UKAS slip testing for
schools.

Why schools need UKAS accredited slip testing

Schools combine high pedestrian density, wet-weather entrance contamination and vulnerable users (pupils, particularly younger children). Slip claims against schools are frequent, costly and subject to intense public-body scrutiny. A UKAS accredited slip resistance baseline, updated periodically, is both a risk-management and a claims-defence necessity. Academy trusts and local education authorities routinely commission UKAS slip testing across their estates.

Specific issues we see in schools

• Entrance zones in wet weather. Primary schools see heavy rain-wet transition zones between outdoor playground and hard-surface reception areas. Standard vinyl can drop below PTV 25 in these conditions despite testing fine dry.
• Sports halls. Sports hall floors require balance between slip resistance for safety and controlled slide for sports performance. Governing body acceptance thresholds vary by sport. UKAS testing to BS EN 16165 confirms pedestrian safety; sport-specific testing confirms playability.
• Food and dining areas. Dining hall and servery floors see frequent water, oil and food debris contamination. Wet PTV testing with representative contaminants is essential.
• Swimming pool surrounds. School pools require barefoot-protocol testing with Slider 55 against the PWTAG PTV 24+ threshold. Slip-proofing treatments installed by contractors must be independently verified.
• Stairs and nosings. School stairwells see heavy use and repeated cleaning. Stair-nosing slip resistance often degrades faster than the main tread. Frequent re-testing is prudent.

Which standards apply

All testing is performed to BS EN 16165 Annex C (pendulum method) with UKSRG Guidelines Issue 6 operational protocol. Swimming pool surrounds tested to EN 16165 Annex B (barefoot) against PWTAG and SPATA operational thresholds. Sports hall floors optionally tested against relevant governing body performance standards (Sport England, national governing bodies).

What you get

• UKAS accredited pendulum test report (Lab 7933)
• Pendulum Test Values 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

How often should schools commission slip testing?

Current best practice is a baseline survey when a new surface is installed, followed by a routine re-test every 3-5 years on high-traffic areas. After any slip incident, prompt post-incident testing of the specific location is strongly recommended for claims defence.

Do academies and LEAs both commission UKAS testing?

Yes — both. Academy trusts manage their own estate risk directly and commission UKAS testing as part of annual risk assurance. Local education authorities commission testing through their property or estates team, often as part of a wider building-safety framework.

What if testing shows a floor fails?

Our report identifies failure locations and quantifies the specific PTV shortfall. Remediation options range from simple cleaning regime changes through to surface treatment (anti-slip coatings, etching) to full replacement. We can recommend approaches but do not sell remediation products — our role is independent evidence.

How do we budget for this?

Single-site school surveys typically sit in the low-to-mid hundreds of pounds plus travel for the most common scope (reception, corridors, dining, main sports hall). Larger multi-site estate surveys scale from there. Call us for a site-specific quote.