Hospitality venues must balance design and safety. A polished lobby makes a powerful impression, but aesthetics alone cannot be trusted to provide a safe walking surface. When surfaces become wet from rain, spills or cleaning, risk rises quickly.

Standards for Hospitality Spaces

AS 4586:2013 sets the requirements for new surfaces before installation, while AS 4663:2013 applies to in-service floors. Guest bathrooms and ensuites require a minimum P2 rating. Hotel lobbies must achieve at least P2 and often P3, depending on whether moisture is likely. Kitchens and bar areas are subject to the strictest requirements at P5, while pool surrounds require P4 and ramps or stairs leading to water require P5. HB198-2014 provides additional guidance on interpretation and location-specific applications.

The Aesthetic Trade-Off

Many lobbies feature vitrified porcelain or polished stone tiles. These surfaces are acceptable when dry but present significant hazards when wet. Insurers and auditors are particularly alert to lobbies because they combine high traffic with a higher chance of water ingress.

Real-World Lessons

Several hospitality operators have discovered too late that their lobby floors were only marginally compliant. One venue commissioned testing only after a guest fell. Results showed the tiles met P2 when dry but dropped below P2 once polished. The incident led to an insurance dispute and reputational damage.

Managing Risk

The solution is not to abandon aesthetics but to measure performance. Testing during refurbishment ensures flooring is compliant before installation. Retesting after sealing or polishing confirms that coatings have not reduced slip resistance. Ongoing testing under AS 4663:2013 then tracks how the floor performs in daily use.

Reputation and Brand Impact

Slips, trips and falls in a hotel lobby do not just create liability. They damage the guest experience. In an industry where reputation and first impressions matter, a slip incident can have far-reaching consequences.