Why dry slip testing exists

Not every surface is designed for wet areas. Timber-look vinyl, laminates, and many indoor tiles will only ever be walked on in dry conditions. For these products, the dry floor friction test in AS 4586:2013 provides a simple binary classification: D0 or D1. It ensures that even in dry settings, the surface has enough traction to be safe.

How the test works

The dry test uses a Tortus 3 Floor Friction Tester. The device travels across the sample, measuring dynamic coefficient of friction. Runs are 10cm wide. Multiple runs are taken, and the results are averaged.

The standard sets tworequirements:

1. The mean coefficient of friction must be ≥0.40.
2. No individual test run can fall below 0.35.

If both are achieved, the surface is classified D1. If either is missed, it is classified D0.

Why D0 matters

Some suppliers mistakenly treat D0 as “close enough.” It isn’t. D0 means the product does not meet the minimum slip resistance requirement for dry areas. It cannot be specified in compliance with the National Construction Code or relied on in handover.

Courts and insurers interpret D0 as a failure. Even if most runs were acceptable, a single low value reflects a real-world risk: one step on one part of the floor could be enough to cause a slip.

Common scenarios leading to D0 in lab test results

• Surface variation: embossed planks where flat sections dip below 0.35.
• Contamination: residues from manufacture, polish, or incorrect cleaning affecting friction.
• Inconsistencies in texture where the pattern itself is a texture – this can lead to areas which are smooth and others which are textured.

Why lab testing is essential

The simplicity of D0/D1 can be misleading. Without testing, it is impossible to know which side of the threshold a product will fall. Because one low run can change the outcome, only NATA-accredited testing provides confidence that the classification is reliable.

D0 vs D1 is not a minor detail. It is the dividing line between compliance and failure for dry-use products. For suppliers, certifiers, and builders, understanding the threshold – and insisting on accredited reports – is the only way to ensure defensible specifications.