Step Safety Vinyl FAQ's

Listed below are the most frequently asked questions about our Step safety vinyl collection.

I require a slip resistant floor covering, but unsure which Step range is suitable?

Different areas require different slip requirements

Different areas require different slip requirements as outlined by the National Construction Code (NCC) and the HB 197:1999 & HB 198:2014 guides to slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces.

All Forbo floor coverings are tested to the standard AS 4586-2013 slip resistance classification of new pedestrian surface materials, by NATA accredited laboratories and comply with the recommendations of SA HB 197:1999 & HB 198:2014, which, are guides only.

For further information on what to use where, view our handy online slip guide here:
Forbo slip guide: Focus on safety and wellness

What does 'R', 'P' and Class values mean when assessing slip ratings?

Slip resistance for flooring explained:

Forbo has created a unique slip resistant vinyl floorcovering offer that complies with the AS/NZ 4586-2013 slip resistance classification of pedestrian surface materials.

The standard outlines the main test methods based on global best practice to classify and assess the frictional properties of floor surfaces under different conditions and includes the following slip resistance test methods:

AS/NZS 4586-2013 Appendix A
Wet Pendulum Slip Resistance Test (the preferred test method for on-site testing)

AS/NZS 4586-2013 Appendix D
Oil/Wet inclined Ramp Slip Resistance Test

AS/NZS 4586-2013 Appendix C
Wet Barefoot Ramp Slip Resistance Test

For further information on slip resistant vinyl floorcovering, view our handy Forbo slip guide brochure.
Forbo slip guide: Focus on safety and wellness

Where do I find Forbo's slip test reports?

All of our slip test reports are available to download under our downloads section

All of our slip test reports are available to download in our Download centre

or you can download them below:

What's the difference between Forbo's Eternal P3 and Step safety floor P3 slip rating?

For a floor covering to be deemed a safety or slip resistant floor, by definition, it must contain slip resistant particles according to EN 13845 – sustainable slip resistance.

Forbo warrants all Step particle-based safety flooring for the life of the product warranty and onsite performance. Simply specifying any P3 rated floor without particles does not guarantee the floor won’t become slippery once a contaminant is added.

For general “dry” floor areas products like Eternal wood and Marmoleum or non-particle based products, laboratory results are provided, however, on site testing may vary due to the above-mentioned variables and either a slightly lower or even higher result can occur.

For this reason and especially around the P2, P3 rating threshold we guarantee the products will meet a minimum of P2.

Due to the variable requirements of slip ratings across floor areas Forbo provide options for both particle-based safety and general purpose areas in the same colour base and design. These can be used in adjacent areas. The level of slip rating required, and determination of the area will be at the discretion of the end user and certifier.

*Sustainable slip or ‘life long slip rating’ can only be guaranteed with the use of particle based safety products. General purpose sheet floor coverings that achieve P3 or P4 laboratory results, may produce differing results in situ, due to any number of environmental and/or cleaning and maintenance factors.

Is Forbo's Step safety vinyl floor water resistant?

Forbo's complete Step collection is water resistant

Note: Always make sure the floor is welded correctly to ensure no water gets underneath the flooring.

Does Forbo's Step safety floor comply with BCA/NCC C1.10 fire standard?

Yes! In fact ALL of Forbo's flooring products comply

To comply with the latest BCA /NCC C1.10 2019 fire guidelines, that measures the Critical radiant flux (CRF) / Critical heat flux (CHF) and smoke development rate.

The code calls for flooring to comply with a minimum critical radiant flux (CRF) when tested to ISO 9239-1 of between 1.2 and 4.5 kW/m² depending on the area within the building classes.

In addition, in a building not protected by a sprinkler system, must have a maximum smoke development rate of 750%.min. Which all of our ranges comply.

Forbo's Step safety floor achieves a CRF/CHF >8kW/m² and <750%.min smoke development.

You can download our Step safety & Wetroom fire reports below
Surestep & Safestep flooring fire test report

Which products do you recommend for constant wet areas?

For wet areas, it must be tested against AS/NZS 4586-2013 Appendix C Wet Barefoot Ramp Slip Resistance Test

For constant wet areas we recommend using either:
Safestep Aqua or Surestep Laguna which both has a wet barefoot ramp rating. (CLASS rating)

Can I use a strand type mop to clean Safestep flooring?

Surestep, Safestep R11, Safestep R12, Aqua, Laguna vinyl floor coverings offer enhanced and compliant slip resistance due to their surface structure and particles that are embedded throughout the product.

Because of the high friction properties of these floor coverings, normal dry and damp mopping methods are not suitable and correct equipment should be used.

Material strands type mop are not suitable and will shed. Forbo recommends using monofilament or polyester mops.

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