DIN 51130 2023-03 PDF

Full title and description

STB DIN 51130 2023-03 — Determination of the slip resistance of footwear on a covered walking surface; classification of anti-slip properties (R-rating) using a ramp test (rubber sole test). This document provides the method and classification system used to assess the slip resistance of work footwear and safety shoes by measuring the angle at which a test person or specimen slips on a contaminated, inclined ramp surface.

Abstract

DIN 51130 specifies a laboratory ramp test procedure to evaluate the slip resistance of footwear soles on a prepared surface under defined conditions. The test determines the critical angle at which slipping occurs and assigns an R-classification (R9 to R13) that indicates increasing levels of slip resistance. The 2023-03 edition aligns procedural details, test conditions, and classification thresholds for current footwear safety assessment and procurement requirements.

General information

• Status: Published / Current national adoption (STB adoption of DIN 51130:2023-03)
• Publication date: 2023-03
• Publisher: National standards body adopting DIN (STB) based on DIN 51130
• ICS / categories: 13.340 (Personal protective equipment); 11.020 (Road and airfield engineering — Surface characteristics) — slip resistance testing
• Edition / version: 2023-03 edition (adoption of DIN 51130)
• Number of pages: Typically 8–16 pages (depends on national adoption text) — actual page count may vary for the STB published version

Scope

This standard defines a reproducible method for assessing the slip resistance of footwear soles under wet and contaminated conditions using an instrumented inclined ramp. It covers the apparatus, test surface preparation, contamination and temperature conditions, test procedure (including number of test steps and specimens), evaluation of test results and assignment of R classes (R9 to R13). The standard is intended for use in quality control, conformity assessment, procurement, and marking of safety footwear where floor-slip interaction is a concern. It does not address slip resistance of flooring products themselves or dynamic human gait analysis beyond the ramp test protocol.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and purpose of the ramp (inclined plane) test for footwear slip resistance.
• Specifications for test apparatus: ramp dimensions, surface materials and roughness, angle adjustment and measurement accuracy.
• Preparation of test specimens and conditioning (including pre-cleaning and climatic conditions).
• Contamination procedure: types of contaminant (e.g., diluted soap solution or oil), application method and volume, and temperature control.
• Test procedure: number of specimens and repetitions, incremental angle increase, and determination of the critical slipping angle.
• Classification of results into R-ratings (R9–R13) based on ranges of the critical angle.
• Reporting requirements: test conditions, specimen description, measured angles, classification and any deviations from standard procedure.
• Limitations and intended use: interpretation for workplace footwear selection and comparative testing only.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers and testers of safety and work footwear use this standard for product development, internal quality control and to support claims about slip resistance. Procurement officers and safety managers use R-classifications to specify footwear for workplaces with slip hazards (e.g., kitchens, food-processing, construction). Certification bodies and laboratories apply the method for conformity testing and marking. Occupational safety professionals consult the standard to align footwear selection with workplace risk assessments.

Related standards

DIN 51130 is commonly used alongside other slip-resistance and footwear standards, including tests for floor slipperiness and footwear sole properties. Related standards include ramp and walkway tests for flooring, footwear impact and sole abrasion tests, and international equivalents or complementary methods for slip resistance assessment and protective footwear (e.g., methods that characterize floor slip resistance, alternative footwear gait tests, and national adaptations of DIN 51130).

Keywords

DIN 51130, ramp test, slip resistance, footwear testing, R-rating, safety footwear, work shoes, inclined plane, contamination, anti-slip classification

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: STB DIN 51130 2023-03 is the national adoption of DIN 51130 (2023) specifying a ramp (inclined plane) test and an R-classification system for the slip resistance of footwear soles.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers apparatus, specimen preparation, contamination and environmental conditions, test procedure to determine the critical slip angle, classification of results into R9–R13 categories, and reporting requirements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Footwear manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, certification bodies, safety officers, procurement professionals and occupational health specialists who need to assess or specify slip-resistant footwear.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document indicated here is the 2023-03 edition; it is presented as the current adopted version at the time of publication. Users should check with the national standards body for any subsequent revisions or amendments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. DIN 51130 is part of a family of standards addressing footwear safety and slip resistance testing and is often referenced alongside other national and international methods for assessing flooring slip resistance and protective footwear performance.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Ramp test, slip resistance, R-classification, footwear testing, safety shoes, inclined plane, contaminant, critical angle.