Australian slip resistance standards, explained
If you have ever been handed a slip test report full of P ratings and pendulum numbers with no explanation, this page is for you. Here is what the Australian standards actually say and how to read your results.
The three documents that matter
Slip resistance in Australia is governed by two standards and one handbook, and knowing which one applies to your situation is half the battle.
AS 4663:2013 - Slip resistance measurement of existing pedestrian surfaces
This is the standard for floors that are already installed and in use. If you manage an existing building and want to know how safe your floors are today, AS 4663:2013 is the standard your testing should follow. It sets out two on-site methods: the wet pendulum test and the dry floor friction test. This is the standard Slip Audit tests to, and we conduct both methods.
AS 4586:2013 - Slip resistance classification of new pedestrian surface materials
This standard applies to new surface materials before installation, typically tested in a laboratory. It defines the classification systems used across the industry: wet pendulum classifications (P0 to P5), dry floor friction classifications (D0 and D1) and oil-wet inclining platform classifications (R9 to R13). Architects and specifiers use AS 4586 classifications when selecting materials for new work.
HB 198:2014 - Guide to the specification and testing of slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces
This Standards Australia handbook bridges the gap between the two standards and real buildings. It recommends minimum slip resistance classifications for a wide range of specific locations, such as entry foyers, external ramps and bathrooms. When a Slip Audit report says a surface meets or falls short of guidance, HB 198:2014 is usually the guidance we mean.
Wet pendulum P classifications
The wet pendulum test swings a rubber slider across a wetted floor surface. The friction it encounters is recorded as a British Pendulum Number (BPN), which maps to a P classification. Higher is grippier.
| Classification | BPN range | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| P5 | Greater than 54 | Very high wet slip resistance. Suitable for demanding external locations such as steep ramps. |
| P4 | 45 to 54 | High wet slip resistance. Commonly recommended for external walkways and wet public areas. |
| P3 | 35 to 44 | Moderate wet slip resistance. Commonly recommended for locations such as entry foyers that get wet. |
| P2 | 25 to 34 | Limited wet slip resistance. Generally only appropriate where surfaces stay dry. |
| P1 | 12 to 24 | Low wet slip resistance. |
| P0 | Less than 12 | Very low wet slip resistance. |
Important: no single classification is universally "compliant". The appropriate classification depends on the location and its conditions. HB 198:2014 provides recommended minimums for specific location types, and that is how results should be interpreted.
Dry floor friction D classifications
The dry floor friction test is the second on-site method in AS 4663:2013, and Slip Audit conducts it alongside wet pendulum testing. A motorised instrument drags a rubber slider across the dry surface and measures the coefficient of friction. Surfaces achieving a mean coefficient of friction of 0.40 or more are classified D1; below that is D0.
D classifications are the right benchmark for surfaces that are reliably dry in service, such as internal corridors and office floors. They say nothing about how a floor behaves when wet, so where a surface sees water or contamination, wet pendulum testing should be used as well.
Another classification system you may see
R classifications (oil-wet inclining platform)
R ratings from R9 to R13 come from a laboratory test in which an operator walks on an oil-coated sample surface that is progressively inclined. R ratings are a laboratory classification for new materials under AS 4586 and are common in European product literature. They cannot be measured on an installed floor, which is why existing surfaces are assessed with the pendulum instead.
Where the National Construction Code fits in
The National Construction Code (NCC) sets mandatory slip resistance classifications for certain parts of new building work, such as stair treads, ramps and their landings, referencing the classifications of AS 4586. For existing buildings, there is generally no single mandated number. Instead, WHS legislation and common law duty of care require those in control of a workplace or public premises to manage slip risks, and objective testing against HB 198:2014 guidance is the accepted way to demonstrate that.
Why regular testing matters
A floor's slip resistance is not fixed. Wear polishes surfaces smooth, cleaning chemicals leave residues, sealers and polishes change surface behaviour, and contamination varies with weather and use. A surface that achieved P4 when installed can drift well below that in service. Periodic testing to AS 4663:2013 shows where your floors stand now, and a documented testing history is strong evidence of due diligence if an incident leads to a claim.