Anti-Slip Surfaces
Four Surface Finishes
The walking surface is a safety specification, not an aesthetic choice. Match the surface to the expected contamination — water, oil, process chemicals, dust.
| Surface | Description | Slip Resistance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concave (dished) | Dished dimples on the top surface | Good dry / moderate wet | General walkways, light contamination |
| Convex (raised) | Raised rounded protrusions | Good dry / moderate wet | Standard industrial platforms |
| Grit-top (silica) | Abrasive silica grit bonded into the top surface | Best wet / oily | Wet, wash-down, marine, food processing, ramps |
| Smooth | Flat, non-textured top | Lowest (clean dry only) | Cleanrooms, food-grade contact, low-hazard dry areas |
Reading COF Performance
What COF Means
Coefficient of friction (COF / slip resistance) is the ratio of friction force to normal force. Higher is safer. ADA/accessibility practice targets a minimum level of COF on level walking surfaces; grit-top materially improves the wet value versus textured moulded surfaces.
Wet vs. Dry
The danger is wet performance — water, oil or process fluid film. A surface that is fine dry can become hazardous wet. In permanent wet or oily service, specify grit-top rather than relying on concave/convex texture.
Which Surface Do You Need?
Always Wet / Wash-Down
Grit-top. Pump stations, wastewater, food and beverage, marine decks.
General Industrial
Concave or convex as standard; upgrade to grit-top where contamination is expected.
Hygienic / Clean
Smooth surface — easy to clean, no grit to trap residue. Use in pharmaceutical and microelectronics areas.
How COF Is Measured and What It Means
Coefficient of friction (COF) measures the ratio of friction force to normal force on a surface. It is reported for dry, wet and sometimes oily conditions, and the number changes with contamination — the reason a single COF value without a condition is meaningless. A surface that achieves 0.5+ dry can fall below 0.3 wet. For walkways in process plants, specify the surface by the contamination you expect: water and washdown, oil and grease, or process chemicals — and require the COF data in the wet (or contaminated) condition, not the dry.
Surface Options Compared
| Surface | Wet / Oily Performance | Typical Service | Maintenance Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grit-top (silica) | Best — bonded grit maintains bite when wet | Wash-down, marine, food, ramps | Grit is bonded at manufacture; no site coating needed |
| Concave (dished) | Good dry / moderate wet | General walkways, light contamination | Self-draining dimples; clean with normal washdown |
| Convex (raised) | Good dry / moderate wet | Standard industrial platforms | Rounded profile; suitable for normal washdown |
| Smooth | Lowest (clean dry only) | Cleanrooms, food contact, low-hazard dry | No texture; keep dry for slip safety |
Selecting the Surface
- Grit-top where water, oil or process chemicals regularly wet the surface — washdown zones, marine decks, ramps, food plants.
- Concave / convex for general industrial walkways with light contamination — the standard process-plant choice.
- Smooth only where hygiene or cleanroom particulate control overrides slip risk — and the surface stays dry.
- Hybrid decks — grit-top stair treads and ramps with standard surfaces on level walkways — match the surface to the local slip risk at minimal cost.
Slip Resistance in Codes and Practice
Many jurisdictions and insurers now expect walkway surfaces to meet a minimum wet COF in process environments, and slip incidents are one of the most frequent insurance claims in wet plants. Because FRP's anti-slip surfaces are manufactured into the panel — grit bonded at production, texture moulded into the laminate — they do not wear off or need site-applied coating renewal like painted anti-slip systems. That is the maintenance argument behind specifying the surface, not just the panel.
Many jurisdictions and insurers now expect walkway surfaces to meet a minimum wet COF in process environments, and slip incidents are one of the most frequent insurance claims in wet plants. Because FRP's anti-slip surfaces are manufactured into the panel — grit bonded at production, texture moulded into the laminate — they do not wear off or need site-applied coating renewal like painted anti-slip systems. That is the maintenance argument behind specifying the surface, not just the panel.Not Sure Which Surface?
Describe your contamination (water, oil, chemical) and we recommend the surface finish.
Source: ZeAllgrate (Fiberglass Grating Manufacturers Council / ACMA) design guidelines; ASTM International; ISO 14122; OSHA 29 CFR 1910. Indicative data for specification guidance only — final design verified by ZeAllgrate engineering against certified load/span charts.