UKAS LAB 7933 · ISO/IEC 17025 ACCREDITED ALL UK COUNTIES · REPORTS IN 5 DAYS CALL 0208 246 5562
LIVE · ACCEPTING BOOKINGS · UKAS LAB №7933

The test
that measures
the floor.

Independent, UKAS-accredited pendulum slip testing — the method referenced by the Health and Safety Executive and recognised by UK courts. Defensible Pendulum Test Values for every floor, every county. Reports in five working days.

Request Quote → The Method
Coverage
59
UK counties served from a single central lab
Standard
PTV 36+
The benchmark for a low slip-potential floor
HSE Classification
Pendulum
Test Value
Scale
0–24
High Risk
Do not walk. Remediate immediately.
25–35
Moderate
Intervention required.
36+
Low Risk
Meets HSE benchmark.
File 02 · The Method
96 HEEL STRIKE · CONTACT SWEEP SLIDER 96 · 127mm SWEEP LENGTH

The pendulum measures friction at the moment of a slip.

A weighted arm fitted with a rubber slider swings from a fixed height. As it passes through bottom dead centre, the slider drags across the floor for exactly 127 millimetres. The energy absorbed by friction is recorded as a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) on a scale of 0 to 150.

It mimics the heel-strike of a person walking — the exact moment nearly all slip accidents occur. We test in the wet, the dry, and with whatever contaminant is present on site. Sled-based alternatives cannot reliably do this.

  1. Survey the area — identify representative zones, entrances, transitions, spillage points, direction of travel.
  2. Calibrate the pendulum against traceable reference standards; verify slider condition against Slider 96 or TRL.
  3. Minimum five swings per direction (0°, 45°, 90°) per zone to establish a mean PTV.
  4. Record values wet, dry, and with site-specific contaminants where present.
  5. Cross-check with surface microroughness (Rz) to interpret long-term performance trajectory.
  6. Issue UKAS-accredited PDF report with photographs, remediation guidance, and raw measurement data.
File 03 · Coverage

Every county. One standard.

We test across all 59 UK counties — from Cornwall to County Antrim, from the Highlands to the south coast. A single UKAS-accredited laboratory, a single report format, and the same method applied everywhere.

Portfolio clients use our county-level scheduling to test multiple sites across a region in a single visit. Individual sites get fixed quotes within one working day and typical attendance inside 5–10 working days.

View All Counties →

UK Regional Coverage

Click a region to see counties served

England SE12 counties England SW7 counties Midlands12 counties Northern England8 counties Scotland7 regions Wales4 regions Northern Ireland5 counties East England4 counties
!

Sled tests don't work on wet floors.

"It is strongly recommended that [sled] tests are not used to assess the slipperiness of wet or contaminated floors. Such tests may produce misleading information when used in such conditions."
— Health & Safety Executive · Slips Assessment Tool guidance
File 04 · Services

Six surveys. One standard.

/ 001 SINGLE SITE

Essentials
Survey

Up to 3 test areas on one site. Pendulum PTV wet & dry, photographic record, UKAS-accredited report. Retail, small offices, care homes.

From£395
/ 002 COMMERCIAL

Commercial
Survey

Up to 10 test areas with full slip risk assessment following the HSE SAT. Contaminant testing, microroughness, remediation advice.

From£795
/ 003 LEGAL

Expert
Witness

Post-incident testing for PI claims, EL/PL insurance and litigation. CPR Part 35 reports and courtroom testimony.

POABespoke
/ 004 NATIONAL

Portfolio
Testing

Multi-site programmes for retailers, hoteliers, leisure operators and local authorities. Dashboard reporting, portfolio scoring.

POABespoke
/ 005 NEW BUILD

Pre-Handover
Testing

Verify specified PTV before practical completion. Critical for main contractors transferring liability and BREEAM Hea 02 credits.

From£495
/ 006 TRAINING

Operator
Training

CPD-accredited in-house training. Pendulum operation, slider conditioning, PTV interpretation, SAT usage.

Per head£295
File 05 · Request

Get a fixed quote today.

Tell us where, when and what. We come back with a firm price and available dates — usually within two hours during working hours.

Phone
0208 246 5562
Email
info@pendulum-floor-testing.co.uk
Hours
Mon–Fri · 07:00–18:00
UKAS Lab
№7933

Request Quote

Response within 2 working hours
File 06 · 50 FAQs

Questions duty-holders ask.

Fifty questions across method, PTV interpretation, legal context, practical logistics and commercial terms. Tap any question to expand.

01

The Method

How the pendulum test works

What is a pendulum slip test?
It's the British Standard method of measuring the slip resistance of a floor. A weighted arm fitted with a rubber slider swings from a fixed height and drags across the test surface. The energy the floor absorbs through friction is recorded as a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) on a scale of 0 to 150. The test is defined in BS 7976 and BS EN 16165.
Why is the pendulum the HSE's preferred method?
Because it's the only test that reliably works on wet and contaminated floors — the exact conditions where most slip accidents happen. Sled-based friction tests give misleading readings once water or other contaminants are introduced. HSE guidance explicitly recommends against using sled tests on wet floors.
How does the pendulum simulate a real slip?
The slider mimics the heel of a shoe at the moment it strikes the floor — the point in a walking cycle where nearly all slips actually occur. The energy loss measured as the slider drags across the surface is directly analogous to the friction available to a pedestrian.
What's the difference between Slider 96 and Slider 55?
Slider 96 (also called Four-S rubber) represents a typical shoe heel and is used for most commercial and public spaces. Slider 55 (also called TRL rubber) represents bare feet and is used in swimming pool surrounds, spas, changing rooms and similar environments. The correct slider has to be used for the expected footwear, or the result is meaningless.
How many swings are taken per test zone?
A minimum of five swings per direction, in at least three directions (0°, 45°, 90°) across each test zone, in both wet and dry states. That's 30 swings per zone as a baseline. We record the mean and the individual readings for traceability.
How long does a typical test take on site?
A single test zone takes around 20–30 minutes including setup, wet and dry swings, microroughness readings and photographs. A typical commercial survey of 10 zones takes roughly half a day on site.
Do you test on site or in a lab?
Both. In-situ testing on real floors gives you the operational PTV under real conditions. Lab testing on tile samples is appropriate for specification work and new-build pre-procurement. We offer both under our UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 scope.
What is microroughness (Rz) and why do you measure it?
Microroughness is the surface texture at micrometre scale — the tiny peaks and valleys that break up the water film between a shoe and the floor. An Rz reading helps explain why a floor is passing or failing, and whether the surface will degrade over time as it's polished by foot traffic.
What standards do your tests follow?
BS 7976 Parts 1–3, BS EN 16165 (which superseded elements of BS 7976 in 2021), and the UK Slip Resistance Group (UKSRG) guidelines. Our accreditation covers all of these.
Can you test outdoor surfaces?
Yes — pavements, car parks, ramps, steps and decked terraces all fall within the method. We schedule outdoor work around weather conditions so the test reflects realistic contamination.
02

PTV Values

Interpreting the result

What PTV does a floor need to pass?
HSE classifies 0–24 as high slip potential, 25–35 as moderate, and 36+ as low slip potential. A wet PTV of 36 or above is the industry benchmark for a safe floor in normal pedestrian use.
What does 'low slip potential' actually mean in practice?
A PTV of 36+ corresponds to a slip risk of approximately 1 in 1 million — considered safe for normal walking. The number is derived from decades of research originally conducted at the Building Research Station.
Should we aim for higher than 36?
For most workplaces, 36+ wet is the benchmark. For floors where people walk quickly, turn or carry loads — commercial kitchens, production floors, busy public spaces — we often recommend aiming for 40+ wet as a safety margin.
Is dry PTV enough on its own?
No, not for a realistic assessment. Most slip accidents occur on wet or contaminated floors. A dry-only PTV doesn't tell you what happens when rainwater, spillage or cleaning water is present — and it's the wet PTV that closes insurance claims.
What's the difference between PTV and R-rating?
R-ratings (R9 to R13) come from a German ramp test using test subjects in standardised boots with oil contamination. It's a lab method for product specification. PTV is a real-world in-situ measurement under UK conditions. R-rating is not recognised for UK legal compliance — PTV is.
Can a floor's PTV drop over time?
Yes, often significantly. Foot traffic polishes the surface, cleaning chemicals etch it, and over years the microroughness wears smooth. We regularly see floors that were specified at high PTV drop below 36 after 18–36 months of heavy use.
How often should we retest?
Annually for high-risk areas (entrances, kitchens, pool surrounds, washdown zones). Every 2–3 years for general commercial floors. Immediately after any flooring change, chemical treatment, or as part of post-incident investigations.
Why does PTV vary across the same floor?
Because the surface is rarely uniform. Tile grout lines, wear patterns, cleaning routines and installation inconsistencies all create variation. That's why we test multiple points per zone and report the mean and individual readings.
What PTV is safe for a swimming pool surround?
Using Slider 55 (barefoot), a PTV of 36+ in the wet state is the UKSRG benchmark. For ramps leading into water or stair nosings, we recommend targeting the higher end of that range.
Can a floor be too grippy?
Yes. Excessive friction creates a trip hazard rather than a slip hazard, particularly where users are shuffling, using mobility aids, or wearing smooth-soled shoes. Anti-slip coatings need to be specified with the full walking cycle in mind, not just the worst case.
03

Legal & Insurance

Regulatory and claims context

Will your report stand up in court?
Yes. Our reports are issued under UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, which is the standard required for evidence in UK civil courts. For litigation work we produce CPR Part 35-compliant expert reports.
Can you act as an expert witness?
Yes. We provide both written expert reports and oral courtroom testimony. Our expert witness work has covered personal injury claims, EL/PL insurance disputes, product liability and contract enforcement between main contractors and flooring sub-contractors.
What law requires us to test floors?
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 creates the general duty. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 specifically require floors to be suitable for their intended use and free from anything that may cause slipping. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require the risk to be assessed — pendulum testing is the method that produces defensible assessment evidence.
What happens if we don't test?
Nothing, until a claim lands. At that point, the absence of PTV data means you cannot demonstrate due diligence. Insurers pay out, premiums go up, and in serious cases HSE may prosecute for failure to assess risk.
Are pendulum tests admissible in personal injury claims?
Yes — they're the preferred evidence method. Both claimant and defendant lawyers routinely instruct pendulum testing after an incident. The report is often the single most important piece of evidence in a slip claim file.
Who holds the duty — landlord or tenant?
It depends on the lease. Common parts are usually the landlord's responsibility; demised areas are usually the tenant's. Both have duties under HSWA if they have any degree of control. We regularly test on behalf of both parties in managed buildings.
What about schools, hospitals and public buildings?
Public bodies carry the same duty as private employers, plus additional responsibilities under occupier's liability legislation. For schools and care settings, the presence of vulnerable users (children, elderly) is a factor in what PTV is considered appropriate.
Does a main contractor need to test before handover?
It's strongly recommended. A pre-handover PTV report protects the contractor against post-occupancy claims that the floor was defective. We regularly test for main contractors on JCT and NEC projects as part of practical completion.
Can insurers require pendulum testing?
Yes. An increasing number of EL/PL insurers now ask for pendulum test evidence at renewal, particularly for hospitality, leisure and retail businesses. Producing a current PTV report can have a measurable effect on premium.
What's the statute of limitations on slip claims?
Three years from the date of the incident for personal injury in England and Wales, longer for claims involving minors. Historic testing on your behalf can be critically important where an incident is only reported months after the fact.
04

On Site

Booking, scheduling and delivery

Do you need to close the floor during testing?
No. The pendulum needs about a 2-metre working area for each test point, for around 20 minutes. We can work around trading, patient and production activity. Most of our retail and hospitality work happens during business hours.
Do you work out of hours?
Yes, at no extra cost for most jobs. Night-shift testing in operational premises, early-morning testing before opening, and weekend testing are all standard. We accommodate the site's schedule.
How much floor area can you test in a day?
It depends on the number of discrete zones rather than the square metres. A single technician can comfortably cover 15–20 test zones per day, which typically represents 2,000–5,000 m² of floor area across a multi-use site.
What happens if a floor fails?
We tell you why, and what to do about it. Our reports include remediation recommendations — treatment options, replacement specifications, cleaning regime changes, signage recommendations, or in rare cases, fundamental redesign. We don't sell flooring or treatments, so the advice is independent.
Can you test flooring before we buy it?
Yes. Bring us a sample (minimum 200 × 200 mm, three per product for full coverage) and we'll test it under controlled lab conditions. Pre-purchase testing is much cheaper than a retrospective failure.
What do you need from us before a visit?
A site address, access arrangements, brief description of the test areas, any PPE requirements for your site, and someone on site who can point out the zones. For complex sites, a site walk-through before the test is often useful.
Do you need the floor to be clean?
We test the floor in the state it's normally used. We record the cleaning regime in the report, but we don't want a specially-cleaned surface — that wouldn't reflect real conditions.
How far in advance do we need to book?
Typical lead time is 5–10 working days. Urgent post-incident work we aim to attend inside 48 hours. For national portfolio programmes we set up rolling coverage so any UK site can be tested within a week.
How do we get the report?
PDF report by email, within 5 working days of the site visit. Paper copies on request. For CRM-integrated clients we can upload directly into your system.
What if the area is contaminated with oil, grease or chemicals?
That's exactly where pendulum testing matters most. We select the correct slider and test in the actual contamination state — not a cleaned baseline. Specialised PPE may be required depending on the chemical involved.
05

Commercial

Pricing, sectors and services

What does a test cost?
A single-site Essentials Survey starts at £395 covering up to 3 test zones. A full Commercial Survey covering up to 10 zones with microroughness and SAT assessment starts at £795. Expert witness work is POA. We provide fixed written quotes within one working day.
Do you offer portfolio or multi-site contracts?
Yes. We run national programmes for retailers, hoteliers, local authorities and leisure operators, typically with consolidated dashboard reporting and portfolio risk scoring. Annual contracts typically deliver significant savings over ad-hoc booking.
Do you test in kitchens and food production areas?
Regularly. Commercial kitchens are one of the highest-risk environments in any portfolio — wet, greasy, hot and time-pressured. We schedule around service and always test with relevant contaminants present.
Do you test leisure facilities and swimming pools?
Yes. Pool surrounds, changing rooms, wet-play areas, hotel spas and gym floors are all within our scope. We use Slider 55 (barefoot) for wet areas and Slider 96 for dry circulation.
Do you test care homes and hospitals?
Yes — healthcare is one of our core sectors. Care homes and NHS trusts use pendulum testing as part of planned preventative maintenance, alongside post-incident investigation. We work to infection-control protocols where required.
Do you work with main contractors on new builds?
Yes. Pre-handover PTV testing is a standard part of our work with main contractors and project managers on JCT and NEC contracts. Reports are formatted for inclusion in H&S files and O&M manuals.
Do you work with tile retailers and flooring distributors?
Yes, on lab-based sample testing for specification work. We provide independent PTV data that distributors can share with specifiers and architects.
Do you offer training?
Yes. CPD-accredited in-house training for safety teams — pendulum operation, slider conditioning, PTV interpretation, and use of the HSE Slips Assessment Tool (SAT). Run at your site with up to six delegates per session.
Can you sell or supply pendulum equipment?
We don't currently supply equipment. We'd rather focus on the testing service and keep ourselves clearly independent from the manufacturing side of the market.
How are you different from other slip testing companies?
UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation across our full pendulum scope, independence from flooring sales and manufacturers, rapid national coverage from a single central lab, and the combination of routine survey work with expert witness capability. Every report we issue has to meet the same audit standard.