BS 8445:2012

This standard BS 8445:2012 Bath and shower mats. Testing. Assessment of slip resistance properties is classified in these ICS categories:

• 91.140.70 Sanitary installations
• 97.180 Miscellaneous domestic and commercial equipment

This British Standard specifies the classification (according to slip characteristics), test methods, marking and instructions for bath and shower mats intended for use inside bath or shower trays during bathing or showering.

It is applicable to bath and shower mats used in the domestic, self-catering and hotel environment, where the surfaces of the baths or shower trays are made from standard construction materials including acrylic, enamel and porcelain.

The use of bath and shower mats in hospitals and care home environments is outside the scope of this standard.

The British Standard is applicable to mats that may or may not incorporate suction cups in their bases. The methods of assessment specified are designed to test two modes of slip failure, i.e. foot slippage and mat slippage, with failure occurring irrespective of the mat material, design and overall construction.

The mats covered by this British Standard are not designed for use on profiled textured surfaces. The standard also covers mats containing additional features (e.g. foot massagers, pillows).

Very small padded surfaces that do not meet the dimensional requirements of 5.1, e.g. splats, are not considered to be mats and are therefore outside the scope of this standard.