When you choose a ceramic tile for the surfaces of your house, you do it not solely on the basis of aesthetic criteria, but also according to the nature of the space, both internal and external, to which they are intended: the technical characteristics required by the living room or bedroom floor, for example, are not the same as the bathroom floor. When walking through certain areas, such as the bathroom, poolside, spa, or ramps, be sure to walk on solid, well-constructed surfaces. In fact, by law, in these particular spaces it is necessary to have a floor covered with an anti-slip material, so as to avoid falls and other unpleasant events. But what are the characteristics of these anti-slip coverings? What are the regulations to be respected and the necessary certifications?
Whether it is ceramic tiles for homes, offices, shops, public places and other spaces, Sicer produces anti-slip glazes of the highest quality, durable and compliant with standards and certification.
What is meant by non-slip flooring
By non-slip flooring we mean a surface that is coated with special materials that increase the adhesion and friction force of the surface itself, so as to avoid any slipping or accidents caused by the slippery floor. The application of non-slip coatings can prove to be a practical choice for both indoor and outdoor spaces, but in certain cases, as we said above, it becomes a legal obligation.
Sicer, thanks to the experience of its Technology Lab, is able to offer different anti-slip solutions based on the floor to be covered and the aesthetic taste of the customer. All made according to national and European regulations on the subject.
But what are these regulations and certifications to be respected? In the ceramic industry there are DIN 51130: 2014 and DIN 51097: 1997, two different versions of the same test to determine the so-called risk angle in two different conditions, with shod feet (DIN 51130: 2014) and with bare feet ( DIN 51097: 1997).
DIN 51130:2014 certification and R criterion
The German certification DIN 51130: 2014 establishes the standards and characteristics of non-slip floors where transit with footwear is expected.
To verify that the floor and its covering are perfectly made, a specific test is carried out: the subject, a person wearing footwear, is placed on top of a ceramic tile which is in turn positioned on an inclined mobile ramp. The surface of the ceramic tile has been wetted with a thin layer of an oil and the ramp is gradually tilted until the subject slips. In this way, the precise angle at which the person is no longer able to remain in balance will be measured and, based on the result obtained, a certain degree of slipping risk is assigned, indicated by the letter R and a number between 9 and 13. The higher the degree of inclination, the greater the risk of slipping and, consequently, the degree of adhesion required to the surface.
- R9: from 3° to 10° degrees of inclination; surfaces with normal adhesion.
- R10: from 10° to 19° of inclination; surfaces with medium grip.
- R11: from 19° to 27° of inclination; surfaces with high adhesion.
- R12: from 27° to 35° of inclination; surfaces with strong adhesion.
- R13: more than 35° of inclination; surfaces with very strong adhesion.
What are numbers from 9 to 12 standing for?
- R 9 indicates that the material can be used in any indoor, private or commercial space, including entrances. However, it cannot be used outdoors.
- R 10 has a higher value on the anti-slip scale and can therefore be used in areas with moderate humidity such as bathrooms, garages or spaces protected from direct rainfall.
- R 11 indicates ceramic tiles that can be used in highly humid spaces, including industrial environments and laboratories, as well as the exteriors and entrances of residential or public buildings.
- R 12 is characteristic of porcelain stoneware with a structured finish. This type of surface is suitable for exteriors such as entrances, paths, parking lots, etc. If we are talking about interiors, R12 can be installed in professional kitchens, catering companies, showers and poolside.
- R 13 is the highest score and guarantees maximum safety. We recommend using these materials when working on public swimming pools or water parks. These surfaces are also suitable for industrial environments where you work with liquids, such as food companies, and wherever else it is necessary to ensure maximum safety.
DIN 51097:1992 certification and ABC criterion
Similar to DIN 51130, the German certification DIN 51097: 1997 establishes the necessary characteristics for anti-shock and slip-resistant floors for environments where people move without shoes: showers, spas, swimming pools, etc. As for the previous test , also in this case a subject – barefoot – is placed on a ceramic tile moistened by a specific solution, positioned on a mobile platform. The platform is inclined until the subject slips, and a score between A, B, and C is assigned consequently to the angle of inclination reached.
What are A, B and C letters standing for?
- A: inclination from 12° to 18°; surfaces with medium grip. The ceramic tile can be installed in rooms without the direct presence of water: for example, changing rooms or rooms inside a home, such as the kitchen, living room, etc.
- B: from 18° to 24° of inclination; surfaces with strong adhesion. The ceramic tile can be installed in places with direct presence of water, such as shower trays, bathrooms, and wherever a high anti-slip level is required.
- C: from 24° of inclination onwards; surfaces with very strong adhesion. The ceramic tiles that achieve this score can be used by the pool, inside the pool itself, in public showers and anywhere else.
New Sicer’s GLR soft anti-slip glazes
At the 38th edition of Cersaie just ended, Sicer presented some important innovations for the ceramic surfaces market. Among these we find the new glazes of the GLR series, a series that perfectly combines technical and aesthetic characteristics in a single product. This innovative range of non-slip “special glazes” is not commonly composed of frits and single added raw materials, but rather of raw materials brought to the vitreous state, skilfully micronized, applicable as a common glaze. The result is Hi-Resistance technical surfaces, extremely pleasant to the touch and optimal for furnishing both residential interiors and outdoor or commercial areas.
The glazes of the renewed GLR range have a precise particle size and are supplied ready for use and therefore do not require grinding. Depending on the needs, they can be supplied to the customer in liquid format or in dry format ready for suspension.
Sicer’s GLR soft anti-slip series guarantees:
- A smooth texture
- Total cleanability
- Absolute transparency and development of digital colors
- A final surface totally anti-reflective, natural, material and pleasant to the touch.
- Positive result on the MAZAUD Test. This is a very important test for the French market for measuring the wear resistance of decorated ceramic tiles, according to Cahier CSTB 3778_V4 10/2020 Annexe 10. The test requires a steel wheel weighing 60 kg to perform 22320 revolutions (about 14 km) on a 30×30 piece placed on a rotating support. The test is passed when, following rolling, there is no wear on the surface of the ceramic tile, obtaining U4 in the French UPEC class.
The GLR range allows the customer to calibrate the surface texture according to the necessary value (from R9 to R13) (A + B + C), guaranteeing the regulatory requirements required in each country for the flooring of public spaces.
However, what distinguishes this new range from most anti-slip glazes is the absolute softness of the final surface to the touch.
The series consists of completely customizable glazes according to the customer’s requests and production conditions.
GLR soft anti-slip by Sicer: feeling free and safe.
