Home / The tests
Method & accreditation
Two tests the HSE recognises
Measured properly, and accredited for both.
Pendulum slip testing (PTV)
A weighted arm swings a calibrated rubber slider across the floor to reproduce a slipping heel, recording grip as a Pendulum Test Value. We test wet and dry, in three swing directions, with the correct slider for how the floor is used.
| PTV | Slip risk |
|---|---|
| 0–24 | High |
| 25–35 | Moderate |
| 36 + | Low |
36 or above is the HSE’s low-risk threshold.
The pendulum works in the wet, where most slips actually happen.
Surface (micro) roughness (Rz)
A floor needs enough microscopic roughness to break through contaminants and grip footwear. Roughness testing tracks that, and works best alongside the pendulum — especially in kitchens, factories and other areas that get wet or greasy.
| Roughness (Rz) | Slip risk |
|---|---|
| Below 10 | High |
| 10–20 | Moderate |
| Above 20 | Low |
Measured in microns; an Rz below 20 should be managed.
Roughness and the pendulum together give the fullest picture over time.
Standards, independence & accreditation
We test to BS 7976-2 and BS EN 16165, interpreted against UKSRG guidance (we’re a UKSRG member). Surface Performance is entirely independent — no connection to any flooring or treatment company, and no commission from anyone. UKAS-accredited (UKAS Testing Laboratory No. 7933, ISO/IEC 17025), and recognised by RoSPA, FIFA, World Rugby, the ITF and FIH for related work.
Accreditation is the audit trail an insurer, the HSE or a court looks for.
Laboratory product testing
Beyond on-site work, our environmentally controlled laboratory (to ISO 291) tests more than 300 flooring products a year — tiles, stone, resin, vinyl, decking and more — and can issue slip-resistance certification or support product development. Useful if you want a floor tested before you buy it.
flooring products tested in our lab every year.