The IS 5318-1969 standard outlines detailed procedures for installing flexible PVC sheet and tile flooring, emphasizing sub-floor preparation, adhesive selection, installation methods, and upkeep. It is crucial for professionals installing resilient PVC flooring in various building types to ensure longevity, moisture resistance, and visual appeal.
Overview
The IS 5318-1969 standard outlines detailed procedures for installing flexible PVC sheet and tile flooring, emphasizing sub-floor preparation, adhesive selection, installation methods, and upkeep. It is crucial for professionals installing resilient PVC flooring in various building types to ensure longevity, moisture resistance, and visual appeal.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 5318 specifies requirements for laying vinyl asbestos tiles and flexible PVC flooring, including material types, thickness considerations based on usage, and testing protocols. Thickness varies depending on load and environment without fixed limits. Materials include glass sheets, rubber mats, polyethylene sheets, and PVC tiles, with sealing materials such as putty or mastic for edge protection. Numerical values are rounded according to IS 2-1960 standards.
Defines key terms related to PVC flooring materials and installation processes to ensure uniform understanding. Thickness is dictated by the intended service conditions. Rounding rules for measurements follow IS 2-1960 to maintain consistency. Covers specifications for vinyl asbestos tiles and flexible PVC flooring.
Details materials used including glass sheets, rubber or polyethylene backing, and PVC tiles, plus sealing agents like putty and plasticine. Thickness selection depends on usage conditions. Moisture content limits are specified for vinyl asbestos and other flooring types, with electrical resistance testing to verify sub-floor dryness.
Summarizes key materials and rounding procedures, emphasizing the importance of service condition-based thickness design. Specifies electrical resistance tests to meet safety and insulation criteria. Provides notes on PVC and vinyl asbestos tile usage.
Concrete sub-floors require an effective damp-proof course and must be smooth and dry before laying PVC flooring. Screed thickness and surface tolerance are defined. Wooden sub-floors need proper ventilation. Moisture tests like calcium chloride or electrical methods determine readiness for installation.
Sub-floor surfaces must be clean, dry, and smooth. Metal surfaces require rust and contaminant removal with appropriate treatments. PVC sheets and tiles should be conditioned at site temperature before laying. Adhesives compatible with the substrate are applied evenly to ensure full contact, with rolling to eliminate air pockets and adherence to curing times.
Exposed flooring edges, such as doorways and stairs, are protected with securely fastened metallic strips. Edge sealing materials include glass sheets, rubber mats, and polyethylene backing, combined with putty or mastic to prevent moisture ingress. Protective edging thickness matches or exceeds floor thickness.
Adhesive spills should be wiped immediately or removed with specified solvent mixtures. Initial cleaning involves warm soap solutions, with routine cleaning by mopping using mild soap solutions without direct water application. Polishing is recommended periodically but thick buildup should be avoided to prevent dirt accumulation.
Describes preliminary visual moisture tests followed by more precise hygrometer and electrical resistance tests. Acceptance limits for moisture vary by flooring type, with slabs deemed dry only if readings fall within specified thresholds. Testing is repeated until consistent results confirm dryness prior to flooring installation.
Frequently Asked
Recommended adhesives include rubber-based adhesives suitable for concrete, wood, and metal sub-floors, and PVA-based adhesives appropriate for concrete and wood but not for metal or wet areas. Adhesives should be applied with a notched trowel on both the sub-floor and PVC backing, allowed to become tacky (about 30 minutes), and then flooring laid promptly. Ensuring a level and permanently dry sub-floor is critical for adhesion and longevity, with hot sealing of joints advised to prevent moisture penetration.
Concrete sub-floors must incorporate an effective damp-proof course to block moisture. After construction, the concrete should be allowed adequate drying time. New concrete requires a screed and trowel or power-float finished surface, while old concrete needs removal of contaminants, wetting for 24 hours, and possibly a 3 mm screed if uneven. The surface must be clean, dry, and level before installation, with moisture levels verified through recommended testing methods.
Apply adhesive evenly using a notched trowel and wait approximately 30 minutes until tacky. Sheets should be laid slowly from one end, pressing out air to achieve edge-to-edge contact with minimal gaps, followed by rolling to ensure full bonding. Tiles are best laid starting from the center, with close placement and gentle lowering to avoid adhesive squeeze-out, rolled with a wooden roller. Exposed edges should be protected using firmly secured metallic strips.
Moisture is assessed using relative humidity meters placed on the concrete surface away from direct sunlight, with acceptable levels at or below 70% RH. Electrical resistance tests are also used as supplementary measures. Timber floors require proper ventilation and conditioning to prevent moisture-related issues. These tests ensure the sub-floor is dry enough to avoid adhesive failure and flooring damage.
Regular maintenance involves dry mopping to preserve polish and appearance, with light traffic areas receiving frequent brushing and polishing every 4-6 weeks, and moderate traffic areas cleaned occasionally with wet mops (without detergents) and polished every 1-3 weeks. Direct water application is avoided to prevent adhesive weakening. Excess polish should be removed periodically to prevent tackiness, and heavy traffic areas require sweeping, mopping with clean water, and immediate drying.
Ask AI about any clause, requirement, or provision in IS 5318. Get instant, clause-cited responses powered by our indexed library.
Free tier includes 150 queries (50 AI + 100 Reference) · No credit card required