Slip Resistance in Barefoot and Wet Areas

Slip-resistant barefoot areas follow their own rules. The R9 to R13 ratings that apply to work areas where footwear is worn cannot be used here: bare, wet skin behaves completely differently on a surface than a shoe sole does. Instead, the relevant standard is the German DIN 51097 with classes A, B and C. Anyone who wants to make swimming pools, showers, changing rooms or washrooms safe needs to keep the two systems apart.

Slip resistance classes for wet barefoot areas

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

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

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

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Why wet areas are so accident-prone

• A film of water between foot and floor acts like a lubricant – only an adequate surface texture breaks through it.
• Soap, shower gel, shampoo and skin oils reduce friction further and build up in the surface texture.
• People often move quickly and carelessly when barefoot, with nothing solid to hold on to – handrails are frequently missing.
• Limescale and biofilm form unnoticed and can render even compliant surfaces ineffective.
• Tiles with high water absorption and a glossy glaze look clean but are particularly hazardous when wet.

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Solutions for existing wet room floors

New builds can be planned with compliant surfaces from the outset. For existing floors – by far the more common case – there are several ways to add slip resistance retrospectively.

1. Anti-slip flooring for barefoot areas: self-adhesive rolls and cut-to-size pieces with a soft, grit-free texture. They grip reliably without hurting the skin – coarse-grit industrial products are explicitly unsuitable here.
2. Clear anti-slip treatment: a chemical process that alters the microstructure of the tile surface and increases grip when wet, without changing its appearance.
3. Anti-slip coatings: systems applied over the whole surface with a finely tuned texture, suitable for larger continuous areas.
4. Non-slip mats and duckboards for wet areas: open, easy-to-clean structures that let water drain underneath – proven in shower corridors and changing rooms.
5. Anti-slip strips at critical points: targeted at steps, entries and ramps where the rest of the surface is adequate.

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Typical applications

• Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hydrotherapy and hotel pools: pool surrounds, entries, starting areas
• Shower rooms and changing rooms in workplaces, sports facilities and clubhouses
• Sauna and spa areas, including relaxation zones and plunge pools
• Washrooms in care homes, hospitals and sheltered housing
• Accessible bathrooms and level-access showers in private homes
• Campsites, leisure centres and public washroom facilities
• Food businesses with wet cleaning where staff sometimes work barefoot or in sandals

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Hygiene and cleaning – the other half of safety

Slip-resistant barefoot areas only stay safe if the surface texture remains open. In wet areas, the floor surface and the cleaning regime are therefore inseparable.

• Avoid cleaning agents with film-forming ingredients – over time they clog the texture.
• Remove limescale regularly; limescale gradually smooths the surface.
• Clean mechanically, not just by mopping – use a brush or scrubber-dryer instead of a flat mop.
• Include joints and edges, as this is where biofilm forms first.
• Choose surfaces that can be fully bonded so that no water collects underneath.
• Allow the floor to dry sufficiently after cleaning before reopening the area.

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Standards and regulations at a glance

• DIN 51097 – German test method and classes A, B, C for wet barefoot areas.
• DGUV Regel 107-001 – German accident insurance rule on operating swimming pools, including requirements for floor surfaces and their maintenance.
• DIN EN 13451 – safety requirements for swimming pool equipment and fittings.
• ASR A1.5 – German workplace rule on floors, which also covers staff in pool and washroom areas.
• DIN EN 16165:2023 – overview of methods for determining slip resistance, including barefoot testing.

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Selection guide

1. Is the area used barefoot, with shoes or both? With mixed use, both ratings need to be considered.
2. Is the surface permanently wet, occasionally wet or mostly dry?
3. How steep is the slope? Ramps and pool edges need a higher class.
4. Which cleaning methods and agents are used?
5. Does the appearance need to be preserved, for example in listed buildings or design-led interiors?
6. Should the solution be permanent or temporary, for example in a rented property?
7. Are there areas used by particularly vulnerable people, for example in care and therapy settings? 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. Retrofitting existing floors calls for solutions that grip when wet and soapy, are kind to skin and can be cleaned hygienically. With the right combination of surface, treatment and cleaning regime, slip-resistant barefoot areas can be achieved reliably even after the event.

FAQ: Slip-Resistant Barefoot Areas and Wet Areas

Which slip resistance class applies to showers and pool surrounds?

Usually Class B, as shower rooms and pool surrounds are mostly wet surfaces. Class C is the highest requirement, for example for sloping pool edges or steps into the water. The exact classification follows from the relevant regulations and your risk assessment.

Do R9–R13 ratings 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 under DIN 51097.

How does a slip-resistant wet area stay hygienic?

With easy-to-clean materials that let water drain away and a regular cleaning regime: remove soap residue and limescale, and avoid film-forming products.

Related solutions and sectors

• 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 reading (in German): DGUV Information 207-006: floor coverings for wet barefoot areas

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Creating slip-resistant barefoot areas

• Get free advice – determine the required class A, B or C
• Choose the right solution – surface, treatment or coating, depending on the substrate
• Keep it kind to skin – textures that grip barefoot without causing injury
• Plan the cleaning regime – so that slip resistance is maintained long term

Enquire now – we will assess your wet area and recommend the right solution.