Understanding ANSI A326.3 Product Use Classifications – And When to Use the Right Tool for the Job

ByClaudius Nan

The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) recently updated the ANSI A326.3 standard with a new five-category product use classification system, offering clearer guidance on where specific hard surface flooring products should be used based on their dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) ratings.

This revision, released February 2, 2022, is the result of years of research and industry collaboration, and represents a step forward in helping manufacturers and specifiers align products with appropriate applications. A free digital copy of the standard is available at TCNAtile.com.

Each category corresponds to a recommended minimum wet DCOF value, tested with a BOT-3000E tribometer using SLS (slightly soapy water) as the test fluid.

  • Interior, Dry (ID)

    • [DCOF 0.42 or greater]

    • Possible Areas of Use: Shopping malls, hotel lobbies, office buildings, showrooms, home interiors without water sources.

  • Interior, Wet (IW)

    • [DCOF 0.42 or greater]

    • Possible Areas of Use: Entry Foyers, Public Restrooms, Grocery Stores, Front of House of Restaurants. Any area that can be walked upon with wet shoes.

  • Interior, Wet Plus (IW+)

    • [DCOF 0.50 or greater]

    • Possible Areas of Use: Public Showers, Interior Pool Decks, Locker Rooms, Covered Exterior Areas, Steam Rooms.

  • Exterior, Wet (EW)

    • [DCOF 0.55 or greater]

    • Possible Areas of Use: Level Outdoor Living Spaces, Pool Decks, Walkways, Patios and Sidewalks.

  • Oils/Greases (O/G)

    • [DCOF 0.55 or greater]

    • Possible Areas of Use: Areas regularly exposed to automotive fluids, back of the house fast food or family style restaurants where oil, grease and fats may be present.

The BOT-3000E is the designated device for testing flooring products under laboratory-controlled conditions in accordance with ANSI A326.3. It’s an effective tool for:

  • Verifying manufacturer product classifications.

  • Documenting DCOF values for flooring selection.

  • Monitoring floor surface consistency over time (especially after installation, cleaning, or resurfacing).

Walkway Management is fully certified to perform BOT-3000E testing and can help validate whether your chosen flooring materials are properly classified and performing within expected tolerances.

Real-World Safety Assessment: Use the Pendulum

While ANSI A326.3 classifications offer valuable product guidance, floor safety in actual environments — especially under wet or contaminated conditions — is best evaluated using the Pendulum Slip Tester (ASTM E303).

The Pendulum:

  • Simulates a human heel strike on wet or dry surfaces.

  • Is widely used by risk assessors, forensic experts, insurance investigators, and legal professionals.

  • Provides a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) score, with 36+ indicating low slip potential in wet conditions.

For environments like pool decks, kitchens, ramps, and exterior walkways, the Pendulum Test is the best method for evaluating real-world wet and contaminated slip potential. A result supports a risk decision; it does not guarantee that no one will slip.

The Smart Approach

  • Use the Pendulum Slip Tester to evaluate actual slip risk on site.

  • Use the BOT-3000E to track consistency and verify product classifications.

Use both. Each tool answers a different question.

Ready to Test?

Whether you need to verify ANSI A326.3 classifications or conduct a full slip risk assessment, our team at Walkway Management can help. Reach out here to schedule testing or learn more.

Remember: Safe floors aren’t a guess. They’re a measurement.

Get a free quote or call 1-833-DIAL-WMG to have your floors tested.

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