P3 vs P4 Slip Ratings For Aged Care: Which is Better?

Slip Ratings In Aged Care Facilities: P3 Vs P4

Slips and falls are the leading cause of hospitalisation among older Australians, so slip resistance is crucial in aged care. To ensure aged care floor safety, slip ratings serve as a benchmark for measuring the traction of a floor's surface. 

In Australia, the recognised slip ratings are: P ratings from the Wet Pendulum Test and R ratings from the Oil-Ramp Wet Test. P3 and P4 ratings are recommended for pedestrian safety in aged care. 

Slip ratings are crucial for proactive risk management, as they provide a standardized method for identifying hazards, selecting anti-slip materials, and reducing slip and fall liability in aged care environments. 

However, because P3 and P4 are both considered suitable for aged care floor safety, there is often confusion about which to choose. In this guide, you'll learn the factors to consider, as well as their roles in slip resistance compliance. 

Key Takeaways 

• Senior residents at aged care facilities are at a high risk of slips and falls
• Higher slip ratings are not always better and can affect resident mobility
• P3 slip ratings are good for bathroom floors and other indoor areas exposed to controlled moisture
• P4 slip ratings are best for outdoor, high-risk areas exposed to frequent wetness
• Site-specific risk assessments help managers select the best, compliant slip ratings

Understanding P3 vs P4 Slip Ratings 

The Wet Pendulum Test is a recognised on-site or laboratory method for measuring the slip resistance of a floor surface. It is recommended for areas prone to liquid spills or rainwater, such as kitchens and balconies. 

Conducted according to the AS 4586:2013 standard for classifying the slip resistance of new pedestrian surface materials, the test uses a swinging rubber slider to measure the friction on a wet surface. Results are expressed as P ratings and grouped into five categories: P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5; in increasing order of slip resistance. 

These ratings demonstrate AS 4586 compliance, confirming that surfaces have been tested and classified using the Wet Pendulum Test in line with Australian slip resistance standards. 

What are P3 and P4 Slip Ratings? 

A P3-rated surface has a pendulum test value between 35 and 44 and provides moderate slip resistance. It has just enough texture to improve traction without making cleaning difficult. P3 ratings are commonly specified for indoor areas that are exposed to controlled amounts of moisture, such as toilets, bathrooms, changing rooms, and undercover car parks. 

A P4-rated surface is more textured with a considerably higher anti-slip capacity. These surfaces are required in areas where floors are frequently exposed to ongoing moisture. These include serving areas behind bars, and external pedestrian areas; footpaths and sloping driveways. 

Key Differences between P3 and P4 slip ratings 

P3 and P4 slip ratings differ in traction, texture, and surface performance. 

1. Traction 

P4 surfaces provide higher slip resistance and grip, even in areas with constant moisture exposure and on frequently-cleaned surfaces.

2. Texture 

P3 has a less textured surface that ensures cleaning and maintenance is still easy while ensuring slip protection. P4 surfaces, on the other hand, are typically coarser, hindering cleaning and movement. 

3. Surface Performance

The belief that higher ratings are always better is a common misconception, because surface performance depends on whether you use each slip rating in the right conditions. P3 performs well in areas with moderate wetness, while P4 ratings are better for areas with frequent exposure. 

For P3 and P4 ratings, these unique differences determine where they function best.

Applications of P3 vs P4 in Aged Care Facilities 

Source; elderly residents with mobility aids holding up balls at an aged care facility 

Aged care facilities house some of the most vulnerable people in the country, which is why they must use slip-resistant flooring to prevent slips and falls. You will need different slip-resistance ratings for different areas of the facility, depending on how spaces are used and the existing risk hazards. 

1. Where P3 is Recommended

In aged care facilities, P3 is recommended in internal areas exposed to water. It is considered the minimum acceptable standard for senior bathroom safety, as it provides sufficient traction for bare feet on floors. It supports comfortable movement for residents and is easy to clean. 

2. Where P4 is Recommended

P4 ratings are more suited to outdoor, high-risk zones, including wet, transitional, or sloped areas. In aged care facilities, you'll need P4 ratings for external ramps, walkways, and entry exposed to rain. In these locations, frequent wetness requires higher slip resistance. 

Downsides of Using P4 in Resident Areas 

However, because P4 surfaces are more textured than P3, using them in resident areas such as homes and aged care facilities has some demerits. These include: 

• Drag on Mobility Aids: The coarse surface of P4 surfaces increases sliding resistance for mobility aids such as walkers and wheelchairs, so movement may become difficult for residents of aged care facilities.
• Cleaning Challenges: P4-rated floors are difficult to clean because dirt can seep into the tiny crevices of the highly textured surfaces. They require stronger cleaning methods to reach the acceptable hygiene standards and maintain their appearance.
• Staff Fatigue: The surface texture and slip resistance require staff to apply more force when cleaning and pushing equipment such as beds and mobility aids. 

Over time, P4 surfaces in residential areas lead to higher maintenance costs and greater difficulty keeping residents safe. 

Further Reading: Is Vinyl Flooring Safe for Aged Care Facilities?

P3 vs P4 Slip Ratings: Making a Choice for Compliance 

Since slip ratings measure the level of slip resistance in a facility, they automatically determine the level of aged care safety compliance in that facility. 

How Slip Ratings Affect Aged Care Safety Compliance

In Australia, aged care providers are required to adhere to the Aged Care Act 2024, the Aged Care Quality Standards, and the Aged Care Code of Conduct.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) monitors the safety and well-being of people receiving aged care services. The commission uses Star Ratings, a risk-based supervision model that assesses compliance in residential aged care homes and identifies areas requiring closer regulatory monitoring.

During audits, providers are expected to demonstrate clear documentation, including flooring specifications, slip-resistance test results, and other evidence that the aged care provider conforms to the Aged Care Quality Standards. This is to evaluate their systems for delivering care.

Further Reading: The Complete Guide to Slip Resistance Compliance for Commercial Facilities

Selecting the Right Slip Rating

The most efficient method for selecting the appropriate slip rating for an aged care facility is site-specific risk assessment. These structured evaluations assess how each space is used and the risk it poses to residents.

For example, Stellmann takes a comprehensive approach to consultation:

• First, a thorough site assessment to identify unique hazards
• Slip rating recommendation for safety and compliance
• Professional installation

FAQs

Q1: Will cleaning products affect the slip resistance?

Answer: 

No. Our coating is chemically resistant. Standard commercial cleaning products won't degrade slip performance. Use pH-neutral cleaners and avoid oil-based polishes.

Q2: Do I need to shut down during application?

Answer: 

No. We offer minimal disruption installation by working during after hours or on weekends. Cure time is 8-12 hours depending on temperature and humidity. Most facilities stay operational.

Q3: What surfaces can you treat?

Answer:

Tile (ceramic, porcelain, glazed), concrete, natural stone (granite, marble, terrazzo), vinyl, timber, metal, glass. We've successfully treated just about every commercial flooring type.

Conclusion

Choosing between p3 vs p4 slip ratings is more than simply deferring to the higher slip rating. There is a method to it — first, you consider the target environment, its residents, and AS 4586 slip resistance compliance requirements.

P3 does well in indoor areas of aged care facilities with controlled exposure to moisture, whereas P4 is better suited to outdoor zones where ongoing moisture exposure increases risk hazards. To determine whether these areas of your facility are due for a slip resistance upgrade, you'll need site-specific risk assessments. 

At Stellmann, we offer certified non-slip bathroom coatings and audit-ready documentation to help aged care facility managers balance their standard of care with compliance.