What is Safety Flooring?
Safety flooring is a slip-resistant, durable surface designed to reduce the risk of slips and falls in areas exposed to moisture or heavy use, such as wet rooms, kitchens, and healthcare settings. It is typically made from strong materials, such as vinyl or PVC, and usually features textured surfaces or embedded aggregates for enhanced grip, even when wet.
Safety flooring is rated on the R-scale for slip resistance and ranges from R9, with the least slip resistance, to R12 and R13, offering the highest level, ideal for wet rooms, commercial kitchens, or industrial spaces.
How Much Does Safety Flooring Cost?
When choosing safety flooring, two important elements to consider are both the slip resistance and the cost. Typically, higher R ratings generally come with a higher price tag, as they offer enhanced safety and performance in more demanding environments.
Moderate Slip Resistance Flooring
R10 flooring offers basic slip resistance and is suitable for areas that may occasionally get damp, such as retail stores, offices, and schools. It balances safety with smoothness, for easy cleaning and use with trolleys. The average cost for R10-rated safety flooring is around £17.80 per m².
High Slip Resistance Flooring
R11 safety flooring is built for areas where spills, moisture, or frequent cleaning are common, such as kitchens, toilets, changing rooms, and clinics. It provides a strong level of grip while still being easy to maintain, making it ideal for both commercial and public environments. The average cost is £19.61 per m², offering good value for settings that require high slip resistance.
Very High Slip Resistance Flooring
R12 safety flooring is ideal for wet and high-risk environments such as wet rooms, care homes, and commercial kitchens, where water exposure is frequent and safety is critical. It offers excellent grip even under heavy foot traffic. The average cost is £19.66 per m², offering good value for environments that require very high slip resistance and reliable safety performance.
Types of Safety Flooring:
Safety flooring is available in a wide range of styles and materials, each offering varying levels of slip resistance to suit different environments. In addition to performance, safety flooring can also be chosen based on its aesthetic, with options that include wood and stone effects, as well as more contemporary or decorative finishes to complement the overall design of a space.
Wood-Effect Safety Flooring
Wood-effect safety flooring mimics the natural grain and warmth of real wood, while offering the durability and slip resistance needed for wet or high-risk areas. It adds a homely, stylish touch without compromising on safety, and typically carries an R10 or R11 rating. Popular examples of this type of flooring is our Altro Wood Safety flooring.
Concrete-Effect Safety Flooring
Stone or concrete-effect safety flooring offers a clean, modern, or industrial aesthetic with the added benefit of a textured, slip-resistant finish. It suits minimalist designs while providing the safety features required for wet or high-traffic environments. It's ideal for modern bathrooms, retail spaces, and commercial interiors, and typically falls between R10 and R12 in slip rating.
Some examples of flooring with a stone aesthetic include Tarkett Safetred and Altro Walkway 20 in stone-effect finishes.
Decorative Flake Finishes
This type of flooring features a speckled or glittery surface, often incorporating coloured chips to create a bold, vibrant look. While visually engaging, it also delivers reliable slip resistance. This safety flooring is commonly found in schools, gyms, clinics, and leisure centres. Altro Suprema is a great safety flooring option that has a decorative flake finish, while maintaining R11 to R12 slip resistance.
Plain Matte Safety Flooring
Plain matte safety flooring offers a clean, uniform appearance, making it ideal for professional settings such as healthcare facilities, laboratories, and commercial kitchens. While understated in appearance, it still meets high slip resistance standards, typically rated R10 to R12.
Sectors Where Safety Flooring Should Be Used
Certain sectors are legally required to meet health and safety standards, as outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 in the UK. These regulations specify that flooring must be safe, clean, and properly maintained to reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals, clinics, and care homes must use hygienic, slip-resistant flooring in critical areas such as bathrooms, wards, operating rooms, and kitchens, where cleanliness and safety are vital.
Commercial Kitchens and Food Processing Plants
In environments exposed to constant water, grease, and food waste, floors must be both anti-slip and easy to sanitise. These settings typically require R12-R13-rated flooring to meet safety standards.
Education Sector
Schools and nurseries require safety flooring in areas such as toilets, changing rooms, kitchens, and science labs, where spills or moisture are frequent and pose slip hazards.
Manufacturing and Industrial Sites
Factories and warehouses must use durable, slip-resistant flooring in production zones, walkways, and around machinery, especially where liquids, oils, or chemicals are present.
Areas Where Safety Flooring Is Highly Recommended
Wet Rooms and Domestic Bathrooms
In home settings, especially for older adults or those with mobility issues, R12-rated safety flooring is ideal for wet areas such as wet rooms and walk-in showers. Products such as Altro Aquarius and Polyflor Polysafe Hydro are designed for this purpose.
Gyms, Leisure Centres, and Swimming Pools
These spaces are constantly exposed to moisture, especially in changing rooms, shower areas, and pool surrounds. Flooring with an R11 to R12 rating is ideal for maintaining grip, even when users are barefoot. Options like Altro Marine 20 and Polyflor Hydro Evolve provide excellent slip resistance along with durability and hygiene benefits.
Retail Spaces
Shops, supermarkets, and food courts benefit from R10-R11-rated flooring to reduce slips from spills or wet weather, while staying smooth for trolleys. Good flooring options for retail spaces include Tarkett Safetred Universal and Altro Walkway 20.
Public Toilets and Accessible Bathrooms
High-traffic and accessible bathrooms need R11-R12 slip resistance for safety and hygiene. Products like Altro Aquarius athis is ideal for frequent use and easy cleaning.
Transportation Hubs
Airports, stations, and terminals require R10-R12-rated flooring in areas like corridors and restrooms. Tarkett Granit Safe and Altro Reliance 25 offer durability and slip resistance for busy public spaces.
FAQs
Can Safety Flooring Be Used at Home?
Safety flooring offers slip resistance for wet areas such as bathrooms and mobility-friendly spaces. R12-rated options provide extra grip and come in wood, stone, or modern decorative finishes.
How Long Does Safety Flooring Typically Last?
With proper maintenance, safety flooring can last 10 to 20 years, depending on usage, material quality, and foot traffic levels.
Is Safety Flooring Easy to Clean?
Most safety flooring is designed to be low-maintenance and easy to clean. Regular cleaning with pH-neutral detergents is usually sufficient to keep surfaces safe and hygienic. It’s important to avoid abrasive tools or harsh chemicals, as these can wear down the surface and reduce the floor’s slip-resistant properties over time.