Certification and Registration
EN 13893 Friction Coefficient Testing for Floor Covering Materials
Category:
Slip Resistance
EN 13893 Standard Description
EN 13893 Resilient ， laminate and textile floor coverings - Measurement of dynamic coefficient of friction on dry floor surfaces
EN 13893 Standard Introduction
Resilient, laminate and textile floor coverings are widely used in various applications. In high-traffic public areas such as schools, shopping centers, and hospitals, slip resistance is critical for ensuring safety. EN 13893 is a European standard used to measure the dynamic coefficient of friction of resilient, laminate, and textile floor coverings on dry surfaces. The test results are used to evaluate slip resistance performance and reduce the risk of slip-related injuries.
EN 13893 Scope of Application
EN 13893 applies to resilient, laminate, and textile floor coverings intended for pedestrian use with footwear.
◎Resilient floor coverings: PVC, rubber and vinyl flooring
◎Laminate floor coverings: Wood-based composite flooring, HDF or MDF panels
◎Textile floor coverings: Carpets, felt and similar materials
EN 13893 Test Method
EN 13893 uses a specified slider with defined dimensions and material properties. The loaded slider is pulled across the floor covering surface at a constant speed. The horizontal force required to move the slider is measured, and the dynamic coefficient of friction is calculated by dividing the horizontal force by the vertical loading force.
Sample Preparation:
◎Test specimens should be approximately 100 cm × 50 cm and tested in both the machine direction and cross direction.
◎Condition the specimens for 24 hours at 23°C and 50% relative humidity.
◎For resilient and laminate floor coverings, clean the surface with a dry cotton cloth without using cleaning agents. For textile floor coverings, remove dust and loose fibers using a brush.
Slider Preparation:
The slider surface shall be evenly abraded using No. 60 abrasive paper, followed by finishing with No. 320 abrasive paper to ensure a smooth surface. Remove any dust from the slider. The slider shall be reconditioned after testing each group of five specimens.
Test Procedure:
Place the specimen on the test device and ensure it is flat and securely fixed. Pull the slider across the surface at a constant speed, using a new track for each measurement. The first two measurements are conditioning runs and are not included in the results. Measurements from the 3rd, 4th and 5th runs are recorded. The friction force is measured over a sliding distance of 0.30 m and the average value is calculated.
EN 13893 Evaluation Criteria
EN 13893 evaluates slip resistance based on the dynamic coefficient of friction (μ). The calculation formula is:
Note:
μ = Dynamic coefficient of friction
F = Horizontal friction force (N)
M = Vertical loading force (N)
The coefficient of friction values from the 3rd, 4th and 5th measurements are calculated, and the lowest mean value is reported as the final result. A higher coefficient of friction (higher μ) indicates better slip resistance and is suitable for areas requiring higher safety levels. A lower coefficient of friction (lower μ) indicates a more slippery surface and may require additional slip-resistant measures.
SATISFY has a professional technical team specializing in building material testing, with testing capabilities covering European, British, American, Chinese and Australian standards. We provide comprehensive testing services, including technical consultation, standard interpretation, sample testing, report review, data analysis and product improvement recommendations. For more information, please contact SATISFY.
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