SIST EN ISO 10580:2012

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2012
Netekstilne, tekstilne in laminatne talne obloge - Preskusne metode za emisije
hlapnih organskih spojin (HOS) (ISO 10580:2010)
Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings - Test method for volatile organic
compound (VOC) emissions (ISO 10580:2010)
Elastische, textile und Laminat-Bodenbeläge - Prüfverfahren für die Emission flüchtiger
organischer Verbindungen (VOC) (ISO 10580:2010)
Revêtements de sol résilients, textiles ou stratifiés - Méthode d'essai des émissions de
composés organiques volatils (COV) (ISO 10580:2010)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 10580:2012
ICS:
59.080.60 Tekstilne talne obloge Textile floor coverings
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 ISO 10580
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
February 2012
ICS 59.080.60; 97.150
English Version
Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings - Test method for
volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions (ISO 10580:2010)
Revêtements de sol résilients, textiles ou stratifiés - Elastische, textile und Laminat-Bodenbeläge -
Méthode d'essai des émissions de composés organiques Prüfverfahren für die Emission flüchtiger organischer
volatils (COV) (ISO 10580:2010) Verbindungen (VOC) (ISO 10580:2010)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 31 December 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, Turkey and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 10580:2012: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3

Foreword
The text of ISO 10580:2010 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 219 “Floor coverings” of the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken over as EN ISO 10580:2012 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 August 2012, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by August 2012.
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.
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, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 10580:2010 has been approved by CEN as a EN ISO 10580:2012 without any modification.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 10580
First edition
2010-05-15
Resilient, textile and laminate floor
coverings — Test method for volatile
organic compound (VOC) emissions
Revêtements de sol résilients, textiles ou stratifiés — Méthode d'essai
des émissions de composés organiques volatils (COV)

Reference number
ISO 10580:2010(E)
©
ISO 2010
ISO 10580:2010(E)
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ii © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

ISO 10580:2010(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction.vi
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .2
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms .4
5 Apparatus.4
6 Sampling the product and transport and storage of sample.4
6.1 Sampling.4
6.2 Sample packaging and transport.5
6.3 Sample description .5
6.4 Storage of the sample prior to starting the testing.6
7 Preparation of test specimens .6
7.1 Specimens from rolls.6
7.2 Samples of rigid products such as tiles and planks .6
8 Emission test chamber system.7
8.1 General .7
8.2 Emission test chamber description.7
8.3 Air supply and mixing facilities .7
8.4 Airtightness.7
8.5 Air sampling manifold.7
8.6 Recovery and sink effects .8
9 Test conditions .8
9.1 Temperature and relative air humidity .8
9.2 Temperature and relative-air-humidity control systems.8
9.3 Supply-air quality and background concentration .9
9.4 Air velocity .9
9.5 Loading factor and air change rate .9
9.6 Air change rate in the emission test chamber .9
9.7 Emission test chamber airtightness.9
9.8 Efficiency of the internal emission-test-chamber air mixing.9
10 Preparation of emission test chamber .10
11 Test procedure.10
11.1 Test conditions in the emission test chamber .10
11.2 Background concentrations.10
11.3 Test specimen location in the emission test chamber.10
11.4 Time for measurements of test-chamber air concentration .10
11.5 Air sampling.10
12 Analysis of the air samples .12
12.1 Analysis of VOC.12
12.2 Analysis of formaldehyde and carbonyl compounds.12
13 Calculation of vapour concentrations and area-specific emission rates.12
14 Performance characteristics .12
15 Test report.13
ISO 10580:2010(E)
Annex A (informative) General description of an emission test chamber .14
Annex B (informative) Evaluation systems .15
Bibliography .20

iv © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

ISO 10580:2010(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 10580 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 219, Floor coverings.
ISO 10580:2010(E)
Introduction
The health and comfort of the occupants of indoor spaces are influenced by the indoor climate that exists in a
room (in particular, ventilation, temperature and relative humidity) and by potential indoor air pollutants. Such
pollutants may have a variety of sources. International bodies have already dealt with the assessment of VOC
emissions from building products. The results of their work have been published in reports, which contain
sufficiently detailed information to be considered as “pre-normative” documents. The main purpose of this
International Standard is to give guidance to those organizations that protect consumers from exposure to
chemical pollutants (i.e. carcinogens, teratogens, irritants, odours) and resulting adverse health effects which
could be caused by chemical emissions from materials. This protection can be effectively achieved by
supporting the market demand for low-emitting flooring materials. In response to the need for improved
consumer protection, different kinds of systems for evaluating material emissions have been developed in
many countries and by industrial organizations.
This International Standard refers to existing international test methods related to VOC emissions from textile,
resilient and laminate floor coverings.
Please be aware that some countries have legal regulations and requirements for emissions of VOC and
formaldehyde based on mandatory test methods other than this method. The test method for VOC and
formaldehyde described in this International Standard offers an alternative, but is not intended to replace
existing legislative test methods.

vi © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 10580:2010(E)

Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings — Test method
for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies a general laboratory test method for determination of the area-specific
emission rate of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and/or the vapour-phase VOC concentration under
defined climate conditions.
This International Standard describes emission test chambers used for the determination of the emission of
volatile organic compounds from resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings.
A description of an emission test chamber is given in Annex A. Annex B provides details of the evaluation
systems used in Europe and North America, respectively.
Studies of the emission of volatile organic compounds from unused (pre-installation) floor covering products in
test chambers require proper handling of the product prior to testing, and during the testing period. For each
type of floor covering product, specifications are given for the sampling procedures, transport conditions and
storage parameters that can affect emissions of volatile organic compounds. For each type of floor covering
product, the preparation of a test specimen is prescribed.
NOTE Depending on the non-homogeneity of the product, it can be necessary to make measurements on multiple
test specimens from the same sample in order to determine the specific emission rate.
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.
ISO 16000-3, Indoor air — Part 3: Determination of formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds — Active
sampling method
ISO 16000-6:2004, Indoor air — Part 6: Determination of volatile organic compounds in indoor and test
chamber air by active sampling on Tenax TA sorbent, thermal desorption and gas chromatography using
MS/FID
ISO 16000-9:2006, Indoor air — Part 9: Determination of the emission of volatile organic compounds from
building products and furnishing — Emission test chamber method
ISO 16000-11:2006, Indoor air — Part 11: Determination of the emission of volatile organic compounds from
building products and furnishing — Sampling, storage of samples and preparation of test specimens
ISO 16017-1:2000, Indoor, ambient and workplace air — Sampling and analysis of volatile organic
compounds by sorbent tube/thermal desorption/capillary gas chromatography — Part 1: Pumped sampling
ASTM D5197, Standard Test Method for Determination of Formaldehyde and Other Carbonyl Compounds in
Air (Active Sampler Methodology)
ISO 10580:2010(E)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions (as presented in ISO 16000-9 and
ISO 16000-11) apply.
3.1
air change rate
ratio of the volume of clean air brought into the emission test chamber per hour to the free emission test
chamber volume measured in identical units
3.2
air flow rate
air volume entering into the emission test chamber per time
3.3
air velocity
air speed over the surface of the test specimen
3.4
area-specific air flow rate
ratio between the supply-air flow rate and the area of the test specimen
3.5
emission test chamber
enclosure with controlled operational parameters for the determination of volatile organic compounds emitted
from floor coverings
3.6
emission test chamber concentration
concentration of a specific volatile organic compound, VOC, (or group of volatile organic compounds)
i
measured in the emission test chamber outlet
3.7
product loading factor
ratio of exposed surface area of the test specimen and the free emission test chamber volume
3.8
recovery
measured mass of a target volatile organic compound in the air leaving the emission test chamber during a
given time period divided by the mass of target volatile organic compound added to the emission test chamber
in the same time period
NOTE 1 The recovery is expressed in percent.
NOTE 2 The recovery provides information about the performance of the entire method.
3.9
sample
part or piece of a floor covering that is representative of the product
3.10
area-specific emission rate
SERa
mass of a volatile organic compound emitted from a unit area of product per unit time at a given time from the
start of the test
NOTE 1 The area-specific emission rate is expressed in micrograms per square metre and hour (µg/m h).
NOTE 2 The term “area-specific emission rate” is sometimes used in parallel with the term “emission factor”.
2 © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

ISO 10580:2010(E)
3.11
test specimen
part of the sample specially prepared for emission testing in an emission test chamber in order to simulate the
emission behaviour of the material or product that is tested
3.12
volatile organic compound
VOC
compound, as specified in ISO 16000-6, which elute between and including n-hexane and n-hexadecane
(excluding formaldehyde) on a non-polar capillary chromatographic column, measured in the test chamber air
by active sampling on Tenax TA sorbent, thermal desorption (TD) and gas chromatography (GC) using mass
spectrometry (MS) or flame ionization detection (FID)
3.13
total volatile organic compound
TVOC
sum of the concentrations of identified and unidentified volatile organic compounds eluting between and
including n-hexane and n-hexadecane on a non-polar capillary gas chromatography column
NOTE 1 For quantification of the identified compounds, their individual response is used. The areas of the unidentified
peaks are converted on molecular mass basis to concentrations using the toluene response factor (Reference [2] in the
Bibliography).
NOTE 2 Due to practical reasons to be taken into account for test chambers, this definition differs slightly from the
®1)
specification in ISO 16000-6:2004. In ISO 16000-6, TVOC are related to the sampling medium Tenax TA on which the
TVOC are adsorbed.
NOTE 3 The emission test method described in this International Standard is optimum for the range of compounds
specified by the definition of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC).
3.14
carbonyl compounds
low-molecular-mass aldehyde and ketone volatile organic compounds which are measured in the test
chamber air by active sampling on cartridges containing a solid support coated with an acid solution of
2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) as a derivatizing reagent
3.15
mass concentration
C
i
ratio of mass of VOC per volume in the emission test chamber
i
NOTE Mass concentration is expressed in micrograms per cubic metre.
3.16
detection limit
minimum quantity which can be detected analytically with this test method
NOTE A detection limit of 2 µg/m is defined for use in this International Standard.
3.17
determination limit
minimum quantity of a detected substance above which quantification is possible
NOTE Due to technical restriction of the apparatus and the accuracy of the test method, a determination limit of
10 µg/m is defined for use in this International Standard.

1) Tenax TA® is the trade name of a product manufactured by Enka Research Institute NV (NL) and Buchem BV (NL).
This information is given for the convenience of users of this document and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO of
the product named. Equivalent products may be used if they can be shown to lead to the same results.
ISO 10580:2010(E)
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the following symbols and abbreviated terms apply.
Symbol Meaning Unit
C mass concentration of a VOC in the emission test micrograms per cubic metre
i i
chamber
L
product loading factor square metres per cubic metre
n air change rate changes per hour
q
area-specific air flow rate (= n/L) cubic metres per square metre and hour
SERa area-specific emission rate micrograms per square metre and hour
t time after start of the test hours or days
5 Apparatus
The equipment necessary for carrying out an emission test next to ordinary laboratory apparatus is listed
below.
5.1 Emission test chamber system
5.1.1 Clean-air supply, e.g. pressurized purified air or synthetic air in gas cylinders.
5.1.2 Humidification system.
5.1.3 Air humidity, temperature and air velocity monitoring systems meeting the following accuracy:
temperature ±1,0 °C, relative humidity ±3 %, air flow rate ±3 %.
5.1.4 Equipment for measurement of air mixing.
5.1.5 Thermal desorption apparatus.
5.1.6 Cleaning agent, for the emission test chamber walls or equipment for thermal desorption.
5.1.7 Gas chromatographic system, fitted with a flame ionization detector and/or mass spectrometric
detector.
5.2 Sorbent tube. Use a 6,4 mm or 6,0 mm outer diameter (OD) stainless-steel (5 mm inner diameter, ID)
or glass (4 mm ID) tube packed with at least 200 mg of Tenax TA (mesh size between 30 and 80 mesh) such
that the sorbent bed length is at least 40 mm.
NOTE Tenax TA is a relatively weak sorbent. Its specification in ISO 16000-6 and in this International Standard
assumes that the most volatile compound of interest is n-hexane. However, if a user of this International Standard is
following an emission test protocol that calls for analysis of more volatile compounds and/or volatile polar compounds,
stronger sorbents will be needed in the vapour sampling tube. Consult ISO 16017-1 for guidance on sorbent selection in
this case.
6 Sampling the product and transport and storage of sample
6.1 Sampling
6.1.1 Selection of samples from rolls
See Figure 1.
4 © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

ISO 10580:2010(E)
Dimensions in metres
Key
1 sample
Figure 1 — Procedure for sampling products from rolls
Discard the outer layer of the roll to take the sample.
The sample shall have an area corresponding to at least 50 cm in the production direction over the width of
the produced roll.
After taking the sample, it is rolled immediately at right angles to the direction of the production roll, secured
with staples or a non-emitting fastening, wrapped in aluminium foil, and placed in an unprinted, airtight
polyethylene bag and sealed. Each bag shall contain only one sample.
The packed samples shall be sent to the testing laboratory with the shortest possible delay.
6.1.2 Selection of samples of rigid products such as tiles and planks
Select an unopened and undamaged standard package of the product. Alternatively, remove four or more
pieces from the centre of a product package leaving the outer pieces. Stack a minimum of four pieces and
tightly wrap the stack in two layers of aluminium foil and treat as described for rolls in 6.1.1.
6.2 Sample packaging and transport
Samples shall be thoroughly protected from chemical contamination, such as fuel vapours or any physical
exposure, e.g. heat, light and humidity during transportation and storage prior to testing.
This can be achieved by wrapping each sample or package of samples in aluminium foil and in a sealed
polyethylene bag or, alternatively, in aluminized packaging lined with polyethylene or clear polyvinyl fluoride
film. Each bag shall contain only one sample.
NOTE The transportation of collected samples can affect the emission characteristics of the product. The possible
effects of temperature and humidity are of particular concern.
6.3 Sample description
The outer packaging of the sample shall be labelled with the details of the type of product, date or week of
manufacture (if known) and/or any identification numbers, e.g. batch numbers (see also ISO 16000-9).
ISO 10580:2010(E)
6.4 Storage of the sample prior to starting the testing
In many cases, it can be necessary to store the sample in the laboratory before starting the test. The sample
shall be kept in its package, see 6.2, and stored at normal indoor conditions during any period of storage.
Storage may affect the emission properties due to aging of the sample. It is recommended to minimize the
storage time of the sample prior to preparation of the test specimen.
7 Preparation of test specimens
The period of time between the unpacking and preparation of the test specimen shall be as short as possible
and shall be recorded. After preparation of the test specimen, it shall immediately be put in the emission test
chamber. This time shall be regarded as the starting time of the emission test, i.e. t = t . For resilient, textile
and laminate floor coverings, there is no extra conditioning time as the installed product is immediately
accessible to the consumer.
7.1 Specimens from rolls
Unpack the sample and select an appropriate area of the product from the middle, if possible, at least 50 cm
from the edge of the short side, and take a test specimen. Cut the specimen from the square, leaving, if
possible, at least 5 cm from the edge on each side.
The underside of the test specimen shall be placed on an inert stainless-steel plate in order to determine
exclusively the emission of the upper surface. Seal the edges with a non-emitting/non-absorbing aluminium
foil (to be checked before use) or stainless-steel frame.
7.2 Samples of rigid products such as tiles and planks
Tiles and planks, etc. are taken from the middle of the package and assembled side by side (see Figure 2).
If the surface to be tested is composed of several pieces, such as laminated floor coverings or tiles, the joints
in the test piece shall be proportionally distributed over the surface of the test specimen, i.e. the proportion of
joint length to tile area shall be the same in the test specimen as in the finished floor. No adhesive is used in
the joints. As an example, when laminate flooring is to be tested, at least two panels are taken from the middle
of the package and the tongue and the groove are assembled together without using an adhesive.

Key
1 package of tiles or planks
b: sample prepared from individual tiles or planks
c: test specimen
a
Take sample tiles/planks.
Figure 2 — Specimen from tiles or planks
6 © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

ISO 10580:2010(E)
The underside of the test specimen shall be placed on an inert stainless-steel plate in order to determine
exclusively the emission of the upper surface. Seal the edges with a non-emitting/non-absorbing aluminium
foil (to be checked before use) or stainless-steel frame.
8 Emission test chamber system
8.1 General
A facility designed and operated to determine area-specific emission rates for VOCs emitted from floor
covering products shall contain the following: emission test chamber, clean-air generation and humidification
system, air mixing system, and monitoring and control systems to ensure that the test is carried out according
to specified conditions.
General specifications and requirements that apply to all types of emission test chambers are specified in
ISO 16000-9.
A general description of an emission test chamber is given in Annex A.
8.2 Emission test chamber description
The emission test chamber and the parts of the sampling system coming into contact with the emitted VOCs
are made of surface-treated (polished) stainless steel.
The chamber should be approximately cubic. The chamber volume shall be in the range 20 L to 1 000 L, most
typically between 50 L and 250 L.
Other materials may be used for mixing devices, e.g. fans, and for sealing materials. These shall be low
emitting and low adsorbing and shall be tested in the test chamber to confirm that they do not contribute to the
emission-test-chamber background concentration.
8.3 Air supply and mixing facilities
The emission test chamber shall have facilities (e.g. electronic mass flow controller) capable of continuously
controlling the air change rate at a fixed value with an accuracy of ±3 %.
The emission test chamber shall be designed to ensure proper mixing of the emission test chamber air. The
requirements are given in 9.8.
NOTE Fans, multiport inlet and outlet diffusers, perforated floors and baffle plates are used to obtain adequate mixing.
8.4 Airtightness
The emission test chamber shall be airtight in order to avoid uncontrolled air exchange with external air.
The emission test chamber shall be operated slightly above atmospheric pressure to avoid influence from the
laboratory atmosphere. The emission test chamber is considered to be sufficiently airtight if at least one of the
following requirements is fulfilled:
⎯ the air leakage is less than 0,5 % of the chamber volume per minute at an overpressure of 1 000 Pa;
⎯ the air leakage is less than 5 % of the supply-airflow rate.
8.5 Air sampling manifold
The exhaust air (at the emission test chamber outlet) shall be used for sampling, although separate sampling
ports in the emission test chamber can be used, provided that the air sampled is equivalent to the exhaust air.
ISO 10580:2010(E)
The sampler manifold should directly enter the outlet air stream. If a duct shall be used, it shall be as short as
possible and maintained at the same temperature as the emission test chamber.
The sum of sampling air flows shall be smaller than 80 % of the inlet air flow to the emission test chamber.
A multiport sampling manifold can be used to provide flexibility for duplicate air sampling. A mixing chamber
between the emission test chamber and the manifold or between the air inlet and the emission test chamber
could be included to permit addition and mixing of internal standard gases with the emission test chamber air
stream.
The exhaust from the emission test chamber should be ducted into a fume hood, ensuring that any chemicals
emitted from the test material are isolated from the laboratory environment.
8.6 Recovery and sink effects
The recovery of a target VOC can be determined using a VOC source of known specific emission rate in the
emission test chamber. The concentrations generated shall be of similar magnitude to those expected during
the emission tests of building products.
Recovery tests shall be performed in the test chamber using toluene and n-dodecane. Chamber
concentrations shall be determined at 24 h or 72 h after the start of the test (i.e. the first mandatory
measurement, see Annex B and 11.4). The mean recovery shall be greater than 80 % for toluene and
n-dodecane. The results of the recovery test shall be reported (concentration expected versus concentration
measured).
NOTE 1 Low recovery of hygroscopic VOCs can occur in humidified air.
NOTE 2 Sink effects, leaks or poor calibration can cause difficulties in meeting the minimum requirements. Sink and
adsorption characteristics are very much dependent on the type of compound emitted. Additional recovery tests using
target VOCs with different molecular mass and polarity can be used to increase understanding of these effects.
9 Test conditions
9.1 Temperature and relative air humidity
Products shall be tested at a temperature and relative air humidity (RH) of 23 °C and 50 % RH during the
emission test. The tolerances are ±2 °C and ±5% RH.
Initial variance can be observed in the emission test chamber climate after opening the emission test chamber
door and loading a test specimen. These variances should be recorded.
9.2 Temperature and relative-air-humidity control systems
A control of temperature can be carried out either by placing the emission test chamber within a location
controlled to the required temperature or by maintaining the temperature within the emission test chamber. In
the latter case, the emission-test-chamber walls shall be insulated effectively to avoid condensation of
moisture on the interior walls of the emission test chamber.
A control of relative air humidity can be made by various systems of either external humidity control of the
clean-air supply or internal humidity control of the air in the emission test chamber. In the latter case,
precautions shall be taken to avoid condensation or spraying of water in the emission test chamber.
The temperature and relative air humidity shall be measured independently of the systems for controlling the
temperature and air humidity.
8 © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

ISO 10580:2010(E)
9.3 Supply-air quality and background concentration
The TVOC background concentration shall be lower than 20 µg/m . The background concentration of any
single target VOC and formaldehyde shall be lower than 2 µg/m .
The supplied air and water used for humidification shall not contain interfering VOCs.
9.4 Air velocity
While air velocity can affect emission rates for many sources, emissions from flooring materials are generally
controlled by diffusion and air velocity is not a critical parameter. It is more important that complete mixing be
achieved (see 8.3 and 9.8).
9.5 Loading factor and air change rate
2 3
A product loading factor of 0.4 m /m shall be used, as this is representative of typical floor-covering-area to
air-volume ratios in the indoor environment.
−1 −1
If product emissions are to be reported in terms of SERa, any air change rate between 0,5 h and 1,0 h can
be applied to the chamber without affecting the result.
However, if the relevant test protocol requires VOC emission data to be quoted in terms of vapour
concentration in the chamber air (i.e. in the air exhausting from the chamber), this will be affected by the air
change rate. Given a constant loading factor of 0,4, vapour concentrations for a product tested using an air
−1
change rate of 1,0 h will be half those reported for the same product tested using an air change rate of
−1
0,5 h . Therefore, the actual air change rate used shall be specified whenever emission results are reported
in terms of vapour concentration in the chamber air. See 13.1 for the calculation of vapour concentration at
different air change rates.
9.6 Air change rate in the emission test chamber
The air change rate shall be regularly checked with a minimum frequency of every 12 months, by using either
a calibrated gas meter or the tracer gas procedure. The air change rate shall not vary by more than ±3 % of
the set value.
If the test is carried out on the outlet with a gas volume meter/flow meter that is not permanently installed, one
should be aware that the back pressure introduced by the instrument can lower the flow rate through the
emission test chamber.
9.7 Emission test chamber airtightness
The emission test chamber airtightness shall be checked regularly, either by pressure drop measurements or
by comparison of simultaneous measurement of flow rates at the inlet and the outlet ports; or by measuring
tracer gas dilution.
9.8 Efficiency of the internal emission-test-chamber air mixing
Tests to determine the efficiency of the air mixing shall be conducted with test specimens or the inert
substrate of the test specimens located in the test chamber.
One approach for determining if the test chamber air is adequately mixed is to blend a tracer gas with the inlet
air at constant concentration and flow, and measure the concentration in the chamber outlet over time. The
chamber concentration versus time plot is then compared to the theoretical curve for a completely mixed
chamber. A procedure would be to adjust the theoretical curve by the least-squares fit to the measured data
using the chamber volume as a variable. One can then compare the actual chamber volume to the “apparent”
chamber volume based on the curve fit. The internal chamber air should be properly mixed and should comply
with or within 10 % of the theoretical perfectly mixed model.
ISO 10580:2010(E)
10 Preparation of emission test chamber
The emission test chamber shall be cleaned in order to fulfil the requirements of 8.2.
11 Test procedure
11.1 Test conditions in the emission test chamber
The temperature, relative air humidity and air flow rate shall be monitored and recorded continuously.
11.2 Background concentrations
An air sample (typically 5 L) of the emission-test-chamber background is taken before the start of a new
emission test, to quantify any background contribution of volatile organic compounds from the empty emission
test chamber and other apparatus.
Background concentrations shall meet the requirements in 9.3.
11.3 Test specimen location in the emission test chamber
The test specimen shall be positioned horizontally in the centre of the floor of the emission test chamber to
ensure that the air flow is evenly distributed over the emitting surface of the test specimen.
11.4 Time for measurements of test-chamber air concentration
The concentration measurements shall be carried out at air sampling times defined by the different evaluation
protocols. Depending on the objective of the test, it can be appropriate to sample the air at additional times.
The air sampling duration for concentration measurements depends on the analytical methods to be used and
they shall be documented.
Duplicate air samples shall be collected at intervals required by the testing protocol.
After termination of the emission test, the emission test chamber shall be cleaned.
The emission test duration is determined by the purpose of the test. Usually, the specimen is kept in the
chamber for the duration of the longest time interval described in the test protocol. If for a period the test
specimen is not in the chamber, it shall be stored at an average temperature of 23 °C and a relative air
humidity of 50 % RH. During this storage, the aging process of the test specimen shall be similar to that
occurring in the test chamber. Any contamination by other stored test specimens has to be avoided. The test
specimen shall then be re-introduced into the test chamber at least 72 h prior to air sampling. Each removal of
the test specimen has to be documented in the test protocol.
NOTE 1 If decay studies are required, air samples can be taken after 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days, or longer, after the
start of the test.
Background concentrations of VOCs should be sufficiently controlled in order to avoid contamination of test
specimens.
NOTE 2 To minimize contamination of test specimens, well-ventilated shelves or storage cabinets can be used.
11.5 Air sampling
11.5.1 Sampling vapour-phase VOC
The vapour sampling shall be done in accordance with ISO 16000-6.
10 © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

SIST EN ISO 10580:20
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