Slip-resistance ratings describe how a flooring surface performs in friction testing under controlled laboratory or field conditions, using methods like DCOF (dynamic coefficient of friction), SCOF (static coefficient of friction), and pendulum testing. These ratings are produced by specific, named test methods, each with its own device, procedure, and scope, and none of them is a universal "safe floor" label that applies across every surface type and condition.
This guide is for the facility manager, property owner, or GC who needs to specify or evaluate a commercial floor and has seen terms like DCOF, SCOF, or pendulum value on a product data sheet or contractor proposal. It explains what each measurement actually covers, which standards define them, how the ratings relate to coatings like epoxy and to polished concrete, and what questions to put to a contractor before a scope of work is signed. It does not cover workplace safety obligations, which are addressed separately.
Friction testing measures resistance between a test foot or slider and a flooring surface, under conditions set by the specific test method used. The result is expressed as a number tied to that method's device and procedure: a DCOF value, an SCOF value, or a British pendulum number. These are not interchangeable. A value produced on one device does not translate directly to a value on another, because each test method measures friction with its own apparatus and procedure.
It is also important to understand that a friction measurement is not the same thing as a guarantee against slipping. TCNA states that DCOF does not predict whether a person will slip and is not synonymous with slip resistance; A326.3 says the measured DCOF value shall not be the only factor in determining appropriateness. A rating tells you how a surface performed in a specific test, under specific conditions (dry, wet, with or without contaminants) — it is one data point among several an owner should weigh, alongside the product's intended use classification, the area's actual exposure to water or grease, and the contractor's recommended texture and maintenance plan.
Several distinct standards govern friction testing for hard-surface flooring. Knowing which one applies to a given number is the first step in reading any data sheet correctly.
| Standard | What it measures | Output |
|---|---|---|
| ANSI A326.3 | Dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) of hard surface flooring materials, lab and field, wet or dry | DCOF value |
| ANSI A137.1 | Ceramic tile product specification, including a wet DCOF reference tied to ANSI A326.3 | DCOF value (ceramic tile only) |
| ANSI/NFSI B101.1 (the ANSI-published edition is historical; current editions are published by NFSI) | Wet static coefficient of friction (SCOF) of hard-surface walkways | SCOF value |
| ANSI/NFSI B101.3 (the ANSI-published edition is historical; current editions are published by NFSI) | Wet dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) of hard-surface walkways | DCOF value |
| ASTM E303 | Surface frictional properties via the British pendulum tester | British pendulum number (BPN) |
| ASTM D2047 | Static coefficient of friction of polish-coated flooring surfaces via the James Machine | Static COF value |
| ASTM F2508 | Validation procedure for walkway tribometers (test devices themselves) | Not a floor rating |
ANSI A326.3 requires manufacturers to classify products into one of five use categories — Interior Dry, Interior Wet, Interior Wet Plus, Exterior Wet, or Oils/Greases — and a numeric DCOF criterion (0.42) appears only for Interior Dry and Interior Wet (IW can alternatively be manufacturer-declared); the other three categories are manufacturer-declared, meaning there is no standard-set number to compare against. TCNA states that ramps and inclined surfaces are not addressed by any of A326.3's five product use categories, so a rating under A326.3 should not be assumed to apply to a sloped surface.
ANSI A137.1 is a ceramic tile product specification, not a general flooring standard, and its slip-resistance content applies only to ceramic tile intended for level interior spaces expected to be walked on when wet.
ANSI/NFSI B101.1 and B101.3 are now published independently by NFSI rather than as ANSI standards, and they use certification-program labels (such as "High-Traction" or "Slip-Resistant") tied to SCOF or DCOF ranges respectively. These are voluntary, non-regulatory labels from a private testing program, not government-enforced criteria.
ASTM E303 (pendulum) and ASTM D2047 (James Machine) are device-specific methods; D2047 is a laboratory test for polish-coated surfaces. E303's own scope states that its results do not necessarily agree with other slipperiness-measuring equipment, and D2047 applies specifically to polish-coated surfaces tested with the James Machine — its compliance criterion does not apply to other test methods or surfaces.
ASTM F2508 is a practice for validating the tribometers (test devices) themselves; its own scope says the validation procedure is not intended to establish a "safe" threshold for any walkway surface.
Resinous and epoxy flooring is not specifically named among the hard-surface materials TCNA lists as covered by ANSI A326.3's test method, so owners specifying an epoxy system should ask the manufacturer directly which test method, if any, was used to generate a friction value on its data sheet, and which use classification the product carries.
Polished concrete flooring is named among the hard surface materials ANSI A326.3's test method is said to apply to. As with any product under this standard, the applicable use classification (and whether a numeric DCOF threshold or a manufacturer-declared value applies) depends on the specific product and how it is finished.
A separate point applies to any coating applied after installation, on site: ANSI A326.3's own text states that such surfaces "shall only be used in areas that can be kept dry, unless otherwise declared by the coating's manufacturer." Per A326.3, a surface with a coating applied after installation on site shall only be used in areas that can be kept dry, unless otherwise declared by the coating's manufacturer; ask the manufacturer what it declares for the product.
For background on how these two systems compare more broadly — cost, appearance, maintenance — see the epoxy vs. polished concrete comparison guide. Owners sourcing either system in Colorado can review contractor listings at the Colorado commercial epoxy flooring hub or the Colorado polished concrete hub.
Flooring texture, aggregate, or anti-slip additives are features a manufacturer or installer can specify to affect a floor's friction performance, but the appropriate choice depends on the product and the conditions of the space — wet versus dry use, food service versus retail, equipment traffic, and the cleaning regimen the facility will maintain. A written scope should state what texture or additive is being used, and whether a friction value is attached to that specific finish.
Commercial kitchens and similar wet, grease-prone environments have particular texture and cleanability needs; see the Colorado hub for commercial kitchens and restaurants for facility-type-specific contractor listings.
A written scope of work should not simply say "slip resistant." It should name the specific test method and classification being relied on, and where that information came from.
Because flooring costs vary by system, texture, and finish, it is worth checking current regional pricing patterns with the FloorSpec cost calculator and reviewing the Commercial Epoxy Flooring Cost in Colorado guide before finalizing a texture or coating choice. If you are deciding between a flake broadcast system and a solid-color epoxy for slip and appearance reasons, the flake vs. solid-color epoxy guide walks through that choice in more detail.
A DCOF, SCOF, or pendulum number is a laboratory or field measurement under a defined procedure — it is not a prediction of real-world slip incidents, and the standard that defines DCOF says so directly. A rating also does not account for:
Because of this, the rating on a data sheet should be treated as one input into a broader decision that also includes the manufacturer's stated use classification, the facility's actual conditions, and the maintenance plan the facility will actually follow. Confirm any specific number directly on the current product data sheet rather than relying on a general reputation for a product category.
DCOF (dynamic coefficient of friction) measures friction while a test foot or slider is moving across the surface, while SCOF (static coefficient of friction) measures the force needed to start that movement from a standstill. They are produced by different test methods and devices, and a value from one is not interchangeable with a value from the other. Check which method a data sheet references before comparing two products.
No. TCNA states that DCOF does not predict whether a person will slip and is not synonymous with slip resistance; A326.3 says the measured DCOF value shall not be the only factor in determining appropriateness. It is a measurement produced under a specific test procedure, and should be read alongside the product's declared use classification and the conditions of the space.
No. TCNA states that ramps and inclined surfaces are not addressed by any of A326.3's five product use categories. If a project includes a ramp, ask the manufacturer and contractor how slip performance on that specific surface is being assessed.
Resinous and epoxy flooring is not named among the materials covered in the industry summary of ANSI A326.3's test method, so it is best to ask the manufacturer directly which test method, if any, generated a friction value for a specific epoxy product and what use classification applies.
It should name the specific test method used, state the product's use classification if one applies, note whether the value was measured wet or dry, and confirm the manufacturer's stated conditions of use for that finish. It should also identify who is responsible for providing the current product data sheet before installation begins.
How decorative flake broadcast epoxy and solid-color epoxy compare for commercial floors on slip texture, concealment, cleanability, repair, and look.
How commercial epoxy flooring and polished concrete compare on cost, durability, maintenance, and which one fits your facility.
What OSHA's walking-working surfaces rule requires of employers, what it does not say about flooring products or friction values, and how that shapes floor choice.
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