Tile slip resistance
The R-value or tile slip resistance value describes what level of grip the mosaic tile has, where the ‘R’ stands for Ramp Test method (slope test) or Rutsch, German for ‘slip’.
Ramp Test method explained
The slope test has been developed to simulate certain conditions that often occur in (working) environments with slipping accidents. In the test, mosaic tiles are wetted with water after which a test subject walks back and forth on them with standardised footwear and safety clothing. The slope of the floor is increased incrementally until the person slips. This test is repeated several times after which the average slope angle is calculated and the mosaic tile is assigned an R-value or tile slip resistance.
Tile R-value or anti slip value
The R-values used range from 9 to 13, with 9 being the lowest slip value. A higher value means more grip and a rougher mosaic tile but therefore also more difficult to clean.
Below are the different levels of R-values.
| Value | Slope | Suitable spaces | Examples |
| R9 | >3 ˚ and <10˚ | Dry space | Living room, bedroom, reception space, office |
| R10 | >10˚ and <19˚ | Space that can get wet | Bathroom, kitchen, restroom |
| R11 | >19˚ and <27˚ | Wet spaces | Shower, garden/outside |
| R12 | >27˚ and <35˚ | Very wet spaces or commercial/public spaces | Professional kitchen, healthcare institution |
| R13 | >35˚ | Constantly wet or greasy/oily spaces | Swimming pool, butcher, factory |
A mosaic tile with an R-value that seems higher than is needed for the room can provide extra security and therefore less chance of slipping and accidents. Just keep in mind that the higher the R-value, the harder the mosaic is to clean.
Pendulum Test Value or PTV rating explained
A mosaic tile is sometimes also referred to as PTV, as with our London collection. This stands for the Pendulum Test Value. This is the British standard for measuring tile slip resistance, another and equally reliable way of indicating a tile’s non-slip property.
The Pendulum Test
The test involves swinging a pendulum back and forth across the surface of the mosaic tile.
The measuring device is placed on a surface that is level, after which a zero or baseline measurement is taken. The tile is then placed under the device after which the pendulum passes over the tile 5 times in 3 different directions. This process is repeated for the tile when wet. Finally, an average of all these measurements is calculated after which the mosaic tile is given one of the PTV values below.
| Rating or value | Slip resistance | Suitable spaces |
| 0 – 17 | (Very) Low | Not recommended for floors |
| 18 – 24 | Average | Dry areas |
| 25 – 35 | Good | Wet areas |
| 36+ | Excellent | Very wet and oily areas |
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