The Portable Skid Resistance Tester, commonly known as the Pendulum Tester, is the industry-standard instrument for measuring slip resistance on road, pavement, flooring, and other pedestrian surfaces. It provides a simple, reliable, and repeatable method of assessing surface friction to help reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Widely used for both preventative safety assessments and post-incident investigations, the tester enables accurate evaluation of skid resistance across a wide range of surface materials and conditions.
Ideal for health and safety professionals, testing laboratories, highway authorities, local councils, flooring manufacturers, facility managers, leisure centres, maintenance contractors, and expert witnesses.
Key Features
- Portable and easy to transport for field or laboratory testing
- Direct measurement of Pendulum Test Value (PTV)
- Suitable for roads, pavements, floor coverings, tiles, and other surfaces
- Manufactured and assembled in the United Kingdom
- Complies with major international testing standards
- Available with Factory Calibration Certificate or UKAS Accredited Calibration Certificate
- Backed by a 3-year manufacturer warranty
Standards Compliance
The Portable Skid Resistance Tester complies with the following international standards:
- BS EN 16165:2021 Annex C
- BS EN 13036-4:2011
- BS 7976-1:2002+A1:2013
- BS EN 1097-8:2020
- BS 812-114:1989
- ASTM E303-93:2018
- AS/NZS 4586:2013
- AS/NZS 4663:2013
UKAS-accredited calibration certification is available, providing independent verification of instrument performance and enhanced confidence in testing results.
Standard Accessories Included
Each Portable Skid Resistance Tester is supplied complete with:
- Perspex Setting Gauge
- Tool Wallet
- Thermometer
- Water Bottle
Additional accessories are available separately, including:
- Rubber Sliders
- Conditioning and Verification Surfaces
- Aluminium Sample Holder
- Spreader Feet
- Detachable (F) Scale
- Base Plate for Curved PSV Specimens
Transport & Storage Options
Flight Case (Optional)
For maximum protection and portability, an optional heavy-duty flight case is available. The case features a fully fitted interior and multi-directional wheels for easy transportation and secure storage.
Transit Carton
Units supplied without the flight case are shipped in a fitted, foam-lined export carton designed to protect the instrument during transit.
How the Pendulum Tester Works
The Portable Skid Resistance Tester operates using the proven Izod Pendulum Principle. A pendulum arm fitted with a standardised rubber slider is released from a fixed height and swings across the test surface at a controlled velocity.
As the rubber slider passes over the surface, friction reduces the pendulum's energy. The resulting loss of swing is measured and displayed directly as the Pendulum Test Value (PTV), providing an indication of the surface's slip resistance.
Higher PTV values indicate greater friction and improved slip resistance, while lower values may indicate an increased risk of slipping.
Calibration Options
Available with either:
- Factory Calibration Certificate
- UKAS Accredited Calibration Certificate
UKAS accreditation provides independent confirmation of calibration accuracy and traceability, supporting quality assurance and compliance requirements.
Intelligent Pendulum Option
A digital version of the Pendulum Tester is also available. The Intelligent Pendulum incorporates electronic measurement and data capture capabilities while maintaining compliance with recognised skid resistance testing standards.
Warranty
The Portable Skid Resistance Tester is supplied with a comprehensive 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty.
Available Configurations
Container Options
- Flight Case
- Transit Box
Certification Options
- Factory Calibration Certificate
- UKAS Accredited Calibration Certificate