Anti-slip in stair renovation: what does NEN 7909 mean?

On staircases, anti-slip is not a matter of comfort but of safety: most fall incidents in and around the home happen on the stairs. Yet the term is used differently everywhere — from a rough top layer to a vague promise. For every product for which Omnistair states a standardised slip resistance, one yardstick applies: the Dutch standard NEN 7909 for slip resistance of walking surfaces. In this article we explain how the standard works, which values have been measured and why, deliberately, not every Omnistair product carries the same reference.

How slip resistance is measured

NEN 7909 assesses slip resistance using the dynamic coefficient of friction: the resistance a moving foot experiences on the surface. The standard sets threshold values per situation: a minimum of 0.30 for dry use, 0.40 for wet use and 0.45 for wet areas such as pool surroundings. The higher the measured value, the more grip. It is an objective, repeatable measurement — and thus the difference between "feels grippy" and demonstrable safety.

What has been measured at Omnistair

The anti-slip finish of EverStep Solid — part of the SolidLux UV coating system — has been tested for dynamic friction. The measured dynamic coefficient of friction is above 0.60: well above all NEN 7909 threshold values, including wet use. The same finish — and therefore the same measured performance — applies to GripStep Pro, the professional version of the GripStep line. That is why the fixed wording for these products reads: anti-slip in accordance with NEN 7909. The performance has been tested and documented, and this documentation is available on request.

Why the standard EverStep carries no NEN reference

With the standard EverStep, the anti-slip is not in a coating but in the material itself: the grip comes from the colour pigments and the mineral composition of the surface — real texture, not a layer on top. That works excellently in residential situations, but it is a different approach from a standardised anti-slip finish. Omnistair only claims properties where they have been demonstrated per product; that is why EverStep deliberately carries no NEN reference. Anyone choosing between both approaches for a home is, in practice, choosing between everyday residential use (EverStep) and demonstrable standard performance for heavier requirements (EverStep Solid).

At home: where grip makes the difference

In a home it comes down to recognisable moments: going downstairs in socks, a child on your arm, a pet darting down the staircase, wet feet from the bathroom. A surface with integrated texture provides hold at exactly those moments, without the staircase feeling rough to bare feet. For households that want to add grip immediately without renovation, there is also GripStep Home — self-adhesive and applicable straight away.

Projects: from requirement to proof

For homeowner associations, schools, care institutions and employers, anti-slip is also a liability question. For those who manage a building, a documented slip resistance is valuable: it can be included in a specification, maintenance plan or risk file. The underlying test documentation is available on request for professional parties. All Omnistair claims and their sources can be found in the overview what the Omnistair claims are based on.

Grip should not depend on luck or smooth shoes. With a standardised measurement, documented values and honest product differences, you know exactly what you are choosing. Would you like to see the anti-slip documentation or receive advice for your situation? Contact us via our contact page.