What is Anti-Slip Flooring?
If you’ve ever walked across a wet tile floor and felt that stomach-dropping moment of losing your footing, you already understand instinctively why anti-slip flooring matters. But beyond personal experience, the numbers tell a serious story. Slips, trips and falls are the single biggest cause of workplace injuries in the UK.
Anti-slip flooring is any floor surface, or treatment applied to a floor surface, that is designed to reduce the likelihood of a person slipping. It works by increasing the friction between the floor and the sole of a shoe, particularly in conditions where the surface is wet, oily, dusty or otherwise contaminated.
Friction is measured as a coefficient of friction (CoF). The higher the CoF, the more grip the surface provides. Regulatory guidelines in the UK recommend a minimum pendulum test value (PTV) of 36 or above for a surface to be considered low risk and broadly compliant. A PTV between 25 and 35 is classed as moderate risk, and anything below 25 is considered high risk. Standard smooth tiles, polished concrete and glazed ceramics can fall dangerously below this threshold when wet.
What is an Anti-Slip Floor Treatment?
An anti-slip floor treatment is a solution applied directly to an existing floor surface to increase its slip resistance without the need to replace the flooring. Unlike etching-based methods that physically abrade or pit the surface, advanced treatments such as NS21 by Safety Direct Group work differently.
Non Slip 21 uses a patented aqueous-based polymer that chemically bonds with the floor surface, forming a microscopic honeycomb structure. When the floor becomes wet, this structure creates a gentle suction effect between the surface and the sole of a shoe, dramatically improving grip without any visible change to the floor’s appearance.
This makes anti-slip floor treatments one of the most practical and cost-effective safety solutions available. A professional treatment can be applied quickly with no drying times, no odours and no need to close the space, meaning businesses face minimal disruption and can return to normal use immediately after application. Results can last for years with proper maintenance.
Treatments are most commonly applied to ceramic and porcelain tiles, natural stone, concrete, resin, vinyl and timber, all surfaces that can become dangerously slippery when wet.
Where Anti-Slip Flooring Matters Most
Anti-slip flooring is relevant in virtually every built environment, but certain settings carry a higher risk than others. The highest-risk zones include:
- Commercial kitchens
- Bathrooms and wet rooms
- Swimming pool surrounds
- Entrance lobbies
- Outdoor steps and ramps
In these environments, a non-compliant floor isn’t just a safety hazard; it’s a legal liability. UK employers are legally obligated to address slip risks under:
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Failure to comply can result in:
- Enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Significant compensation claims
- Reputational damage
Non-Slip Standards and What They Mean
The term ‘non-slip’ is often used loosely, but in a professional context, it refers to a measurable performance standard. In the UK, floors are assessed using the pendulum test, which measures the slip resistance of a wet surface using a standardised rubber slider. Results are expressed as a Pendulum Test Value (PTV). A PTV of 36 or above is the target threshold and is considered low risk. Between 25 and 35 is a moderate risk. Below 25 is high risk and should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
NS21, Non Slip 21, is Safety Direct Group’s proprietary treatment, designed to bring non-compliant surfaces up to and beyond that 36 PTV threshold. It is not a generic industry classification but a specific, tested product with a documented performance record across a wide range of floor types and environments.
The Difference Between Anti-Slip Flooring and A Floor Treatment
Anti-slip flooring is manufactured with slip resistance built in. Examples include:
- Textured rubber matting
- Profiled safety tiles
- Abrasive-surface stair nosings
An anti-slip floor treatment, by contrast, is applied to an existing floor to bring it up to a safe standard. The right solution depends on:
- Floor type
- Level of foot traffic
- Environment
- Risk profile of the space
Both are valid and widely used approaches.
Why Anti-Slip Matters
Understanding what anti-slip flooring is forms the foundation of any sensible approach to floor safety. It is not a niche concern or an optional extra. It is a legal requirement, a moral responsibility and when done properly, a straightforward problem to solve.
Whether you are specifying flooring for a new build, managing an ageing commercial property or responding to a near-miss incident, the starting point is always the same: know your surfaces, understand your risks and take appropriate action.
Read the complete guide to anti-slip flooring from Safety Direct Group to understand your compliance obligations, the full range of treatment options and how to assess the risk in your own building.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make my floor anti-slip?
The most effective way to make your existing floor anti-slip is to have our Non Slip 21 anti-slip floor treatment professionally applied. Our trained team applies Non Slip 21 directly to your surface, chemically bonding a microscopic honeycomb structure to the floor that dramatically improves grip when wet, with no visible change to the floor’s appearance and no downtime after we’ve finished. For higher-risk areas such as stairs and ramps, we also offer anti-slip tapes and coatings as a practical solution. Get in touch, and we’ll recommend the right approach for your floor type, environment and risk level.
What flooring is best for non-slip?
There is no single best flooring material; slip resistance depends on the surface finish, the environment and how the floor is maintained. That said, textured rubber, profiled safety tiles, and resin-coated concrete tend to perform strongly in high-risk commercial settings. For existing floors, the more important question is whether your surface meets the recommended Pendulum Test Value (PTV) of 36 or above. If it doesn’t, our Non Slip 21 treatment is often the fastest and most cost-effective way to bring your floor up to compliance.
What is anti-slip floor treatment?
Our Non Slip 21 anti-slip floor treatment is a patented aqueous-based polymer solution that our team applies directly to your existing floor surface. It chemically bonds with the floor to form a microscopic honeycomb structure that is invisible to the eye. When wet and under the weight of a footstep, your shoe deforms slightly over the honeycomb shapes, and as it returns to its original form, a partial vacuum is created between the sole and the floor, significantly improving grip.
How do I clean anti-slip flooring?
To keep your treated floor performing at its best, we recommend using our certified cleaning and maintenance products, which are specifically formulated to work with NS21-treated surfaces. Grease, soap residue and dirt can reduce grip over time if left to build up, so regular cleaning is essential. Using the wrong products can coat the treated surface and compromise its effectiveness. If you’re unsure which cleaning products are right for your floor, get in touch with our team, and we’ll point you in the right direction.