Wet Pendulum
A pendulum-mounted rubber slider contacts a wetted surface. The resulting British Pendulum Number (BPN), also referred to as the slip resistance value in the report structure, is used to classify wet performance.
What is a slip resistance parameter?
Slip testing turns the frictional behaviour of a pedestrian surface into measured values that can be compared with the applicable classification and location guidance. The underlying Prime Safety report distinguishes the wet pendulum method from dry floor friction testing and then uses classification guidance to interpret the results.
Dry Floor Friction
A floor friction tester drags a slider across a dry surface at controlled speed and records the coefficient of friction (CoF). Dry results are classified D0 or D1 in the source material.
Reading BPN / SRV.
The source report describes five test locations per wet test area. The readings are stabilised, combined and used to derive the location result; location results are then averaged to determine the mean result for the test area.
01PrepareCondition the selected rubber slider and prepare the test surface.
02WetApply water and carry out the prescribed pendulum swings.
03MeasureRecord the BPN readings at the nominated locations.
04ClassifyCompare the mean result with the applicable P classification.
Wet classification — Rubber Slider 96
ClassMean BPNNotional wet slip contribution
P5>54Very low
P445–54Low
P335–44Moderate
P225–34High
P112–24Very high
P0<12Extremely high
Why the rubber slider matters.
The source report explains that AS 4663 permits Rubber Slider 55 and Rubber Slider 96. Slider 55 is generally used for outdoor, barefoot or highly profiled surfaces; Slider 96 is relatively harder and generally used for smoother indoor surfaces. The report should state which slider was used.
04 / Dry Floor FrictionReading CoF and D class.
The dry method measures the coefficient of friction of the existing pedestrian surface in dry conditions. The source report states that D1 corresponds to a mean CoF of at least 0.40, with each individual reading also needing to be at least 0.35 for the D1 interpretation used there.
0.000.400.80+
D1 threshold: ≥ 0.40Do not read one number in isolation.
05 / Correction & InterpretationSurface use, wetness, contamination, slope, cleaning, wear, footwear and other site conditions can influence slip risk. The classification is one part of the risk-management picture, not a guarantee that incidents cannot occur.
SCV, TCV and location context.
SCV
A Slope Correction Value may be applied when testing is conducted on a gradient of ≥1.5° (2.6%), as described in the source report.
TCV
A Temperature Correction Value may be applied where Rubber Slider 55 is used, according to the source report.
SA HB 198:2014
Used as interpretative guidance alongside AS 4586 classifications for particular applications and locations.
NCC Deemed-to-Satisfy
The source material includes minimum wet pendulum classifications for certain stair and ramp applications. The applicable requirement depends on the building application and conditions.
Typical location guidance shown in the reference material
Entries & accessDry P1 · Transitional P2 · Wet P3
Toilet facilitiesP3
External walkways / colonnadesP4
External ramps steeper than 1:14P5
Supermarket aislesP1 except fresh food areas
Fresh food / shop entryP3
This page is an awareness guide based on the supplied Prime Safety and reference competitor report materials. It simplifies the source information for customer education and should not be used as a project-specific compliance determination.