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The project had been originally devised to stimulate the design of ceramic tiles with improved slip resistance and had the following objectives:

• Establish fundamental knowledge concerning the influence of surface characteristics on the slip resistance of ceramic tiles.



• Decrease the number of slip accidents by improving the surface characteristics of tiles and creating suitable benchmarks for assisting end-users in the selection of appropriate tiles.



• Promote better understanding of slip resistance issues for SME manufacturers of ceramic floor tiles and end users to enable them to meet their legislative responsibilities.

The SlipSTD consortium was coordinated by CERAM and was comprised of well-known public bodies in addition to a mix of end-users, tile manufacturers, tile manufacturers associations, architects, health and safety associations and leading European research centres. The partners provided real cross-disciplinary know-how, with expertise in surface technology, tile manufacturing, product testing, health and safety needs, and experience in developing national and European standard documents.

The major project deliverable was a Publicly Available Specification (SlipSTD PAS) which proposes the following simple three value classification system for hard floor coverings used in interior pedestrian areas that takes into account the anticipated type of contaminant in the chosen environment and the existence of any slip reducing control measures and cleaning regime:

• Class 1: For use in areas that are foreseeably clean and dry and are routinely maintained as such.
• Class 2A: For use in areas forseeably contaminated with water and/or dry contaminants.
• Class 2B: For use in areas foreseeably contaminated with other liquid contaminants with a viscosity higher than water, such as oil or grease.

The SlipSTD PAS also clarifies the responsibilities of those involved in the manufacture, specification, installation and maintenance of hard floor coverings for ensuring the original and continued slip performance properties of a floor covering.

Comments on this SlipSTD PAS and on any future work will be gratefully received. They should be sent to the project coordinator: Dr Giuliano Tari, +44 (0)1782 764240, e-mail: giuliano.tari@ceram.com

Unless respondents indicate to the contrary, it will be assumed that they have no objection to their response being made public on the SlipSTD website.

SlipSTD PAS will be reviewed at intervals not exceeding two years. Any amendments arising will be published as an amended SlipSTD PAS and publicised on the SlipSTD web site.