Slip resistance classes
Anyone looking for non-slip flooring for the bathroom will sooner or later come across the topic of slip resistance classes. In Germany, flooring is tested in accordance with standardised test methods to determine its level of slip resistance. This not only applies to tiles, but also to other flooring materials. Depending on the results achieved, the floor is assigned to a corresponding slip resistance class.
Why are non-slip floors important in the bathroom?
Many accidents that happen in the home are caused by falls. In the bathroom, where the floors are often wet, there is a particularly high risk of slipping. Older people who are no longer steady on their feet can quickly lose their balance on slippery floors and fall over.
However, people with limited mobility or who are convalescing after an operation or injury are also at risk of falling on slippery floors. A crutch or walking stick losing purchase and slipping away is often enough to cause an accident. Young children whose coordination skills are not yet fully developed and who often move impulsively are also prone to falls in the bathroom.
Even for people without an increased risk of falling, a non-slip bathroom floor offers extra safety and comfort. If you take a hurried shower in the morning before heading to the office, you can also quickly lose your balance on slippery floors unless you are careful. Therefore, if you are planning to replace the floor in your bathroom, it is important to choose a new product that offers a high degree of slip resistance. This is especially true when planning an accessible bathroom.
What are the slip resistance classes?
The slip resistance classes play a key role when choosing a non-slip bathroom floor. These classes were developed in Germany and, ever since their introduction, all flooring in work areas has had to meet certain slip resistance requirements – the number of accidents caused by slipping has been significantly reduced. In Germany, there are two different DIN standards that describe slip resistance: DIN 51130 and DIN 51097.
Slip resistance values: The R groups
The DIN 51130 standard divides flooring into so-called "R-groups", whereby R stands for slip resistance. These slip resistance values were originally introduced to prevent accidents in work areas – as far as possible. The test method in the laboratory is designed accordingly. The flooring material is angled with the help of a special frame to create a ramp. In addition, engine oil is used, which is applied to the floor covering being tested and acts like a lubricant. Next, the test subject walks up the ramp. With each test run, the ramp becomes steeper – until the test subject can no longer walk up it safely. The highest angle of inclination at which the flooring is still safe to step on is recorded and assigned to the corresponding R-value. The degrees and R-values are as follows:
Inclination angle | R-value |
6° to 10° | R9 |
10° to 19° | R10 |
19° to 27° | R11 |
27° to 35° | R12 |
over 35° | R13 |
In a nutshell: The higher the R-value of a tile or other flooring material, the higher its slip resistance.
Wet barefoot areas: A-B-C value
This classification is specified in the DIN 51097 standard and refers to floors that come into contact with water rather than oil or lubricants. In addition, this specifically deals with flooring materials intended for barefoot use – for example in saunas, swimming pools or private bathrooms. The test procedure is similar to that for the R-values, however the test subject is barefoot and water is used as the lubricant instead of engine oil. The results of the test are classified into the so-called "A-B-C" slip resistance values. These are as follows:
Inclination angle | A-B-C value |
from 12° | A |
from 18° | B |
from 24° | C |
Remember:: A is the lowest and C the highest slip resistance class.
Which slip resistance classes refer to non-slip flooring?
So what do the slip resistance classes mean in terms of choosing the right bathroom floor? The following should be considered here: A high slip resistance class is indeed beneficial with regard to safety in the bathroom. Due to their specially structured surfaces, however, flooring materials with very high slip resistance values also require significantly more maintenance. This is because dirt can accumulate in the grooves and may be difficult to remove. For private use, the lower and medium slip resistance values are perfectly adequate.
Specifically, this means that floors with a value of R9 are suitable for normal bathrooms. For an accessible bathroom, the flooring should have a value of R10 or R11. The R12 and R13 values are primarily intended for the commercial sector. The A-B-C values can also be used for the evaluation of slip resistance in the bathroom. They are usually appended to the R-value – for example R10A or R10B – and identify flooring that is also suitable for barefoot use.
Surfaces with an "A" slip resistance value are particularly suitable for areas that stay dry – such as the entrance area in the bathroom. In locations with an increased risk of slipping – such as in front of the shower – the floor should have a slip resistance value of B, as this is recommended for wet floors. A safety value of C is used for stairs or ramps in swimming pools and is not required in private bathrooms.
When should slip resistance classes be considered for floors?
It is always advisable to ensure that the chosen flooring is non-slip when renovating a bathroom. After all, even younger people can easily slip on wet surfaces. With a non-slip floor, people of all ages can use the bathroom in a more relaxed manner – this also improves the occupants' quality of life.
The slip resistance classes are particularly important for all those who want to take precautions and make their bathroom suitable for elderly people. In an accessible bathroom, fall prevention and thus slip resistance play a key role. The building standard DIN 18040-2 for accessible and age-appropriate construction stipulates non-slip flooring in bathrooms. If you want to convert your bathroom to make it accessible, you should use non-slip tiles (or another floor covering) of classes R10B or R11B.
However, also bear in mind that for accident prevention in the bathroom, it is not only the slip resistance of the floor that matters. For example, sufficient space in front of the shower, washbasin and toilet are also important with regard to accessibility. A floor-level shower should be installed in an accessible bathroom – so that there is no floor threshold or raised edge to trip over. Shower handles, grab handles and support handles can provide additional safety for people with restricted mobility.
Thanks to modern materials and designs, functionality, comfort and aesthetics can be perfectly harmonised in accessible bathrooms today. Floors with non-slip properties are available in many appealing designs – from elegant stone floors and stylish ceramic tiles to practical vinyl floors or specially coated wooden floors.
At Villeroy & Boch, for example, you will find high-quality porcelain stoneware tiles in an elegant oak wood, slate or concrete look, which also offer excellent slip resistance. The GATEWAY collection, for example, has a slip resistance rating of R10A, R10B or even R11B. At the same time, the VilboStone surface sealant makes the tiles particularly easy to care for and more durable than real natural stone.
