Code of practice for laying rubber floors

IS 1197: Scope - Key Specifications & Information

Scope Summary: IS 1197 covers specifications for flooring materials and their installation, including planning, execution, and evaluation.

Key Points from Clause 5.2: Necessary Information for Flooring Work

For efficient flooring planning and execution, the following data must be considered:

• Area of floor to be covered
• Type and quality of flooring material
• Thickness of flooring
• Finished floor level relative to datum
• Damp-proofing type, if any
• Screeded bed type and thickness, if any
• Services passing through flooring (e.g., pipes, cables)
• Underlay type, if any
• Skirting treatment
• Junction treatment with adjacent flooring
• Dressing or polishing requirements

Hygrometer Reading for Base Dryness (Clause 4.1)

• Base is dry if all hygrometer readings ≤ 80% relative humidity.

Units & Symbols (SI Units)

Rounding Off (Clause 0.5)

• Final test/analysis values should be rounded as per IS 2:1960.
• Retain the same number of significant figures as specified values.

flowchart TD
    A[Start Flooring Project] --> B{Gather Data}
    B --> C[Area of Floor]
    B --> D[Type & Quality of Flooring]
    B --> E[Thickness]
    B --> F[Level Relative to Datum]
    B --> G[Damp-proofing]
    B --> H[Screeded Bed]
    B --> I[Services Passing Through]
    B --> J[Underlay]
    B --> K[Skirting Treatment]
    B --> L[Junction Treatment]
    B --> M[Dressing/Polishing]

IS 1197 Key References, Formulas & Specifications

1. Hygrometer Reading for Dry Base (Clause 4.1)

• Base is dry if relative humidity ≤ 80% on all hygrometer readings.

2. SI Units & Derived Units (International System)

3. Flooring Work Planning Data (Clause 5.2)

• Area of floor
• Type & quality of flooring
• Thickness of flooring
• Finished floor level relative to datum
• Damp-proofing type
• Screeded bed thickness
• Services passing through flooring
• Underlay type
• Skirting treatment
• Junction treatment with adjacent flooring
• Dressing/polishing requirements

4. Rounding Off Numerical Values (Clause 0.5)

• Follow IS 2:1960 for rounding off test or analysis results.
• Retain significant figures matching the specified value.

flowchart TD
    A[Start Flooring Planning] --> B[Collect Data]
    B --> C{Data Includes:}
    C --> D[Area, Type, Thickness]
    C --> E[Level, Damp-proofing]
    C --> F[Screed, Services]
    C --> G[Underlay, Skirting]
    C --> H[Junction, Dressing]
    B --> I[Check Base Dryness]
    I -->|Humidity ≤ 80%| J[Proceed]
    I -->|Humidity > 80%| K[Dry Base]

**Use IS 1197 along with IS 2:1960 for precision and

IS 1197: Materials - Key Specifications & Data

1. Materials Evaluation (Clause 4.1)

• Base is considered dry if all hygrometer readings ≤ 80% relative humidity.

2. Units & Symbols (SI Units)

3. Flooring Work - Necessary Information (Clause 5.2)

• Area of floor
• Type & quality of flooring
• Thickness of flooring
• Finished floor level (datum)
• Damp-proofing type
• Screeded bed thickness/type
• Services through flooring
• Underlay type
• Skirting treatment
• Junction treatment with adjacent flooring
• Dressing/polishing requirements

4. Rounding Off (IS 2-1960)

• Final test/analysis values must be rounded to the same significant figures as specified.

Summary Table: Dry Base Criteria

This ensures proper material selection and site condition verification for durable flooring installations.

IS 1197: General Requirements Summary

1. Dryness of Base (Clause 4.1)

• Base is dry if all hygrometer readings ≤ 80% relative humidity.

2. Units (SI Units)

3. Necessary Information for Flooring (Clause 5.2)

• Area of floor
• Type & quality of flooring
• Thickness of flooring
• Level relative to datum
• Damp-proofing type
• Screeded bed type & thickness
• Services through flooring
• Underlay type
• Skirting treatment
• Junction treatment with adjacent flooring
• Dressing/polishing requirements

Quick Notes:

• Follow IS 2-1960 for rounding off test values.
• Refer to specific IS codes for rubber flooring and bitumen mastic specifications.

flowchart TD
    A[Start Flooring Work] --> B[Collect Info per Clause 5.2]
    B --> C{Is Base Dry?}
    C -- Yes --> D[Proceed with Flooring]
    C -- No --> E[Dry Base Further]
    D --> F[Apply Flooring per Spec]
    E --> B

This ensures compliance with IS 1197 general requirements.

IS 1197 - Planning and Information for Flooring Work

Key Information to Collect (Clause 5.2)

For effective planning and execution, gather:

• Area of floor to be covered (apply rules for rounding off).
• Type and quality of flooring material.
• Thickness of flooring layer.
• Finished floor level relative to a datum.
• Damp-proofing type, if any.
• Screeded bed type and thickness, if applicable.
• Services passing through the flooring (e.g., pipes, conduits).
• Underlay type, if used.
• Skirting treatment details.
• Junction treatment with adjacent flooring.
• Dressing or polishing requirements.

Flooring Base Dryness (Clause 4.1)

• Base is considered dry if relative humidity ≤ 80% (measured by hygrometer).

Units and Symbols (SI Units)

Summary Diagram: Planning Inputs for Flooring

flowchart TD
    A[Start: Flooring Project] --> B[Collect Area]
    B --> C[Select Flooring Type & Quality]
    C --> D[Determine Thickness & Level]
    D --> E{Is Damp-proofing Required?}
    E -->|Yes| F[Specify Damp-proofing Type]
    E -->|No| G[Check Screeded Bed]
    F --> G
    G --> H[Note Services Through Flooring]
    H --> I[Specify Underlay]
    I --> J[Plan Skirting & Junction Treatment]
    J --> K[Decide Dressing/Polishing]
    K --> L[Finalize Planning]

Use this checklist and SI unit references to ensure comprehensive flooring work planning as per IS 1197.

IS 1197: Pattern and Colour for Rubber Flooring

Key Points from IS 1197:

• Clause 6.1:

  • Pattern and colour must be as specified by the purchaser.
  • For floors exposed to direct sunlight, select colours carefully to avoid fading.

• Clause 12.3:

  • Some colours may change shade or get damaged when exposed to materials like:
    • Mineral oils
    • Petrol
    • Methylated spirit
    • Acids and alkalis
  • Conduct tests for colour stability under expected service conditions before finalizing.

Additional Recommendations:

• Use light colours in sunlight-exposed areas to minimize heat absorption and fading.
• Avoid colours that react chemically with known contaminants in the environment.
• Consider pattern repeat size and alignment for aesthetic consistency.

Summary Table: Colour Considerations

flowchart LR
    A[Purchaser specifies pattern & colour] --> B{Exposure to sunlight?}
    B -- Yes --> C[Select UV-resistant colours]
    B -- No --> D[Proceed with chosen colour]
    A --> E{Exposure to chemicals?}
    E -- Yes --> F[Test colour stability]
    E -- No --> G[No special test needed]
    C & D & F & G --> H[Finalise flooring colour & pattern]

This ensures durability and aesthetic satisfaction per IS 1197 guidelines.

IS 1197: Sub-Floor and Base - Key Points

Definitions (Clauses 2.1 & 2.3)

• Base: Prepared surface on which rubber flooring is laid.
• Sub-Floor: Structural floor on which the base is formed.

Dryness Determination (Clause 7.6)

• Ensure sub-floor/base moisture content is low to prevent rubber flooring damage.
• Use moisture meters or calcium chloride tests to measure moisture vapor emission rates.
• Acceptable moisture content typically < 4% (by weight) or vapor emission < 3 lbs/1000 ft²/24 hrs.

Specifications Summary:

Additional Notes:

• Colour and pattern of rubber flooring (Clause 6.1) must be purchaser-specified.
• Avoid colours prone to fading under direct sunlight.

flowchart TD
    A[Sub-Floor (Structural Floor)] --> B[Base (Prepared Surface)]
    B --> C[Rubber Flooring]
    C --> D{Check Moisture}
    D -->|Dry| E[Proceed with Flooring]
    D -->|Wet| F[Dry or Repair Sub-floor]

This ensures a durable, moisture-resistant flooring system as per IS 1197.

IS 1197 Key Points on Underlay for Rubber Flooring

• Underlay Material (Clause 8.1):

  • Fibre-based saturated bitumen felt (Type 1) per IS 1322-1970
  • Or other purchaser-approved materials
  • Used mainly on timber bases or to improve sound, warmth, and resilience

• Underlay Installation (Clause 8.1.1):

  • Butt jointed; joints at 45° to principal rubber flooring joints
  • Secured by adhesive or nailed if on timber base

• Planning Data (Clause 5.2):
  Include:

  • Floor area, type & thickness of flooring
  • Finished floor level, damp-proofing, screed thickness
  • Underlay type and thickness
  • Skirting and junction treatments

• Adhesive Application (Clause 9.4):

  • Use a notched trowel (see Fig.1 in IS 1197)
  • Apply to sub-floor and rubber backing
  • Adhesive tacky in ~30 mins; avoid dust contamination

Typical Underlay Thickness and Properties (per IS 1322)

flowchart LR
    A[Timber Base] --> B[Underlay: Bitumen Felt]
    B --> C[Rubber Flooring]
    B -- Joints at 45° --> D[Rubber Flooring Joints]
    B -- Secured by --> E[Adhesive or Nails]
    E --> F[Notched Trowel Application]

Summary: Use bitumen felt underlay on timber bases, butt jointed at 45°, fixed with adhesive or nails, ensuring proper planning and adhesive application for durable rubber flooring.

IS 1197 Key Points for Laying Rubber Flooring

Underlay (Clause 8.1.1)

• Butt jointed with joints at 45° to rubber flooring joints.
• Secured with adhesive, except on timber base (may be nailed).

Layout & Trial (Clause 9.3)

• Mark guidelines on sub-floor.
• Lay rubber flooring dry first (trial) to check layout without adhesive.

Fixing Sheets (Clause 9.5)

• Apply adhesive, wait till tack free.
• Place sheet slowly from one end, squeezing out air.
• Press with a roller for full contact.
• Lay next sheet edge to edge with minimum gap.

Fixing Tiles (Clause 9.7)

• Start from center of area.
• Lay tiles close with minimal joint gap.
• Lower carefully, do not slide to avoid adhesive squeeze-up.
• Roll with 5 kg wooden roller for full contact.
• Remove and relay if undulations appear, cleaning adhesive and solvents thoroughly.

Summary Table

flowchart TD
    A[Mark Guidelines] --> B[Dry Trial Lay Rubber Flooring]
    B --> C[Apply Adhesive & Wait Tack Free]
    C --> D[Place Sheet/Tile Slowly]
    D --> E[Roll with Wooden Roller (5 kg)]
    E --> F[Check Joints & Surface]
    F --> G{Undulations?}
    G -- Yes --> H[Remove, Clean & Relay]
    G -- No --> I[Finish]

This method ensures durable, uniform rubber flooring installation as per IS 1197.

IS 1197: Cleaning and Maintenance of Rubber Flooring

Key Specifications (Clauses 10.2, 10.3, 10.6)

• Cleaning Agents:

  • Use soap conforming to IS 285:1964 or detergent conforming to IS 4955:1968.
  • Do NOT use:
    • Soaps with liquid essential oils (turpentine, pine oil)
    • Soaps with free alkali
    • Abrasive pastes or powders
    • Scrubbing brushes
    • Solvents like petrol, benzine, naphtha

• Cleaning Procedure:

  • Remove loose dirt with a soft broom.
  • Wipe with a damp cloth moistened with clean, cold water.
  • Avoid cleansers on polished floors to prevent polish removal.
  • Renew polish periodically based on traffic; remove old polish with detergent solution and water.

• Skirting and Cove Formation (Clause 9.12):

  • Use moulded or extruded rubber-composition units for skirtings, not sheet rubber.
  • Skirtings cover joints between floor and wall.

Summary Table: Cleaning Materials and Methods

flowchart TD
    A[Loose Dirt] --> B[Soft Broom]
    B --> C[Wipe with Damp Cloth (Clean Water)]
    C --> D{Polished Floor?}
    D -- Yes --> E[No Cleanser; Renew Polish Periodically]
    D -- No --> F[Use Soap/Detergent Solution]
    F --> G

IS 1197: Inspection and Testing Key Points

• Clause 4.1: Dryness of Base

  • The base is considered dry if all hygrometer readings ≤ 80% relative humidity.

• Rounding Off (Clause None: 0.5)

  • Final test/analysis values must be rounded off per IS:2-1960.
  • Retain the same number of significant digits as specified in the standard.

• Necessary Information for Flooring (Clause 5.2)

  • Area, type, quality, and thickness of flooring.
  • Finished floor level relative to datum.
  • Damp-proofing type, screeded bed details.
  • Services through flooring, underlay type.
  • Skirting treatment, junction with adjacent flooring.
  • Dressing or polishing requirements.

• Testing Parameters

  • Hygrometer for humidity.
  • Visual inspection for finish and polish.
  • Cleanliness and polish maintenance as per Clause 10.6.

Summary Table: Dryness Criterion

Rounding Off Rule (IS:2-1960)

• Round off test results to the same decimal places as the specified value.
• Example: If specified value = 12.5, round to 1 decimal place.

flowchart LR
    A[Start Inspection] --> B{Measure RH}
    B -- RH ≤ 80% --> C[Base is Dry]
    B -- RH > 80% --> D[Base is Wet - Delay Work]
    C --> E[Proceed with Flooring]
    D --> F[Recheck after Drying]

For detailed testing procedures, refer to IS 1197 clauses on inspection and testing.

IS 1197: Precautions & Additional Recommendations

Key Precautions

• Moisture Control:

  • Base is considered dry if relative humidity ≤ 80% (Clause 4.1).
  • Special tanking recommended to prevent moisture ingress, especially below ground (Clause 7.1.1).

• Adhesive Use:

  • Use adhesive as per manufacturer's recommendation (Clause 3.3).
  • Follow all manufacturer-specified precautions during application.

• Finished Floor Inspection:
  Check for:

  • Surface evenness
  • Proper joint and edge fitting
  • Adequate adhesion to base (Clause 11.1)

Additional Recommendations

• Ensure proper curing and protection from premature drying or contamination.
• Avoid application on wet or damp bases.
• Maintain ambient conditions as per adhesive manufacturer guidelines.

Summary Table: Moisture Condition

flowchart TD
    A[Start: Base Preparation] --> B{Check Moisture}
    B -- ≤ 80% RH --> C[Apply Adhesive as per Manufacturer]
    B -- > 80% RH --> D[Dry Base or Apply Tanking]
    C --> E[Lay Flooring]
    D --> B
    E --> F[Inspect Finished Floor]
    F --> G{Evenness, Joints, Adhesion OK?}
    G -- Yes --> H[Complete]
    G -- No --> I[Rectify Issues]
    I --> F

Note: Always refer to adhesive-specific guidelines and site conditions for best results.

IS 1197 - Method for Determining Dryness of Base (Clause 7.6 & Appendix A)

Key Specifications:

• Dryness Criterion: Base is dry if relative humidity (RH) ≤ 80% in the air volume equilibrated with the base surface.
• Use a hygrometer to measure RH in a small enclosed volume above the base.
• Ensure the base concrete/mortar is isolated from ambient room air during measurement.

Procedure (Appendix A):

1. Place a sealed container or chamber over the base surface to trap a small air volume.
2. Insert a hygrometer inside this chamber.
3. Wait until RH readings stabilize.
4. If RH ≤ 80%, base is deemed dry for adhesive application.

Summary Table:

Additional Notes:

• This method prevents moisture-related adhesive failures.
• Ensure hygrometer calibration for accurate RH readings.

flowchart LR
    A[Place sealed chamber on base] --> B[Insert hygrometer inside]
    B --> C[Wait for RH stabilization]
    C --> D{Is RH ≤ 80%?}
    D -- Yes --> E[Base is dry, proceed with adhesive]
    D -- No --> F[Delay flooring, allow base to dry]

This ensures reliable flooring installation per IS 1197 standards.