UKAS slip testing for
retail and high street shops.

Why retail and high street shops commission UKAS accredited slip testing

High-street retail operators balance brand-led floor specifications (often polished stone or high-gloss vinyl) against pedestrian safety duties. Appearance-driven finishes frequently test borderline in wet conditions and become genuine slip hazards at entrance zones. UKAS accredited testing establishes the defensible risk position.

Specific issues we see in retail and high street shops

• Polished stone and porcelain. Specified for brand reasons but often inherently low-grip when wet. Testing establishes whether matting and cleaning protocols compensate adequately.
• Light-coloured vinyls. Modern retail vinyls are typically selected for appearance and maintenance, not slip resistance. Some test poorly even dry.
• Staff-only back-of-house. Stock rooms, kitchen areas, loading docks — employer's liability exposure distinct from customer exposure. Often overlooked in retail slip auditing.
• Escalator and lift approach zones. Where the store surface transitions to the centre's common area. Responsibility boundary matters for insurance purposes.

Which standards apply

BS EN 16165 Annex C with water contamination as standard. For stores with specific contamination exposure (cosmetics testers, food sampling), supplementary testing with representative contaminants is informative.

What you get

• UKAS accredited pendulum test report (Lab 7933)
• PTV results for every test location, dry and wet
• Interpretation against BS EN 16165 and UKSRG benchmarks
• Photographic record of test locations
• Measurement uncertainty statements (required for admissibility)
• 5 working day turnaround from site visit to report

Common questions

Our store has polished stone — is that a problem?

Not automatically. Polished stone can perform well or badly depending on the specific stone, finish and cleaning regime. Testing tells you which you have.

We're fitting out a new store — should we test before opening?

Yes. Pre-opening acceptance testing against the specification is cheap insurance. If the floor fails the brand's own spec, the fit-out contractor fixes it at their cost. Post-opening, you own the problem.

Does the store need to be closed?

No. Retail testing is unobtrusive and can be done during trading hours in most cases, or pre-opening if you prefer.

How often should retail slip testing be refreshed?

Baseline at fit-out, then every 3-5 years for heavy-traffic areas or after any significant cleaning-regime change. After any slip incident, post-incident testing of the specific location is prudent.