Skip to main content

Anti-Slip Tile Ratings Explained: R10, R11, R12, R13 and PTV 36

Slip resistance is one of the first things to get right when specifying floor tiles for a commercial kitchen, wet room, pool surround or outdoor terrace. But the ratings on tile data sheets – R11, R12, PTV 36, Class B – can be confusing. This guide explains what each one means and which anti-slip floor tiles suit which spaces.

Why slip resistance matters

Slips and trips are among the most common causes of workplace injury in the UK. A floor that is perfectly safe when dry can become hazardous once it is wet, greasy or dusty, so the right rating depends on how a floor will actually be used – shod or barefoot, inside or out, and what contaminants it is likely to see.

R ratings (DIN 51130): R9 to R13

The R rating comes from the German DIN 51130 ramp test. A tester wearing safety boots walks on an oil-covered tile while the ramp is tilted; the angle at which they slip determines the rating.

  • R9 – dry indoor areas such as offices and reception spaces
  • R10 – general areas that may occasionally get wet, such as toilets and staff rooms
  • R11 floor tiles – entrances, ramps, outdoor paving and some food areas
  • R12 anti-slip tiles – commercial kitchens, food preparation and processing areas
  • R13 tiles – areas with heavy oil or grease contamination

Because the R rating uses oil and boots, it is best for comparing tiles intended for shod foot traffic.

Barefoot ratings (DIN 51097): Class A, B and C

For wet barefoot areas, DIN 51097 grades tiles as Class A (changing rooms and dry barefoot walkways), Class B (showers, pool surrounds and wet rooms) or Class C (pool steps, sloping pool edges and submerged areas). These ratings are the ones to check when choosing anti slip pool tiles or wet room anti-slip tiles.

The pendulum test and PTV 36

In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive prefers the pendulum test (BS 7976), which can be carried out in a lab or on an installed floor. A swinging arm with a rubber slider measures friction and gives a Pendulum Test Value (PTV). The UK Slip Resistance Group classes a wet PTV of 36 or more as low slip potential, 25–35 as moderate and 24 or below as high.

That is why many specifications ask for “PTV 36 tiles” in the wet condition. If you are working to a PTV requirement, always ask for the wet value, as dry values are much higher.

Which anti-slip tile for which space?

  • Commercial kitchen floor tiles: typically R12, R13 where grease is heavy
  • Anti-slip kitchen floor tiles at home: R10 is usually enough
  • Restaurant and bar floors: R10–R11, higher behind the bar
  • Outdoor patios, terraces and ramps: R11 or above
  • Pool surrounds, showers and wet rooms: Class B, Class C on pool steps
  • Entrances: R11 plus suitable matting

Do anti-slip tiles have to look plain?

No. At Digital Ceramics Custom Tiles we print designs, logos and safety markings directly onto anti-slip porcelain, then kiln fire them so the print becomes part of the tile. That means you can have a patterned feature floor, branded entrance or printed step warning tiles without compromising on slip resistance.

Find out more about our anti-slip custom floor tiles, outdoor floor tiles and swimming pool tiles, or get in touch for advice on the right slip rating for your project.