−---
−title: Resinous Flooring
−category: Architectural / Finishes
−toc_depth: 3
−description: >
− When to use: Fluid-applied, seamless resinous floor finishes installed over concrete in commercial, institutional, industrial, food and beverage, healthcare, laboratory, and cleanroom applications. Covers epoxy, polyurethane, cementitious urethane (urethane mortar), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and polyaspartic resin chemistries; thin-film coating, broadcast (sand, quartz, or vinyl flake) media, and trowel-applied mortar system types; slip resistance, chemical and thermal-shock resistance, abrasion, and electrostatic-dissipative and conductive (ESD) systems; concrete surface preparation and profiling, moisture testing and topical moisture mitigation, integral cove base, and seamless wall-to-floor detailing.
− Not intended for: Resilient sheet, tile, and plank floor coverings such as LVT, VCT, sheet vinyl, rubber, and linoleum (see [[sync/resilient-flooring]]); ceramic and porcelain tile (see [[sync/ceramic-tile]]); cementitious terrazzo and epoxy-matrix terrazzo (see [[sync/terrazzo]]); polished, ground, or sealed bare concrete floors with no applied resin film (see [[sync/polished-concrete]]); carpet (see [[sync/carpet]]); exterior pedestrian or vehicular traffic-bearing waterproofing deck coatings; and concrete slab design, placement, and the under-slab vapor retarder (see [[sync/cast-in-place-concrete]]).
−---
−
−# Scope
−
−This standard governs the materials and installation of fluid-applied resinous flooring — seamless floor finishes formed in place from thermosetting or reactive resin binders over concrete substrates. Resinous flooring is specified where a monolithic, jointless, chemically resistant, and easily cleaned floor surface is required: food and beverage processing, commercial kitchens, pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, laboratories, healthcare, aircraft hangars and vehicle service areas, warehouses, and architectural lobbies and corridors. Unlike a tile or sheet covering, a resinous floor is built up on site from liquid components that cure into a continuous membrane bonded directly to the slab, so its performance is inseparable from the condition of the concrete beneath it and from the skill with which it is mixed and applied.
−
−A resinous floor is a system, not a single product. It consists of the prepared concrete substrate, a primer, a body coat or broadcast aggregate or trowel-applied mortar, and one or more topcoats or sealers, together with integral cove base and any topical moisture mitigation membrane required by the slab condition. The resin chemistry, the system type, and the total film thickness are selected together for the service the floor must survive — a thin epoxy coating that performs in a dry storage room will fail within months under the thermal shock and aggressive cleaning of a meat-processing plant, where a cementitious urethane mortar is required. The Contractor shall treat the floor as a coordinated system, shall verify that the primer, body, and topcoat are components of a single manufacturer's system warranted to work together over the measured substrate condition, and shall not substitute components between systems.
−
−The overwhelming majority of resinous flooring failures are bond failures that originate in the substrate, not in the resin. The two dominant causes are moisture vapor or hydrostatic pressure driving up through the slab and debonding the membrane, and inadequate mechanical surface preparation that leaves the resin bonded to laitance, curing compound, or a weak surface layer rather than to sound concrete. Both are preventable, and both are the Contractor's responsibility to control before any resin is applied. The Contractor shall not begin installation until the substrate has been prepared to the required surface profile and has passed the moisture and surface acceptance criteria of this standard.
−
−Coordinate the concrete slab, its curing method, and its under-slab vapor retarder with [[sync/cast-in-place-concrete]]; a slab intended to receive resinous flooring should be cured without a membrane-forming curing compound that must later be removed, and the under-slab vapor retarder placed before the slab is poured is the single most effective moisture-control measure. Coordinate transitions to adjacent finishes with [[sync/resilient-flooring]], [[sync/ceramic-tile]], [[sync/terrazzo]], and [[sync/polished-concrete]] so that finish-floor elevations, transition details, and termination edges 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. As with all field-applied finishes, the manufacturer's written installation instructions are not merely advisory — they define the conditions under which the system warranty is valid, and the Contractor shall follow them in addition to this standard.
−
−| Standard | Title |
−|----------|-------|
−| ASTM C307 | Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength of Chemical-Resistant Mortars, Grouts, Monolithic Surfacings, and Polymer Concretes |
−| ASTM C413 | Standard Test Method for Absorption of Chemical-Resistant Mortars, Grouts, Monolithic Surfacings, and Polymer Concretes |
−| ASTM C579 | Standard Test Methods for Compressive Strength of Chemical-Resistant Mortars, Grouts, Monolithic Surfacings, and Polymer Concretes |
−| ASTM C722 | Standard Specification for Chemical-Resistant Monolithic Floor Surfacings |
−| ASTM D570 | Standard Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics |
−| ASTM D635 | Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position |
−| ASTM D2047 | Standard Test Method for Static Coefficient of Friction of Polish-Coated Flooring Surfaces as Measured by the James Machine |
−| ASTM D4060 | Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Organic Coatings by the Taber Abraser |
−| ASTM D4541 | Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers |
−| ANSI A326.3 | Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials |
−| ASTM F710 | Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring (substrate preparation and pH procedure) |
−| 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 F3010 | Standard Practice for Two-Component Resin Based Membrane-Forming Moisture Mitigation Systems for Use Under Resilient Floor Coverings |
−| 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 |
−| ICRI 310.2R | Selecting and Specifying Concrete Surface Preparation for Sealers, Coatings, Polymer Overlays, and Concrete Repair (Concrete Surface Profile, CSP 1–9) |
−| ANSI/ESD S20.20 | Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies, and Equipment (ESD control program) |
−| ANSI/ESD STM7.1 | Floor Materials — Resistive Characterization of Materials |
−| ANSI/ESD STM97.1 | Floor Materials and Footwear — Resistance Measurement in Combination with a Person |
−| USDA / FSIS | Sanitation Performance Standards (food-contact and washdown environments) |
−| IBC | International Building Code (current edition adopted by jurisdiction) |
−
−ASTM C722 is the specification that defines the chemical-resistant monolithic surfacing the trowel-applied and broadcast resinous systems in this standard are built to, and ASTM C307, C413, and C579 are the test methods that establish the tensile strength, absorption, and compressive strength of those surfacings. ICRI 310.2R defines the Concrete Surface Profile (CSP 1 through 9) scale that this standard uses to specify the required substrate roughness, and ASTM F710, F1869, F2170, and F3010 — though written for resilient flooring — are the consensus substrate-preparation, moisture-test, and moisture-mitigation references that the resinous flooring industry universally applies to concrete slabs.
−
−# 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 substrate moisture-test reports have been submitted and reviewed, because the moisture condition determines both the system compatibility and the moisture-mitigation requirement.
−
−- Product data for the complete resinous flooring system, identifying the resin chemistry, system type, each component (primer, body, broadcast media, topcoat, sealer), the nominal total thickness, and the manufacturer's written installation instructions
−- Manufacturer's certified physical-property data for the cured system, including compressive strength (ASTM C579), tensile strength (ASTM C307), abrasion resistance (ASTM D4060), water absorption (ASTM C413 or D570), and slip resistance (ASTM D2047 and/or ANSI A326.3)
−- Chemical-resistance data documenting the cured system's resistance to the specific reagents anticipated in service
−- Substrate moisture and alkalinity test reports for the actual slab, conducted in accordance with ASTM F2170 (relative humidity), ASTM F1869 (moisture vapor emission rate where used), and the ASTM F710 pH procedure, identifying test locations and ambient conditions
−- Samples of each resinous system in the specified color, gloss, aggregate, and broadcast texture, of sufficient size to show the finished appearance and slip texture
−- For electrostatic-dissipative or conductive systems, the manufacturer's resistance data per ANSI/ESD STM7.1 and the grounding detail
−- Color and aggregate selection samples for the Architect's selection where finish color is to be selected from the manufacturer's range
−- Maintenance instructions describing initial cleaning, recommended cleaning agents, and the periodic maintenance program for the installed system
−
−```datasheet
−label: Action Submittals Required
−type: checkbox
−options:
− - "Product data — complete resinous flooring system (all components)"
− - "Certified physical-property data (C307 / C413 / C579 / D4060)"
− - "Chemical-resistance data for anticipated reagents"
− - "Substrate moisture and alkalinity test reports (F2170 / F1869 / F710 pH)"
− - "Samples — each system, color, aggregate, and texture"
− - "ESD resistance data and grounding detail (conductive/dissipative systems)"
− - "Maintenance instructions"
−default: "Substrate moisture and alkalinity test reports (F2170 / F1869 / F710 pH)"
−```
−
−## Closeout Submittals
−
−- Manufacturer system warranty documentation, executed in the Owner's name
−- Record of the final substrate moisture and pH test results, the surface preparation method and measured profile, the moisture mitigation membrane installed (if any), and the system installed, retained for warranty purposes
−- Record of field adhesion (pull-off) test results where required
−- Maintenance materials transmittal documenting any spare topcoat, repair kit, or touch-up material delivered to the Owner
−
−# Quality Assurance
−
−## Installer Qualifications
−
−Resinous flooring shall be installed by an applicator trained and approved in writing by the manufacturer of the specified system, with documented experience installing the specific resin chemistry and system type required on projects of comparable size and complexity. Resinous flooring is mixed and applied on site within a limited working time, and the cured result cannot be inspected for correct mixing ratio, correct profile, or correct moisture condition after the fact — a defective installation is found only when it debonds or blisters. The reactive chemistries, MMA in particular, also have a very short pot life and demand experienced mechanics who can place and finish the material before it gels. The Contractor shall not assign resinous flooring to general labor or to applicators experienced only in a different chemistry.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Installer Qualification
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Manufacturer-approved/certified applicator for the specified system"
− - "Experienced commercial resinous flooring applicator (manufacturer training documented)"
−default: "Manufacturer-approved/certified applicator for the specified system"
−```
−
−## Mock-Up
−
−```datasheet
−label: Mock-Up Required
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Yes — install a representative area including integral cove base and a termination"
− - "No"
−default: "Yes — install a representative area including integral cove base and a termination"
−```
−
−Where a mock-up is required, the Contractor shall install a representative area of the complete system at a location directed by the Architect, including the integral cove base, a termination or transition detail, and the finished slip texture and color. The mock-up establishes the acceptable standard for color, gloss, broadcast density, slip texture, cove profile, and edge detailing, and shall remain available for comparison throughout the work. For broadcast and trowel systems the mock-up shall demonstrate the full built-up thickness, not merely a color sample.
−
−## Pre-Installation Conference
−
−Before installation begins, the Contractor shall hold a pre-installation conference with the Architect, the flooring applicator, and the concrete subcontractor to review the moisture-test results, the surface preparation method and required profile, the moisture-mitigation requirement, the system component sequence, the cove and termination details, the joint treatment, and the environmental conditions in the space. Most resinous flooring disputes trace back to a substrate condition that was known but not acted upon — a marginal moisture reading, a curing compound that was not removed, or a slab that was steel-troweled to a profile too tight to bond. The conference exists to surface and resolve those conditions before any resin is applied.
−
−# Environmental and Service Conditions
−
−## Temperature During Installation and Cure
−
−The substrate, the resin materials, and the air shall be maintained within the temperature range required by the manufacturer before, during, and after installation through the full cure period — commonly between 50 °F and 85 °F for epoxy and polyurethane systems, with the substrate at least 5 °F above the measured dew point. Resin cure is a chemical reaction whose rate and completeness depend on temperature: below the minimum, epoxy cures slowly or incompletely and may never reach its rated properties; near the dew point, condensation on the slab causes amine blush and bond failure. MMA systems cure by a different exothermic reaction and tolerate much lower temperatures, which is one reason they are selected for freezer and cold-storage installations.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Minimum Substrate / Ambient Temperature During Installation
−type: range
−unit: °F
−options:
− min: 50
− max: 60
− step: 5
−default: 50
−```
−
−## Substrate Above Dew Point
−
−The substrate temperature shall be maintained at least 5 °F above the dew point of the ambient air throughout application and the initial cure, and the Contractor shall measure and record substrate temperature, air temperature, and relative humidity at the start of and periodically during each application. Applying resin to a slab at or below the dew point traps a film of condensed moisture between the slab and the resin and produces a bond failure that looks identical to a vapor-drive failure but is caused entirely by uncontrolled job-site conditions.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Minimum Substrate Temperature Above Dew Point
−type: range
−unit: °F
−options:
− min: 5
− max: 5
− setpoints: [5]
−default: 5
−```
−
−## Ventilation During Installation
−
−Adequate ventilation shall be provided during installation and cure to remove solvent and monomer vapors, with particular attention to MMA systems, whose strong odor and flammable monomer require active ventilation and the exclusion of ignition sources from the work area and adjacent occupied spaces. The Contractor shall coordinate the ventilation and the exclusion zone with the Owner where the work occurs in or adjacent to occupied areas, because the odor of an MMA installation can render adjacent spaces unusable during application and cure even though the cured floor is odorless and inert.
−
−## Substrate Moisture and Relative Humidity Limits
−
−The acceptable substrate moisture condition is a governing service condition for resinous flooring and shall be established by test before installation and confirmed against both the system manufacturer's limit and the limit of this standard. The relative humidity within the concrete slab measured by in-situ probe per ASTM F2170 shall not exceed the limit stated below; many resin systems are warranted to a maximum internal relative humidity in the range of 80 to 90 percent, and some highly moisture-tolerant cementitious urethane and epoxy systems accept higher values, but the lower of the manufacturer's limit and the project limit governs. Where the measured relative humidity exceeds the system's limit, a topical moisture mitigation membrane shall be installed.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Maximum Slab Internal Relative Humidity (ASTM F2170)
−type: range
−unit: % RH
−options:
− min: 75
− max: 99
− step: 5
−setpoints: [75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99]
−default: 85
−```
−
−## Substrate 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. The calcium chloride method measures only the surface condition at the moment of test and shall not be used as the sole acceptance criterion for slabs on grade or below grade — ASTM F2170 internal relative humidity is required for those conditions because surface emission can read deceptively low while the slab interior remains wet and continues to drive vapor into the cured film over time.
−
−```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
−```
−
−## Substrate Alkalinity (pH)
−
−The surface pH of the concrete substrate shall be measured per the ASTM F710 alkalinity procedure and shall fall within the range accepted by the system manufacturer, typically between 7 and 10. High slab alkalinity — common in newer concrete and in slabs where moisture has carried alkaline salts to the surface — can attack the resin bond and is a frequent cause of debonding mistaken for a moisture failure. Many epoxy and cementitious urethane systems tolerate higher alkalinity than resilient flooring adhesives do, but the system manufacturer's stated limit governs.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Acceptable Substrate Surface pH Range (ASTM F710)
−type: range
−unit: pH
−options:
− min: 7
− max: 10
− step: 0.5
−setpoints: [7, 10]
−default: 10
−```
−
−# Resinous Flooring Systems
−
−## Resin Chemistry
−
−The resin chemistry is the most consequential single decision in a resinous floor; it determines chemical resistance, thermal-shock tolerance, cure speed, UV stability, and cost. The chemistry shall be selected for the service environment and shall be indicated in the [[drawing: finish schedule]].
−
−```datasheet
−label: Resin Chemistry
−type: select
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Epoxy — general-purpose chemical and abrasion resistance"
− - "Polyurethane (aliphatic) — UV-stable, flexible, abrasion- and stain-resistant topcoat"
− - "Cementitious urethane (urethane mortar) — thermal-shock and aggressive-chemical service (USDA/food)"
− - "Methyl methacrylate (MMA) — fast-cure, cold-temperature and rapid-return-to-service applications"
− - "Polyaspartic — fast-cure, UV-stable polyurea/urethane topcoat or coating"
−default: "Epoxy — general-purpose chemical and abrasion resistance"
−```
−
−Epoxy is the default and most widely specified resinous chemistry. It bonds aggressively to concrete, offers broad chemical and abrasion resistance, and is the lowest-cost system for general commercial and light-industrial service; its limitations are sensitivity to ambient temperature during cure, a tendency to amber and chalk under direct UV exposure, and limited thermal-shock tolerance, which is why epoxy bodies are routinely finished with a more durable topcoat. Polyurethane, specifically aliphatic polyurethane, is more flexible, more abrasion- and chemical-resistant, and color-stable under UV, and is most commonly specified as the topcoat over an epoxy body rather than as the full system. Cementitious urethane — also called urethane mortar or polyurethane concrete — is a thick, trowel-applied mortar whose coefficient of thermal expansion closely matches concrete, giving it the highest thermal-shock resistance of any resinous system; it withstands steam cleaning, hot washdown, and freeze-thaw cycling and resists aggressive food acids, which makes it the standard for USDA-inspected food and beverage processing, commercial kitchens, and similar wet, hot, and chemically aggressive environments. Methyl methacrylate cures by a fast exothermic reaction in roughly one to two hours even at low temperature, allowing return to service the same day and installation in freezers and coolers; its drawbacks are a strong monomer odor and flammability during application that demand ventilation and ignition control. Polyaspartic, a fast-curing aliphatic chemistry related to polyurea, combines rapid return to service with excellent UV stability and is specified as a fast-track coating or as a topcoat where a same-day or next-day turnover is required.
−
−## System Type
−
−```datasheet
−label: System Type
−type: select
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Thin-film coating (roller- or squeegee-applied, no aggregate)"
− - "Broadcast — sand or quartz aggregate"
− - "Broadcast — decorative vinyl/acrylic flake"
− - "Slurry / self-leveling (trowel- or squeegee-applied)"
− - "Trowel-applied mortar (high-build, heavy-duty)"
−default: "Broadcast — sand or quartz aggregate"
−```
−
−The system type determines the built-up thickness, the slip texture, and the mechanical durability. A thin-film coating is a roller- or squeegee-applied resin film with no aggregate, suitable for light-duty service, color, and dust control where appearance and chemical resistance matter more than mechanical wear; it provides little slip texture and no impact resistance. A broadcast system embeds aggregate — typically silica sand or colored quartz for industrial floors, or decorative vinyl or acrylic flake (chip) for architectural floors — into a body coat and then locks it down with one or more topcoats, producing a thicker, slip-textured, impact-resistant floor; this is the most common commercial and industrial selection. A slurry or self-leveling system is a flowable resin-and-filler mix troweled or squeegeed to a smooth, seamless surface, used where a level, jointless, easily cleaned surface is needed. A trowel-applied mortar is a heavily filled, hand-troweled system built to substantial thickness for the most demanding mechanical and thermal service — this is the form cementitious urethane takes for food-processing floors. The system type and resin chemistry shall be coordinated; not every chemistry is offered in every system type.
−
−## Total System Thickness
−
−```datasheet
−label: Nominal Total System Thickness
−type: select
−unit: mil
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "10–20 mil — thin-film coating"
− - "30–60 mil — standard broadcast / flake"
− - "1/8 in (125 mil) — heavy-duty broadcast / slurry"
− - "3/16 in (188 mil) — trowel-applied mortar"
− - "1/4 in (250 mil) — heavy-duty trowel mortar (cementitious urethane standard)"
− - "3/8 in (375 mil) — extreme thermal/impact service"
−default: "30–60 mil — standard broadcast / flake"
−```
−
−System thickness shall be selected for the mechanical, thermal, and chemical service. Thin-film coatings at 10 to 20 mils provide color, chemical resistance, and dust control but minimal mechanical durability. Standard broadcast and flake systems at 30 to 60 mils are the general commercial range. Heavy-duty broadcast and slurry systems built to 1/8 inch resist heavy traffic and rolling loads. Trowel-applied mortar systems are built to 3/16 inch and above; cementitious urethane for food-processing service is conventionally installed at 1/4 inch, with 3/8 inch reserved for extreme thermal cycling and impact. Thickness shall be coordinated with the finish-floor elevation and with adjacent flooring so that transitions and door clearances reconcile, because a 1/4-inch mortar floor changes the elevation enough to affect doors, drains, and adjacent finishes.
−
−## Compressive Strength
−
−```datasheet
−label: Minimum Compressive Strength (ASTM C579)
−type: range
−unit: psi
−options:
− min: 6000
− max: 12000
− step: 500
−setpoints: [6000, 7500, 10000, 12000]
−default: 7500
−```
−
−The cured system shall develop a minimum compressive strength when tested per ASTM C579. Compressive strength is a primary indicator of a system's ability to resist crushing, point loads, and heavy rolling traffic; trowel-applied mortar and slurry systems readily exceed the strength of the concrete substrate, while thin-film coatings derive their strength from the slab they cover. The default of 7,500 psi reflects a typical heavy-duty broadcast or mortar system; specify higher values for extreme equipment and rolling loads.
−
−## Tensile Strength
−
−```datasheet
−label: Minimum Tensile Strength (ASTM C307)
−type: range
−unit: psi
−options:
− min: 600
− max: 2000
− step: 100
−setpoints: [600, 1000, 1500, 2000]
−default: 1000
−```
−
−The cured system shall develop a minimum tensile strength when tested per ASTM C307. Tensile strength governs the system's resistance to cracking under flexure and substrate movement; a system with adequate tensile strength bridges minor substrate stresses without cracking, while a brittle, low-tensile system telegraphs and cracks over the same movement.
−
−## Bond Strength to Substrate
−
−```datasheet
−label: Minimum Bond (Pull-Off) Strength (ASTM D4541)
−type: range
−unit: psi
−options:
− min: 200
− max: 400
− step: 50
−setpoints: [200, 300, 400]
−default: 300
−```
−
−The cured system shall achieve a minimum bond strength to the prepared substrate when tested by portable pull-off tester per ASTM D4541, with failure occurring in the concrete substrate rather than at the bond line. A bond test that fails in the concrete (cohesive failure of the slab) demonstrates that the resin bond exceeds the substrate's own tensile strength, which is the goal; a failure at the resin-to-concrete interface (adhesive failure) indicates inadequate surface preparation or a moisture or contamination problem and requires investigation before proceeding.
−
−## Abrasion Resistance
−
−```datasheet
−label: Maximum Abrasion Weight Loss (ASTM D4060, CS-17 wheel, 1000 cycles, 1000 g)
−type: range
−unit: mg
−options:
− min: 20
− max: 100
− step: 10
−setpoints: [20, 50, 100]
−default: 50
−```
−
−The cured wear surface shall exhibit abrasion weight loss not exceeding the stated limit when tested per ASTM D4060 with the specified wheel, load, and cycle count. Abrasion resistance governs how the floor survives foot and wheel traffic and grit over years of service; the topcoat, not the body, carries the wear, which is why polyurethane and polyaspartic topcoats are specified over epoxy bodies in high-traffic areas. The test parameters shall be stated with the limit because abrasion results are meaningless without the wheel grade, load, and cycle count.
−
−## Water Absorption
−
−```datasheet
−label: Maximum Water Absorption (ASTM C413 / ASTM D570)
−type: range
−unit: "%"
−options:
− min: 0.1
− max: 1.0
− step: 0.1
−setpoints: [0.1, 0.5, 1.0]
−default: 0.5
−```
−
−The cured system shall exhibit water absorption not exceeding the stated limit when tested per ASTM C413 (chemical-resistant surfacings) or ASTM D570 (plastics). Low absorption is essential in hygienic, food-processing, and healthcare environments, where a porous surface harbors bacteria and stains; a dense, low-absorption resin surface can be cleaned and sanitized to a degree that a porous cementitious or grouted surface cannot.
−
−## Slip Resistance
−
−```datasheet
−label: Slip-Resistance Requirement
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Standard — DCOF not less than 0.42 (ANSI A326.3), level interior dry/occasionally wet"
− - "Enhanced — aggregate-broadcast texture for wet-process, kitchen, or ramp service"
− - "Static COF not less than 0.5 (ASTM D2047) where required by program"
−default: "Standard — DCOF not less than 0.42 (ANSI A326.3), level interior dry/occasionally wet"
−```
−
−The finished floor shall provide slip resistance appropriate to its service, achieved by selecting the broadcast aggregate grade and topcoat texture. For level interior areas walked on dry or occasionally wet, the dynamic coefficient of friction measured per ANSI A326.3 shall be not less than 0.42; some owner and code programs additionally invoke a static coefficient of friction of not less than 0.5 measured per ASTM D2047. Wet-process areas, commercial kitchens, ramps, and areas subject to grease or standing water require a coarser broadcast aggregate and a textured topcoat to raise the slip resistance well above the level-dry minimum. Slip texture is a trade-off with cleanability — the coarser the texture, the harder the floor is to clean — so the texture shall be matched to the actual wet-and-soil exposure of each area rather than maximized everywhere.
−
−## Chemical Resistance
−
−```datasheet
−label: Chemical Resistance Requirement
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Standard — resistance to common cleaning agents and incidental spills"
− - "Enhanced — resistance to specific reagents per laboratory/process program"
− - "Aggressive — acids, solvents, and hot chemical washdown (cementitious urethane service)"
−default: "Standard — resistance to common cleaning agents and incidental spills"
−```
−
−The cured system shall resist surface deterioration, softening, staining, and loss of bond from the chemicals anticipated in service. The reagent exposure of a laboratory, a battery room, a pharmaceutical suite, or a food-processing plant differs sharply from the common-cleaning-agent exposure of a commercial lobby, and the resin chemistry shall be selected for the actual exposure: epoxy resists a broad range of chemicals but is attacked by strong solvents and concentrated acids; cementitious urethane resists hot organic and lactic acids that destroy ordinary epoxy, which is why it dominates food processing. The Contractor shall submit chemical-resistance data for the specific reagents the Owner identifies, not a generic resistance chart.
−
−## Thermal-Shock Resistance
−
−```datasheet
−label: Thermal-Shock / Service-Temperature Requirement
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Standard interior service — no thermal-shock exposure"
− - "Thermal cycling / hot washdown — cementitious urethane required"
− - "Freezer / cold storage — chemistry rated for sub-freezing service"
−default: "Standard interior service — no thermal-shock exposure"
−```
−
−Where the floor is subject to hot washdown, steam cleaning, ovens, freeze-thaw cycling, or rapid temperature change, the system shall be rated for thermal-shock service. Thermal shock is the most demanding condition a resinous floor faces: when hot water hits a cold floor, a resin with a coefficient of thermal expansion much higher than concrete expands faster than the slab and shears off at the bond line. Cementitious urethane is specified for these conditions precisely because its thermal expansion closely matches concrete, allowing the floor and slab to move together and survive temperature differentials that delaminate an epoxy floor. For freezer and cold-storage floors, the chemistry — commonly MMA — shall be one that cures and remains serviceable at sub-freezing temperature.
−
−## Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Control
−
−```datasheet
−label: Electrostatic (ESD) Floor Type
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "None — standard insulative floor (no ESD requirement)"
− - "Static-dissipative — resistance to ground 1.0 x 10^6 to less than 1.0 x 10^9 ohm"
− - "Conductive — resistance to ground less than 1.0 x 10^6 ohm"
−default: "None — standard insulative floor (no ESD requirement)"
−```
−
−Where the project includes an ESD-protected area — electronics manufacturing or assembly, certain laboratories, and munitions or flammable-vapor environments — the floor shall be a static-dissipative or conductive resinous system with an embedded grounding network, selected to meet the program's ANSI/ESD S20.20 control limits. A static-dissipative floor has a resistance to ground per ANSI/ESD STM7.1 of at least 1.0 x 10^6 ohm and less than 1.0 x 10^9 ohm; a conductive floor has a resistance to ground of less than 1.0 x 10^6 ohm. The choice between dissipative and conductive shall follow the governing ESD control program, because a floor that is too conductive can create a personnel-safety or equipment hazard while one that is too insulative fails to drain charge. The system resistance — the aggregate of person, footwear, and floor — is what ultimately matters under ANSI/ESD STM97.1, so the floor specification shall be coordinated with the footwear and grounding program rather than treated in isolation.
−
−```datasheet
−label: ESD Grounding
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Copper grounding strips embedded and bonded to building ground per system detail"
− - "Not applicable — no ESD requirement"
−default: "Not applicable — no ESD requirement"
−```
−
−Where an ESD floor is specified, a conductive grounding network — typically copper grounding strips embedded in the conductive primer and bonded to the building grounding system at the intervals the manufacturer requires — shall be installed and its continuity verified before the floor is accepted. The grounding connections shall be located as shown on the [[drawing: ESD grounding plan]] and shall be coordinated with [[sync/grounding-and-bonding]].
−
−## Flammability — Critical Radiant Flux
−
−```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: "Not regulated at this location (verify with code)"
−```
−
−Where the resinous floor occurs in an interior exit, exit passageway, or corridor regulated by the International Building Code, the floor-covering system shall meet the required critical radiant flux class measured per ASTM E648 (technically equivalent to NFPA 253). Class I (not less than 0.45 W/cm²) is required in corridors and exits of institutional occupancies; Class II (not less than 0.22 W/cm²) applies to corridors in many other occupancies. Most resinous floors occur in process, service, and back-of-house areas not subject to this requirement, which is why the default is "not regulated," but the Architect shall confirm the requirement from the code compliance path for any resinous floor in an egress corridor or exit. The tested value is a property of the floor-covering system over its substrate, not of the resin alone.
−
−## Color and Finish
−
−```datasheet
−label: Finish Gloss
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Gloss"
− - "Satin"
− - "Matte"
−default: "Satin"
−```
−
−The finished gloss shall be as selected. A high-gloss topcoat shows traffic patterns, scratches, and trapped debris more readily and can increase glare under bright lighting; a satin or matte finish conceals minor surface variation and reduces glare, which is why satin is the common architectural and institutional default. Gloss has no effect on chemical or wear resistance and is purely an appearance selection, except that a coarser slip texture necessarily reduces the achievable gloss.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Color Selection
−type: text
−drawing_ref: true
−default: "As selected by Architect from manufacturer's standard range"
−```
−
−# Integral Cove Base and Terminations
−
−## Integral Cove Base
−
−```datasheet
−label: Integral Cove Base
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "Integral resin cove base, 4 in high, formed seamless with floor"
− - "Integral resin cove base, 6 in high, formed seamless with floor"
− - "No integral cove — straight termination at wall"
−default: "Integral resin cove base, 4 in high, formed seamless with floor"
−```
−
−An integral cove base — the resinous floor turned up the wall in a continuous radius rather than terminated with a separate applied base — shall be formed where a seamless, cleanable wall-to-floor junction is required, which is to say in nearly every food-processing, healthcare, laboratory, and wet-process application. The cove is formed monolithic with the floor over a cove former or fillet, eliminating the joint that a separate base would create and removing the harborage point where dirt, water, and bacteria collect at the base of a wall — the detail USDA and FDA inspections specifically scrutinize. The cove height and radius shall be as detailed on the [[drawing: details]]; a 4-inch cove is the common default, with 6-inch coves where the program or sanitation authority requires it. A cove cap or termination bead shall finish the top edge of the cove against the wall.
−
−## Terminations and Transitions
−
−Where the resinous floor meets an adjacent finish or terminates at a doorway, the edge shall be terminated in a saw-cut keyway, a termination bar, or a feathered transition as detailed, so that the edge is anchored and protected against chipping and lifting and so that any change in level complies with accessibility limits. A resinous floor that simply feathers to nothing at an exposed edge will chip and lift at that edge under traffic; the edge shall be locked into the slab with a keyway cut into the concrete or terminated against a positive edge. Transition details and finish-floor elevation changes shall be as shown on the [[drawing: details and finish schedule]] and coordinated with the adjacent flooring standard.
−
−# Substrate Preparation and Moisture Testing
−
−## Mechanical Surface Preparation and Profile
−
−Concrete substrates shall be mechanically prepared — by shot-blasting, diamond grinding, or scarifying — to remove laitance, curing and sealing compounds, existing coatings, surface contaminants, and any weak surface layer, and to open the concrete to the surface profile the system manufacturer requires. Mechanical preparation, not acid etching or chemical stripping, is the required method; acid etching does not reliably remove contaminants or produce a consistent profile and is not an acceptable substitute. Shot-blasting is the preferred method for most floors because it produces a uniform, repeatable profile across large areas, while grinding is used at edges and in confined areas where the shot-blaster cannot reach. The prepared surface shall be sound, dry, and free of dust before priming.
−
−```datasheet
−label: Required Concrete Surface Profile (ICRI 310.2R)
−type: select
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "CSP 2 — light profile (thin-film coatings, 10–20 mil)"
− - "CSP 3 — medium profile (standard broadcast and slurry)"
− - "CSP 4 — coarse profile (heavy broadcast)"
− - "CSP 5 — heavy profile (high-build / mortar systems)"
− - "CSP 6 — very heavy profile (trowel-applied mortar, cementitious urethane)"
−default: "CSP 3 — medium profile (standard broadcast and slurry)"
−```
−
−The required Concrete Surface Profile shall be selected per ICRI Guideline 310.2R for the system thickness — as a general rule, the thicker the system, the coarser the required profile, because a thicker, heavier system needs a deeper mechanical key to bond. Thin-film coatings bond to a light CSP 2 to 3 profile; standard broadcast and slurry systems require CSP 3 to 4; high-build and trowel-applied mortar systems, including cementitious urethane, require an aggressive CSP 5 to 6 profile to develop their bond. A profile too tight for the system is one of the most common bond-failure causes, because the resin has nothing to mechanically key into; a steel-troweled, burnished slab is the worst case and must be opened by shot-blasting.
−
−## Crack and Joint Treatment
−
−Static cracks and non-moving construction joints in the substrate shall be cleaned out, filled with the manufacturer's compatible repair resin, and made flush before the system is applied, so they do not telegraph or open through the cured floor. Moving joints — expansion joints and contraction (control) joints that accommodate slab movement — shall be honored through the resinous floor with a matching joint and a compatible flexible sealant rather than being filled rigidly and coated over, because a rigid resin bridging a moving joint will crack along the joint as the slab moves. The Contractor shall identify moving joints with the structural documents and the concrete subcontractor and shall treat them as moving joints, not as cracks to be filled.
−
−## Topical Moisture Mitigation
−
−```datasheet
−label: Moisture Mitigation Method
−type: radio
−drawing_ref: true
−options:
− - "None required — slab passes F2170/F1869 within system limits"
− - "Two-component resin membrane-forming mitigation system (ASTM F3010), rated for measured RH"
− - "Moisture-tolerant primer/system warranted for the measured condition"
−default: "None required — slab passes F2170/F1869 within system limits"
−```
−
−Where the measured slab relative humidity or moisture vapor emission rate exceeds the resinous system's limit, a topical moisture mitigation membrane conforming to ASTM F3010 shall be installed over the prepared slab to reduce the effective vapor transmission reaching the floor to within the system's tolerance. The mitigation membrane — a two-component, membrane-forming resin — 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 complete system that includes the same mechanical surface preparation and profile, the rated membrane, and a compatible primer and floor system; the Contractor shall install the full system per the membrane manufacturer's instructions and shall not assume that a moisture-tolerant primer alone is equivalent to a rated membrane for a severe condition. Some thick cementitious urethane systems are inherently moisture-tolerant and are warranted directly over high-moisture slabs without a separate membrane; where such a system is specified, the manufacturer's written warranty for the measured condition is the basis for omitting a separate membrane.
−
−# Installation
−
−## Layout and Substrate Acceptance
−
−The Contractor shall not begin installation until the substrate has been prepared to the required profile, the crack and joint treatment is complete, the documented moisture and pH tests confirm the slab is within the governing limits or the specified mitigation has been installed, and the substrate and ambient conditions are within the manufacturer's range. Layout of color fields, decorative borders, and any flake or aggregate transitions shall follow the [[drawing: finish plan]]. Acceptance of the substrate is the Contractor's responsibility; applying the system over a noncompliant substrate transfers a known defect into the finished floor, and the resulting failure is not a system defect and is not covered by the warranty.
−
−## Mixing and Application
−
−Each component shall be mixed in the exact ratio and for the time and method the manufacturer specifies, and applied within the manufacturer's pot life and working time at the actual temperature in the space. Resinous systems are reactive: a mix ratio off by a small margin produces a floor that never reaches full hardness or chemical resistance, and material worked past its pot life gels in place and will not bond or level. Each coat shall be applied at the specified coverage rate and within the recoat window of the previous coat; exceeding the maximum recoat window without abrading the prior coat produces an inter-coat bond failure. The Contractor shall record batch numbers, mix times, and application conditions.
−
−## Primer
−
−A primer compatible with the system and the substrate condition shall be applied to the prepared, profiled substrate and allowed to develop the specified tack before the body coat is applied. The primer penetrates and seals the prepared concrete and establishes the bond between slab and system; for high-moisture or contaminated conditions a specialized primer is part of the moisture-mitigation or adhesion strategy and shall not be substituted with a general-purpose primer.
−
−## Body Coat and Aggregate Broadcast
−
−The body coat shall be applied at the specified thickness, and where a broadcast system is specified, aggregate shall be broadcast into the wet body coat to refusal (until the surface can absorb no more) so that the cured surface is fully and uniformly seeded. After cure, loose and unbonded aggregate shall be removed by sweeping and vacuuming before the topcoat is applied; loose aggregate locked under a topcoat creates weak points and an uneven surface. For trowel-applied mortar systems, the mortar shall be screeded and troweled to the specified thickness and surface texture in a continuous operation.
−
−## Topcoat and Sealer
−
−One or more topcoats or sealers shall be applied at the specified coverage to lock down the broadcast aggregate, establish the final color, gloss, and slip texture, and provide the chemical and wear resistance of the wear surface. Where slip texture is required, the slip-additive aggregate shall be incorporated into the topcoat at the rate that produces the specified slip resistance. The topcoat is the wear and chemical-resistance surface of the floor, so the chemistry and number of coats shall be as specified for the service, and the topcoat shall be the manufacturer's component matched to the body, not a substitution.
−
−# Field Testing
−
−## Moisture and Substrate Verification
−
−The Contractor shall not apply the resinous system until the documented ASTM F2170 relative humidity, ASTM F1869 emission (where used), and ASTM F710 pH results confirm the substrate is within the governing limits or until the specified mitigation has been installed and confirmed. Where mitigation is installed, the Contractor shall verify the membrane was rated for the relative humidity actually measured and was installed over the required surface preparation.
−
−## Adhesion (Pull-Off) Testing
−
−```datasheet
−label: Field Adhesion (Pull-Off) Testing Required
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Yes — pull-off test per ASTM D4541 at frequency in contract documents"
− - "No"
−default: "No"
−```
−
−Where field adhesion testing is required, the cured system shall be tested by portable pull-off tester per ASTM D4541 at the locations and frequency the contract documents establish, with acceptance requiring failure in the concrete substrate at or above the specified bond strength. Pull-off testing confirms in the field what the substrate preparation and moisture control were meant to achieve — a bond stronger than the concrete itself — and is warranted on large, critical, or high-moisture-risk floors where a bond failure would be costly to remediate.
−
−## Holiday and Visual Inspection
−
−After full cure, the floor shall be inspected for blisters, pinholes (holidays), trapped debris, telegraphed substrate defects, color and gloss uniformity, slip-texture consistency, cove and termination quality, and any unbonded or hollow areas, under permanent or equivalent lighting. Blisters and hollow areas indicate trapped moisture, outgassing from the slab, or a bond failure and shall be cut out, the cause corrected, and the area patched. For ESD systems, the resistance to ground shall be measured per ANSI/ESD STM7.1 at the required frequency and shall fall within the specified range before acceptance.
−
−# Cleaning and Initial Maintenance
−
−After installation and after the system has reached the cure the manufacturer requires before service, the floor shall be cleaned of construction soil and protected from traffic and from other trades until turnover. The floor shall not be subjected to chemical exposure, washdown, or heavy traffic until it has reached full chemical cure, which for some chemistries lags initial set by several days; placing the floor into aggressive service before full cure is a common cause of early staining and softening that is mistaken for a product defect. The Contractor shall furnish the Owner with the manufacturer's maintenance program identifying approved cleaning agents and the periodic maintenance the system requires to preserve its slip resistance, appearance, and warranty.
−
−# Delivery, Storage, and Handling
−
−Resin components, aggregates, and accessories shall be delivered in the manufacturer's original sealed containers with labels and batch numbers intact and shall be stored indoors within the temperature range the manufacturer requires, protected from freezing, excessive heat, moisture, and direct sun. Resin shelf life is limited and temperature-sensitive: material that has frozen, exceeded its shelf life, or been stored too hot may not cure correctly and shall be discarded. Components shall be conditioned to the manufacturer's application temperature range before mixing, because cold resin is too viscous to mix and apply correctly and warm resin has a shortened pot life. MMA monomer and solvent-containing primers are flammable and shall be stored and handled away from ignition sources per the safety data sheet.
−
−# Warranty
−
−```datasheet
−label: Manufacturer System Warranty Period
−type: select
−unit: years
−options:
− - "1 year (material only)"
− - "2 years (system)"
− - "5 years (system, standard commercial/industrial)"
− - "10 years (heavy-duty system)"
−default: "5 years (system, standard commercial/industrial)"
−```
−
−The system manufacturer shall warrant the materials against manufacturing defects and against failure to meet the specified physical properties for the period stated. The Contractor shall warrant the installation — including substrate preparation, moisture control, bond, body and topcoat application, integral cove base, and terminations — against defective workmanship for the project warranty period. The Contractor shall be aware that most manufacturer warranties are void unless the substrate moisture and pH conditions were within the system's stated limits and documented at the time of installation; the moisture and pH test record, the surface-profile record, and any pull-off test results are therefore part of the warranty basis and shall be retained and delivered. Failures arising from substrate cracking or movement beyond the system's stated tolerance, from chemical or thermal exposure exceeding the specified service, or from cleaning or maintenance contrary to the manufacturer's instructions 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: Touch-Up / Repair Material Delivered to Owner
−type: radio
−options:
− - "Yes — sealed manufacturer touch-up/repair kit for each system and color"
− - "No"
−default: "Yes — sealed manufacturer touch-up/repair kit for each system and color"
−```
−
−The Contractor shall deliver to the Owner a sealed manufacturer touch-up or repair kit for each resinous system and color installed, sufficient to repair localized damage, labeled with the system, color, and batch information, and stored in the conditioned environment the manufacturer recommends. Because a resinous floor is mixed and cured on site, a later repair made with off-the-shelf material will rarely match the color and gloss of the original; a repair kit from the original system and color is the only practical way to make an inconspicuous repair, and resin shelf life means the kit should be used within the manufacturer's stated storage period.
+---
+title: Resinous Flooring
+category: Architectural / Finishes
+toc_depth: 3
+description: >
+ When to use: Fluid-applied, seamless resinous floor finishes installed over concrete in commercial, institutional, industrial, food and beverage, healthcare, laboratory, and cleanroom applications. Covers epoxy, polyurethane, cementitious urethane (urethane mortar), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and polyaspartic resin chemistries; thin-film coating, broadcast (sand, quartz, or vinyl flake) media, and trowel-applied mortar system types; slip resistance, chemical and thermal-shock resistance, abrasion, and electrostatic-dissipative and conductive (ESD) systems; concrete surface preparation and profiling, moisture testing and topical moisture mitigation, integral cove base, and seamless wall-to-floor detailing.
+ Not intended for: Resilient sheet, tile, and plank floor coverings such as LVT, VCT, sheet vinyl, rubber, and linoleum (see [[sync/resilient-flooring]]); ceramic and porcelain tile (see [[sync/ceramic-tile]]); cementitious terrazzo and epoxy-matrix terrazzo (see [[sync/terrazzo]]); polished, ground, or sealed bare concrete floors with no applied resin film (see [[sync/polished-concrete]]); carpet (see [[sync/carpet]]); exterior pedestrian or vehicular traffic-bearing waterproofing deck coatings; and concrete slab design, placement, and the under-slab vapor retarder (see [[sync/cast-in-place-concrete]]).
+---
+
+# Scope {toc}
+
+## This standard governs the materials and installation of fluid-applied resinous flooring — seamless floor finishes formed in place from thermosetting or reactive resin binders over concrete substrates. {note}
+## Resinous flooring is specified where a monolithic, jointless, chemically resistant, and easily cleaned floor surface is required: food and beverage processing, commercial kitchens, pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, laboratories, healthcare, aircraft hangars and vehicle service areas, warehouses, and architectural lobbies and corridors. {note}
+## Unlike a tile or sheet covering, a resinous floor is built up on site from liquid components that cure into a continuous membrane bonded directly to the slab, so its performance is inseparable from the condition of the concrete beneath it and from the skill with which it is mixed and applied. {note}
+
+## A resinous floor is a system, not a single product. {note}
+## It consists of the prepared concrete substrate, a primer, a body coat or broadcast aggregate or trowel-applied mortar, and one or more topcoats or sealers, together with integral cove base and any topical moisture mitigation membrane required by the slab condition. {note}
+
+## The Contractor shall treat the floor as a coordinated system.
+## The Contractor shall verify that the primer, body, and topcoat are components of a single manufacturer's system warranted to work together over the measured substrate condition.
+## The Contractor shall not substitute components between systems.
+## The Contractor shall not begin installation until the substrate has been prepared to the required surface profile and has passed the moisture and surface acceptance criteria of this standard.
+## Coordinate the concrete slab, its curing method, and its under-slab vapor retarder with [[sync/cast-in-place-concrete]].
+## Coordinate transitions to adjacent finishes with [[sync/resilient-flooring]], [[sync/ceramic-tile]], [[sync/terrazzo]], and [[sync/polished-concrete]] so that finish-floor elevations, transition details, and termination edges reconcile.
+## The resin chemistry, the system type, and the total film thickness are selected together for the service the floor must survive — a thin epoxy coating that performs in a dry storage room will fail within months under the thermal shock and aggressive cleaning of a meat-processing plant, where a cementitious urethane mortar is required. {note}
+## The overwhelming majority of resinous flooring failures are bond failures that originate in the substrate, not in the resin. The two dominant causes are moisture vapor or hydrostatic pressure driving up through the slab and debonding the membrane, and inadequate mechanical surface preparation that leaves the resin bonded to laitance, curing compound, or a weak surface layer rather than to sound concrete; both are preventable, and both are the Contractor's responsibility to control before any resin is applied. {note}
+## A slab intended to receive resinous flooring should be cured without a membrane-forming curing compound that must later be removed, and the under-slab vapor retarder placed before the slab is poured is the single most effective moisture-control measure. {note}
+
+# Referenced Standards {toc}
+
+| Standard | Title |
+|----------|-------|
+| ASTM C307 | Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength of Chemical-Resistant Mortars, Grouts, Monolithic Surfacings, and Polymer Concretes |
+| ASTM C413 | Standard Test Method for Absorption of Chemical-Resistant Mortars, Grouts, Monolithic Surfacings, and Polymer Concretes |
+| ASTM C579 | Standard Test Methods for Compressive Strength of Chemical-Resistant Mortars, Grouts, Monolithic Surfacings, and Polymer Concretes |
+| ASTM C722 | Standard Specification for Chemical-Resistant Monolithic Floor Surfacings |
+| ASTM D570 | Standard Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics |
+| ASTM D635 | Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position |
+| ASTM D2047 | Standard Test Method for Static Coefficient of Friction of Polish-Coated Flooring Surfaces as Measured by the James Machine |
+| ASTM D4060 | Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Organic Coatings by the Taber Abraser |
+| ASTM D4541 | Standard Test Method for Pull-Off Strength of Coatings Using Portable Adhesion Testers |
+| ANSI A326.3 | Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials |
+| ASTM F710 | Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring (substrate preparation and pH procedure) |
+| 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 F3010 | Standard Practice for Two-Component Resin Based Membrane-Forming Moisture Mitigation Systems for Use Under Resilient Floor Coverings |
+| 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 |
+| ICRI 310.2R | Selecting and Specifying Concrete Surface Preparation for Sealers, Coatings, Polymer Overlays, and Concrete Repair (Concrete Surface Profile, CSP 1–9) |
+| ANSI/ESD S20.20 | Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies, and Equipment (ESD control program) |
+| ANSI/ESD STM7.1 | Floor Materials — Resistive Characterization of Materials |
+| ANSI/ESD STM97.1 | Floor Materials and Footwear — Resistance Measurement in Combination with a Person |
+| USDA / FSIS | Sanitation Performance Standards (food-contact and washdown environments) |
+| IBC | International Building Code (current edition adopted by jurisdiction) |
+
+## 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.
+## The Contractor shall follow the manufacturer's written installation instructions in addition to this standard.
+## As with all field-applied finishes, the manufacturer's written installation instructions are not merely advisory — they define the conditions under which the system warranty is valid. {note}
+## ASTM C722 is the specification that defines the chemical-resistant monolithic surfacing the trowel-applied and broadcast resinous systems in this standard are built to, and ASTM C307, C413, and C579 are the test methods that establish the tensile strength, absorption, and compressive strength of those surfacings. ICRI 310.2R defines the Concrete Surface Profile (CSP 1 through 9) scale that this standard uses to specify the required substrate roughness, and ASTM F710, F1869, F2170, and F3010 — though written for resilient flooring — are the consensus substrate-preparation, moisture-test, and moisture-mitigation references that the resinous flooring industry universally applies to concrete slabs. {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 the complete resinous flooring system, identifying the resin chemistry, system type, each component (primer, body, broadcast media, topcoat, sealer), the nominal total thickness, and the manufacturer's written installation instructions
+- Manufacturer's certified physical-property data for the cured system, including compressive strength (ASTM C579), tensile strength (ASTM C307), abrasion resistance (ASTM D4060), water absorption (ASTM C413 or D570), and slip resistance (ASTM D2047 and/or ANSI A326.3)
+- Chemical-resistance data documenting the cured system's resistance to the specific reagents anticipated in service
+- Substrate moisture and alkalinity test reports for the actual slab, conducted in accordance with ASTM F2170 (relative humidity), ASTM F1869 (moisture vapor emission rate where used), and the ASTM F710 pH procedure, identifying test locations and ambient conditions
+- Samples of each resinous system in the specified color, gloss, aggregate, and broadcast texture, of sufficient size to show the finished appearance and slip texture
+- For electrostatic-dissipative or conductive systems, the manufacturer's resistance data per ANSI/ESD STM7.1 and the grounding detail
+- Color and aggregate selection samples for the Architect's selection where finish color is to be selected from the manufacturer's range
+- Maintenance instructions describing initial cleaning, recommended cleaning agents, and the periodic maintenance program for the installed system
+
+```datasheet
+label: Action Submittals Required
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - "Product data — complete resinous flooring system (all components)"
+ - "Certified physical-property data (C307 / C413 / C579 / D4060)"
+ - "Chemical-resistance data for anticipated reagents"
+ - "Substrate moisture and alkalinity test reports (F2170 / F1869 / F710 pH)"
+ - "Samples — each system, color, aggregate, and texture"
+ - "ESD resistance data and grounding detail (conductive/dissipative systems)"
+ - "Maintenance instructions"
+default: "Substrate moisture and alkalinity test reports (F2170 / F1869 / F710 pH)"
+```
+
+### Installation shall not begin until the substrate moisture-test reports have been submitted and reviewed.
+### The moisture condition determines both the system compatibility and the moisture-mitigation requirement. {note}
+
+## Closeout Submittals {toc}
+
+### Provide the following at project closeout: {note}
+
+- Manufacturer system warranty documentation, executed in the Owner's name
+- Record of the final substrate moisture and pH test results, the surface preparation method and measured profile, the moisture mitigation membrane installed (if any), and the system installed, retained for warranty purposes
+- Record of field adhesion (pull-off) test results where required
+- Maintenance materials transmittal documenting any spare topcoat, repair kit, or touch-up material delivered to the Owner
+
+```datasheet
+label: Closeout Submittals Required
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - "Manufacturer system warranty documentation (executed in Owner's name)"
+ - "Record of final substrate moisture/pH, surface preparation method and measured profile, moisture mitigation membrane, and system installed"
+ - "Record of field adhesion (pull-off) test results where required"
+ - "Maintenance materials transmittal (spare topcoat, repair kit, or touch-up material)"
+default: "Manufacturer system warranty documentation (executed in Owner's name)"
+```
+
+# Quality Assurance {toc}
+
+## Installer Qualifications {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Installer Qualification
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Manufacturer-approved/certified applicator for the specified system"
+ - "Experienced commercial resinous flooring applicator (manufacturer training documented)"
+default: "Manufacturer-approved/certified applicator for the specified system"
+```
+
+### Resinous flooring shall be installed by an applicator trained and approved in writing by the manufacturer of the specified system, with documented experience installing the specific resin chemistry and system type required on projects of comparable size and complexity.
+### The Contractor shall not assign resinous flooring to general labor or to applicators experienced only in a different chemistry.
+### Resinous flooring is mixed and applied on site within a limited working time, and the cured result cannot be inspected for correct mixing ratio, correct profile, or correct moisture condition after the fact — a defective installation is found only when it debonds or blisters. The reactive chemistries, MMA in particular, also have a very short pot life and demand experienced mechanics who can place and finish the material before it gels. {note}
+
+## Mock-Up {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Mock-Up Required
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Yes — install a representative area including integral cove base and a termination"
+ - "No"
+default: "Yes — install a representative area including integral cove base and a termination"
+```
+
+### Where a mock-up is required, the Contractor shall install a representative area of the complete system at a location directed by the Architect, including the integral cove base, a termination or transition detail, and the finished slip texture and color.
+### The mock-up shall remain available for comparison throughout the work.
+### For broadcast and trowel systems the mock-up shall demonstrate the full built-up thickness, not merely a color sample.
+### The mock-up establishes the acceptable standard for color, gloss, broadcast density, slip texture, cove profile, and edge detailing. {note}
+
+## Pre-Installation Conference {toc}
+
+### Before installation begins, the Contractor shall hold a pre-installation conference with the Architect, the flooring applicator, and the concrete subcontractor to review the moisture-test results, the surface preparation method and required profile, the moisture-mitigation requirement, the system component sequence, the cove and termination details, the joint treatment, and the environmental conditions in the space.
+### Most resinous flooring disputes trace back to a substrate condition that was known but not acted upon — a marginal moisture reading, a curing compound that was not removed, or a slab that was steel-troweled to a profile too tight to bond. The conference exists to surface and resolve those conditions before any resin is applied. {note}
+
+# Environmental and Service Conditions {toc}
+
+## Temperature During Installation and Cure {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Minimum Substrate / Ambient Temperature During Installation
+type: range
+unit: °F
+options:
+ min: 50
+ max: 60
+ step: 5
+default: 50
+```
+
+### The substrate, the resin materials, and the air shall be maintained within the temperature range required by the manufacturer before, during, and after installation through the full cure period — commonly between 50 °F and 85 °F for epoxy and polyurethane systems, with the substrate at least 5 °F above the measured dew point.
+### Resin cure is a chemical reaction whose rate and completeness depend on temperature: below the minimum, epoxy cures slowly or incompletely and may never reach its rated properties; near the dew point, condensation on the slab causes amine blush and bond failure. MMA systems cure by a different exothermic reaction and tolerate much lower temperatures, which is one reason they are selected for freezer and cold-storage installations. {note}
+
+## Substrate Above Dew Point {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Minimum Substrate Temperature Above Dew Point
+type: range
+unit: °F
+options:
+ min: 5
+ max: 5
+ setpoints: [5]
+default: 5
+```
+
+### The substrate temperature shall be maintained at least 5 °F above the dew point of the ambient air throughout application and the initial cure.
+### The Contractor shall measure and record substrate temperature, air temperature, and relative humidity at the start of and periodically during each application.
+### Applying resin to a slab at or below the dew point traps a film of condensed moisture between the slab and the resin and produces a bond failure that looks identical to a vapor-drive failure but is caused entirely by uncontrolled job-site conditions. {note}
+
+## Ventilation During Installation {toc}
+
+### Adequate ventilation shall be provided during installation and cure to remove solvent and monomer vapors, with particular attention to MMA systems, whose strong odor and flammable monomer require active ventilation and the exclusion of ignition sources from the work area and adjacent occupied spaces.
+### The Contractor shall coordinate the ventilation and the exclusion zone with the Owner where the work occurs in or adjacent to occupied areas.
+### The odor of an MMA installation can render adjacent spaces unusable during application and cure even though the cured floor is odorless and inert. {note}
+
+## Substrate Moisture and Relative Humidity Limits {toc}
+
+### The acceptable substrate moisture condition is a governing service condition for resinous flooring and shall be established by test before installation and confirmed against both the system manufacturer's limit and the limit of this standard.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Slab Internal Relative Humidity (ASTM F2170)
+type: range
+unit: % RH
+options:
+ min: 75
+ max: 99
+ step: 5
+setpoints: [75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99]
+default: 85
+```
+
+### The relative humidity within the concrete slab measured by in-situ probe per ASTM F2170 shall not exceed the limit stated, and the lower of the manufacturer's limit and the project limit governs.
+### Where the measured relative humidity exceeds the system's limit, a topical moisture mitigation membrane shall be installed.
+### Many resin systems are warranted to a maximum internal relative humidity in the range of 80 to 90 percent, and some highly moisture-tolerant cementitious urethane and epoxy systems accept higher values. {note}
+
+## Substrate 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 — ASTM F2170 internal relative humidity is required for those conditions.
+### The calcium chloride method measures only the surface condition at the moment of test, and surface emission can read deceptively low while the slab interior remains wet and continues to drive vapor into the cured film over time. {note}
+
+## Substrate Alkalinity (pH) {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Acceptable Substrate Surface pH Range (ASTM F710)
+type: range
+unit: pH
+options:
+ min: 7
+ max: 10
+ step: 0.5
+setpoints: [7, 10]
+default: 10
+```
+
+### The surface pH of the concrete substrate shall be measured per the ASTM F710 alkalinity procedure and shall fall within the range accepted by the system manufacturer, typically between 7 and 10.
+### The system manufacturer's stated alkalinity limit governs.
+### High slab alkalinity — common in newer concrete and in slabs where moisture has carried alkaline salts to the surface — can attack the resin bond and is a frequent cause of debonding mistaken for a moisture failure. Many epoxy and cementitious urethane systems tolerate higher alkalinity than resilient flooring adhesives do. {note}
+
+# Resinous Flooring Systems {toc}
+
+## Resin Chemistry {toc}
+
+### The resin chemistry is the most consequential single decision in a resinous floor; it determines chemical resistance, thermal-shock tolerance, cure speed, UV stability, and cost. {note}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Resin Chemistry
+type: select
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Epoxy — general-purpose chemical and abrasion resistance"
+ - "Polyurethane (aliphatic) — UV-stable, flexible, abrasion- and stain-resistant topcoat"
+ - "Cementitious urethane (urethane mortar) — thermal-shock and aggressive-chemical service (USDA/food)"
+ - "Methyl methacrylate (MMA) — fast-cure, cold-temperature and rapid-return-to-service applications"
+ - "Polyaspartic — fast-cure, UV-stable polyurea/urethane topcoat or coating"
+default: "Epoxy — general-purpose chemical and abrasion resistance"
+```
+
+### The chemistry shall be selected for the service environment and shall be indicated in the [[drawing: finish schedule]].
+### Epoxy is the default and most widely specified resinous chemistry. It bonds aggressively to concrete, offers broad chemical and abrasion resistance, and is the lowest-cost system for general commercial and light-industrial service; its limitations are sensitivity to ambient temperature during cure, a tendency to amber and chalk under direct UV exposure, and limited thermal-shock tolerance, which is why epoxy bodies are routinely finished with a more durable topcoat. Polyurethane, specifically aliphatic polyurethane, is more flexible, more abrasion- and chemical-resistant, and color-stable under UV, and is most commonly specified as the topcoat over an epoxy body rather than as the full system. Cementitious urethane — also called urethane mortar or polyurethane concrete — is a thick, trowel-applied mortar whose coefficient of thermal expansion closely matches concrete, giving it the highest thermal-shock resistance of any resinous system; it withstands steam cleaning, hot washdown, and freeze-thaw cycling and resists aggressive food acids, which makes it the standard for USDA-inspected food and beverage processing, commercial kitchens, and similar wet, hot, and chemically aggressive environments. Methyl methacrylate cures by a fast exothermic reaction in roughly one to two hours even at low temperature, allowing return to service the same day and installation in freezers and coolers; its drawbacks are a strong monomer odor and flammability during application that demand ventilation and ignition control. Polyaspartic, a fast-curing aliphatic chemistry related to polyurea, combines rapid return to service with excellent UV stability and is specified as a fast-track coating or as a topcoat where a same-day or next-day turnover is required. {note}
+
+## System Type {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: System Type
+type: select
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Thin-film coating (roller- or squeegee-applied, no aggregate)"
+ - "Broadcast — sand or quartz aggregate"
+ - "Broadcast — decorative vinyl/acrylic flake"
+ - "Slurry / self-leveling (trowel- or squeegee-applied)"
+ - "Trowel-applied mortar (high-build, heavy-duty)"
+default: "Broadcast — sand or quartz aggregate"
+```
+
+### The system type and resin chemistry shall be coordinated; not every chemistry is offered in every system type.
+### The system type determines the built-up thickness, the slip texture, and the mechanical durability. A thin-film coating is a roller- or squeegee-applied resin film with no aggregate, suitable for light-duty service, color, and dust control where appearance and chemical resistance matter more than mechanical wear; it provides little slip texture and no impact resistance. A broadcast system embeds aggregate — typically silica sand or colored quartz for industrial floors, or decorative vinyl or acrylic flake (chip) for architectural floors — into a body coat and then locks it down with one or more topcoats, producing a thicker, slip-textured, impact-resistant floor; this is the most common commercial and industrial selection. A slurry or self-leveling system is a flowable resin-and-filler mix troweled or squeegeed to a smooth, seamless surface, used where a level, jointless, easily cleaned surface is needed. A trowel-applied mortar is a heavily filled, hand-troweled system built to substantial thickness for the most demanding mechanical and thermal service — this is the form cementitious urethane takes for food-processing floors. {note}
+
+## Total System Thickness {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Nominal Total System Thickness
+type: select
+unit: mil
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "10–20 mil — thin-film coating"
+ - "30–60 mil — standard broadcast / flake"
+ - "1/8 in (125 mil) — heavy-duty broadcast / slurry"
+ - "3/16 in (188 mil) — trowel-applied mortar"
+ - "1/4 in (250 mil) — heavy-duty trowel mortar (cementitious urethane standard)"
+ - "3/8 in (375 mil) — extreme thermal/impact service"
+default: "30–60 mil — standard broadcast / flake"
+```
+
+### System thickness shall be selected for the mechanical, thermal, and chemical service.
+### Thickness shall be coordinated with the finish-floor elevation and with adjacent flooring so that transitions and door clearances reconcile.
+### Thin-film coatings at 10 to 20 mils provide color, chemical resistance, and dust control but minimal mechanical durability. Standard broadcast and flake systems at 30 to 60 mils are the general commercial range. Heavy-duty broadcast and slurry systems built to 1/8 inch resist heavy traffic and rolling loads. Trowel-applied mortar systems are built to 3/16 inch and above; cementitious urethane for food-processing service is conventionally installed at 1/4 inch, with 3/8 inch reserved for extreme thermal cycling and impact. A 1/4-inch mortar floor changes the elevation enough to affect doors, drains, and adjacent finishes. {note}
+
+## Compressive Strength {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Minimum Compressive Strength (ASTM C579)
+type: range
+unit: psi
+options:
+ min: 6000
+ max: 12000
+ step: 500
+setpoints: [6000, 7500, 10000, 12000]
+default: 7500
+```
+
+### The cured system shall develop a minimum compressive strength when tested per ASTM C579.
+### Compressive strength is a primary indicator of a system's ability to resist crushing, point loads, and heavy rolling traffic; trowel-applied mortar and slurry systems readily exceed the strength of the concrete substrate, while thin-film coatings derive their strength from the slab they cover. The default of 7,500 psi reflects a typical heavy-duty broadcast or mortar system; specify higher values for extreme equipment and rolling loads. {note}
+
+## Tensile Strength {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Minimum Tensile Strength (ASTM C307)
+type: range
+unit: psi
+options:
+ min: 600
+ max: 2000
+ step: 100
+setpoints: [600, 1000, 1500, 2000]
+default: 1000
+```
+
+### The cured system shall develop a minimum tensile strength when tested per ASTM C307.
+### Tensile strength governs the system's resistance to cracking under flexure and substrate movement; a system with adequate tensile strength bridges minor substrate stresses without cracking, while a brittle, low-tensile system telegraphs and cracks over the same movement. {note}
+
+## Bond Strength to Substrate {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Minimum Bond (Pull-Off) Strength (ASTM D4541)
+type: range
+unit: psi
+options:
+ min: 200
+ max: 400
+ step: 50
+setpoints: [200, 300, 400]
+default: 300
+```
+
+### The cured system shall achieve a minimum bond strength to the prepared substrate when tested by portable pull-off tester per ASTM D4541, with failure occurring in the concrete substrate rather than at the bond line.
+### A bond test that fails in the concrete (cohesive failure of the slab) demonstrates that the resin bond exceeds the substrate's own tensile strength, which is the goal; a failure at the resin-to-concrete interface (adhesive failure) indicates inadequate surface preparation or a moisture or contamination problem and requires investigation before proceeding. {note}
+
+## Abrasion Resistance {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Abrasion Weight Loss (ASTM D4060, CS-17 wheel, 1000 cycles, 1000 g)
+type: range
+unit: mg
+options:
+ min: 20
+ max: 100
+ step: 10
+setpoints: [20, 50, 100]
+default: 50
+```
+
+### The cured wear surface shall exhibit abrasion weight loss not exceeding the stated limit when tested per ASTM D4060 with the specified wheel, load, and cycle count.
+### The test parameters shall be stated with the limit because abrasion results are meaningless without the wheel grade, load, and cycle count.
+### Abrasion resistance governs how the floor survives foot and wheel traffic and grit over years of service; the topcoat, not the body, carries the wear, which is why polyurethane and polyaspartic topcoats are specified over epoxy bodies in high-traffic areas. {note}
+
+## Water Absorption {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum Water Absorption (ASTM C413 / ASTM D570)
+type: range
+unit: "%"
+options:
+ min: 0.1
+ max: 1.0
+ step: 0.1
+setpoints: [0.1, 0.5, 1.0]
+default: 0.5
+```
+
+### The cured system shall exhibit water absorption not exceeding the stated limit when tested per ASTM C413 (chemical-resistant surfacings) or ASTM D570 (plastics).
+### Low absorption is essential in hygienic, food-processing, and healthcare environments, where a porous surface harbors bacteria and stains; a dense, low-absorption resin surface can be cleaned and sanitized to a degree that a porous cementitious or grouted surface cannot. {note}
+
+## Slip Resistance {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Slip-Resistance Requirement
+type: radio
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Standard — DCOF not less than 0.42 (ANSI A326.3), level interior dry/occasionally wet"
+ - "Enhanced — aggregate-broadcast texture for wet-process, kitchen, or ramp service"
+ - "Static COF not less than 0.5 (ASTM D2047) where required by program"
+default: "Standard — DCOF not less than 0.42 (ANSI A326.3), level interior dry/occasionally wet"
+```
+
+### The finished floor shall provide slip resistance appropriate to its service, achieved by selecting the broadcast aggregate grade and topcoat texture.
+### For level interior areas walked on dry or occasionally wet, the dynamic coefficient of friction measured per ANSI A326.3 shall be not less than 0.42; some owner and code programs additionally invoke a static coefficient of friction of not less than 0.5 measured per ASTM D2047.
+### Wet-process areas, commercial kitchens, ramps, and areas subject to grease or standing water shall use a coarser broadcast aggregate and a textured topcoat to raise the slip resistance well above the level-dry minimum.
+### The slip texture shall be matched to the actual wet-and-soil exposure of each area rather than maximized everywhere.
+### Slip texture is a trade-off with cleanability — the coarser the texture, the harder the floor is to clean. {note}
+
+## Chemical Resistance {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Chemical Resistance Requirement
+type: radio
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Standard — resistance to common cleaning agents and incidental spills"
+ - "Enhanced — resistance to specific reagents per laboratory/process program"
+ - "Aggressive — acids, solvents, and hot chemical washdown (cementitious urethane service)"
+default: "Standard — resistance to common cleaning agents and incidental spills"
+```
+
+### The cured system shall resist surface deterioration, softening, staining, and loss of bond from the chemicals anticipated in service.
+### The resin chemistry shall be selected for the actual reagent exposure.
+### The Contractor shall submit chemical-resistance data for the specific reagents the Owner identifies, not a generic resistance chart.
+### The reagent exposure of a laboratory, a battery room, a pharmaceutical suite, or a food-processing plant differs sharply from the common-cleaning-agent exposure of a commercial lobby: epoxy resists a broad range of chemicals but is attacked by strong solvents and concentrated acids; cementitious urethane resists hot organic and lactic acids that destroy ordinary epoxy, which is why it dominates food processing. {note}
+
+## Thermal-Shock Resistance {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Thermal-Shock / Service-Temperature Requirement
+type: radio
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Standard interior service — no thermal-shock exposure"
+ - "Thermal cycling / hot washdown — cementitious urethane required"
+ - "Freezer / cold storage — chemistry rated for sub-freezing service"
+default: "Standard interior service — no thermal-shock exposure"
+```
+
+### Where the floor is subject to hot washdown, steam cleaning, ovens, freeze-thaw cycling, or rapid temperature change, the system shall be rated for thermal-shock service.
+### For freezer and cold-storage floors, the chemistry — commonly MMA — shall be one that cures and remains serviceable at sub-freezing temperature.
+### Thermal shock is the most demanding condition a resinous floor faces: when hot water hits a cold floor, a resin with a coefficient of thermal expansion much higher than concrete expands faster than the slab and shears off at the bond line. Cementitious urethane is specified for these conditions precisely because its thermal expansion closely matches concrete, allowing the floor and slab to move together and survive temperature differentials that delaminate an epoxy floor. {note}
+
+## Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Control {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Electrostatic (ESD) Floor Type
+type: radio
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "None — standard insulative floor (no ESD requirement)"
+ - "Static-dissipative — resistance to ground 1.0 x 10^6 to less than 1.0 x 10^9 ohm"
+ - "Conductive — resistance to ground less than 1.0 x 10^6 ohm"
+default: "None — standard insulative floor (no ESD requirement)"
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: ESD Grounding
+type: radio
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Copper grounding strips embedded and bonded to building ground per system detail"
+ - "Not applicable — no ESD requirement"
+default: "Not applicable — no ESD requirement"
+```
+
+### Where the project includes an ESD-protected area — electronics manufacturing or assembly, certain laboratories, and munitions or flammable-vapor environments — the floor shall be a static-dissipative or conductive resinous system with an embedded grounding network, selected to meet the program's ANSI/ESD S20.20 control limits.
+### A static-dissipative floor shall have a resistance to ground per ANSI/ESD STM7.1 of at least 1.0 x 10^6 ohm and less than 1.0 x 10^9 ohm; a conductive floor shall have a resistance to ground of less than 1.0 x 10^6 ohm.
+### The choice between dissipative and conductive shall follow the governing ESD control program.
+### The floor specification shall be coordinated with the footwear and grounding program rather than treated in isolation.
+### Where an ESD floor is specified, a conductive grounding network — typically copper grounding strips embedded in the conductive primer and bonded to the building grounding system at the intervals the manufacturer requires — shall be installed and its continuity verified before the floor is accepted.
+### The grounding connections shall be located as shown on the [[drawing: ESD grounding plan]] and shall be coordinated with [[sync/grounding-and-bonding]].
+### A floor that is too conductive can create a personnel-safety or equipment hazard while one that is too insulative fails to drain charge, and the system resistance — the aggregate of person, footwear, and floor — is what ultimately matters under ANSI/ESD STM97.1. {note}
+
+## Flammability — Critical Radiant Flux {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: "Not regulated at this location (verify with code)"
+```
+
+### Where the resinous floor occurs in an interior exit, exit passageway, or corridor regulated by the International Building Code, the floor-covering system shall meet the required critical radiant flux class measured per ASTM E648 (technically equivalent to NFPA 253).
+### Class I (not less than 0.45 W/cm²) is required in corridors and exits of institutional occupancies; Class II (not less than 0.22 W/cm²) applies to corridors in many other occupancies.
+### The Architect shall confirm the requirement from the code compliance path for any resinous floor in an egress corridor or exit.
+### Most resinous floors occur in process, service, and back-of-house areas not subject to this requirement, which is why the default is "not regulated." The tested value is a property of the floor-covering system over its substrate, not of the resin alone. {note}
+
+## Color and Finish {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Finish Gloss
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Gloss"
+ - "Satin"
+ - "Matte"
+default: "Satin"
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: Color Selection
+type: text
+drawing_ref: true
+default: "As selected by Architect from manufacturer's standard range"
+```
+
+### The finished gloss shall be as selected.
+### A high-gloss topcoat shows traffic patterns, scratches, and trapped debris more readily and can increase glare under bright lighting; a satin or matte finish conceals minor surface variation and reduces glare, which is why satin is the common architectural and institutional default. Gloss has no effect on chemical or wear resistance and is purely an appearance selection, except that a coarser slip texture necessarily reduces the achievable gloss. {note}
+
+# Integral Cove Base and Terminations {toc}
+
+## Integral Cove Base {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Integral Cove Base
+type: radio
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "Integral resin cove base, 4 in high, formed seamless with floor"
+ - "Integral resin cove base, 6 in high, formed seamless with floor"
+ - "No integral cove — straight termination at wall"
+default: "Integral resin cove base, 4 in high, formed seamless with floor"
+```
+
+### An integral cove base — the resinous floor turned up the wall in a continuous radius rather than terminated with a separate applied base — shall be formed where a seamless, cleanable wall-to-floor junction is required, which is to say in nearly every food-processing, healthcare, laboratory, and wet-process application.
+### The cove shall be formed monolithic with the floor over a cove former or fillet.
+### The cove height and radius shall be as detailed on the [[drawing: details]]; a 4-inch cove is the common default, with 6-inch coves where the program or sanitation authority requires it.
+### A cove cap or termination bead shall finish the top edge of the cove against the wall.
+### Forming the cove monolithic with the floor eliminates the joint that a separate base would create and removes the harborage point where dirt, water, and bacteria collect at the base of a wall — the detail USDA and FDA inspections specifically scrutinize. {note}
+
+## Terminations and Transitions {toc}
+
+### Where the resinous floor meets an adjacent finish or terminates at a doorway, the edge shall be terminated in a saw-cut keyway, a termination bar, or a feathered transition as detailed, so that the edge is anchored and protected against chipping and lifting and so that any change in level complies with accessibility limits.
+### The edge shall be locked into the slab with a keyway cut into the concrete or terminated against a positive edge.
+### Transition details and finish-floor elevation changes shall be as shown on the [[drawing: details and finish schedule]] and coordinated with the adjacent flooring standard.
+### A resinous floor that simply feathers to nothing at an exposed edge will chip and lift at that edge under traffic. {note}
+
+# Substrate Preparation and Moisture Testing {toc}
+
+## Mechanical Surface Preparation and Profile {toc}
+
+### Concrete substrates shall be mechanically prepared to remove laitance, curing and sealing compounds, existing coatings, surface contaminants, and any weak surface layer.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Required Concrete Surface Profile (ICRI 310.2R)
+type: select
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "CSP 2 — light profile (thin-film coatings, 10–20 mil)"
+ - "CSP 3 — medium profile (standard broadcast and slurry)"
+ - "CSP 4 — coarse profile (heavy broadcast)"
+ - "CSP 5 — heavy profile (high-build / mortar systems)"
+ - "CSP 6 — very heavy profile (trowel-applied mortar, cementitious urethane)"
+default: "CSP 3 — medium profile (standard broadcast and slurry)"
+```
+
+### Concrete substrates shall be mechanically prepared — by shot-blasting, diamond grinding, or scarifying — to remove laitance, curing and sealing compounds, existing coatings, surface contaminants, and any weak surface layer, and to open the concrete to the surface profile the system manufacturer requires.
+### Mechanical preparation, not acid etching or chemical stripping, is the required method; acid etching is not an acceptable substitute.
+### The prepared surface shall be sound, dry, and free of dust before priming.
+### The required Concrete Surface Profile shall be selected per ICRI Guideline 310.2R for the system thickness.
+### Shot-blasting is the preferred method for most floors because it produces a uniform, repeatable profile across large areas, while grinding is used at edges and in confined areas where the shot-blaster cannot reach; acid etching does not reliably remove contaminants or produce a consistent profile. As a general rule, the thicker the system, the coarser the required profile, because a thicker, heavier system needs a deeper mechanical key to bond: thin-film coatings bond to a light CSP 2 to 3 profile; standard broadcast and slurry systems require CSP 3 to 4; high-build and trowel-applied mortar systems, including cementitious urethane, require an aggressive CSP 5 to 6 profile. A profile too tight for the system is one of the most common bond-failure causes, because the resin has nothing to mechanically key into; a steel-troweled, burnished slab is the worst case and must be opened by shot-blasting. {note}
+
+## Crack and Joint Treatment {toc}
+
+### Static cracks and non-moving construction joints in the substrate shall be cleaned out, filled with the manufacturer's compatible repair resin, and made flush before the system is applied, so they do not telegraph or open through the cured floor.
+### Moving joints — expansion joints and contraction (control) joints that accommodate slab movement — shall be honored through the resinous floor with a matching joint and a compatible flexible sealant rather than being filled rigidly and coated over.
+### The Contractor shall identify moving joints with the structural documents and the concrete subcontractor and shall treat them as moving joints, not as cracks to be filled.
+### A rigid resin bridging a moving joint will crack along the joint as the slab moves. {note}
+
+## Topical Moisture Mitigation {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Moisture Mitigation Method
+type: radio
+drawing_ref: true
+options:
+ - "None required — slab passes F2170/F1869 within system limits"
+ - "Two-component resin membrane-forming mitigation system (ASTM F3010), rated for measured RH"
+ - "Moisture-tolerant primer/system warranted for the measured condition"
+default: "None required — slab passes F2170/F1869 within system limits"
+```
+
+### Where the measured slab relative humidity or moisture vapor emission rate exceeds the resinous system's limit, a topical moisture mitigation membrane conforming to ASTM F3010 shall be installed over the prepared slab to reduce the effective vapor transmission reaching the floor to within the system's tolerance.
+### The mitigation membrane — a two-component, membrane-forming resin — 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 full mitigation system — the same mechanical surface preparation and profile, the rated membrane, and a compatible primer and floor system — per the membrane manufacturer's instructions, and shall not assume that a moisture-tolerant primer alone is equivalent to a rated membrane for a severe condition.
+### Where an inherently moisture-tolerant thick cementitious urethane system is specified, the manufacturer's written warranty for the measured condition is the basis for omitting a separate membrane.
+### A membrane rated to 95 percent RH is required for a 95 percent slab, and a membrane rated to a lower value will fail. Some thick cementitious urethane systems are inherently moisture-tolerant and are warranted directly over high-moisture slabs without a separate membrane. {note}
+
+# Installation {toc}
+
+## Layout and Substrate Acceptance {toc}
+
+### The Contractor shall not begin installation until the substrate has been prepared to the required profile, the crack and joint treatment is complete, the documented moisture and pH tests confirm the slab is within the governing limits or the specified mitigation has been installed, and the substrate and ambient conditions are within the manufacturer's range.
+### Layout of color fields, decorative borders, and any flake or aggregate transitions shall follow the [[drawing: finish plan]].
+### Acceptance of the substrate is the Contractor's responsibility; applying the system over a noncompliant substrate transfers a known defect into the finished floor, and the resulting failure is not a system defect and is not covered by the warranty. {note}
+
+## Mixing and Application {toc}
+
+### Each component shall be mixed in the exact ratio and for the time and method the manufacturer specifies, and applied within the manufacturer's pot life and working time at the actual temperature in the space.
+### Each coat shall be applied at the specified coverage rate and within the recoat window of the previous coat.
+### The Contractor shall record batch numbers, mix times, and application conditions.
+### Resinous systems are reactive: a mix ratio off by a small margin produces a floor that never reaches full hardness or chemical resistance, and material worked past its pot life gels in place and will not bond or level. Exceeding the maximum recoat window without abrading the prior coat produces an inter-coat bond failure. {note}
+
+## Primer {toc}
+
+### A primer compatible with the system and the substrate condition shall be applied to the prepared, profiled substrate and allowed to develop the specified tack before the body coat is applied.
+### For high-moisture or contaminated conditions a specialized primer is part of the moisture-mitigation or adhesion strategy and shall not be substituted with a general-purpose primer.
+### The primer penetrates and seals the prepared concrete and establishes the bond between slab and system. {note}
+
+## Body Coat and Aggregate Broadcast {toc}
+
+### The body coat shall be applied at the specified thickness, and where a broadcast system is specified, aggregate shall be broadcast into the wet body coat to refusal (until the surface can absorb no more) so that the cured surface is fully and uniformly seeded.
+### After cure, loose and unbonded aggregate shall be removed by sweeping and vacuuming before the topcoat is applied.
+### For trowel-applied mortar systems, the mortar shall be screeded and troweled to the specified thickness and surface texture in a continuous operation.
+### Loose aggregate locked under a topcoat creates weak points and an uneven surface. {note}
+
+## Topcoat and Sealer {toc}
+
+### One or more topcoats or sealers shall be applied at the specified coverage to lock down the broadcast aggregate, establish the final color, gloss, and slip texture, and provide the chemical and wear resistance of the wear surface.
+### Where slip texture is required, the slip-additive aggregate shall be incorporated into the topcoat at the rate that produces the specified slip resistance.
+### The chemistry and number of topcoats shall be as specified for the service, and the topcoat shall be the manufacturer's component matched to the body, not a substitution.
+### The topcoat is the wear and chemical-resistance surface of the floor. {note}
+
+# Field Testing {toc}
+
+## Moisture and Substrate Verification {toc}
+
+### The Contractor shall not apply the resinous system until the documented ASTM F2170 relative humidity, ASTM F1869 emission (where used), and ASTM F710 pH results confirm the substrate is within the governing limits or until the specified mitigation has been installed and confirmed.
+### Where mitigation is installed, the Contractor shall verify the membrane was rated for the relative humidity actually measured and was installed over the required surface preparation.
+
+## Adhesion (Pull-Off) Testing {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Field Adhesion (Pull-Off) Testing Required
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Yes — pull-off test per ASTM D4541 at frequency in contract documents"
+ - "No"
+default: "No"
+```
+
+### Where field adhesion testing is required, the cured system shall be tested by portable pull-off tester per ASTM D4541 at the locations and frequency the contract documents establish, with acceptance requiring failure in the concrete substrate at or above the specified bond strength.
+### Pull-off testing confirms in the field what the substrate preparation and moisture control were meant to achieve — a bond stronger than the concrete itself — and is warranted on large, critical, or high-moisture-risk floors where a bond failure would be costly to remediate. {note}
+
+## Holiday and Visual Inspection {toc}
+
+### After full cure, the floor shall be inspected for blisters, pinholes (holidays), trapped debris, telegraphed substrate defects, color and gloss uniformity, slip-texture consistency, cove and termination quality, and any unbonded or hollow areas, under permanent or equivalent lighting.
+### Blisters and hollow areas indicate trapped moisture, outgassing from the slab, or a bond failure and shall be cut out, the cause corrected, and the area patched.
+### For ESD systems, the resistance to ground shall be measured per ANSI/ESD STM7.1 at the required frequency and shall fall within the specified range before acceptance.
+
+# Cleaning and Initial Maintenance {toc}
+
+## After installation and after the system has reached the cure the manufacturer requires before service, the floor shall be cleaned of construction soil and protected from traffic and from other trades until turnover.
+## The floor shall not be subjected to chemical exposure, washdown, or heavy traffic until it has reached full chemical cure, which for some chemistries lags initial set by several days.
+## The Contractor shall furnish the Owner with the manufacturer's maintenance program identifying approved cleaning agents and the periodic maintenance the system requires to preserve its slip resistance, appearance, and warranty.
+## Placing the floor into aggressive service before full cure is a common cause of early staining and softening that is mistaken for a product defect. {note}
+
+# Delivery, Storage, and Handling {toc}
+
+## Resin components, aggregates, and accessories shall be delivered in the manufacturer's original sealed containers with labels and batch numbers intact and shall be stored indoors within the temperature range the manufacturer requires, protected from freezing, excessive heat, moisture, and direct sun.
+## Material that has frozen, exceeded its shelf life, or been stored too hot shall be discarded.
+## Components shall be conditioned to the manufacturer's application temperature range before mixing.
+## MMA monomer and solvent-containing primers are flammable and shall be stored and handled away from ignition sources per the safety data sheet.
+## Resin shelf life is limited and temperature-sensitive: material that has frozen, exceeded its shelf life, or been stored too hot may not cure correctly. Cold resin is too viscous to mix and apply correctly and warm resin has a shortened pot life. {note}
+
+# Warranty {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Manufacturer System Warranty Period
+type: select
+unit: years
+options:
+ - "1 year (material only)"
+ - "2 years (system)"
+ - "5 years (system, standard commercial/industrial)"
+ - "10 years (heavy-duty system)"
+default: "5 years (system, standard commercial/industrial)"
+```
+
+```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 system manufacturer shall warrant the materials against manufacturing defects and against failure to meet the specified physical properties for the period stated.
+## The Contractor shall warrant the installation — including substrate preparation, moisture control, bond, body and topcoat application, integral cove base, and terminations — against defective workmanship for the project warranty period.
+## The moisture and pH test record, the surface-profile record, and any pull-off test results are part of the warranty basis and shall be retained and delivered.
+## Most manufacturer warranties are void unless the substrate moisture and pH conditions were within the system's stated limits and documented at the time of installation. Failures arising from substrate cracking or movement beyond the system's stated tolerance, from chemical or thermal exposure exceeding the specified service, or from cleaning or maintenance contrary to the manufacturer's instructions are excluded from both warranties. {note}
+
+# Spare and Extra Materials {toc}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Touch-Up / Repair Material Delivered to Owner
+type: radio
+options:
+ - "Yes — sealed manufacturer touch-up/repair kit for each system and color"
+ - "No"
+default: "Yes — sealed manufacturer touch-up/repair kit for each system and color"
+```
+
+## The Contractor shall deliver to the Owner a sealed manufacturer touch-up or repair kit for each resinous system and color installed, sufficient to repair localized damage, labeled with the system, color, and batch information, and stored in the conditioned environment the manufacturer recommends.
+## Because a resinous floor is mixed and cured on site, a later repair made with off-the-shelf material will rarely match the color and gloss of the original; a repair kit from the original system and color is the only practical way to make an inconspicuous repair, and resin shelf life means the kit should be used within the manufacturer's stated storage period. {note}