AS 4586:2013 provides methods for classifying the slip resistance of new pedestrian surface materials.

Two classifications that may appear in laboratory reports and product information are P ratings and D ratings.

They do not represent better and worse positions on one common scale.

They arise from different test methods and describe surface performance under different conditions.

A P rating should therefore not be converted into a D rating, or vice versa.

What is a P rating?

A P rating is a classification produced through the wet pendulum test method in AS 4586.

The test uses a pendulum friction tester and a specified rubber slider to assess a new pedestrian surface material under wet test conditions.

The classification scale runs from P0 to P5, with higher classifications generally representing greater measured slip resistance under the wet pendulum test conditions.

The P rating is not simply a description such as good, safe or compliant everywhere.

Its suitability depends on where and how the flooring will be used.

A surface suitable for one location may be inappropriate for another because pedestrian environments differ in their:

• exposure to water and other contaminants;
• slope;
• pedestrian volume;
• likely footwear;
• cleaning regime;
• consequences of a fall;
• transition from external to internal conditions;
• user population.

A P rating is one input into product selection.

It does not replace location-specific specification or risk assessment.

What is a D rating?

A D rating is a classification produced using the dry floor friction test method in AS 4586.

It assesses a new pedestrian surface material under dry testing conditions using the prescribed dry floor friction procedure.

The classification communicates whether the tested surface meets the applicable dry classification criteria under that method.

A D rating does not describe wet performance.

This is the crucial distinction.

A surface performing satisfactorily under dry testing may behave differently when water, oil, cleaning residue or other contamination is introduced.

For this reason, the expected service conditions must guide the choice of test method and the interpretation of the result.

Are P and D ratings interchangeable?

No.

A P rating and a D rating come from different test methods.

They use different testing principles and represent different conditions.

They are not parallel labels that can be translated directly from one to the other.

A P rating cannot be used to infer a D rating unless the surface has also been tested and classified by the applicable dry method.

Likewise, a D classification cannot be used to claim wet pendulum performance.

A report should state the actual method used and the classification produced by that method.

Why does AS 4586:2013 contain more than one test method?

Pedestrian surfaces are used in very different environments.

No single test reproduces every combination of footwear, contamination, gradient, movement and surface texture.

AS 4586:2013 therefore includes different methods for classifying new pedestrian surface materials, including tests relevant to wet pendulum performance, dry floor friction and inclined surfaces.

The appropriate test depends on the intended use of the material and the form of evidence required.

For example, a floor expected to remain dry presents a different testing question from an external pedestrian surface exposed to rain or a production area exposed to oily contamination.

The chosen test method must reflect the question being asked.

Does a higher P rating always mean a better floor?

Not necessarily.

Greater slip resistance may be appropriate in locations exposed to significant wet contamination.

However, surface selection involves more than maximising one rating.

A highly profiled surface may have implications for:

• cleaning;
• hygiene;
• trolley movement;
• accessibility;
• comfort;
• maintenance;
• appearance;
• the type of footwear used.

The goal is not automatically to specify the highest available classification.

It is to select a surface with performance appropriate to the intended environment while considering the broader operational requirements.

Does a laboratory rating guarantee installed performance?

No.

An AS 4586:2013 classification describes the sample tested under the applicable laboratory procedure.

Installed performance may be affected by:

• differences between the tested sample and supplied product;
• installation quality;
• sealers, coatings or surface treatments;
• construction residue;
• cleaning and maintenance;
• wear and polishing;
• contamination;
• weathering;
• site conditions.

The laboratory report should be retained as evidence of the tested new material.

Once the flooring has been installed and used, in-situ testing under AS 4663:2013 may be appropriate where its current performance needs to be measured.

The laboratory rating and the in-situ result answer different questions.

What should an AS 4586:2013 laboratory report identify?

A useful laboratory report should clearly identify:

• the client;
• the sample submitted;
• the sample description or product reference;
• the test method;
• the applicable Standard;
• relevant conditioning or preparation;
• the recorded results;
• the classification produced;
• any observations or limitations;
• the date of testing.

Product names and sample identification are particularly important.

A technically valid classification has limited practical value if the result cannot be reliably connected to the flooring product being specified or supplied.

What rating should a product have?

There is no single rating that is correct for every pedestrian surface.

The required performance depends on the intended location and the basis of the specification.

Relevant considerations may include regulatory requirements, project documentation, recognised guidance and the specific risk conditions of the proposed environment.

Before selecting a flooring material, establish:

1. where it will be installed;
2. whether it will be dry, wet or contaminated;
3. whether it is level or sloping;
4. who will use it;
5. what cleaning and maintenance will be required;
6. which test method and classification are relevant;
7. what evidence the supplier can provide.

A rating is meaningful only when connected to the intended use.

Laboratory testing should create usable evidence

The purpose of AS 4586:2013 testing is not simply to add a symbol to a product brochure.

A properly identified laboratory classification can support:

• product development;
• technical data;
• architectural specification;
• tender submissions;
• quality assurance;
• product comparison;
• compliance documentation;
• investigation of supplied materials.

The value lies in knowing exactly which material was tested, by which method and what classification it achieved.