Resilient floor coverings - Tiles of agglomerated composition cork with polyvinyl chloride wear layer - Specification

This European Standard specifies the characteristics of agglomerated cork with a wear layer based on polyvinyl chloride and modifications thereof.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, the European Standard includes a classification system (see EN 685) based on intensity of use, which shows where these floor coverings should give satisfactory service. It also specifies requirements for marking.

Elastische Bodenbeläge - Platten auf einem Rücken aus Presskork mit einer Polyvinylchlorid-Nutzschicht - Spezifikation

Diese Europäische Norm legt die Eigenschaften von Presskork mit einer Nutzschicht aus Polyvinylchlorid und
dessen Modifikationen fest.
Um den Verbraucher bei seiner Auswahl zu unterstützen, enthält diese Europäische Norm ein
Klassifizierungssystem (siehe EN 685) auf Basis der Nutzungsintensität, das zeigt, wo für diese Bodenbeläge
ein zufriedenstellender Nutzen möglich wäre. Die Norm legt auch die Anforderungen zur Kennzeichnung fest.

Revêtements de sol résilients - Dalles d'aggloméré de liège avec couche d'usure à base de polychlorure de vinyle - Spécifications

La présente Norme européenne spécifie les caractéristiques d'agglomérés de liège avec une couche d'usure à
base de polychlorure de vinyle et ses modifications.
Pour aider le consommateur à faire un choix éclairé, la Norme européenne inclut un système de classification (voir
l'EN 685) basé sur l'intensité d'utilisation, qui indique l'endroit où il convient que ces revêtements de sol rendent un
service satisfaisant. Elle spécifie également les exigences relatives au marquage.

Netekstilne talne obloge - Plošče iz stiskanega plutinega hrbtišča s polivinilkloridno uporabno vrhnjo plastjo - Specifikacija

Ta evropski standard določa značilnosti stiskane plute z uporabno vrhnjo plastjo na osnovi polivinil klorida in njegovih modifikacij.
Da bi ta evropski standard potrošnike spodbujal k sprejemanju utemeljenih odločitev, vsebuje klasifikacijski sistem (glej EN 685), temelječ na intenzivnosti uporabe, ki kaže, kje bi se te talne obloge lahko zadovoljivo uporabljale. Prav tako določa zahteve za označevanje.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
19-Apr-2011
Withdrawal Date
30-Oct-2011
ICS
91.180 - Interior finishing
 
97.150 - Floor coverings
Technical Committee
CEN/TC 134 - Resilient and textile floor coverings
Drafting Committee
CEN/TC 134/WG 7 - Resilient floor coverings
Current Stage
9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
Start Date
18-Sep-2024
Completion Date
14-Apr-2025
Directive
305/2011 - Regulation (eu) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 march 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing council directive 89/106/eec
89/106/EEC - Construction products
Ref Project
SIST EN 655:2011 - Resilient floor coverings - Tiles of agglomerated composition cork with polyvinyl chloride wear layer - Specification

Relations

Replaces
EN 655:1996 - Resilient floor coverings - Tiles of agglomerated composition cork with polyvinyl chloride wear layer - Specification
Effective Date
23-Apr-2011

EN 655:2011 Overview

EN 655:2011 is a European Standard developed by CEN that specifies the requirements for resilient floor coverings made of tiles composed of agglomerated cork with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) wear layer. This standard outlines essential characteristics to ensure performance, durability, and consumer information needed for these sustainable and high-performance flooring solutions. It replaces the previous edition EN 655:1996 and applies across all CEN member countries.

The standard aims to help consumers and professionals make informed decisions regarding the suitability of cork-PVC composite floor tiles by providing a comprehensive classification system based on the intensity of use. Furthermore, it strictly regulates product markings to guarantee traceability and authenticity.

Key Topics in EN 655:2011

  • Material Composition
    Specifies that floor tiles consist primarily of agglomerated cork as the base material with a homogeneous PVC wear layer on top. Decorative veneers such as cork or wood may be present beneath the wear layer.

  • Performance Requirements
    Defines dimensional tolerances - side length deviation up to 0.13%, squareness and straightness limits, overall thickness variation, and mass per unit area. Physical properties including density, residual indentation, dimensional stability under heat, curling, and peel resistance are rigorously tested.

  • Wear Group Classification
    Tiles with transparent PVC wear layers are pre-classified as group T, with volume loss requirements under the EN 660-2 Frick-Taber test method.

  • Level of Use Classification
    The flooring is categorized for various environments - domestic, commercial, and light industrial - based on thickness of the wear layer, seam strength, response to furniture leg movement, and residual indentation. The classification aligns with EN 685 to direct appropriate application.

  • Marking and Labelling
    The standard mandates clear product labelling including the standard number (EN 655:2011), manufacturer details, product name, batch number, dimensions, colour or pattern, area coverage, and applicable use classes or symbols.

  • Optional Properties
    For specialized uses, supplementary tests for electrical resistance (EN 1081), electrostatic propensity (EN 1815), and stain resistance (EN 423) can be performed.

  • Additional Test Methods
    Informative annexes provide extra testing protocols covering shear force, moisture exposure curling, volatile loss, plasticizer exudation, and backing material mass, supporting comprehensive quality assessment.

Practical Applications

EN 655:2011 floor tiles are suited for various building projects requiring resilient, environmentally-friendly flooring with excellent wear resistance and comfort. Typical applications include:

  • Residential Spaces
    Ideal for moderate to heavy residential foot traffic areas due to excellent durability and soft cork cores that enhance comfort underfoot.

  • Commercial Buildings
    Applicable in moderate to heavy-use offices, retail stores, and hospitality venues where classification ensures long-term performance and resistance to furniture-induced wear.

  • Light Industrial Environments
    Suitable for areas with some mechanical activity, supported by robust seam strength and resistance to static indentation.

  • Sustainable Design Projects
    Agglomerated cork’s natural and renewable properties make these tiles perfect for green building certifications and environmentally-conscious construction.

EN 655:2011 enables manufacturers and suppliers to provide consistent, certified products while architects and clients can confidently select cork-PVC resilient flooring tailored to specific use intensities and aesthetic requirements.

Related Standards

  • EN 685: Classification of resilient, textile, and laminate floor coverings by use level.
  • EN 660-2: Determination of wear resistance using the Frick-Taber test.
  • EN 424: Effect of simulated furniture leg movement on floor coverings.
  • EN 425: Castor chair test for resilient and laminate flooring.
  • EN 427: Measurement of tile dimensions including side length and squareness.
  • EN 428: Overall thickness determination for resilient floors.
  • EN 429: Thickness measurement of floor covering layers.
  • EN 430: Mass per unit area of resilient floor coverings.
  • EN 431: Peel resistance testing of floor covering layers.
  • EN 433: Residual indentation after static loading.
  • EN 434: Dimensional stability and curling after heat exposure.
  • EN 684: Determination of seam strength.
  • EN 1081 & EN 1815: Electrical resistance and static propensity tests for flooring.

Utilizing EN 655:2011 in conjunction with these complementary standards ensures a thorough assessment, quality assurance, and classification of resilient cork and PVC composite flooring solutions.

Keywords: EN 655:2011, resilient floor coverings, agglomerated cork tiles, polyvinyl chloride wear layer, cork-PVC flooring, floor tiles specification, wear classification, floor covering standards, CEN flooring standards, flooring marking requirements, sustainable flooring solutions, commercial resilient flooring

Frequently Asked Questions

EN 655:2011 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Resilient floor coverings - Tiles of agglomerated composition cork with polyvinyl chloride wear layer - Specification". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies the characteristics of agglomerated cork with a wear layer based on polyvinyl chloride and modifications thereof. To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, the European Standard includes a classification system (see EN 685) based on intensity of use, which shows where these floor coverings should give satisfactory service. It also specifies requirements for marking.

This European Standard specifies the characteristics of agglomerated cork with a wear layer based on polyvinyl chloride and modifications thereof. To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, the European Standard includes a classification system (see EN 685) based on intensity of use, which shows where these floor coverings should give satisfactory service. It also specifies requirements for marking.

EN 655:2011 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 91.180 - Interior finishing; 97.150 - Floor coverings. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN 655:2011 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 655:1996. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

EN 655:2011 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 305/2011, 89/106/EEC. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.

You can purchase EN 655:2011 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of CEN standards.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2011
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 655:1999
1HWHNVWLOQHWDOQHREORJH3ORãþHL]VWLVNDQHJDSOXWLQHJDKUEWLãþDV
SROLYLQLONORULGQRXSRUDEQRYUKQMRSODVWMR6SHFLILNDFLMD
Resilient floor coverings - Tiles of agglomerated composition cork with polyvinyl chloride
wear layer - Specification
Elastische Bodenbeläge - Platten auf einem Rücken aus Presskork mit einer
Polyvinylchlorid-Nutzschicht - Spezifikation
Revêtements de sol résilients - Dalles d'aggloméré de liège avec couche d'usure à base
de polychlorure de vinyle - Spécifications
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 655:2011
ICS:
97.150 Netekstilne talne obloge Non-textile floor coverings
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 655
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2011
ICS 97.150 Supersedes EN 655:1996
English Version
Resilient floor coverings - Tiles of agglomerated composition
cork with polyvinyl chloride wear layer - Specification
Revêtements de sol résilients - Dalles d'aggloméré de liège Elastische Bodenbeläge - Platten auf einem Rücken aus
avec couche d'usure à base de polychlorure de vinyle - Presskork mit einer Polyvinylchlorid-Nutzschicht -
Spécifications Spezifikation
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 10 March 2011.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 655:2011: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3
1 Scope .4
2 Normative references .4
3 Terms and definitions .4
4 Requirements .5
4.1 General requirements .5
4.2 Classification requirements .5
4.2.1 Wear group classification .5
4.2.2 Level of use classification .5
5 Marking .9
Annex A (informative) Optional properties . 10
Annex B (informative) Additional methods of test . 11
Bibliography . 12

Foreword
This document (EN 655:2011) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 134 “Resilient, textile and
laminate floor coverings”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2011, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by October 2011.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 655:1996.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies the characteristics of agglomerated cork with a wear layer based on
polyvinyl chloride and modifications thereof.
To encourage the consumer to make an informed choice, the European Standard includes a classification
system (see EN 685) based on intensity of use, which shows where these floor coverings should give
satisfactory service. It also specifies requirements for marking.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 424, Resilient floor coverings — Determination of the effect of the simulated movement of a furniture leg
EN 425, Resilient and laminate floor coverings — Castor chair test
EN 427, Resilient floor coverings — Determination of the side length, squareness and straightness of tiles
EN 428, Resilient floor coverings — Determination of overall thickness
EN 429, Resilient floor coverings — Determination of the thickness of layers
EN 430, Resilient floor coverings — Determination of mass per unit area
EN 431, Resilient floor coverings — Determination of peel resistance
EN 433, Resilient floor coverings — Determination of residual indentation after static loading
EN 434, Resilient floor coverings — Determination of dimensional stability and curling after exposure to heat
EN 436, Resilient floor coverings — Determination of density
EN 660-2, Resilient floor coverings — Determination of wear resistance — Part 2: Frick-Taber test
EN 68
...

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