Care home slip testing.
Because a fall is never just a fall.

Care homes have the highest in-facility fall rate of any sector

A resident in a care home is, almost by definition, at elevated fall risk. The combination of age, polypharmacy, cognitive impairment, and (in many homes) reduced staff-to-resident ratios produces a fall rate materially higher than any other care setting. Not every fall is slip-related, but when one is, the contribution of the floor is squarely relevant to the claim analysis.

Care home group operators — particularly post-Southern Cross and post-Four Seasons — face a rigorous due-diligence environment from landlords, lenders, CQC and regional safeguarding teams. UKAS accredited pendulum documentation is increasingly a standard part of due-diligence packs.

The residential care environments we test

Resident bedrooms and en-suites

Small floor area, high-risk demographic, frequent wet contamination at the en-suite threshold. Barefoot testing with Slider 55 is appropriate for the en-suite; shod Slider 96 for the bedroom.

Communal lounges and dining rooms

The highest-footfall communal areas. Carpet remains common in lounges — carpet is not pendulum-tested in the standard way. Hard-floor dining rooms are typical targets: vinyl, LVT and occasional laminate.

Corridors

The spine of most care homes. Vinyl sheet is dominant. Cleaning regime has the largest single impact on in-service PTV — surfactant-rich products are the common culprit for reduced slip resistance.

Dementia-specific care units

Dementia-friendly flooring uses contrast and pattern as wayfinding tools; the visual dimension can sometimes compete with the slip dimension. Pendulum testing verifies the selected product delivers both.

Kitchens and servery areas

Commercial kitchen protocols apply (grease-contaminated testing). Servery hatches and trolley routes have specific risk profiles.

Laundry and back-of-house

Wet laundry rooms, linen stores and staff corridors. Employer's liability exposure.

Entrance lobbies and reception

First point of entry for visitors. Entrance-mat design and wet-weather performance are the standard concerns.

External ramps and gardens

Disabled-access ramps, garden paths, patio areas used by residents. Seasonal weather exposure; algae and leaf mould are the common issues.

CQC, Regulation 12 and the evidence hierarchy

The CQC fundamental standards under Regulation 12 — Safe care and treatment require that risks to service users are assessed and mitigated. A care home's Slips, Trips and Falls policy must be backed by evidence that controls are in place and effective. A documented UKAS accredited pendulum survey, reviewed at policy cycle, is the most defensible single piece of environmental-safety evidence a care home can commission.

Inspection findings since 2022 show inspectors asking specifically about the evidence underpinning falls prevention — not just the policy text. The pendulum report answers the "how do you know?" question directly.

Care home PTV considerations