Straight answers to the questions we actually get. If your question isn't here, call us on 020 8246 5562.
Costs depend on location, number of test points, and whether the job is standalone or combined with other UKAS survey work. Small single-site surveys typically start in the low-to-mid hundreds of pounds plus travel; larger estate audits scale from there. We quote every job individually. Call 020 8246 5562 for a fixed fee.
UKAS accreditation is the UK government's formal recognition that a testing laboratory is technically competent. For slip testing, it's the only way to demonstrate to a court, insurer, HSE inspector or local authority that your pendulum result is defensible evidence. Non-accredited tests have no evidential weight. Our UKAS Laboratory Number is 7933.
Most UK mainland locations are accessible within 2-5 working days. For urgent post-incident work we can typically respond within 24-48 hours, depending on technician availability. London, the South East, the Midlands and Yorkshire are typically same-week; Scotland, Northern Ireland and Cornwall are scheduled with overnight visits.
A UKAS accredited test report carrying the UKAS logo, our lab number (7933), the technician's signature, full method statements, photographic records, PTV results with measurement uncertainty, and interpretation against the relevant benchmarks. The format is accepted as primary slip-resistance evidence by UK courts, insurance loss adjusters, the HSE, and local authorities.
BS EN 16165 (Annex C — pendulum method), which replaced BS 7976 in February 2022. We apply UKSRG Guidelines Issue 6 (Jan 2024) for operational protocol. For highway surfaces we also use EN 13036-4. All within our UKAS accredited scope.
The pendulum friction tester is a portable piece of equipment that swings a weighted arm with a rubber pad at its tip. The pad sweeps across a 126 mm length of the floor; the friction slows the arm; the pointer records how far the arm continues. The less it continues, the higher the slip resistance. The result is the Pendulum Test Value (PTV).
PTV 36 is the HSE-accepted baseline threshold for low slip risk on level pedestrian surfaces tested wet with Slider 96. Surfaces scoring 36 or above are considered low risk; 25-35 is moderate; below 25 is high risk. Different thresholds apply for barefoot areas, ramps and specific use cases.
Slider 96 (Four-S) for standard shod pedestrian areas. Slider 55 (TRL) for barefoot areas and soft or compliant surfaces. Using the wrong slider invalidates the result.
Both dry and wet testing is standard. Most slip accidents occur on wet surfaces — a dry-only test tells you little about real-world risk.
Yes. Post-incident testing should ideally happen within days, before the surface condition changes and before the claim gains momentum. Call 020 8246 5562 and we will prioritise your case.
Usually no. Testing is discrete, uses small amounts of water contained to the test area, and is typically compatible with normal operations. For some venues (live kitchens, retail trading floors at peak times) we schedule around operations.
Multi-site estate audits are scheduled as geographic batches. A typical retail or warehouse estate audit covers 5-10 sites per visit across a 12-18 month programme. The report includes a ranked priority of remediation recommendations.
Yes. We provide expert witness reports and, where required, expert testimony in civil and criminal proceedings. UKAS accreditation is the basis of expert-level evidential credibility.
The report identifies the specific failure locations and quantifies the PTV shortfall. Remediation options depend on the cause: matting extension, cleaning regime changes, surface treatment, or full replacement. We issue the evidence; we do not sell remediation products.
The result reflects the surface condition at the time of test. For routine risk management, 3-5 years between re-tests is typical for high-traffic areas; shorter for known-degrading surfaces; longer for stable well-maintained surfaces. After a slip incident, prompt re-test of the specific location is prudent.
Our accreditation covers UK-based testing. For international work we can often advise on a suitable accredited lab in the country concerned, but we do not typically perform testing outside the UK under our UKAS accreditation.
Fixed-fee quote within one working day. Nationwide UK coverage from our accredited laboratory in West London.