ASTM F1913-19

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of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F1913 − 04 (Reapproved 2014) F1913 − 19
Standard Specification for
Vinyl Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1913; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers sheet floor covering having a vinyl wear layer without backing. Products also may contain a clear
specialty performance top layer(s).
1.2 This type of floor covering is intended for use in commercial and light commercial buildings. General information and
performance characteristics, which determine serviceability and recommended use, are included in this specification.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F137 Test Method for Flexibility of Resilient Flooring Materials with Cylindrical Mandrel Apparatus
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
F386 Test Method for Thickness of Resilient Flooring Materials Having Flat Surfaces
F410 Test Method for Wear Layer Thickness of Resilient Floor Coverings by Optical Measurement
F925 Test Method for Resistance to Chemicals of Resilient Flooring
F970 Test Method for Measuring Recovery Properties of Floor Coverings after Static Loading
F1514 Test Method for Measuring Heat Stability of Resilient Flooring by Color Change
F1515 Test Method for Measuring Light Stability of Resilient Flooring by Color Change
F1914 Test Methods for Short-Term Indentation and Residual Indentation of Resilient Floor Covering
2.2 ANSI/ASQC Standard:
ANS/ASQC Z1.4 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Terms used in this specification are defined in accordance with Terminology F141.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 wear layer, n—the portion of a resilient floor covering that contains the pattern effect.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
The wear layer thickness and total thickness of through pattern unbacked sheet vinyl flooring are the same. A clear specialty
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F06 on Resilient Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.80 on
Specifications.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2014Sept. 1, 2019. Published December 2014September 2019. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20102014
as F1913F1913 – 04 - 04(2010). DOI: 10.1520/F1913-04R14.(2014). DOI: 10.1520/F1913-19.
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volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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F1913 − 19
performance top layer may be used to enhance specific properties and to protect the pattern effect and shall be counted as part of
the wear layer. The wear layer does not include temporary finishes or maintenance coatings.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The information in this specification is for use by specifiers as a reference when selecting unbacked resilient sheet vinyl
flooring for areas within commercial and light commercial buildings.
5. Classification
5.1 Sheet Vinyl floor covering shall conform to the following.
5.1.1 The binder content of the PVC-pattern portion of the wear layer (vinyl resins, plasticizers, and stabilizers) shall be a
minimum of 50 %. A clear specialty performance layer(s) used as the top layer is not described by binder limits.
PVC Binder Content
Minimum % PVC Wear Layer Description
50 % The material shall be a vinyl compound consisting
of a blended composition of pigments stabilized
against heat and light deterioration. The design,
color and pattern extends throughout the thickness
of the wear layer.
5.1.1.1 All flooring may have a clear specialty performance top layer(s) with an average minimum total thickness of 0.0004 in.
The specialty performance top layer(s) may consist of a single layer or multiple layers, which do not delaminate under normal use.
Top layer(s) thinner than 0.0004 in. may be used but cannot be counted as part of the clear specialty performance top layer.
5.1.2 The total thickness is the sum of the PVC wear layer and the clear specialty top layer(s). The total thickness average
minimum is 0.075 in. (1.9 mm).
6. Ordering Information
6.1 Sheet vinyl floor covering without backing shall be ordered according to characteristics important to the purchaser for the
intended use as indicated by Table 1.
6.2 Intended Use—The following is a partial list providing generic guidance on typical applications of product use. For specific
applications, refer to the manufacturers product recommendations.
6.2.1 LC (Light Commercial):
6.2.1.1 Multi-family Dwelling—Common Areas.
6.2.1.2 Hotel/Motel Guest Rooms.
6.2.2 C (Commercial):
6.2.2.1 Educational/Institutional.
6.2.2.2 Hospital/Health Care.
6.2.2.3 Retail/Mercantile.
6.2.2.4 Office
6.2.2.5 Hospitality.
6.3 The purchaser may wish to specify the following items:
6.3.1 Manufacturer,
6.3.2 Style name and number,
6.3.3 Minimum roll width (see 9.1),
6.3.4 Surface texture (see 7.1.3), and
6.3.5 Variation in list of chemicals used to demonstrate chemical resistance (see 12.7).
7. Material
7.1 Wear Layer:
7.1.1 The wear layer shall have a vinyl plastic binder and may include pigments, fillers, extenders, and other ingredients; and
shall be stabilized against heat and light deterioration (see 12.8 and 12.9).
7.1.2 The binder of the wear layer shall consist of one or more vinyl resins, platicizers, and stabilizers. Each resin shall be
polyvinyl chloride or a copolymer of vinyl chloride not less than 85 % of which is vinyl chloride. The vinyl resin(s) shall be not
less than 60 % by weight of the binder.
7.1.3 The composition shall be uniform and extend throughout the full thickness of the pattern portion of the wear layer.
TABLE 1 Total Thickness
Average Minimum in. (mm) Intended Use
0.075 (1.9) LC/C
F1913 − 19
7.2 Specialty Performance Top Layer—A clear specialty performance top layer(s) of a product can be a PVC or non PVC
layer(s), which may constitute part of the total thickness up to a maximum 0.005 in. and is not removable by normal maintenance
procedures.
8. Physical Requirements
8.1 Sheet vinyl floor covering shall meet the requirements in Table 2.
9. Dimensions
9.1 Common roll widths are 49-in. (1.25-m), 59-in. (1.5-m), 72-in. (1.83-m), and 78-in. (2-m) widths (minus 0 in.). Other widths
may be available.
9.2 The floor covering shall be furnished in a minimum average overall thickness of 0.075 in. (1.9 mm).
10. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
10.1 Materials furnished under this specification shall be an acceptable match to an approved sample(s) in pattern, color, and
surface appearance. The product shall be free of defects, which would adversely affect performance or appearance.
11. Sampling
11.1 Sampling for testing physical characteristics listed in Table 2 shall be done in accordance with the provisions set forth in
ANSI/ASQC Z1.4. The inspection level shall be special inspection level S-1 as noted in Table 1 and the acceptable quality level
(AQL) shall be 6.5 defects/100 units as noted in
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