatment.
Keeping the report as evidence
A UKAS-accredited slip test report is legal evidence. Store it with your other compliance documentation: H&S risk assessments, insurance renewal packs, O&M documentation. Keep all historic reports too — a 5-year run of annual testing showing consistent compliance is a powerful defence if an incident occurs.
Sharing the report with your insurer
Most UK commercial insurers accept UKAS-accredited slip test reports as evidence of due diligence. Share the report at renewal alongside a one-page summary showing sites tested, dates, PTV ranges, and any remediation actions taken. Underwriters are time-poor — a concise summary with reports underneath is far more persuasive than a box of PDFs.
When to re-test
Annual testing is the minimum for any commercial premises. High-traffic and wet-environment sites often benefit from bi-annual testing. Re-testing is also recommended after any flooring change, cleaning regime change, slip incident, or significant wear event. The cost of re-testing is trivial compared to the cost of a single defended claim — or an undocumented one.