R9 or R10: what the slip rating actually means
2026-10-28
Slip resistance is the one flooring property that appears in an incident report rather than a snag list. It is also the one most often specified from memory.
What the R number measures
The R rating comes from a ramp test to DIN 51130: an operator walks a lubricated incline until they slip. R9 corresponds to roughly 6 to 10 degrees, R10 to 10 to 19 degrees.
It is a shoe test with oil as the contaminant. That is why a floor rated R9 for a corridor can still be the wrong floor at a ward entrance where rain is walked in.
Where hospitals get it wrong
The failure point is almost never the middle of a room. It is the entrance mat zone, the ramp to a loading bay, the shower room, and the sluice.
Specify by location, not by product: R9 in dry clinical areas, R10 or higher at entrances and wet rooms, and a barefoot class to DIN 51097 in shower and hydrotherapy areas.
The number to ask for in writing
Ask for the test report with the R value and the test standard on it. A datasheet sentence saying anti-slip is not a value.
Our homogeneous range is rated R9 with wear class T and fire B1; our rubber range carries a barefoot class to DIN 51097 for wet areas, which is a different test and a different claim.
| Area | Rating | Test |
|---|---|---|
| Dry clinical corridor | R9 | DIN 51130 |
| Ward entrance / lobby | R10 | DIN 51130 |
| Wet room, sluice | R10–R11 | DIN 51130 |
| Shower, hydrotherapy | Class B barefoot | DIN 51097 |
| Theatre | R9, conductive variant | DIN 51130 |
FAQ
Is a higher R always better?
No. Above R11 the floor becomes hard to clean and to move trolleys over, which creates a different problem in a clinical area.
Does polishing change the rating?
Yes. A polished homogeneous floor can lose slip performance, which is why refurbishment should restore the finish rather than just shine it.
Can I test an installed floor?
Yes, with a pendulum test on site. It is the only way to check what was actually laid.
Send the area schedule and we will return the slip class per room
With the test standard beside each value.