Code of practice for laying bitumen mastic flooring for industries handling LPG and other light hydrocarbon products
1991 Edition

Overview and Scope of the Code

• Purpose: This standard provides comprehensive instructions for preparation, installation, and upkeep of bitumen mastic flooring specifically for LPG and light hydrocarbon handling industries.

• Referenced Documents:

  • IS 13026:1990 (Specifications for bitumen mastic flooring)
  • IS 8374:1977 (Antistatic and electrically conductive bitumen mastic)
  • IS 1196:1978 (Installation practices for bitumen mastic flooring)

• Highlights:

  • Flooring designed to be jointless and impervious to moisture.
  • Maintenance involves routine cleaning with mild detergent and lukewarm water; prompt removal of oil and grease spills.
  • Test results and values are to be rounded according to IS 2:1960.

• Related Standards Table:

  Standard Code	Description
  IS 13026	Specifications for bitumen mastic flooring
  IS 8374	Antistatic, electrically conductive bitumen mastic
  IS 1196	Code of practice for laying bitumen mastic flooring

This standard ensures safety, durability, and compliance overseen by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Key Standards Referenced by the Code

• Principal Standards:

  • IS 13026:1990 — Specifications for bitumen mastic flooring tailored to LPG and light hydrocarbon industries.
  • IS 8374:1977 — Specifications for antistatic and electrically conductive bitumen mastic grades.
  • IS 1196:1978 — Guidelines for laying bitumen mastic flooring.
  • IS 2:1960 — Rules governing numerical rounding.

• Important Notes:

  • This code should be used in conjunction with these standards for comprehensive guidance.
  • Flooring requires minimal upkeep, with cleaning using lukewarm water and detergents.
  • Oil, grease, and fat spills must be cleaned immediately to preserve flooring integrity.
  • Compliance is monitored under the BIS Act, 1986.
  • Test data rounding follows IS 2:1960.

Summary Table of Referenced Standards

flowchart LR
    IS13074 --> IS13026
    IS13074 --> IS8374
    IS13074 --> IS1196
    IS13074 --> IS2
    IS13026 --> Material_Spec
    IS8374 --> Antistatic_Grades
    IS1196 --> Installation_Practices
    IS2 --> Rounding_Rules

This diagram illustrates the interconnection of IS 13074 with its associated standards.

Design Principles for Bitumen Mastic Flooring

• Surface preparation must comply with IS 1196:1978.
• Bitumen mastic specifications follow IS 13026:1990.
• Antistatic and conductive bitumen grades as per IS 8374:1977.

Core Design Considerations:

• Flooring should resist hydrocarbon chemicals, abrasions, and static buildup.
• Substrate must be clean, dry, and smooth prior to application.
• Typical thickness ranges between 3 mm and 6 mm, as per usage demands.
• Ensure compatibility with prevailing chemical and thermal conditions.

Maintenance Highlights (Clause 9.1):

• Conduct routine cleaning with mild detergent and lukewarm water.
• Promptly address oil, grease, and fat spills to protect flooring longevity.

Related Standards Summary

flowchart LR
    Substrate_Preparation --> Bitumen_Application
    Bitumen_Application --> Thickness_Control
    Thickness_Control --> Surface_Finishing
    Surface_Finishing --> Maintenance
    Maintenance --> Cleaning_and_Spill_Removal

Always verify updates and consult IS 2:1960 for rounding conventions.

Thickness Requirements for Bitumen Mastic Flooring

• Overall Thickness: According to Clause 4.1, the flooring thickness should be maintained between 20 mm and 25 mm or as agreed based on site-specific conditions.

• Application Method (Clause 7.3.2):

  • Flooring is laid in designated bays, either as a single layer or multiple layers.
  • Thickness is controlled using hand tools, measuring gauges, straight edges, or leveling devices.

• Design Considerations (Clause 3.1):

  • Flooring must be seamless and impermeable to moisture.
  • Design must align with service conditions specified in IS 13026:1990.

Thickness Summary

flowchart TD
    Start --> Evaluate_Service_Conditions
    Evaluate_Service_Conditions -->|Hydrocarbon| Refer_IS_13026
    Evaluate_Service_Conditions -->|Other| Use_Standard_Thickness
    Refer_IS_13026 --> Determine_Thickness
    Use_Standard_Thickness --> Determine_Thickness
    Determine_Thickness --> Lay_in_Bays
    Lay_in_Bays --> Maintain_Thickness
    Maintain_Thickness --> Completed_Flooring

This ensures compliance with thickness and durability requirements.

Materials for Bitumen Mastic Flooring

• Applicable Standards:

  • Bitumen mastic must adhere to IS 13026:1990 specifications.
  • Antistatic and electrically conducting grades as per IS 8374:1977.
  • Installation guidance from IS 1196:1978.

• Material Characteristics:

  • Must possess chemical resistance to hydrocarbons, oils, and greases.
  • Physical and chemical properties should meet IS 13026 requirements.

• Quality Control:

  • All materials should be tested and certified under BIS supervision.
  • Compliance indicated by the Standard Mark license.

• Rounding of Test Values:

  • Follow IS 2:1960 rules for numerical rounding.

Materials Summary Table

flowchart LR
    Bitumen_Mastic --> IS_13026_Compliance
    Bitumen_Mastic --> Antistatic_Grade(IS_8374)
    Flooring --> Installation(IS_1196)
    Flooring --> Maintenance
    Maintenance --> Cleaning
    Maintenance --> Spill_Removal

Refer to IS 13026 for detailed chemical and physical property data.

Equipment Needed for Bitumen Mastic Flooring Installation

Essential Machinery (Clause 6.1)

• Bitumen Heating Boiler: To melt bitumen to the necessary temperature.
• Mechanically Agitated Mastic Cooker: Maintains uniform mixing and prevents premature cooling.
• Application Tools: Includes hand tools, gauges, straight edges, and levels for precise laying.

Operational Guidelines

• Equipment should be stationed close to the installation site to avoid cooling of heated bitumen.
• Mechanical agitation must be continuous to maintain proper consistency.

Related Standards

• Consult IS 13026:1990 for detailed equipment and material specifications.

Maintenance Notes (Clause 9.1)

• Regular cleaning with warm water and detergent.
• Prompt removal of oil, grease, and fat spills to protect flooring.

Equipment Summary

flowchart LR
    Bitumen_Boiler --> Molten_Bitumen
    Molten_Bitumen --> Mastic_Cooker
    Mastic_Cooker --> Uniform_Mastic
    Uniform_Mastic --> Application_Tools

Always verify with IS 13026 for comprehensive equipment guidelines.

Procedure for Laying Bitumen Mastic Flooring

Specifications and Steps (Clauses 7.3.2 & 7.3.2.1)

• Application:

  • Spread bitumen mastic in designated bays.
  • Maintain thickness using hand tools, gauges, straight edges, and band levels.
  • Application can be done in single or multiple layers as required.

• Bubble Management:

  • Any bubbles that appear during laying must be punctured immediately.
  • Repairs should be made while the mastic remains hot to ensure proper adhesion.

Thickness Control Table

• Use appropriate measuring tools to ensure uniformity.

Reference

• Follow IS 13026:1990 for specifications related to LPG and hydrocarbon applications.

flowchart TD
    Start --> Spread_Mastic_in_Bays
    Spread_Mastic_in_Bays --> Maintain_Thickness
    Maintain_Thickness --> Check_Bubbles
    Check_Bubbles -- Yes --> Puncture_Bubbles
    Check_Bubbles -- No --> Continue_Spreading
    Puncture_Bubbles --> Continue_Spreading
    Continue_Spreading --> Finish_Layer

Summary: Maintain specified thickness, promptly address bubbles, and adhere to IS 13026 for industry-specific requirements.

Guidelines for Repairing Bitumen Mastic Flooring

Repair Steps (Clause 8.1):

• Excise damaged sections with clean rectangular cuts.

• Remove deteriorated layers preferably using a blow lamp technique.

• Replace with fresh bitumen mastic material.

• Bubble Handling (Clause 7.3.2.1):

  • Puncture any bubbles appearing during repair immediately while the mastic is hot.

• Maintenance (Clause 9.1):

  • Routine cleaning with lukewarm water and detergent.
  • Immediate removal of oil, grease, and fat spills to prevent further damage.

Reference

• Refer to IS 13026:1990 for detailed specifications on bitumen mastic flooring.

Repair Summary Table

flowchart TD
    Identify_Damage --> Cut_Rectangular_Section
    Cut_Rectangular_Section --> Remove_Damaged_Layer
    Remove_Damaged_Layer --> Apply_New_Mastic
    Apply_New_Mastic --> Check_Bubbles
    Check_Bubbles -- Yes --> Puncture_Bubbles
    Check_Bubbles -- No --> Allow_Setting
    Puncture_Bubbles --> Allow_Setting
    Allow_Setting --> Routine_Maintenance

These steps maintain flooring integrity as per the standard.

Maintenance Requirements for Bitumen Mastic Flooring (Clause 9.1)

• Flooring demands minimal upkeep.

• Routine cleaning with lukewarm water and detergent to remove dust and dirt.

• Immediate cleaning of spills involving oils, fats, and greases to prevent deterioration.

• Referencing IS 13026:1990 for industry-specific requirements.

• Follow IS 1196:1978 laying practices to enhance durability and ease maintenance.

Maintenance Summary Table

Important Points:

• Use lukewarm water to avoid damage.
• Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals.
• Frequent inspections ensure long service life.

flowchart LR
    Flooring_Use --> Spill_Occurrence
    Spill_Occurrence -- Yes --> Immediate_Cleaning
    Spill_Occurrence -- No --> Routine_Cleaning
    Immediate_Cleaning --> Use_Mild_Detergent
    Routine_Cleaning --> Use_Mild_Detergent
    Use_Mild_Detergent --> Maintain_Flooring_Integrity

Proper maintenance preserves safety and functionality over time.