UKAS slip testing for
swimming pools.

Why swimming pools commission UKAS accredited slip testing

Swimming pool operators — commercial leisure, school pools, private club pools, therapy pools — have PWTAG-driven operational slip testing requirements. Pool surrounds are the classic barefoot-protocol testing scenario and the most technically precise variant of slip testing commonly commissioned.

Specific issues we see in swimming pools

• Main pool surround. PWTAG PTV 24+ barefoot threshold. Commissioning and re-test as the surface ages.
• Pool ladder base areas. Differentially-polished by wear. Often the first area to fall below compliance.
• Splash and shallow zones. Children's splash zones and shallow ends see more barefoot traffic and more stand-and-wade contamination.
• Transition to changing areas. The wet/dry transition is often tiled to a different spec. Testing captures the full barefoot pathway.

Which standards apply

BS EN 16165 Annex B (barefoot, Slider 55) at full wet contamination. PWTAG operational threshold of PTV 24+ for pool surrounds. UKSRG Issue 6 operational protocol. Combines with BS 8204 acceptance thresholds for new installations.

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

Pool commissioning acceptance?

Standard. Most pool refurbishment specs reference BS 8204 acceptance and PWTAG operational thresholds — we test against both.

Do you close the pool to test?

Usually yes for the surround testing itself. Testing runs typically 2-3 hours per pool for representative coverage.

Hotel and spa pools?

Same process. Spa and therapy pools often have additional barefoot-use zones that need testing.

How often should pool surrounds be re-tested?

PWTAG advise periodic re-testing; the specific frequency depends on operator risk assessment. 3-5 years is typical baseline.