Slip testing services built around outcomes
We conduct both wet pendulum and dry floor friction testing of existing pedestrian surfaces to Australian Standards, then make sure you understand the results and know exactly what to do about them. Available across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Wet pendulum slip testing to AS 4663:2013
The wet pendulum test is the primary method in AS 4663:2013 for measuring the slip resistance of existing pedestrian surfaces. A rubber slider on a swinging pendulum arm sweeps across the wetted floor, and the friction it encounters produces a British Pendulum Number that maps to a P classification from P0 to P5.
- Tested in place. The pendulum is portable, so your floors are assessed as they actually perform on site, including wear, polish and cleaning residue.
- Wet conditions. Most slips happen on wet or contaminated floors, so surfaces are tested wet, which is where risk is highest.
- Minimal disruption. Testing can be scheduled around your operations, including after hours for trading retail sites and sensitive environments.
Where we typically test
- Entry foyers and lobbies
- External ramps, walkways and forecourts
- Stair treads and landings
- Bathrooms, changerooms and wet areas
- Food courts, cafes and kitchens
- Retail floors and supermarket aisles
- Aged care corridors and communal areas
- Warehouse walkways and loading areas
Where dry friction testing fits
- Office corridors, tenancies and carpeted-to-hard-floor transitions
- Internal retail floors that stay dry in normal service
- Aged care and healthcare corridors away from wet areas
- Surfaces where polish or sealer build-up may be degrading dry grip
- Alongside wet pendulum testing, for a complete picture of a surface
A dry result alone cannot clear a surface that gets wet in service. Where a floor sees water or contamination, we recommend wet pendulum testing as well.
Dry floor friction testing to AS 4663:2013
The dry floor friction test is the second on-site method in AS 4663:2013, and we conduct it alongside wet pendulum testing. A motorised instrument drags a rubber slider across the dry surface and measures the coefficient of friction, which maps to a D classification: D1 where the mean coefficient of friction is 0.40 or more, D0 below that.
- Right for dry-service surfaces. Corridors, office floors and other areas that are reliably dry in use are best benchmarked in the condition pedestrians actually experience.
- No water on your floors. Because the test is dry, it suits trading retail areas, healthcare corridors and other locations where wetting a surface mid-shift is impractical.
- Stronger together. Pairing wet pendulum and dry friction results shows how a surface performs across the full range of conditions it sees in service.
What every Slip Audit report includes
- Test locations, surface descriptions and site conditions
- Results for each location, with P classifications for wet pendulum tests and D classifications for dry friction tests
- Comparison against HB 198:2014 recommended classifications for the location type
- Plain-English interpretation of what each result means for your risk
- Prioritised recommendations, ranked so you can act on the highest risks first
- Referral pathways for rectifying surfaces that fall short
Comprehensive reports in plain English
A slip test is only useful if you can act on it. Many providers hand over raw pendulum numbers and disappear. Our reports are written for the people who have to make decisions: facility managers, owners, body corporates and insurers.
Each location is assessed against the recommendations of HB 198:2014, the Standards Australia handbook that guides which classification is appropriate for which location. You see at a glance which surfaces meet the guidance, which are marginal and which need attention.
Referrals to rectify failed surfaces
This is the step most slip testing companies skip, and the reason Slip Audit exists. If a surface fails, we do not leave you wondering what to do. We explain the practical options and refer you to the right people to carry them out.
Slip Audit is operated by Premrest (Premier Restorations Group Pty Ltd), a commercial floor care company working across cleaning, floor installations and special projects. Dealing with commercial flooring every day means our referrals are grounded in what actually works on real sites.
Common rectification pathways
- Cleaning regime changes where residue or polish build-up is degrading grip
- Anti-slip treatments and coatings to lift the slip resistance of an existing surface
- Matting and drainage improvements at entries and transition zones
- Resurfacing or replacement where a floor finish is simply wrong for its location
The right option depends on the surface, the location and the result. Your report sets out which pathway fits each finding.
Retesting and ongoing monitoring
Slip resistance is not static. Floors wear, cleaning contracts change and finishes get re-applied. After rectification we can retest to document the improvement, and we can set up periodic retesting so your compliance record stays current. That record is valuable evidence of due diligence if an incident ever occurs.
Baseline test
Establish where every key surface stands today, documented against HB 198:2014 guidance.
Rectify
Act on prioritised recommendations through the referral pathways in your report.
Retest
Verify the rectified surfaces now achieve an appropriate classification.
Monitor
Periodic retesting keeps your record current as surfaces wear and conditions change.