On-Site
Pendulum Testing.

What the on-site pendulum test measures

The pendulum test is the HSE’s preferred method for measuring slip resistance. A calibrated pendulum arm with a standardised rubber slider swings onto the floor surface, and the deceleration of the slider is converted into a Pendulum Test Value (PTV). A PTV of 36 or above is classified as low slip potential by the UK Slip Resistance Group; below 25 is high slip potential.

Testing is performed in both dry and wet conditions. The wet PTV matters most — the overwhelming majority of UK slip incidents occur on contaminated surfaces, and Scottish weather makes wet testing especially important.

What a typical Scottish site visit looks like

Most Scottish commercial premises can be tested in 2 to 6 hours depending on the number of zones. A retail unit with 4–6 test areas takes half a day; a multi-floor hotel or hospital is typically a full day. We routinely combine multi-site portfolios onto single days to minimise travel cost.

Areas we test most frequently in Scotland

• Entrance zones (first 3 metres from the external door — highest-risk in Scottish wet weather)
• Stair treads, nosings, and landings
• Till and counter transitions
• Wet area approaches (pool decks, shower rooms, changing areas)
• Kitchen and wash-down floors
• External paving, ramps, and walkways
• Loading bays, warehouse floors, forklift routes
• Staff canteens and back-of-house corridors

Working around Scottish operations

For hospitality, retail, and healthcare in Scotland, we regularly work out-of-hours to avoid customer impact — early mornings, evenings, or overnight. Out-of-hours attendance does not carry a surcharge if pre-arranged. Industrial and warehouse sites are typically tested during normal operational hours, sometimes during active wash-down to capture worst-case PTV.

Report turnaround and deliverables

Every on-site visit is followed by a full UKAS-accredited report within 48 hours. The report includes:

• Zone-by-zone PTV values (dry and wet)
• Photographs of each tested area
• UKSRG classification per zone
• Calibration references and equipment traceability
• Engineer qualifications and UKAS schedule number
• Environmental conditions (temperature, humidity)

Reports are suitable for Scottish Sheriff Courts, the Court of Session, HSE enforcement, insurance renewals, and internal compliance records.

Coverage across Scotland

Mainland Scotland is served within 7–14 working days from booking. The Central Belt and North East are our highest-volume regions. Highland and Argyll sites are scheduled with sufficient lead time for efficient travel routing. Orkney, Shetland, and the Western Isles require additional lead time for ferry or flight access — typically 2–3 weeks — but travel costs are always quoted transparently up-front.