UKAS slip testing for
shopping centres.

Why shopping centres commission UKAS accredited slip testing

Shopping centre operators carry direct occupier liability for common areas, combined with responsibility for centre-managed events and promotional activities. Slip claims against centre management are frequent and commercially significant. UKAS accredited evidence is the benchmark for defending such claims and for demonstrating reasonable care in centre operations.

Specific issues we see in shopping centres

• Entrance plaza zones. Uncovered or partially-covered entrance plazas see the full range of UK weather. Paving and mat transitions in these zones test borderline in wet conditions.
• Food court spillage areas. Areas immediately around food court seating see frequent liquid spillage. Testing with representative soft-drink and hot-drink contamination is more informative than water-only.
• Centre-managed common walkways. Main mall circulation spaces — the operator's direct responsibility. Regular audit demonstrates duty of care.
• Stair and escalator approach zones. Entry to stairs and escalators concentrates slip risk. Worn stair nosings often fall below compliance ahead of the main tread.

Which standards apply

BS EN 16165 Annex C pendulum testing with UKSRG Issue 6 operational protocol. Stair-specific testing combines pendulum measurement with visual condition survey. Large-estate reports typically include a ranked remediation priority list.

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

We have multiple common areas — where should we test?

For a large centre, 30-50 test locations typically gives a representative picture. We help specify the locations based on footfall, incident history, and surface type. The output is a ranked report identifying highest-risk areas.

Can you test at night or out-of-hours?

Yes. Most shopping centre work runs overnight or before centre opening to avoid disrupting trading. We factor this into the quote.

Do you work with insurance brokers?

Yes — some of our regular work is commissioned directly by commercial property insurers as part of their underwriting or claims process. We can liaise with your broker if helpful.

What about the landlord vs tenant split?

We focus on landlord common areas by default, but can extend the scope to cover unit interiors if the lease structure or insurance position requires it. The report clarifies the demise boundaries.