−---
−title: Resilient Flooring
−category: Architectural / Finishes
−toc_depth: 3
−description: >
− When to use: Resilient floor coverings for commercial, institutional, healthcare, educational, and multi-family interior applications — luxury vinyl tile and plank (LVT/LVP), vinyl composition tile (VCT), sheet vinyl with and without backing, rubber tile and sheet, and sheet linoleum. Covers product type and construction, wear-layer and gauge selection, flammability and smoke performance, slip resistance, indoor-air-quality (VOC) certification, accessories (adhesives, transition strips, resilient base), concrete and wood subfloor preparation, moisture testing and mitigation, full-spread glue-down and floating installation methods, heat- and chemical-welded seaming for sheet goods, field testing, initial maintenance, and warranty.
− Not intended for: Ceramic and porcelain tile (see [[sync/ceramic-tile]]); carpet and carpet tile (see [[sync/carpet]]); terrazzo (see [[sync/terrazzo]]); fluid-applied epoxy, urethane, or other poured-in-place resinous floors (see [[sync/resinous-flooring]]); wood and engineered-wood flooring; static-control/conductive flooring requiring grounded systems beyond the slip- and IAQ-related provisions herein; exterior or below-grade-exposed deck coatings; concrete slab design and placement (see [[sync/cast-in-place-concrete]]).
−---
−
−# Scope
−
−This standard governs the materials and installation of resilient floor coverings — luxury vinyl tile and plank, vinyl composition tile, sheet vinyl, rubber tile and sheet, and sheet linoleum — over concrete and approved wood subfloors in commercial and institutional construction. Resilient flooring is specified across a wide range of building types because it combines durability, low installed cost, ease of maintenance, slip resistance, and the ability to be cleaned and disinfected, which makes it the default finish for corridors, classrooms, patient rooms, laboratories, retail back-of-house, and high-traffic public spaces. The performance of a resilient floor, however, is determined as much by what is underneath it as by the covering itself: the overwhelming majority of resilient flooring failures in the field are moisture-related or adhesion-related, and they originate in inadequate subfloor preparation rather than in a defect of the flooring product.
−
−A resilient floor is a system consisting of the subfloor, any moisture-mitigation membrane, the adhesive or attachment method, the floor covering, the seam treatment, and the perimeter and transition accessories. Each element must be coordinated with the others — an adhesive that is correct for a glue-down LVT is wrong for a loose-lay product, a moisture condition that is acceptable for a vapor-permeable linoleum may debond a moisture-sensitive sheet vinyl, and a wear layer that performs well in an office will fail prematurely in a corridor with rolling carts. The Contractor shall treat the floor as a system, shall verify that the covering, adhesive, and mitigation method selected are mutually compatible and approved by the flooring manufacturer for the measured subfloor condition, and shall not begin installation until the subfloor has passed the moisture and surface-preparation acceptance criteria of this standard.
−
−Coordinate the concrete slab, its vapor retarder, and its surface finish with [[sync/cast-in-place-concrete]]; the single most important moisture-control measure for slab-on-grade resilient flooring is a properly installed under-slab vapor retarder, which is placed long before this work begins. Coordinate transitions to adjacent finishes — ceramic tile, carpet, and terrazzo — with [[sync/ceramic-tile]], [[sync/carpet]], and [[sync/terrazzo]] respectively, so that transition strips, thresholds, and finish-floor elevations reconcile.
−
−# Referenced Standards
−
−All materials, testing, and installation shall comply with the latest edition adopted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction for each of the following standards. Where the contract documents, a referenced standard, or the flooring manufacturer's written instructions impose a more stringent requirement than the minimum of any other standard, the more stringent requirement governs unless the Architect of Record directs otherwise in writing. Resilient flooring is one of the areas where the manufacturer's written installation instructions are not merely advisory — they define the conditions under which the product warranty is valid, and the Contractor shall follow them in addition to this standard.
−
−| Standard | Title |
−|----------|-------|
−| ASTM F141 | Standard Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings |
−| ASTM F1700 | Standard Specification for Solid Vinyl Floor in Modular Format such as Tile(s) or Plank(s) |
−| ASTM F1066 | Standard Specification for Vinyl Composition Floor Tile |
−| ASTM F1303 | Standard Specification for Sheet Vinyl Floor Covering with Backing |
−| ASTM F1913 | Standard Specification for Vinyl Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing |
−| ASTM F1859 | Standard Specification for Rubber Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing |
−| ASTM F1860 | Standard Specification for Rubber Sheet Floor Covering With Backing |
−| ASTM F1344 | Standard Specification for Rubber Floor Tile |
−| ASTM F2034 | Standard Specification for Sheet Linoleum Floor Covering |
−| ASTM F710 | Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring |
−| ASTM F1869 | Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride |
−| ASTM F2170 | Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes |
−| ASTM F710 §pH | Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors — Alkalinity (pH) Determination |
−| ASTM F925 | Standard Test Method for Resistance to Chemicals of Resilient Flooring |
−| ASTM F970 | Standard Test Method for Measuring Recovery Properties of Floor Coverings after Static Loading |
−| ASTM F1914 | Standard Test Methods for Short-Term Indentation and Residual Indentation of Resilient Floor Covering |
−| ASTM E648 | Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source |
−| NFPA 253 | Standard Method of Test for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source |
−| ASTM E662 | Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials |
−| NFPA 258 | Standard Research Test Method for Determining Smoke Generation of Solid Materials |
−| ANSI A326.3 | Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials |
−| CDPH/EHLB Standard Method v1.2 (Section 01350) | Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions (FloorScore basis) |
−| IBC | International Building Code (current edition adopted by jurisdiction) |
−
−ASTM F710 is the foundational document for concrete subfloor acceptance and is referenced by every major resilient flooring manufacturer; compliance with F710, and with the moisture test methods it invokes (F1869 and F2170), is a precondition of nearly every manufacturer warranty. ASTM E648 (critical radiant flux) is the flammability test method that the International Building Code references for floor-covering systems in corridors and exits; the Class I or Class II designation derived from E648 is a code requirement, not a discretionary selection.
−
−# Submittals
−
−## Action Submittals
−
−The Contractor shall submit the following for the Architect's review prior to procurement and installation. Installation shall not begin until the moisture-test reports have been submitted and reviewed, because the moisture condition determines both the product compatibility and the mitigation requirement.
−
−- Product data for each resilient flooring product, identifying the governing ASTM specification, class and type, wear-layer thickness, overall gauge, and the manufacturer's written installation instructions
−- Product data for each adhesive, moisture-mitigation membrane, patching and leveling compound, transition strip, and resilient base, including the adhesive bond compatibility statement for the specific covering and subfloor condition
−- Samples of each flooring product in the full range of colors and patterns specified, of sufficient size to show the pattern repeat, and samples of each transition strip and base profile and color
−- Moisture and alkalinity test reports for the actual subfloor, conducted in accordance with ASTM F2170 (relative humidity), ASTM F1869 (moisture vapor emission rate), and the ASTM F710 pH procedure, identifying test locations and ambient conditions at the time of testing
−- FloorScore (or equivalent CDPH Section 01350) indoor-air-quality certification documentation for each flooring product, adhesive, and underlayment where low-emitting materials are specified
−- Maintenance instructions describing the initial cleaning, any required finish or polish, and the recommended periodic maintenance program for each product
−
−```datasheet
−label: Action Submittals Required
−type: checkbox
−options:
− - "Product data — each resilient flooring product"
− - "Product data — adhesives, membranes, accessories"
− - "Samples — flooring (full color/pattern range)"
− - "Samples — transition strips and resilient base"
− - "Subfloor moisture and alkalinity test reports (F2170 / F1869 / F710 pH)"
− - "FloorScore / Section 01350 IAQ certification"
− - "Maintenance instructions"
−default: "Subfloor moisture and alkalinity test reports (F2170 / F1869 / F710 pH)"
−```
−
−## Closeout Submittals
−
−- Manufacturer warranty documentation for each flooring product, executed in the Owner's name
−- Record of the final subfloor moisture and pH test results, the mitigation method installed (if any), and the adhesive used, retained for warranty purposes
−- Attic-stock transmittal documenting the quantity, product, color, and dye lot of spare material delivered to the Owner
−
−# Quality Assurance
−
−## Installer Qualifications
−
−Resilient flooring shall be installed by an installer with documented experience in commercial installations of the specific product type required, and, for heat-welded and chemically welded sheet goods, by mechanics trained and certified in seam welding by the flooring manufacturer or by a recognized flooring-installation training program. Heat-welded seams in sheet vinyl and linoleum are the single most skill-dependent operation in resilient flooring; a poorly welded seam fails as a hygienic barrier and as a wear surface, and in healthcare and laboratory environments a failed seam defeats the entire purpose of selecting a welded sheet floor. The Contractor shall not assign seam welding to untrained labor.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Installer Certification — Welded Sheet Goods
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Manufacturer-certified seam welder required (sheet vinyl / linoleum with welded seams)"
− - "Experienced commercial installer (tile and plank, non-welded)"
− - "Not applicable — no welded seams on this project"
−default: "Experienced commercial installer (tile and plank, non-welded)"
−```
−
−## Mock-Up
−
−```datasheet
−label: Mock-Up Required
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Yes — install a representative area of each flooring type, including a welded seam and a transition"
− - "No"
−default: "No"
−```
−
−Where a mock-up is required, the Contractor shall install a representative area of each flooring type at a location directed by the Architect, including at least one heat-welded or chemically welded seam where welded sheet goods are specified, one transition to an adjacent finish, and the integral or applied base. The mock-up establishes the acceptable standard for pattern alignment, seam appearance, flash-cove (where used), and base detailing, and shall remain available for comparison throughout the work.
−
−## Pre-Installation Conference
−
−Before installation begins, the Contractor shall hold a pre-installation conference with the Architect and the flooring installer to review the moisture-test results, the mitigation requirement, the adhesive selection, the layout and pattern, the seam and welding plan, the acclimatization status of the material, and the environmental conditions in the space. Most resilient flooring disputes trace back to a condition that was known but not acted upon before installation — a marginal moisture reading, a slab that was not flat enough, or material that had not acclimatized. The conference exists to surface and resolve those conditions before the adhesive goes down.
−
−# Environmental and Service Conditions
−
−## Acclimatization
−
−Resilient flooring, adhesives, and the spaces to receive them shall be conditioned to the service environment before, during, and after installation. Flooring material shall be delivered to the installation area and acclimatized for not less than 48 hours before installation, in its installation position (tile and plank removed from cartons or loosely stacked, sheet goods unrolled or loosely rolled). Resilient flooring expands and contracts with temperature, and material installed before it has reached a stable dimension will gap at seams or buckle as it equilibrates. Acclimatization shall continue throughout installation and for not less than 48 hours after completion.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Acclimatization Period Before Installation
−type: range
−unit: hours
−options:
− min: 48
− max: 72
− step: 24
−default: 48
−```
−
−## Temperature During Installation
−
−The installation area shall be maintained at a minimum of 65 °F (18 °C) and a maximum of 85 °F (29 °C) for 48 hours before, during, and for 48 hours after installation. The permanent HVAC system shall be operational and controlling the space to its normal occupied range; temporary heat that does not control humidity shall not be substituted for permanent conditioning, because adhesive cure, dimensional stability, and the subfloor moisture condition all depend on the space being at service conditions. Installing resilient flooring in a space that will later be heated or cooled to a markedly different temperature than it was installed in is a common cause of subsequent seam gapping and edge curl.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Minimum Ambient Temperature During Installation
−type: range
−unit: °F
−options:
− min: 65
− max: 70
− step: 5
−default: 65
−```
−
−## Subfloor Moisture and Relative Humidity Limits
−
−The acceptable subfloor moisture condition is the governing service condition for resilient flooring, and it shall be established by test before installation and confirmed against both the flooring manufacturer's limit and the limits of this standard. The relative humidity within a concrete slab measured by in-situ probe per ASTM F2170 shall not exceed the limit stated below; many vinyl products and adhesives are warranted to a maximum internal relative humidity of 75 percent, but some products and some adhesives carry higher or lower limits and the lower of the manufacturer's limit and the project limit governs. Internal relative humidity per F2170 is the more reliable predictor of long-term moisture behavior than a surface emission measurement, because it reflects the moisture distributed through the slab thickness rather than only the surface condition at the moment of test.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Maximum Slab Internal Relative Humidity (ASTM F2170)
−type: range
−unit: % RH
−options:
− min: 75
− max: 90
− step: 5
−default: 75
−```
−
−## Subfloor Moisture Vapor Emission Limit
−
−Where moisture vapor emission rate is used as a screening or supplementary measure per ASTM F1869, the rate shall not exceed the limit stated below. A moisture vapor emission rate of 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours is the traditional default acceptance threshold for many resilient products, but the calcium chloride method measures only the surface condition and shall not be used as the sole acceptance criterion for slabs on grade or below grade — F2170 internal relative humidity is required for those conditions because surface emission can read deceptively low while the slab interior remains wet.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Maximum Moisture Vapor Emission Rate (ASTM F1869)
−type: range
−unit: lb/1000 sq ft/24 hr
−options:
− min: 3
− max: 5
− step: 1
−default: 3
−```
−
−## Subfloor Alkalinity (pH)
−
−The surface pH of the concrete subfloor shall be measured per the ASTM F710 alkalinity procedure and shall fall within the range accepted by the adhesive manufacturer, typically between 7 and 9. High slab alkalinity — common in newer concrete and in slabs where moisture has carried alkaline salts to the surface — chemically attacks many flooring adhesives and is a frequent cause of debonding that is mistaken for a moisture failure. Where the measured pH exceeds the adhesive manufacturer's limit, the surface shall be treated, an alkalinity-tolerant adhesive selected, or a mitigation membrane installed, as appropriate to the condition.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Acceptable Subfloor Surface pH Range (ASTM F710)
−type: range
−unit: pH
−options:
− min: 7
− max: 9
− step: 0.5
−setpoints: [7, 9]
−default: 9
−```
−
−## Lighting for Inspection
−
−Permanent or equivalent temporary lighting shall be operating during installation and inspection so that surface defects, pattern misalignment, telegraphing of subfloor irregularities, and seam quality can be evaluated under realistic conditions. Resilient flooring is frequently inspected and accepted under construction lighting that conceals defects which become obvious once the permanent lighting is energized; the floor shall be inspected under the lighting in which it will be viewed in service.
−
−# Resilient Flooring Products
−
−## Product Type and Construction
−
−The flooring product type determines the governing ASTM specification, the appropriate installation method, the moisture tolerance, the maintenance regimen, and the service life. The product type shall be selected for the use, traffic, and maintenance expectations of each space and shall be indicated in the [[drawing: finish schedule]].
−
−```datasheet
−label: Resilient Flooring Product Type
−type: select
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Luxury vinyl tile / plank (LVT/LVP) — solid vinyl, ASTM F1700"
− - "Vinyl composition tile (VCT) — ASTM F1066"
− - "Sheet vinyl with backing — ASTM F1303"
− - "Sheet vinyl without backing (homogeneous) — ASTM F1913"
− - "Rubber tile — ASTM F1344"
− - "Rubber sheet without backing — ASTM F1859"
− - "Rubber sheet with backing — ASTM F1860"
− - "Sheet linoleum — ASTM F2034"
−default: "Luxury vinyl tile / plank (LVT/LVP) — solid vinyl, ASTM F1700"
−```
−
−Luxury vinyl tile and plank conforming to ASTM F1700 is the dominant commercial resilient product for offices, retail, hospitality, and multi-family because it combines a durable printed or solid wear layer, dimensional stability, and a wide range of wood- and stone-look visuals. Vinyl composition tile conforming to ASTM F1066 is the long-standing economical choice for schools, retail, and back-of-house areas; it is durable and inexpensive but requires periodic stripping and re-polishing to maintain its appearance, which raises its life-cycle maintenance cost. Sheet vinyl conforming to ASTM F1303 (with backing) or ASTM F1913 (homogeneous, no backing) is specified where a continuous, weldable, impervious surface is needed — healthcare, laboratories, clean rooms, and commercial kitchens — because heat-welded seams produce a monolithic, cleanable surface with no joints for moisture or contamination to penetrate. Rubber flooring conforming to ASTM F1344 (tile), ASTM F1859 (sheet without backing), or ASTM F1860 (sheet with backing) provides excellent slip resistance, resilience underfoot, and durability, and is favored for stairs, fitness areas, and high-traffic circulation. Sheet linoleum conforming to ASTM F2034 is a bio-based product valued for its natural composition, durability, and inherent antimicrobial characteristics, commonly specified in healthcare and education by owners prioritizing sustainable materials.
−
−## Wear Layer Thickness
−
−```datasheet
−label: Wear Layer Thickness (LVT/LVP and sheet vinyl)
−type: select
−unit: mil
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "12 mil — light commercial / residential"
− - "20 mil — standard commercial"
− - "28 mil — heavy commercial"
− - "40 mil — heavy commercial / institutional"
− - "Homogeneous (wear extends full thickness)"
−default: "20 mil — standard commercial"
−```
−
−The wear layer is the clear or sacrificial top stratum that carries traffic and protects the printed or decorative layer beneath; in printed products it is the single most important determinant of service life. A 20-mil wear layer is the standard commercial selection for offices and moderate-traffic retail; 28-mil and 40-mil layers are appropriate for corridors, healthcare, education, and other heavy-traffic institutional applications where the floor must survive years of rolling loads and abrasion without wearing through to the print film. Homogeneous products — including homogeneous sheet vinyl, VCT, and many rubber products — carry the color and pattern through the full thickness, so they do not have a discrete wear layer and wear uniformly throughout their gauge, which makes them well suited to the highest-traffic applications. Specifying a wear layer thinner than the traffic warrants is the most common cause of premature replacement; once the wear layer is breached on a printed product, the floor cannot be restored and must be replaced.
−
−## Overall Gauge and Thickness
−
−```datasheet
−label: Overall Gauge / Thickness
−type: select
−unit: mm
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "2.0 mm — LVT/LVP glue-down standard"
− - "2.5 mm — LVT/LVP heavy commercial glue-down"
− - "5.0 mm — rigid core (SPC/WPC) floating plank"
− - "1/8 in (3.2 mm) — VCT standard"
− - "2.0 mm sheet vinyl — homogeneous"
− - "2.5 mm linoleum — sheet"
− - "As scheduled"
−default: "2.0 mm — LVT/LVP glue-down standard"
−```
−
−The overall gauge influences indentation resistance, acoustic performance, and the installation method. Thicker products resist static and dynamic indentation better and tolerate minor subfloor irregularities more forgivingly, but no resilient flooring bridges subfloor defects — a thicker product telegraphs less, but the subfloor must still be prepared flat. Rigid-core constructions (stone-plastic composite and wood-plastic composite) at 5 mm and above are dimensionally stable enough to be installed as floating floors, while thinner flexible products at 2.0 to 2.5 mm are intended for full-spread glue-down. VCT is dimensionally referenced to a nominal 1/8-inch thickness by ASTM F1066.
−
−## Critical Radiant Flux — Flammability
−
−```datasheet
−label: Critical Radiant Flux Class (ASTM E648 / NFPA 253)
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Class I — critical radiant flux not less than 0.45 W/cm² (exits, corridors in institutional occupancies)"
− - "Class II — critical radiant flux not less than 0.22 W/cm² (corridors in other occupancies)"
− - "Not regulated at this location (verify with code)"
−default: "Class I — critical radiant flux not less than 0.45 W/cm² (exits, corridors in institutional occupancies)"
−```
−
−Floor-covering systems in interior exits, exit passageways, and corridors are regulated by the International Building Code for critical radiant flux measured per ASTM E648 (technically equivalent to NFPA 253), which measures the radiant heat flux at which a horizontally mounted floor covering stops supporting flame propagation. A higher critical radiant flux means the floor resists flame spread better. Class I (not less than 0.45 W/cm²) is required in corridors and exits of institutional occupancies such as hospitals, nursing homes, and detention facilities, where occupants cannot self-evacuate; Class II (not less than 0.22 W/cm²) applies to corridors in many other occupancies. The Architect shall confirm the required class from the building code compliance path for each location; the flooring product data shall document the tested critical radiant flux value, and the value is a property of the floor-covering system as tested over its substrate, not of the covering alone.
−
−## Smoke Density
−
−```datasheet
−label: Smoke Density Limit (ASTM E662 / NFPA 258)
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Required — specific optical density of smoke shall not exceed 450 (flaming and non-flaming)"
− - "Not separately regulated at this location"
−default: "Not separately regulated at this location"
−```
−
−Where the building code or the Owner's program requires limiting smoke generation — common in healthcare, transportation, and high-rise occupancies — the specific optical density of smoke generated by the flooring shall be measured per ASTM E662 (NFPA 258) and shall not exceed the limit stated. Smoke obscuration impairs egress visibility independently of flame spread, which is why smoke density is sometimes regulated separately from critical radiant flux.
−
−## Slip Resistance
−
−```datasheet
−label: Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (ANSI A326.3)
−type: range
−unit: DCOF
−options:
− min: 0.42
− max: 0.55
− step: 0.01
−setpoints: [0.42, 0.55]
−default: 0.42
−```
−
−The dynamic coefficient of friction shall be measured per ANSI A326.3 and shall meet the minimum for the applicable use classification. For level interior spaces expected to be walked on when wet, ANSI A326.3 establishes a minimum DCOF of 0.42; wetter and more demanding classifications require higher values up to 0.55 and above. Slip resistance is a function of both the product and its maintained surface — a floor polish or a worn surface changes the DCOF — so the specified value applies to the product as installed and as maintained per the manufacturer's program. Ramps, wet areas, and spaces subject to grease or oil require classification-specific values and shall be evaluated individually rather than defaulted to the level-dry minimum.
−
−## Static Load Resistance
−
−```datasheet
−label: Static Load Limit (ASTM F970)
−type: select
−unit: psi
−options:
− - "75 psi — standard commercial furnishings"
− - "125 psi — heavy furnishings and light rolling loads"
− - "250 psi — institutional / equipment and heavy rolling loads"
− - "Per manufacturer for product type"
−default: "Per manufacturer for product type"
−```
−
−Where the floor will carry concentrated static loads from heavy furnishings, shelving, casework, or equipment, the residual indentation after static loading per ASTM F970 shall remain within the limit for the specified load. Resilient flooring recovers elastically from most loads, but a sustained concentrated load — a file cabinet leg, a shelving standard, a piece of equipment — can produce a permanent indentation if the load exceeds the product's static load limit. The static load rating shall be coordinated with the heaviest anticipated sustained load and with the use of load-distributing bearing plates under point loads where necessary. For products and conditions involving rolling and short-term concentrated loads, indentation behavior is evaluated per ASTM F1914.
−
−## Chemical Resistance
−
−```datasheet
−label: Chemical Resistance Required (ASTM F925)
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Standard — resistance to common cleaning agents"
− - "Enhanced — resistance to reagents per laboratory/healthcare program (ASTM F925)"
− - "Not a governing requirement"
−default: "Standard — resistance to common cleaning agents"
−```
−
−In laboratories, healthcare treatment areas, pharmacies, and similar spaces, the flooring shall resist surface deterioration from the specific reagents anticipated in service, evaluated per ASTM F925. The reagent list for a research or clinical space differs from the common-cleaning-agent exposure of a typical commercial floor; where aggressive reagents are anticipated, the product shall be selected and documented for resistance to that specific exposure, because a product that resists common cleaners may stain or soften under a laboratory chemical.
−
−## Indoor Air Quality — VOC Certification
−
−```datasheet
−label: Indoor Air Quality Certification
−type: radio
−options:
− - "FloorScore certified (CDPH Section 01350 compliant) — flooring and adhesive"
− - "FloorScore certified flooring only"
− - "Not required"
−default: "FloorScore certified (CDPH Section 01350 compliant) — flooring and adhesive"
−```
−
−Resilient flooring and its adhesive shall be certified to a recognized low-emitting-materials program where indoor air quality is a project requirement. FloorScore certification, administered by SCS Global Services with the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, verifies compliance with the volatile organic compound emission criteria of the CDPH Section 01350 program and is the recognized indoor-air-quality certification for resilient flooring; it also satisfies the low-emitting-materials criteria of LEED, WELL, and similar green-building rating systems. Because the adhesive can emit more VOCs than the flooring itself, the adhesive shall carry the same certification as the flooring where the program requires it; certifying the flooring alone leaves a significant emission source unaddressed.
−
−## Finish and Polish
−
−```datasheet
−label: Factory / Field Finish
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Factory-applied no-wax / no-polish wear surface (LVT, sheet vinyl, rubber)"
− - "Field-applied floor polish required (VCT and unfinished products)"
− - "Manufacturer's recommended finish program"
−default: "Factory-applied no-wax / no-polish wear surface (LVT, sheet vinyl, rubber)"
−```
−
−Most modern LVT, sheet vinyl, and rubber products carry a factory-applied wear surface that does not require an applied floor polish, which reduces life-cycle maintenance cost and labor. Vinyl composition tile, by contrast, is supplied without a finish and requires multiple coats of field-applied floor polish at initial maintenance and periodic stripping and re-coating thereafter; this recurring labor is the principal life-cycle cost of VCT and shall be accounted for when comparing it against no-polish alternatives. Rubber flooring generally should not receive conventional acrylic polishes, which can interfere with its slip resistance and bond poorly; the manufacturer's recommended maintenance program governs.
−
−# Accessories
−
−## Adhesives
−
−```datasheet
−label: Adhesive Type
−type: select
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive — LVT/LVP glue-down"
− - "Acrylic hard-set / wet-set adhesive — VCT and sheet goods"
− - "Epoxy adhesive — high-moisture or high-performance applications"
− - "Polyurethane adhesive — rubber flooring"
− - "Manufacturer-recommended adhesive for product and subfloor"
−default: "Manufacturer-recommended adhesive for product and subfloor"
−```
−
−The adhesive shall be the type recommended by the flooring manufacturer for the specific product, subfloor, and measured moisture and pH condition. Adhesive selection is not interchangeable: a pressure-sensitive adhesive intended to remain tacky for a removable or loose-lay installation behaves entirely differently from a hard-set adhesive that cures rigid, and using the wrong one produces either a floor that never bonds or a floor that cannot be maintained. Where slab moisture or alkalinity is elevated but within a moisture-tolerant adhesive's stated limit, the moisture-tolerant adhesive may be used in lieu of a separate mitigation membrane only when the flooring manufacturer confirms the adhesive is warranted for the measured condition.
−
−## Moisture Mitigation Membrane
−
−```datasheet
−label: Moisture Mitigation Method
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "None required — slab passes F2170/F1869 within product limits"
− - "Epoxy moisture-mitigation coating applied to prepared slab"
− - "Cementitious moisture-suppression underlayment system"
− - "Manufacturer-approved mitigation membrane rated for measured RH"
−default: "None required — slab passes F2170/F1869 within product limits"
−```
−
−Where the measured slab relative humidity or moisture vapor emission rate exceeds the flooring and adhesive limits, a moisture-mitigation membrane shall be installed to reduce the effective vapor transmission reaching the flooring to within the product's tolerance. The mitigation product — typically a two-component epoxy coating or a cementitious suppression system — shall be rated by its manufacturer for the relative humidity actually measured at the slab, not for a generic condition; a membrane rated to 95 percent RH is required for a 95 percent slab, and a membrane rated to a lower value will fail. Mitigation is a system that includes surface preparation (typically shot-blasting to the required profile), the membrane, and a compatible adhesive; the Contractor shall install the complete system per the membrane manufacturer's instructions and shall not assume that a moisture-tolerant adhesive alone is equivalent to a rated membrane for severe conditions.
−
−## Resilient Base
−
−```datasheet
−label: Resilient Base
−type: select
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Rubber base — 4 in cove"
− - "Rubber base — 6 in cove"
− - "Vinyl base — 4 in cove"
− - "Integral flash-cove of sheet flooring (welded, healthcare/lab)"
− - "Straight (toeless) base at carpet transitions"
− - "As scheduled"
−default: "Rubber base — 4 in cove"
−```
−
−Resilient base shall be coved (with a toe) where it meets resilient or hard flooring, and straight (toeless) where it meets carpet. In healthcare, laboratory, and other spaces requiring a seamless, cleanable wall-to-floor junction, the sheet flooring shall be carried up the wall as an integral flash-cove with a cove former and a welded top cap or cap strip, eliminating the joint where the floor meets the wall that a separate applied base would create. The flash-cove detail shall be shown on the [[drawing: details]] and executed per the manufacturer's instructions.
−
−## Transition Strips and Edge Trim
−
−```datasheet
−label: Transition Strip Type
−type: select
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Resilient reducer — to lower adjacent finish"
− - "Resilient T-molding — to equal-height adjacent finish"
− - "Metal transition / edge trim — to carpet or ceramic"
− - "Threshold at door openings"
− - "As detailed on drawings"
−default: "As detailed on drawings"
−```
−
−Transitions between the resilient floor and adjacent finishes shall be made with a transition strip appropriate to the relative finish-floor elevations and to the adjacent material, as shown in the [[drawing: details and finish schedule]]. Where the adjacent finish is at a different elevation, a reducer or a code-compliant beveled transition shall be used so that the change in level does not create a trip hazard or an accessibility violation; abrupt vertical changes in level greater than the accessibility limit are not permitted on accessible routes.
−
−# Subfloor Preparation and Moisture Testing
−
−## General Subfloor Requirements
−
−Concrete subfloors shall be prepared in accordance with ASTM F710. The subfloor shall be permanently dry, clean, smooth, structurally sound, and free of dust, paint, oil, grease, residual adhesive, curing and sealing compounds, and any other substance that would interfere with the adhesive bond. The condition of the subfloor is the Contractor's responsibility to verify before installation; installing resilient flooring over a noncompliant subfloor transfers a known defect into the finished work, and the resulting failure is not a product defect and is not covered by the flooring warranty.
−
−## Flatness and Surface Profile
−
−The subfloor shall be flat within the tolerance required by the flooring manufacturer, commonly 3/16 inch in 10 feet for thin resilient goods. Resilient flooring is thin and flexible and conforms to the subfloor; it does not bridge or conceal irregularities. High spots shall be ground down and low spots filled with a cementitious patching or self-leveling underlayment compatible with the flooring and adhesive. Joints, cracks, and surface voids shall be filled so that they do not telegraph through the finished floor as visible lines or depressions — telegraphing of subfloor defects is one of the most common and most avoidable resilient flooring complaints.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Subfloor Flatness Tolerance
−type: radio
−unit: in / 10 ft
−options:
− - "3/16 in in 10 ft (standard for thin resilient goods)"
− - "1/8 in in 10 ft (where manufacturer requires tighter)"
−default: "3/16 in in 10 ft (standard for thin resilient goods)"
−```
−
−## Moisture Testing — Relative Humidity (ASTM F2170)
−
−In-situ relative humidity testing per ASTM F2170 shall be performed on all concrete slabs before resilient flooring is installed, using probes placed to the depth specified by F2170 (40 percent of slab thickness for slabs drying from one side, 20 percent for slabs drying from two sides) at the test frequency required by the standard — a minimum of three tests for the first 1,000 square feet and one additional test for each additional 1,000 square feet. The slab and the space shall be at service temperature and humidity for the conditioning period required by F2170 before probes are read, because relative humidity within the slab is temperature-dependent and a reading taken in an unconditioned space does not represent the in-service condition. The measured relative humidity shall be compared against the limit established in this standard and against the flooring and adhesive manufacturer's limit, and installation shall not proceed until the slab is within the lower of those limits or mitigation has been installed.
−
−## Moisture Testing — Vapor Emission and Alkalinity
−
−Where moisture vapor emission rate testing per ASTM F1869 is used as a screening or supplementary measure, it shall be conducted with the space at service conditions for the required conditioning period, at the same test frequency as F2170, and the result compared against the project limit. Surface alkalinity (pH) shall be measured per the ASTM F710 procedure at each moisture test location. The Contractor shall record all moisture and pH test results, locations, dates, and ambient conditions and shall submit them before installation; the test record is the documentary basis for the warranty and shall be retained in the closeout submittals.
−
−## Wood and Other Subfloors
−
−Where resilient flooring is installed over a wood subfloor or an approved panel underlayment rather than concrete, the substrate shall be of a type and grade recommended by the flooring manufacturer for resilient flooring, shall be fastened to eliminate deflection and movement, and shall present a smooth, void-free, sanded surface with no fastener heads proud of the surface. Wood subfloors over crawl spaces or unconditioned areas shall have the underside moisture condition controlled, because moisture migrating up through a wood subfloor debonds resilient flooring just as slab moisture does. Single-layer subfloors that flex under load shall receive an approved underlayment; resilient flooring telegraphs and cracks over a deflecting substrate.
−
−# Installation
−
−## Layout
−
−The Contractor shall establish the layout from the room centerlines or from the control lines shown on the [[drawing: finish plan]] so that border tiles and planks are balanced and of adequate width, patterns align across the space and through door openings, and the directional pattern of plank and wood-look products runs as indicated. Layout shall be dry-laid and approved before any adhesive is applied. A floor installed without a planned layout produces slivers at one wall, misaligned patterns at thresholds, and seams that fall in conspicuous locations.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Installation Method
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Full-spread glue-down"
− - "Loose-lay (perimeter and seam adhesive only)"
− - "Floating click / interlocking (rigid core)"
−default: "Full-spread glue-down"
−```
−
−Full-spread glue-down is the default and most durable installation method for commercial resilient flooring, producing a fully bonded floor that resists rolling loads, edge curl, and movement. Loose-lay products rely on their mass and a perimeter or grid adhesive and are appropriate where rapid replacement or access to the subfloor is required, but they are limited to products and rolling-load conditions the manufacturer approves for loose-lay. Floating click installation, available with rigid-core products, requires no adhesive and tolerates minor residual moisture but requires expansion space at the perimeter and is limited by the manufacturer's maximum span before a transition is required.
−
−## Adhesive Application
−
−Adhesive shall be applied with the trowel notch, coverage rate, open time, and working time specified by the adhesive manufacturer for the product and conditions. The two most common adhesive errors are working into wet adhesive before the required open time (which prevents the adhesive from grabbing) and working past the working time (which leaves the flooring sitting on skinned-over adhesive that never transfers). The Contractor shall verify adhesive transfer to the back of the flooring by periodically lifting a piece, and shall adjust the open time for the actual temperature and humidity in the space, which change the adhesive's behavior.
−
−## Rolling
−
−Glue-down resilient flooring shall be rolled with a roller of the weight specified by the manufacturer, in both directions, immediately after placement and again as required to ensure full adhesive transfer and contact across the entire surface. Rolling collapses the adhesive ridges and wets the back of the flooring with adhesive, which is what produces the bond; flooring that is placed but not properly rolled bonds only at the adhesive ridge tops and will release. Edges and seams shall receive particular attention during rolling.
−
−## Seaming and Welding — Sheet Goods
−
−Seams in sheet flooring shall be located per the approved seam plan, kept to the minimum number consistent with the material width and the layout, and positioned out of the main traffic path and away from door openings where practical. For heat-welded and chemically welded installations, the seam shall be grooved, the weld rod or chemical applied per the manufacturer's instructions, and the weld trimmed flush once cured, producing a continuous monolithic surface. Welding shall not begin until the adhesive has cured for the period the manufacturer requires — welding into uncured adhesive disturbs the bond at the seam, which is exactly where the floor is most vulnerable. In healthcare, laboratory, and other hygienic applications, every seam and the wall base flash-cove shall be welded so that there is no unsealed joint anywhere in the floor surface.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Sheet Seam Treatment
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Heat-welded seams (continuous monolithic surface)"
− - "Chemically welded seams"
− - "Sealed / overlap-cut seams (non-welded)"
− - "Not applicable — tile or plank product"
−default: "Heat-welded seams (continuous monolithic surface)"
−```
−
−# Field Testing
−
−## Moisture Test Verification
−
−The Contractor shall not install resilient flooring until the documented ASTM F2170 relative humidity, ASTM F1869 emission (where used), and ASTM F710 pH results have confirmed the subfloor is within the governing limits or until the specified mitigation has been installed and confirmed. Where mitigation is installed, the Contractor shall verify that the mitigation product was rated for the relative humidity actually measured and was installed over the surface preparation the membrane manufacturer requires.
−
−## Bond and Installation Inspection
−
−After installation and adhesive cure, the floor shall be inspected for full bond, with no hollow spots, edge curl, lifted seams, telegraphing of subfloor defects, pattern misalignment, gaps, or trapped debris, under the permanent or equivalent lighting. Hollow or unbonded areas shall be re-adhered or replaced. The Contractor shall confirm by spot inspection that adhesive transfer occurred across the floor and not only at seams and edges.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Post-Installation Bond Inspection Required
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Yes — full-floor inspection under permanent lighting"
− - "No"
−default: "Yes — full-floor inspection under permanent lighting"
−```
−
−# Cleaning and Initial Maintenance
−
−## Initial Cleaning
−
−After installation and after the adhesive has cured for the period the manufacturer requires, the floor shall be cleaned of construction soil, adhesive residue, and marks by the method the flooring manufacturer specifies. The floor shall not be wet-cleaned or subjected to wet maintenance until the adhesive has fully cured — typically several days — because flooding the floor before the adhesive cures introduces water at the bond line and can debond the floor. Premature wet cleaning is a frequent cause of early failure that is mistaken for a product or installation defect.
−
−## Initial Finish and Protection
−
−```datasheet
−label: Initial Finish / Polish Application
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Apply manufacturer-specified number of polish coats (VCT and unfinished products)"
− - "No initial polish — factory-finished no-wax product"
− - "Manufacturer's initial maintenance program"
−default: "No initial polish — factory-finished no-wax product"
−```
−
−Where the product requires a field-applied finish, the specified number of coats of floor polish shall be applied after initial cleaning and full adhesive cure, following the manufacturer's program. After finishing, the floor shall be protected from traffic and from other trades until the project is turned over, using a breathable protective covering that does not trap moisture against the floor or transfer color or adhesive residue. Non-breathable plastic sheeting taped directly to a freshly installed resilient floor can trap moisture and stain or debond the floor and shall not be used.
−
−# Delivery, Storage, and Handling
−
−Resilient flooring, adhesives, and accessories shall be delivered in the manufacturer's original unopened packaging with labels intact, identifying product, color, and dye lot. Material shall be stored indoors in the conditioned installation environment, protected from moisture, freezing, and excessive heat. Sheet goods shall be stored standing on end or in the manner the manufacturer directs to prevent flat spots and core distortion; tile and plank shall be stored flat. Adhesives have a limited shelf life and a minimum storage temperature below which they are damaged; adhesive that has frozen or exceeded its shelf life shall be discarded. All material for a continuous area shall be from the same dye lot wherever possible, because color varies between dye lots and a dye-lot change within a single visual field will be apparent.
−
−# Warranty
−
−```datasheet
−label: Manufacturer Wear Warranty Period
−type: select
−unit: years
−options:
− - "5 years (light commercial)"
− - "10 years (standard commercial)"
− - "15 years (heavy commercial)"
− - "20 years (institutional / heavy commercial)"
− - "Lifetime (residential-grade products only)"
−default: "10 years (standard commercial)"
−```
−
−The flooring manufacturer shall warrant the product against manufacturing defects and against wear-through of the wear layer under normal commercial use for the period stated. The Contractor shall warrant the installation — including subfloor preparation, adhesive bond, seaming and welding, and base and transition work — against defective workmanship for the project warranty period. The Contractor shall be aware that most manufacturer warranties are void unless the subfloor moisture and pH conditions were within the product's stated limits and documented at the time of installation; the moisture and pH test record is therefore part of the warranty basis, and the Contractor shall retain and deliver it. Failures arising from subsequent water exposure, from cleaning or maintenance contrary to the manufacturer's instructions, or from loads exceeding the product's static load limit are excluded from both warranties.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Installation Workmanship Warranty Period
−type: select
−options:
− - "1 year from substantial completion"
− - "2 years from substantial completion"
−default: "1 year from substantial completion"
−```
−
−# Spare and Extra Materials
−
−```datasheet
−label: Attic Stock Quantity
−type: range
−unit: % of installed area
−options:
− min: 2
− max: 5
− step: 1
−default: 2
−```
−
−The Contractor shall deliver to the Owner spare material of each flooring product, color, and pattern installed, in the percentage of installed area stated, in full unopened cartons or full rolls and labeled with the product, color, and dye lot. Attic stock allows the Owner to repair damaged areas with material from the same dye lot as the original installation, which is essential because a later-purchased replacement will be from a different dye lot and will not match. Spare material shall be from the same dye lots as the installed flooring and shall be stored by the Owner in the conditioned environment recommended by the manufacturer.
+---
+title: Resilient Flooring
+category: Architectural / Finishes
+toc_depth: 3
+description: >
+ When to use: Resilient floor coverings for commercial, institutional, healthcare, educational, and multi-family interior applications — luxury vinyl tile and plank (LVT/LVP), vinyl composition tile (VCT), sheet vinyl with and without backing, rubber tile and sheet, and sheet linoleum. Covers product type and construction, wear-layer and gauge selection, flammability and smoke performance, slip resistance, indoor-air-quality (VOC) certification, accessories (adhesives, transition strips, resilient base), concrete and wood subfloor preparation, moisture testing and mitigation, full-spread glue-down and floating installation methods, heat- and chemical-welded seaming for sheet goods, field testing, initial maintenance, and warranty.
+ Not intended for: Ceramic and porcelain tile (see [[sync/ceramic-tile]]); carpet and carpet tile (see [[sync/carpet]]); terrazzo (see [[sync/terrazzo]]); fluid-applied epoxy, urethane, or other poured-in-place resinous floors (see [[sync/resinous-flooring]]); wood and engineered-wood flooring; static-control/conductive flooring requiring grounded systems beyond the slip- and IAQ-related provisions herein; exterior or below-grade-exposed deck coatings; concrete slab design and placement (see [[sync/cast-in-place-concrete]]).
+---
+
+# Scope {toc}
+
+## This standard governs the materials and installation of resilient floor coverings — luxury vinyl tile and plank, vinyl composition tile, sheet vinyl, rubber tile and sheet, and sheet linoleum — over concrete and approved wood subfloors in commercial and institutional construction. {note}
+## Resilient flooring is specified across a wide range of building types because it combines durability, low installed cost, ease of maintenance, slip resistance, and the ability to be cleaned and disinfected, which makes it the default finish for corridors, classrooms, patient rooms, laboratories, retail back-of-house, and high-traffic public spaces. {note}
+
+## The overwhelming majority of resilient flooring failures in the field are moisture-related or adhesion-related, and they originate in inadequate subfloor preparation rather than in a defect of the flooring product. {note}
+
+## A resilient floor is a system consisting of the subfloor, any moisture-mitigation membrane, the adhesive or attachment method, the floor covering, the seam treatment, and the perimeter and transition accessories, each element of which must be coordinated with the others: an adhesive that is correct for a glue-down LVT is wrong for a loose-lay product, a moisture condition acceptable for a vapor-permeable linoleum may debond a moisture-sensitive sheet vinyl, and a wear layer that performs well in an office will fail prematurely in a corridor with rolling carts. {note}
+
+### The Contractor shall treat the floor as a system.
+
+### The Contractor shall verify that the covering, adhesive, and mitigation method selected are mutually compatible and approved by the flooring manufacturer for the measured subfloor condition.
+
+### The Contractor shall not begin installation until the subfloor has passed the moisture and surface-preparation acceptance criteria of this standard.
+
+### Coordinate the concrete slab, its vapor retarder, and its surface finish with [[sync/cast-in-place-concrete]].
+
+### Coordinate transitions to adjacent finishes — ceramic tile, carpet, and terrazzo — with [[sync/ceramic-tile]], [[sync/carpet]], and [[sync/terrazzo]] respectively, so that transition strips, thresholds, and finish-floor elevations reconcile.
+
+# Referenced Standards {toc}
+
+## All materials, testing, and installation shall comply with the latest edition adopted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction for each of the following standards.
+
+| Standard | Title |
+|----------|-------|
+| ASTM F141 | Standard Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings |
+| ASTM F1700 | Standard Specification for Solid Vinyl Floor in Modular Format such as Tile(s) or Plank(s) |
+| ASTM F1066 | Standard Specification for Vinyl Composition Floor Tile |
+| ASTM F1303 | Standard Specification for Sheet Vinyl Floor Covering with Backing |
+| ASTM F1913 | Standard Specification for Vinyl Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing |
+| ASTM F1859 | Standard Specification for Rubber Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing |
+| ASTM F1860 | Standard Specification for Rubber Sheet Floor Covering With Backing |
+| ASTM F1344 | Standard Specification for Rubber Floor Tile |
+| ASTM F2034 | Standard Specification for Sheet Linoleum Floor Covering |
+| ASTM F710 | Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring |
+| ASTM F1869 | Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride |
+| ASTM F2170 | Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes |
+| ASTM F710 §pH | Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors — Alkalinity (pH) Determination |
+| ASTM F925 | Standard Test Method for Resistance to Chemicals of Resilient Flooring |
+| ASTM F970 | Standard Test Method for Measuring Recovery Properties of Floor Coverings after Static Loading |
+| ASTM F1914 | Standard Test Methods for Short-Term Indentation and Residual Indentation of Resilient Floor Covering |
+| ASTM E648 | Standard Test Method for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor-Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source |
+| NFPA 253 | Standard Method of Test for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source |
+| ASTM E662 | Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials |
+| NFPA 258 | Standard Research Test Method for Determining Smoke Generation of Solid Materials |
+| ANSI A326.3 | Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials |
+| CDPH/EHLB Standard Method v1.2 (Section 01350) | Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions (FloorScore basis) |
+| IBC | International Building Code (current edition adopted by jurisdiction) |
+
+## Where the contract documents, a referenced standard, or the flooring manufacturer's written instructions impose a more stringent requirement than the minimum of any other standard, the more stringent requirement governs unless the Architect of Record directs otherwise in writing.
+
+## The Contractor shall follow the flooring manufacturer's written installation instructions in addition to this standard, because those instructions define the conditions under which the product warranty is valid.
+
+## Compliance with ASTM F710, and with the moisture test methods it invokes (F1869 and F2170), is a precondition of nearly every manufacturer warranty. {note}
+
+## The Class I or Class II designation derived from ASTM E648 (critical radiant flux) is a code requirement referenced by the International Building Code for floor-covering systems in corridors and exits, not a discretionary selection. {note}
+
+# Submittals {toc}
+
+## Action Submittals {toc}
+
+### The Contractor shall submit the following for the Architect's review prior to procurement and installation:
+
+- Product data for each resilient flooring product, identifying the governing ASTM specification, class and type, wear-layer thickness, overall gauge, and the manufacturer's written installation instructions
+- Product data for each adhesive, moisture-mitigation membrane, patching and leveling compound, transition strip, and resilient base, including the adhesive bond compatibility statement for the specific covering and subfloor condition
+- Samples of each flooring product in the full range of colors and patterns specified, of sufficient size to show the pattern repeat, and samples of each transition strip and base profile and color
+- Moisture and alkalinity test reports for the actual subfloor, conducted in accordance with ASTM F2170 (relative humidity), ASTM F1869 (moisture vapor emission rate), and the ASTM F710 pH procedure, identifying test locations and ambient conditions at the time of testing
+- FloorScore (or equivalent CDPH Section 01350) indoor-air-quality certification documentation for each flooring product, adhesive, and underlayment where low-emitting materials are specified
+- Maintenance instructions describing the initial cleaning, any required finish or polish, and the recommended periodic maintenance program for each product
+
+```datasheet
+label: Action Submittals Required
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - "Product data — each resilient flooring product"
+ - "Product data — adhesives, membranes, accessories"
+ - "Samples — flooring (full color/pattern range)"
+ - "Samples — transition strips and resilient base"
+ - "Subfloor moisture and alkalinity test reports (F2170 / F1869 / F710 pH)"
+ - "FloorScore / Section 01350 IAQ certification"
+ - "Maintenance instructions"
+default: "Subfloor moisture and alkalinity test reports (F2170 / F1869 / F710 pH)"
+```
+
+### Installation shall not begin until the moisture-test reports have been submitted and reviewed, because the moisture condition determines both the product compatibility and the mitigation requirement.
+
+## Closeout Submittals {toc}
+
+### The Contractor shall provide the following at project closeout:
+
+- Manufacturer warranty documentation for each flooring product, executed in the Owner's name
+- Record of the final subfloor moisture and pH test results, the mitigation method installed (if any), and the adhesive used, retained for warranty purposes
+- Attic-stock transmittal documenting the quantity, product, color, and dye lot of spare material delivered to the Owner
+
+```datasheet
+label: Required Closeout Submittals
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - Manufacturer warranty documentation executed in the Owner's name
+ - Final subfloor moisture and pH test record with mitigation and adhesive used
+ - Attic-stock transmittal (quantity, product, color, dye lot)
+default: [Manufacturer warranty documentation executed in the Owner's name, Final subfloor moisture and pH test record with mitigation and adhesive used, Attic-stock transmittal (quantity, product, color, dye lot)]
+```
+
+# Quality Assurance {toc}
+
+## Installer Qualifications {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Installer Certification — Welded Sheet Goods
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Manufacturer-certified seam welder required (sheet vinyl / linoleum with welded seams)"
+ - "Experienced commercial installer (tile and plank, non-welded)"
+ - "Not applicable — no welded seams on this project"
+default: "Experienced commercial installer (tile and plank, non-welded)"
+```
+
+### Resilient flooring shall be installed by an installer with documented experience in commercial installations of the specific product type required.
+
+### Heat-welded and chemically welded sheet goods shall be installed by mechanics trained and certified in seam welding by the flooring manufacturer or by a recognized flooring-installation training program.
+
+### The Contractor shall not assign seam welding to untrained labor.
+
+### Heat-welded seams in sheet vinyl and linoleum are the single most skill-dependent operation in resilient flooring; a poorly welded seam fails as a hygienic barrier and as a wear surface, and in healthcare and laboratory environments a failed seam defeats the entire purpose of selecting a welded sheet floor. {note}
+
+## Mock-Up {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Mock-Up Required
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Yes — install a representative area of each flooring type, including a welded seam and a transition"
+ - "No"
+default: "No"
+```
+
+### Where a mock-up is required, the Contractor shall install a representative area of each flooring type at a location directed by the Architect, including at least one heat-welded or chemically welded seam where welded sheet goods are specified, one transition to an adjacent finish, and the integral or applied base.
+
+### The mock-up shall remain available for comparison throughout the work, establishing the acceptable standard for pattern alignment, seam appearance, flash-cove (where used), and base detailing.
+
+## Pre-Installation Conference {toc}
+
+### Before installation begins, the Contractor shall hold a pre-installation conference with the Architect and the flooring installer to review the moisture-test results, the mitigation requirement, the adhesive selection, the layout and pattern, the seam and welding plan, the acclimatization status of the material, and the environmental conditions in the space.
+
+### Most resilient flooring disputes trace back to a condition that was known but not acted upon before installation — a marginal moisture reading, a slab that was not flat enough, or material that had not acclimatized; the conference exists to surface and resolve those conditions before the adhesive goes down. {note}
+
+# Environmental and Service Conditions {toc}
+
+## Acclimatization {toc}
+
+### Resilient flooring, adhesives, and the spaces to receive them shall be conditioned to the service environment before, during, and after installation.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Acclimatization Period Before Installation
+type: range
+unit: hours
+options:
+ min: 48
+ max: 72
+ step: 24
+default: 48
+```
+
+### Flooring material shall be delivered to the installation area and acclimatized for not less than 48 hours before installation, in its installation position (tile and plank removed from cartons or loosely stacked, sheet goods unrolled or loosely rolled).
+
+### Acclimatization shall continue throughout installation and for not less than 48 hours after completion.
+
+### Resilient flooring expands and contracts with temperature, and material installed before it has reached a stable dimension will gap at seams or buckle as it equilibrates. {note}
+
+## Temperature During Installation {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Minimum Ambient Temperature During Installation
+type: range
+unit: °F
+options:
+ min: 65
+ max: 70
+ step: 5
+default: 65
+```
+
+### The installation area shall be maintained at a minimum of 65 °F (18 °C) and a maximum of 85 °F (29 °C) for 48 hours before, during, and for 48 hours after installation.
+
+### The permanent HVAC system shall be operational and controlling the space to its normal occupied range.
+
+### Temporary heat that does not control humidity shall not be substituted for permanent conditioning, because adhesive cure, dimensional stability, and the subfloor moisture condition all depend on the space being at service conditions.
+
+### Installing resilient flooring in a space that will later be heated or cooled to a markedly different temperature than it was installed in is a common cause of subsequent seam gapping and edge curl. {note}
+
+## Subfloor Moisture and Relative Humidity Limits {toc}
+
+### The acceptable subfloor moisture condition is the governing service condition for resilient flooring, and it shall be established by test before installation and confirmed against both the flooring manufacturer's limit and the limits of this standard.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Slab Internal Relative Humidity (ASTM F2170)
+type: range
+unit: % RH
+options:
+ min: 75
+ max: 90
+ step: 5
+default: 75
+```
+
+### The relative humidity within a concrete slab measured by in-situ probe per ASTM F2170 shall not exceed the limit stated, the lower of the manufacturer's limit and the project limit governing.
+
+### Internal relative humidity per F2170 is a more reliable predictor of long-term moisture behavior than a surface emission measurement, because it reflects the moisture distributed through the slab thickness rather than only the surface condition at the moment of test. {note}
+
+## Subfloor Moisture Vapor Emission Limit {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Moisture Vapor Emission Rate (ASTM F1869)
+type: range
+unit: lb/1000 sq ft/24 hr
+options:
+ min: 3
+ max: 5
+ step: 1
+default: 3
+```
+
+### Where moisture vapor emission rate is used as a screening or supplementary measure per ASTM F1869, the rate shall not exceed the limit stated.
+
+### The calcium chloride method shall not be used as the sole acceptance criterion for slabs on grade or below grade — F2170 internal relative humidity is required for those conditions because surface emission can read deceptively low while the slab interior remains wet.
+
+## Subfloor Alkalinity (pH) {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Acceptable Subfloor Surface pH Range (ASTM F710)
+type: range
+unit: pH
+options:
+ min: 7
+ max: 9
+ step: 0.5
+setpoints: [7, 9]
+default: 9
+```
+
+### The surface pH of the concrete subfloor shall be measured per the ASTM F710 alkalinity procedure and shall fall within the range accepted by the adhesive manufacturer, typically between 7 and 9.
+
+### Where the measured pH exceeds the adhesive manufacturer's limit, the surface shall be treated, an alkalinity-tolerant adhesive selected, or a mitigation membrane installed, as appropriate to the condition.
+
+### High slab alkalinity — common in newer concrete and in slabs where moisture has carried alkaline salts to the surface — chemically attacks many flooring adhesives and is a frequent cause of debonding that is mistaken for a moisture failure. {note}
+
+## Lighting for Inspection {toc}
+
+### Permanent or equivalent temporary lighting shall be operating during installation and inspection so that surface defects, pattern misalignment, telegraphing of subfloor irregularities, and seam quality can be evaluated under realistic conditions.
+
+### The floor shall be inspected under the lighting in which it will be viewed in service, because resilient flooring is frequently inspected and accepted under construction lighting that conceals defects which become obvious once the permanent lighting is energized.
+
+# Resilient Flooring Products {toc}
+
+## Product Type and Construction {toc}
+
+### The flooring product type determines the governing ASTM specification, the appropriate installation method, the moisture tolerance, the maintenance regimen, and the service life. {note}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Resilient Flooring Product Type
+type: select
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Luxury vinyl tile / plank (LVT/LVP) — solid vinyl, ASTM F1700"
+ - "Vinyl composition tile (VCT) — ASTM F1066"
+ - "Sheet vinyl with backing — ASTM F1303"
+ - "Sheet vinyl without backing (homogeneous) — ASTM F1913"
+ - "Rubber tile — ASTM F1344"
+ - "Rubber sheet without backing — ASTM F1859"
+ - "Rubber sheet with backing — ASTM F1860"
+ - "Sheet linoleum — ASTM F2034"
+default: "Luxury vinyl tile / plank (LVT/LVP) — solid vinyl, ASTM F1700"
+```
+
+### The product type shall be selected for the use, traffic, and maintenance expectations of each space and shall be indicated in the [[drawing: finish schedule]].
+
+### Luxury vinyl tile and plank conforming to ASTM F1700 is the dominant commercial resilient product for offices, retail, hospitality, and multi-family because it combines a durable printed or solid wear layer, dimensional stability, and a wide range of wood- and stone-look visuals. {note}
+
+### Vinyl composition tile conforming to ASTM F1066 is the long-standing economical choice for schools, retail, and back-of-house areas; it is durable and inexpensive but requires periodic stripping and re-polishing to maintain its appearance, which raises its life-cycle maintenance cost. {note}
+
+### Sheet vinyl conforming to ASTM F1303 (with backing) or ASTM F1913 (homogeneous, no backing) is specified where a continuous, weldable, impervious surface is needed — healthcare, laboratories, clean rooms, and commercial kitchens — because heat-welded seams produce a monolithic, cleanable surface with no joints for moisture or contamination to penetrate. {note}
+
+### Rubber flooring conforming to ASTM F1344 (tile), ASTM F1859 (sheet without backing), or ASTM F1860 (sheet with backing) provides excellent slip resistance, resilience underfoot, and durability, and is favored for stairs, fitness areas, and high-traffic circulation. {note}
+
+### Sheet linoleum conforming to ASTM F2034 is a bio-based product valued for its natural composition, durability, and inherent antimicrobial characteristics, commonly specified in healthcare and education by owners prioritizing sustainable materials. {note}
+
+## Wear Layer Thickness {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Wear Layer Thickness (LVT/LVP and sheet vinyl)
+type: select
+unit: mil
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "12 mil — light commercial / residential"
+ - "20 mil — standard commercial"
+ - "28 mil — heavy commercial"
+ - "40 mil — heavy commercial / institutional"
+ - "Homogeneous (wear extends full thickness)"
+default: "20 mil — standard commercial"
+```
+
+### A 20-mil wear layer is the standard commercial selection for offices and moderate-traffic retail; 28-mil and 40-mil layers are appropriate for corridors, healthcare, education, and other heavy-traffic institutional applications.
+
+### The wear layer is the clear or sacrificial top stratum that carries traffic and protects the printed or decorative layer beneath; in printed products it is the single most important determinant of service life, and once it is breached on a printed product the floor cannot be restored and must be replaced. {note}
+
+### Homogeneous products — including homogeneous sheet vinyl, VCT, and many rubber products — carry the color and pattern through the full thickness, so they do not have a discrete wear layer and wear uniformly throughout their gauge, which makes them well suited to the highest-traffic applications. {note}
+
+## Overall Gauge and Thickness {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Overall Gauge / Thickness
+type: select
+unit: mm
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "2.0 mm — LVT/LVP glue-down standard"
+ - "2.5 mm — LVT/LVP heavy commercial glue-down"
+ - "5.0 mm — rigid core (SPC/WPC) floating plank"
+ - "1/8 in (3.2 mm) — VCT standard"
+ - "2.0 mm sheet vinyl — homogeneous"
+ - "2.5 mm linoleum — sheet"
+ - "As scheduled"
+default: "2.0 mm — LVT/LVP glue-down standard"
+```
+
+### Rigid-core constructions (stone-plastic composite and wood-plastic composite) at 5 mm and above may be installed as floating floors, while thinner flexible products at 2.0 to 2.5 mm are intended for full-spread glue-down.
+
+### VCT is dimensionally referenced to a nominal 1/8-inch thickness by ASTM F1066.
+
+### The overall gauge influences indentation resistance, acoustic performance, and the installation method, but no resilient flooring bridges subfloor defects — a thicker product telegraphs less, yet the subfloor must still be prepared flat. {note}
+
+## Critical Radiant Flux — Flammability {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Critical Radiant Flux Class (ASTM E648 / NFPA 253)
+type: radio
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Class I — critical radiant flux not less than 0.45 W/cm² (exits, corridors in institutional occupancies)"
+ - "Class II — critical radiant flux not less than 0.22 W/cm² (corridors in other occupancies)"
+ - "Not regulated at this location (verify with code)"
+default: "Class I — critical radiant flux not less than 0.45 W/cm² (exits, corridors in institutional occupancies)"
+```
+
+### Floor-covering systems in interior exits, exit passageways, and corridors shall meet the critical radiant flux measured per ASTM E648 (technically equivalent to NFPA 253) required by the International Building Code for the location.
+
+### Class I (not less than 0.45 W/cm²) shall be provided in corridors and exits of institutional occupancies such as hospitals, nursing homes, and detention facilities, where occupants cannot self-evacuate; Class II (not less than 0.22 W/cm²) applies to corridors in many other occupancies.
+
+### The Architect shall confirm the required class from the building code compliance path for each location.
+
+### The flooring product data shall document the tested critical radiant flux value.
+
+### The critical radiant flux value is a property of the floor-covering system as tested over its substrate, not of the covering alone, and a higher value means the floor resists flame spread better. {note}
+
+## Smoke Density {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Smoke Density Limit (ASTM E662 / NFPA 258)
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Required — specific optical density of smoke shall not exceed 450 (flaming and non-flaming)"
+ - "Not separately regulated at this location"
+default: "Not separately regulated at this location"
+```
+
+### Where the building code or the Owner's program requires limiting smoke generation — common in healthcare, transportation, and high-rise occupancies — the specific optical density of smoke generated by the flooring shall be measured per ASTM E662 (NFPA 258) and shall not exceed the limit stated.
+
+### Smoke obscuration impairs egress visibility independently of flame spread, which is why smoke density is sometimes regulated separately from critical radiant flux. {note}
+
+## Slip Resistance {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (ANSI A326.3)
+type: range
+unit: DCOF
+options:
+ min: 0.42
+ max: 0.55
+ step: 0.01
+setpoints: [0.42, 0.55]
+default: 0.42
+```
+
+### The dynamic coefficient of friction shall be measured per ANSI A326.3 and shall meet the minimum for the applicable use classification, with a minimum DCOF of 0.42 for level interior spaces expected to be walked on when wet and higher values up to 0.55 and above for wetter and more demanding classifications.
+
+### Ramps, wet areas, and spaces subject to grease or oil require classification-specific values and shall be evaluated individually rather than defaulted to the level-dry minimum.
+
+### The specified value applies to the product as installed and as maintained per the manufacturer's program, because slip resistance is a function of both the product and its maintained surface — a floor polish or a worn surface changes the DCOF. {note}
+
+## Static Load Resistance {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Static Load Limit (ASTM F970)
+type: select
+unit: psi
+options:
+ - "75 psi — standard commercial furnishings"
+ - "125 psi — heavy furnishings and light rolling loads"
+ - "250 psi — institutional / equipment and heavy rolling loads"
+ - "Per manufacturer for product type"
+default: "Per manufacturer for product type"
+```
+
+### Where the floor will carry concentrated static loads from heavy furnishings, shelving, casework, or equipment, the residual indentation after static loading per ASTM F970 shall remain within the limit for the specified load.
+
+### The static load rating shall be coordinated with the heaviest anticipated sustained load and with the use of load-distributing bearing plates under point loads where necessary.
+
+### For products and conditions involving rolling and short-term concentrated loads, indentation behavior shall be evaluated per ASTM F1914.
+
+### Resilient flooring recovers elastically from most loads, but a sustained concentrated load — a file cabinet leg, a shelving standard, a piece of equipment — can produce a permanent indentation if the load exceeds the product's static load limit. {note}
+
+## Chemical Resistance {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Chemical Resistance Required (ASTM F925)
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Standard — resistance to common cleaning agents"
+ - "Enhanced — resistance to reagents per laboratory/healthcare program (ASTM F925)"
+ - "Not a governing requirement"
+default: "Standard — resistance to common cleaning agents"
+```
+
+### In laboratories, healthcare treatment areas, pharmacies, and similar spaces, the flooring shall resist surface deterioration from the specific reagents anticipated in service, evaluated per ASTM F925.
+
+### Where aggressive reagents are anticipated, the product shall be selected and documented for resistance to that specific exposure, because a product that resists common cleaners may stain or soften under a laboratory chemical.
+
+## Indoor Air Quality — VOC Certification {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Indoor Air Quality Certification
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "FloorScore certified (CDPH Section 01350 compliant) — flooring and adhesive"
+ - "FloorScore certified flooring only"
+ - "Not required"
+default: "FloorScore certified (CDPH Section 01350 compliant) — flooring and adhesive"
+```
+
+### Resilient flooring and its adhesive shall be certified to a recognized low-emitting-materials program where indoor air quality is a project requirement.
+
+### The adhesive shall carry the same certification as the flooring where the program requires it, because the adhesive can emit more VOCs than the flooring itself and certifying the flooring alone leaves a significant emission source unaddressed.
+
+### FloorScore certification, administered by SCS Global Services with the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, verifies compliance with the volatile organic compound emission criteria of the CDPH Section 01350 program and satisfies the low-emitting-materials criteria of LEED, WELL, and similar green-building rating systems. {note}
+
+## Finish and Polish {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Factory / Field Finish
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Factory-applied no-wax / no-polish wear surface (LVT, sheet vinyl, rubber)"
+ - "Field-applied floor polish required (VCT and unfinished products)"
+ - "Manufacturer's recommended finish program"
+default: "Factory-applied no-wax / no-polish wear surface (LVT, sheet vinyl, rubber)"
+```
+
+### Vinyl composition tile is supplied without a finish and shall receive multiple coats of field-applied floor polish at initial maintenance and periodic stripping and re-coating thereafter.
+
+### Rubber flooring generally should not receive conventional acrylic polishes, which can interfere with its slip resistance and bond poorly; the manufacturer's recommended maintenance program governs.
+
+### Most modern LVT, sheet vinyl, and rubber products carry a factory-applied wear surface that does not require an applied floor polish, which reduces life-cycle maintenance cost and labor, whereas the recurring polish labor for VCT is its principal life-cycle cost and shall be accounted for when comparing it against no-polish alternatives. {note}
+
+# Accessories {toc}
+
+## Adhesives {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Adhesive Type
+type: select
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive — LVT/LVP glue-down"
+ - "Acrylic hard-set / wet-set adhesive — VCT and sheet goods"
+ - "Epoxy adhesive — high-moisture or high-performance applications"
+ - "Polyurethane adhesive — rubber flooring"
+ - "Manufacturer-recommended adhesive for product and subfloor"
+default: "Manufacturer-recommended adhesive for product and subfloor"
+```
+
+### The adhesive shall be the type recommended by the flooring manufacturer for the specific product, subfloor, and measured moisture and pH condition.
+
+### Where slab moisture or alkalinity is elevated but within a moisture-tolerant adhesive's stated limit, the moisture-tolerant adhesive may be used in lieu of a separate mitigation membrane only when the flooring manufacturer confirms the adhesive is warranted for the measured condition.
+
+### Adhesive selection is not interchangeable: a pressure-sensitive adhesive intended to remain tacky for a removable or loose-lay installation behaves entirely differently from a hard-set adhesive that cures rigid, and using the wrong one produces either a floor that never bonds or a floor that cannot be maintained. {note}
+
+## Moisture Mitigation Membrane {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Moisture Mitigation Method
+type: radio
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "None required — slab passes F2170/F1869 within product limits"
+ - "Epoxy moisture-mitigation coating applied to prepared slab"
+ - "Cementitious moisture-suppression underlayment system"
+ - "Manufacturer-approved mitigation membrane rated for measured RH"
+default: "None required — slab passes F2170/F1869 within product limits"
+```
+
+### Where the measured slab relative humidity or moisture vapor emission rate exceeds the flooring and adhesive limits, a moisture-mitigation membrane shall be installed to reduce the effective vapor transmission reaching the flooring to within the product's tolerance.
+
+### The mitigation product — typically a two-component epoxy coating or a cementitious suppression system — shall be rated by its manufacturer for the relative humidity actually measured at the slab, not for a generic condition.
+
+### The Contractor shall install the complete mitigation system — surface preparation (typically shot-blasting to the required profile), the membrane, and a compatible adhesive — per the membrane manufacturer's instructions, and shall not assume that a moisture-tolerant adhesive alone is equivalent to a rated membrane for severe conditions.
+
+## Resilient Base {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Resilient Base
+type: select
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Rubber base — 4 in cove"
+ - "Rubber base — 6 in cove"
+ - "Vinyl base — 4 in cove"
+ - "Integral flash-cove of sheet flooring (welded, healthcare/lab)"
+ - "Straight (toeless) base at carpet transitions"
+ - "As scheduled"
+default: "Rubber base — 4 in cove"
+```
+
+### Resilient base shall be coved (with a toe) where it meets resilient or hard flooring, and straight (toeless) where it meets carpet.
+
+### In healthcare, laboratory, and other spaces requiring a seamless, cleanable wall-to-floor junction, the sheet flooring shall be carried up the wall as an integral flash-cove with a cove former and a welded top cap or cap strip.
+
+### The flash-cove detail shall be shown on the [[drawing: details]] and executed per the manufacturer's instructions.
+
+## Transition Strips and Edge Trim {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Transition Strip Type
+type: select
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Resilient reducer — to lower adjacent finish"
+ - "Resilient T-molding — to equal-height adjacent finish"
+ - "Metal transition / edge trim — to carpet or ceramic"
+ - "Threshold at door openings"
+ - "As detailed on drawings"
+default: "As detailed on drawings"
+```
+
+### Transitions between the resilient floor and adjacent finishes shall be made with a transition strip appropriate to the relative finish-floor elevations and to the adjacent material, as shown in the [[drawing: details and finish schedule]].
+
+### Where the adjacent finish is at a different elevation, a reducer or a code-compliant beveled transition shall be used so that the change in level does not create a trip hazard or an accessibility violation; abrupt vertical changes in level greater than the accessibility limit are not permitted on accessible routes.
+
+# Subfloor Preparation and Moisture Testing {toc}
+
+## General Subfloor Requirements {toc}
+
+### Concrete subfloors shall be prepared in accordance with ASTM F710.
+
+### The subfloor shall be permanently dry, clean, smooth, structurally sound, and free of dust, paint, oil, grease, residual adhesive, curing and sealing compounds, and any other substance that would interfere with the adhesive bond.
+
+### The Contractor shall verify the condition of the subfloor before installation.
+
+### Installing resilient flooring over a noncompliant subfloor transfers a known defect into the finished work, and the resulting failure is not a product defect and is not covered by the flooring warranty. {note}
+
+## Flatness and Surface Profile {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Subfloor Flatness Tolerance
+type: radio
+unit: in / 10 ft
+options:
+ - "3/16 in in 10 ft (standard for thin resilient goods)"
+ - "1/8 in in 10 ft (where manufacturer requires tighter)"
+default: "3/16 in in 10 ft (standard for thin resilient goods)"
+```
+
+### The subfloor shall be flat within the tolerance required by the flooring manufacturer, commonly 3/16 inch in 10 feet for thin resilient goods.
+
+### High spots shall be ground down and low spots filled with a cementitious patching or self-leveling underlayment compatible with the flooring and adhesive.
+
+### Joints, cracks, and surface voids shall be filled so that they do not telegraph through the finished floor as visible lines or depressions.
+
+### Resilient flooring is thin and flexible and conforms to the subfloor; it does not bridge or conceal irregularities, and telegraphing of subfloor defects is one of the most common and most avoidable resilient flooring complaints. {note}
+
+## Moisture Testing — Relative Humidity (ASTM F2170) {toc}
+
+### In-situ relative humidity testing per ASTM F2170 shall be performed on all concrete slabs before resilient flooring is installed, using probes placed to the depth specified by F2170 (40 percent of slab thickness for slabs drying from one side, 20 percent for slabs drying from two sides) at the test frequency required by the standard — a minimum of three tests for the first 1,000 square feet and one additional test for each additional 1,000 square feet.
+
+### The slab and the space shall be at service temperature and humidity for the conditioning period required by F2170 before probes are read, because relative humidity within the slab is temperature-dependent and a reading taken in an unconditioned space does not represent the in-service condition.
+
+### The measured relative humidity shall be compared against the limit established in this standard and against the flooring and adhesive manufacturer's limit, and installation shall not proceed until the slab is within the lower of those limits or mitigation has been installed.
+
+## Moisture Testing — Vapor Emission and Alkalinity {toc}
+
+### Where moisture vapor emission rate testing per ASTM F1869 is used as a screening or supplementary measure, it shall be conducted with the space at service conditions for the required conditioning period, at the same test frequency as F2170, and the result compared against the project limit.
+
+### Surface alkalinity (pH) shall be measured per the ASTM F710 procedure at each moisture test location.
+
+### The Contractor shall record all moisture and pH test results, locations, dates, and ambient conditions and shall submit them before installation, retaining the test record as the documentary basis for the warranty in the closeout submittals.
+
+## Wood and Other Subfloors {toc}
+
+### Where resilient flooring is installed over a wood subfloor or an approved panel underlayment rather than concrete, the substrate shall be of a type and grade recommended by the flooring manufacturer for resilient flooring, shall be fastened to eliminate deflection and movement, and shall present a smooth, void-free, sanded surface with no fastener heads proud of the surface.
+
+### Wood subfloors over crawl spaces or unconditioned areas shall have the underside moisture condition controlled, because moisture migrating up through a wood subfloor debonds resilient flooring just as slab moisture does.
+
+### Single-layer subfloors that flex under load shall receive an approved underlayment, because resilient flooring telegraphs and cracks over a deflecting substrate.
+
+# Installation {toc}
+
+## Layout {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Installation Method
+type: radio
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Full-spread glue-down"
+ - "Loose-lay (perimeter and seam adhesive only)"
+ - "Floating click / interlocking (rigid core)"
+default: "Full-spread glue-down"
+```
+
+### The Contractor shall establish the layout from the room centerlines or from the control lines shown on the [[drawing: finish plan]] so that border tiles and planks are balanced and of adequate width, patterns align across the space and through door openings, and the directional pattern of plank and wood-look products runs as indicated.
+
+### Layout shall be dry-laid and approved before any adhesive is applied.
+
+### Full-spread glue-down is the default and most durable installation method for commercial resilient flooring, producing a fully bonded floor that resists rolling loads, edge curl, and movement; loose-lay products are limited to products and rolling-load conditions the manufacturer approves, and floating click installation requires expansion space at the perimeter and is limited by the manufacturer's maximum span before a transition is required. {note}
+
+## Adhesive Application {toc}
+
+### Adhesive shall be applied with the trowel notch, coverage rate, open time, and working time specified by the adhesive manufacturer for the product and conditions.
+
+### The Contractor shall verify adhesive transfer to the back of the flooring by periodically lifting a piece, and shall adjust the open time for the actual temperature and humidity in the space.
+
+### The two most common adhesive errors are working into wet adhesive before the required open time (which prevents the adhesive from grabbing) and working past the working time (which leaves the flooring sitting on skinned-over adhesive that never transfers). {note}
+
+## Rolling {toc}
+
+### Glue-down resilient flooring shall be rolled with a roller of the weight specified by the manufacturer, in both directions, immediately after placement and again as required to ensure full adhesive transfer and contact across the entire surface.
+
+### Edges and seams shall receive particular attention during rolling.
+
+### Rolling collapses the adhesive ridges and wets the back of the flooring with adhesive, which is what produces the bond; flooring that is placed but not properly rolled bonds only at the adhesive ridge tops and will release. {note}
+
+## Seaming and Welding — Sheet Goods {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Sheet Seam Treatment
+type: radio
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Heat-welded seams (continuous monolithic surface)"
+ - "Chemically welded seams"
+ - "Sealed / overlap-cut seams (non-welded)"
+ - "Not applicable — tile or plank product"
+default: "Heat-welded seams (continuous monolithic surface)"
+```
+
+### Seams in sheet flooring shall be located per the approved seam plan, kept to the minimum number consistent with the material width and the layout, and positioned out of the main traffic path and away from door openings where practical.
+
+### For heat-welded and chemically welded installations, the seam shall be grooved, the weld rod or chemical applied per the manufacturer's instructions, and the weld trimmed flush once cured, producing a continuous monolithic surface.
+
+### Welding shall not begin until the adhesive has cured for the period the manufacturer requires, because welding into uncured adhesive disturbs the bond at the seam, which is exactly where the floor is most vulnerable.
+
+### In healthcare, laboratory, and other hygienic applications, every seam and the wall base flash-cove shall be welded so that there is no unsealed joint anywhere in the floor surface.
+
+# Field Testing {toc}
+
+## Moisture Test Verification {toc}
+
+### The Contractor shall not install resilient flooring until the documented ASTM F2170 relative humidity, ASTM F1869 emission (where used), and ASTM F710 pH results have confirmed the subfloor is within the governing limits or until the specified mitigation has been installed and confirmed.
+
+### Where mitigation is installed, the Contractor shall verify that the mitigation product was rated for the relative humidity actually measured and was installed over the surface preparation the membrane manufacturer requires.
+
+## Bond and Installation Inspection {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Post-Installation Bond Inspection Required
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Yes — full-floor inspection under permanent lighting"
+ - "No"
+default: "Yes — full-floor inspection under permanent lighting"
+```
+
+### After installation and adhesive cure, the floor shall be inspected for full bond, with no hollow spots, edge curl, lifted seams, telegraphing of subfloor defects, pattern misalignment, gaps, or trapped debris, under the permanent or equivalent lighting.
+
+### Hollow or unbonded areas shall be re-adhered or replaced.
+
+### The Contractor shall confirm by spot inspection that adhesive transfer occurred across the floor and not only at seams and edges.
+
+# Cleaning and Initial Maintenance {toc}
+
+## Initial Cleaning {toc}
+
+### After installation and after the adhesive has cured for the period the manufacturer requires, the floor shall be cleaned of construction soil, adhesive residue, and marks by the method the flooring manufacturer specifies.
+
+### The floor shall not be wet-cleaned or subjected to wet maintenance until the adhesive has fully cured — typically several days — because flooding the floor before the adhesive cures introduces water at the bond line and can debond the floor.
+
+### Premature wet cleaning is a frequent cause of early failure that is mistaken for a product or installation defect. {note}
+
+## Initial Finish and Protection {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Initial Finish / Polish Application
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Apply manufacturer-specified number of polish coats (VCT and unfinished products)"
+ - "No initial polish — factory-finished no-wax product"
+ - "Manufacturer's initial maintenance program"
+default: "No initial polish — factory-finished no-wax product"
+```
+
+### Where the product requires a field-applied finish, the specified number of coats of floor polish shall be applied after initial cleaning and full adhesive cure, following the manufacturer's program.
+
+### After finishing, the floor shall be protected from traffic and from other trades until the project is turned over, using a breathable protective covering that does not trap moisture against the floor or transfer color or adhesive residue.
+
+### Non-breathable plastic sheeting taped directly to a freshly installed resilient floor can trap moisture and stain or debond the floor and shall not be used.
+
+# Delivery, Storage, and Handling {toc}
+
+## Resilient flooring, adhesives, and accessories shall be delivered in the manufacturer's original unopened packaging with labels intact, identifying product, color, and dye lot.
+
+## Material shall be stored indoors in the conditioned installation environment, protected from moisture, freezing, and excessive heat.
+
+## Sheet goods shall be stored standing on end or in the manner the manufacturer directs to prevent flat spots and core distortion; tile and plank shall be stored flat.
+
+## Adhesive that has frozen or exceeded its shelf life shall be discarded.
+
+## All material for a continuous area shall be from the same dye lot wherever possible, because color varies between dye lots and a dye-lot change within a single visual field will be apparent.
+
+# Warranty {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Manufacturer Wear Warranty Period
+type: select
+unit: years
+options:
+ - "5 years (light commercial)"
+ - "10 years (standard commercial)"
+ - "15 years (heavy commercial)"
+ - "20 years (institutional / heavy commercial)"
+ - "Lifetime (residential-grade products only)"
+default: "10 years (standard commercial)"
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: Installation Workmanship Warranty Period
+type: select
+options:
+ - "1 year from substantial completion"
+ - "2 years from substantial completion"
+default: "1 year from substantial completion"
+```
+
+## The flooring manufacturer shall warrant the product against manufacturing defects and against wear-through of the wear layer under normal commercial use for the period stated.
+
+## The Contractor shall warrant the installation — including subfloor preparation, adhesive bond, seaming and welding, and base and transition work — against defective workmanship for the project warranty period.
+
+## The Contractor shall retain and deliver the moisture and pH test record, because most manufacturer warranties are void unless the subfloor moisture and pH conditions were within the product's stated limits and documented at the time of installation.
+
+## Failures arising from subsequent water exposure, from cleaning or maintenance contrary to the manufacturer's instructions, or from loads exceeding the product's static load limit are excluded from both warranties.
+
+# Spare and Extra Materials {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Attic Stock Quantity
+type: range
+unit: % of installed area
+options:
+ min: 2
+ max: 5
+ step: 1
+default: 2
+```
+
+## The Contractor shall deliver to the Owner spare material of each flooring product, color, and pattern installed, in the percentage of installed area stated, in full unopened cartons or full rolls and labeled with the product, color, and dye lot.
+
+## Spare material shall be from the same dye lots as the installed flooring and shall be stored by the Owner in the conditioned environment recommended by the manufacturer.
+
+## Attic stock allows the Owner to repair damaged areas with material from the same dye lot as the original installation, which is essential because a later-purchased replacement will be from a different dye lot and will not match. {note}