Slip Resistance in Barefoot and Wet Areas

In barefoot areas different rules apply. The slip resistance ratings R9 to R13, which apply to work areas where footwear is worn, do not apply here: bare, wet skin behaves completely differently on a surface than a shoe sole. Instead, the decisive standard is German standard DIN 51097 (ramp test, barefoot areas) with classes A, B and C. Anyone who wants to make swimming pools, showers, changing rooms or sanitary areas safe must keep the two systems apart.

Classes for wet barefoot areas

Testing is carried out on an inclined ramp with a test person, a wetted surface and a wetting agent. The angle of inclination reached determines the class.

• Class A – from approx. 12° angle of inclination. For areas that are mainly walked on dry: barefoot corridors in dry areas, changing rooms, sauna anterooms.
• Class B – from approx. 18°. For mainly wet surfaces: shower rooms, pool surrounds, wading pools, pool floors in non-swimmer areas.
• Class C – from approx. 24°. For particularly critical areas: sloping pool edges, entries into the water, steps in the water, steeply inclined surfaces.

A class C surface automatically meets the requirements of B and A as well. The reverse does not apply – a class A surface is not sufficient in a shower room.

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Why wet areas are so prone to accidents

• A film of water between foot and floor acts like a lubricant – only a sufficient surface structure breaks through it.
• Soap, shower gel, shampoo and skin oils further reduce friction and build up in the structure.
• People often move barefoot quickly, inattentively and without anything firm to hold on to nearby – handrails are often missing.
• Limescale and biofilms form unnoticed and render even standard-compliant surfaces ineffective.
• Tiles with high water absorption and glossy glazes look clean, but are particularly critical when wet.

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Solutions for existing surfaces

New buildings can be planned with standard-compliant flooring from the outset. For existing surfaces – and this is the more common case – there are several ways to add slip resistance retrospectively.

1. Anti-slip coverings for barefoot areas: self-adhesive strips and cut-to-size pieces with a soft, grit-free structure. They grip reliably without injuring the skin – coarse-grit industrial coverings are expressly unsuitable here.
2. Transparent anti-slip treatment: a chemical process that modifies the microstructure of the tile surface and increases grip when wet, without changing its appearance.
3. Slip-resistant coatings: full-surface systems with a finely tuned structure, suitable for larger continuous areas.
4. Mats and duckboards for wet areas: open, easy-to-clean structures allowing water to drain underneath – proven in shower corridors and changing rooms.
5. Anti-slip strips at critical points: targeted at steps, entries and ramps where the overall surface is adequate.

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Typical areas of use

• Swimming pools, outdoor pools, therapy and hotel pools: pool surrounds, entries, starting areas
• Shower rooms and changing rooms in companies, sports facilities and clubhouses
• Sauna and wellness areas including relaxation zones and plunge pools
• Sanitary areas in care facilities, clinics and senior living accommodation
• Barrier-free bathrooms and level-access showers in private homes
• Campsites, indoor swimming pools and public sanitary facilities
• Food businesses with wet cleaning where people sometimes work barefoot or in sandals

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Hygiene and cleaning – the second part of safety

A slip-resistant surface can only work if its structure remains open. In wet areas, the surface and the cleaning concept are therefore inseparable.

• Avoid cleaning agents with film-forming components – over time they clog the structure.
• Remove limescale regularly; limescale gradually makes the surface smoother.
• Clean mechanically, don’t just mop – use a brush or scrubber-dryer instead of a flat mop.
• Include joints and edges – this is where biofilms form first.
• Choose coverings that can be bonded over the full surface so that no water collects underneath.
• Allow sufficient drying time after cleaning before reopening the area.

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Regulations at a glance

• German standard DIN 51097 (ramp test, barefoot areas) – test method and classes A, B, C for wet barefoot areas.
• DGUV Rule 107-001 – operation of swimming pools, including requirements for floor coverings and their maintenance (German Social Accident Insurance).
• DIN EN 13451 – safety requirements for swimming pool equipment and fittings.
• ASR A1.5 – floors in workplaces (German Technical Rule for Workplaces), also for staff in bathing and sanitary areas.
• DIN EN 16165:2023 – overview of methods for determining slip resistance, including barefoot testing (German edition of European standard EN 16165).

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Selection guide

1. Is the area used barefoot, with shoes or both? With mixed use, both ratings must be considered.
2. Is the surface permanently wet, occasionally wet or mainly dry?
3. How steep is the incline – ramps and pool edges need a higher class.
4. Which cleaning methods and agents are used?
5. Must the appearance be preserved, e.g. for listed or design-sensitive surfaces?
6. Should the solution be permanent or temporary, e.g. in a rented property?
7. Are there areas with particularly vulnerable people, e.g. in care and therapy? See also our anti-slip solutions for older people.

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Conclusion

In barefoot and wet areas, it is not the R-rating that counts but the class under DIN 51097. Anyone retrofitting existing surfaces needs solutions that grip when wet and soapy, are kind to the skin and can be cleaned hygienically. With the right combination of covering, treatment and cleaning concept, the required level can be reliably achieved even retrospectively.

Frequently asked questions about slip-resistant barefoot and wet areas

Which class applies to showers and pool surrounds?

Barefoot areas are divided into classes A, B and C. C is the highest requirement, e.g. for sloping pool edges or steps into the water. Please refer to the regulations and your risk assessment for the exact classification.

Does R9–R13 also apply to barefoot areas?

No. R9 to R13 describe slip resistance for areas where shoes are worn. Barefoot areas have their own classification into A, B and C.

How does a slip-resistant wet area stay hygienic?

Choose materials that are easy to clean and allow water to drain away. Clean regularly to remove soap residues and limescale, and avoid film-forming agents.

Related solutions and industries

• Wet areas in hospitals and care homes
• Anti-slip treatment for tiles
• barefoot-friendly non-slip flooring
• non-slip decks in shipbuilding
• Slip resistance and standards at a glance

Further information: DGUV Information 207-006: Floor coverings for wet barefoot areas

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Make wet areas safe

• Get free advice – determine the required class A, B or C
• Choose the right solution – covering, treatment or coating, depending on the substrate
• Make it skin-friendly – structures that grip bare feet without causing injury
• Plan the cleaning concept – so that slip resistance is maintained permanently

Send an enquiry now – we will assess your wet area and recommend the right solution.