Slip-Resistant Floor Marking and Safety Signage

Floor markings organise operations: they separate footpaths from vehicle routes, mark storage areas, indicate hazard points and keep escape routes and fire brigade access clear. Things become critical when the marking itself becomes a slip hazard – smooth painted stripes on a smooth floor are a frequently overlooked risk. Slip-resistant floor marking therefore combines both: clear marking and a safe walking surface.

Marking tape or marking paint?

1. Self-adhesive marking tape: can be used immediately, no drying, no closure time. Ideal for areas that are marked at short notice or changed regularly. Versions that can be removed with minimal residue are available for rented premises and temporary layouts.
2. Marking paint: permanent solution for heavily trafficked areas, bonds firmly to the substrate. Requires preparation, drying time and closing off the area.
3. Slip-resistant gritted marking tape: marks and increases grip at the same time – the right choice on ramps, steps and in wet areas.
4. Prefabricated symbols and shapes: arrows, corners, footprints, circles and pictograms as ready-made cut-outs – quicker and more uniform than painted shapes.
5. Reflective and photoluminescent versions: for dark hall areas, outdoor areas and escape routes.

---

Colours and their meaning

Marking is only effective if it is unambiguous. In Germany, the choice of colours is based on ASR A1.3 (German Technical Rule for Workplaces on safety signs) and the associated standards:

• Yellow and yellow/black: warning of hazard points, edges, obstacles and fall hazards.
• Red: prohibitions and locations of fire protection equipment – these areas must be kept clear.
• Green: escape routes, emergency exits, first aid facilities and safe areas.
• Blue: mandatory actions, e.g. marked areas where protective equipment is required.
• White: general area and route boundaries, parking spaces and organisational markings.
• Other colours can be defined internally for material flow and zones – what matters is that the assignment is documented and consistently adhered to.

---

Floor marking as a tool for work organisation

In warehousing and production, marking is more than a safety measure: it is the visible form of work organisation. If you work according to the 5S principle, it makes the target state recognisable at all times.

• Separation of pedestrian and forklift traffic – the most effective single measure against in-house traffic accidents
• Fixed storage areas for pallets, trolleys, containers and empties
• Keep-clear areas in front of fire extinguishers, control cabinets, emergency exits and first aid stations
• Marked waiting and handover zones at machines and doors
• Visible marking of swing areas, doors and manoeuvring zones
• Marking of height restrictions and narrow points in combination with impact protection

---

Keep slip resistance in mind

• On ramps, steps and in wet areas, the marking should at least match the slip resistance of the surrounding floor.
• Smooth film markings on screed that is already smooth increase the risk – textured or gritted versions are preferable here.
• Slip resistance ratings according to German standard DIN 51130 (R9 to R13) also apply to the marking itself.
• Wide marked areas such as hatching and zebra crossings often lie exactly in the walking line – they need particular attention.
• In outdoor areas , also take frost, moisture and road salt into account.

---

Substrate and installation

1. Clean and degrease the substrate and allow it to dry completely; dust is the most common reason for tapes coming loose.
2. Mark out the route; straight lines and clean corners determine the effect more than the material.
3. Unroll the tape in one go and press it down evenly; cut corners cleanly rather than folding them.
4. Observe the application and substrate temperature; in the cold, adhesive strength builds up only slowly.
5. With paint, carry out pre-treatment according to the system specifications and observe the closure time.
6. Release the area in a controlled manner after installation and keep an eye on the edges during the first few days.

---

Regulations at a glance

• ASR A1.3 – safety and health protection signs.
• ASR A1.8 – traffic routes: widths, marking and separation of traffic types.
• ASR A2.3 – escape routes and emergency exits.
• DIN 4844 – safety marking, design and colours.
• DIN EN ISO 7010 – standardised safety signs.
• DGUV Regulation 68 and DGUV Rule 108-007 – industrial trucks and storage equipment (German Social Accident Insurance).
• German standard DIN 51130 – slip resistance of walking surfaces.

---

Conclusion

Good floor marking explains operations without words: who may walk where, what must be kept clear and where there is danger. If it is slip-resistant, it does not create a new problem elsewhere. Self-adhesive tapes are the most economical choice in most cases – usable immediately, changeable at any time and without downtime.

Frequently asked questions about slip-resistant floor markings

Why should floor marking be slip-resistant?

Smooth marking paints and tapes can be more slippery than the surrounding floor when wet. Slip-resistant versions avoid this effect on walkways, ramps and steps.

Is marking tape suitable for forklift traffic?

There are particularly hard-wearing tapes for forklift and vehicle traffic. Choose the tape to suit the load and the substrate.

How long does it take to mark out a hall?

Self-adhesive tapes can be used immediately after installation. This keeps downtime short. Paints, on the other hand, require drying time.

Related solutions and industries

• Floor marking in warehouses and logistics
• Retrofitting industrial floors to make them non-slip
• Making car parks non-slip and marking them
• Photoluminescent escape route marking
• Non-slip cable mat to prevent trip hazards

Further information: DGUV Information 208-041: Assessment of slip hazards under operating conditions

---

Mark areas clearly and safely

We match colours, materials and slip resistance to your halls, routes and outdoor areas.

• Get free advice – marking concept for halls, warehouses or outdoor areas
• Ready for use immediately – self-adhesive solutions with no drying time
• Make it slip-resistant – marking that does not create a new hazard
• Custom symbols – arrows, pictograms and shapes as ready-made cut-outs

Enquire now – we develop your floor marking from planning to installation.