Porcelain Slip Ratings Explained
*Please Note: DCOF and R-Ratings are not a requirement for residential projects. Floor tile selections for residential homes are ultimately up to the end user.*
Selecting the perfect floor tile can pose a challenge, particularly when considering safety and slip resistance for specific installation areas. Ensuring sufficient traction on tiles becomes paramount when choosing for wet-prone spaces like bathrooms or pool surrounds. Preventing slips and falls necessitates careful consideration of tile grip to enhance safety in these areas. Discover additional insights about slip ratings and how you can effectively incorporate this information into your decision-making when choosing the ideal tiles for your project. Keeping informed about slip ratings will help you make decisions that prioritize safety without compromising on style.
DCOF vs R-Ratings
When reviewing the technical details of a porcelain tile, you will often encounter DCOF tests and R-Ratings. Though they may appear similar at first glance, these two metrics do possess subtle distinctions. DCOF, or Dynamic Coefficient of Friction, is the measurement of two contacting objects that are already in motion, such as a person’s feet making contact with the ground while walking. The higher the coefficient rating, the more resistance there is on the tile surface. R-Ratings, on the other hand, utilize the “ramp' test”. This test represents the angle at which slip begins to occur.
Although DCOF testing is not mandatory for residential projects, it is typically mandated in commercial settings. Nevertheless, having this data on hand can provide valuable insights into public safety concerns, as the DCOF value indicates the surface's slip resistance. A higher rating means the tile is less likely to cause slipping. But keep in mind, there are a lot of variables that occur during slipping (grips of shoes, oil or grease spills, etc.) it’s impossible to have a 100% slip-proof tile. Here’s a breakdown of ratings and their recommended applications:
< 0.42 - Not recommended for wet areas.
≥0.42 Dry - Good for dry, level public areas
≥0.42 Wet - Good for level, public areas that are likely to be walked on when occasionally wet
≥ 0.60 Wet - Good for areas that are constantly wet, such as pools, showers, locker rooms, etc.
You’ll notice that the DCOF results are for level surfaces. This is why when you’re looking for shower flooring, the ramp test might be more reliable, since shower floors are generally slightly sloped. Here’s a breakdown of R-Ratings and their recommended applications:
R9 - Suitable for dry areas where the floors are rarely exposed to water
R10 - Suitable for occasionally wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms
R11-R13 - Very low slip risk. Suitable for areas that consistently get wet.
Conclusion
To sum it up, if you are designing for your home, these test results aren't a requirement when selecting tiles and determining where to apply them. The choices ultimately lie with the end user. However, when designing for a commercial project, it becomes crucial to prioritize these slip resistance tests to guarantee public safety is maintained within the spaces you create.
