Short answer: No single statewide slip number applies to every commercial floor in Florida. The industry reference is ANSI A326.3, which sorts tile into use categories. Interior wet areas need a wet DCOF of 0.42 or higher. For wet-plus and exterior wet areas, the standard relies on the manufacturer's declaration, with 0.50 and 0.55 used as the generally accepted minimums. Those two figures come from manufacturer summaries of ANSI A326.3 (Creative Materials Corp.'s A326.3 technical bulletin and Florida Tile's product use classifications), not from the standard's own table. The 0.42 figure is from ANSI A326.3 itself, as published by TCNA.
ANSI A326.3 categories and example spaces
| Category | Criteria | Example spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Interior, Dry (ID) | Dry DCOF 0.42 or higher | Office lobbies, showrooms, malls (not food courts), kept dry |
| Interior, Wet (IW) | Wet DCOF 0.42 or higher, or manufacturer-declared | Entry foyers, restrooms without showers, grocery aisles |
| Interior, Wet Plus (IW+) | Manufacturer-declared (0.50 wet generally accepted, per manufacturer summaries) | Locker rooms, covered exterior areas, indoor pool surrounds |
| Exterior, Wet (EW) | Manufacturer-declared (0.55 wet generally accepted, per manufacturer summaries) | Exterior walkways, patios, pool decks |
| Oils/Greases (O/G) | Manufacturer-declared (0.55 wet generally accepted, per manufacturer summaries) | Back-of-house restaurant kitchens, food prep |
A326.3 also states that DCOF changes with wear and contaminants, and the specifier makes the final call for each project. The standard sets no single DCOF limit for shower floors.
Shop porcelain floor tile, patio and outdoor tile, and porcelain pavers. Check the DCOF and use category on each product page. Residential reader? See DCOF slip ratings explained. Contractors and specifiers: TOA Pro Services can help with commercial quantities and submittals.
FAQ
What DCOF is required for commercial floors?
ANSI A326.3 sets 0.42 wet for level interior wet areas. Wet-plus and exterior areas are manufacturer-declared, with 0.50 and 0.55 generally accepted according to manufacturer summaries of the standard (Creative Materials Corp., Florida Tile).
Is 0.42 enough for a pool deck?
Pool decks fall under Exterior Wet or Interior Wet Plus, which are manufacturer-declared categories. Choose tile declared for that use.
Does DCOF stay the same over time?
No. Wear, contaminants, and maintenance change it.
Who decides the right rating?
Under A326.3, the specifier does, based on use, traffic, and contaminants.
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