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. Dedicated page: AS 4663 explained.
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. Dedicated specifier page: AS 4586 explained.
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. For the plain-English version of that scale, see what is a slip rating? or use the slip rating checker.
| 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.
Check a reading yourself
Holding a mean BPN or SRV reading? Our free P rating checker converts it to its P classification and compares it against the recommended minimum for common location types, right in your browser.
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 ramp 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. Short answer for R10, R11 and R12 searches: ramp test and R ratings.
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.
Common questions about slip resistance standards
What is AS 4663 vs AS 4586?
AS 4663:2013 is for existing installed floors. It sets out on-site wet pendulum and dry floor friction methods. AS 4586:2013 is for new pedestrian surface materials, typically tested in a laboratory, and defines wet pendulum classifications (P0 to P5), dry floor friction classifications (D0 and D1) and oil-wet inclining platform classifications (R9 to R13). See AS 4663 explained and AS 4586 explained.
What is HB 198?
HB 198:2014 is a Standards Australia handbook that recommends minimum slip resistance classifications by location type. When a report says a surface meets or falls short of guidance, HB 198:2014 is usually the guidance being used to interpret the result.
What do P0–P5 mean?
P0 to P5 are wet pendulum classifications mapped from the British Pendulum Number (BPN) or Slip Resistance Value (SRV). P5 (greater than 54) is the most slip resistant when wet; P0 (less than 12) is the least. No single classification is universally compliant — the appropriate class depends on the location, with recommended minimums in HB 198:2014. Plain-English scale: what is a slip rating? or use the slip rating checker.
When is dry floor friction (D0/D1) used?
Dry floor friction is the second on-site method in AS 4663:2013, used for surfaces that are reliably dry in service. Surfaces with a mean coefficient of friction of 0.40 or more are classified D1; below that is D0. D classifications do not describe wet behaviour, so wet pendulum testing is still needed where water or contamination occurs.
Does the NCC mandate a single P rating for existing floors?
No. The National Construction Code mandates classifications for certain new-work elements such as stair treads, ramps and landings, referencing AS 4586. Existing buildings generally have no single mandated number. Instead, WHS legislation and duty of care require slip risks to be managed, and testing against HB 198:2014 guidance is the accepted way to demonstrate that.