Code of practice for laying flexible PVC sheets and tile flooring

IS 5318: Scope and Key Specifications

• Scope: IS 5318 covers specifications for PVC (vinyl) asbestos floor tiles and flexible PVC flooring, focusing on materials, thickness, and testing requirements.

• Thickness:

  • Clause 3.1.1: Thickness depends on service conditions (load, usage). No fixed thickness; select based on application.

• Materials (Clause 2.1):

  • Glass sheet (~30x30 cm) or rubber mat or polyethylene sheet (≥0.1 mm thick) or PVC flooring sheet (~60x60 cm).
  • Putty, adhesive plasticine, or suitable mastic for sealing edges during testing.

• Rounding Off Values (Clause 0.6):

  • Final test or calculation values must be rounded per IS 2-1960 rules.
  • Retain the same number of significant digits as specified in the standard.

Summary Table for Flooring Thickness (Typical Guidance)

Note: Refer to detailed service conditions in the full code for exact thickness.

flowchart TD
    A[Service Conditions] --> B[Select Flooring Thickness]
    B --> C{Type of Flooring}
    C -->|PVC Vinyl Asbestos Tiles| D[Thickness per usage]
    C -->|Flexible PVC Flooring| E[Thickness per usage]
    D --> F[Material Selection]
    E --> F
    F --> G[Testing & Rounding Off per IS 2-1960]

This summarizes the scope and key specs for IS 5318 flooring materials and thickness selection.

IS 5318: Terminology & Key Specifications Overview

1. Terminology (Clause 2.0)

• Defines terms related to flooring materials and installation.
• Ensures uniform understanding of terms like flooring thickness, PVC flooring, vinyl asbestos tiles, etc.

2. Flooring Thickness (Clause 3.1.1)

• Thickness depends on service conditions (load, usage).
• Typical thicknesses vary; consult specific tables in the code for exact values.

3. Rounding Off Numerical Values (Clause 0.6)

• Follow IS 2-1960 for rounding:
  • Final test/calculation results rounded to the same significant figures as specified.
  • Ensures consistency in reporting.

4. Specifications for Flooring Types

• PVC (Vinyl) Asbestos Floor Tiles: Material and installation specs.
• Flexible PVC Flooring: Material properties and laying guidelines.

Summary Table: Rounding Off (IS 2-1960)

Diagram: Flooring Thickness Decision Flow

flowchart TD
    A[Start: Flooring Design] --> B{Service Conditions}
    B -->|Light Use| C[Use thinner flooring]
    B -->|Heavy Use| D[Use thicker flooring]
    C --> E[Check material specs]
    D --> E
    E --> F[Apply Rounding as per IS 2-1960]
    F --> G[Finalize Flooring Thickness]

For detailed thickness values and material specs, refer to the full IS 5318 code sections on flooring types and installation.

IS 5318: Materials and Components - Key Points

Materials (Clause 2.1)

• Sheet Material:
  • Glass sheet ~30 x 30 cm
  • Rubber mat or polyethylene sheet (≥ 0.1 mm thick)
  • PVC flooring material ~60 x 60 cm
• Sealing Material: Putty, adhesive plasticine, or suitable mastic for edges.

Thickness (Clause 3.1.1)

• Thickness depends on service conditions (load, environment).
• Refer to specific flooring type standards (PVC, vinyl asbestos) for exact thickness.

Rounding Off (Clause 0.6)

• Use IS 2:1960 rules for rounding test results.
• Maintain the same number of significant figures as specified values.

Electrical Resistance Test (Clause 4.3) - Moisture Check

• If moisture exceeds these, concrete slab is not sufficiently dry.

Summary Diagram

flowchart TD
    A[Materials] --> B[Sheet: Glass/Rubber/Polyethylene/PVC]
    A --> C[Sealing: Putty/Plasticine/Mastic]
    D[Thickness] --> E[Depends on Service Conditions]
    F[Moisture Test] --> G{Moisture %}
    G -->|>6.5% Vinyl Asbestos| H[Not Dry]
    G -->|>5.5% Others| H
    G -->|Below limits| I[Dry - OK]

Use this as a checklist for material selection, thickness, and moisture testing per IS 5318.

IS 5318 - Necessary Information Summary

Key Materials (Clause 2.1)

• Sheet Material: Glass (30x30 cm), rubber mat, polyethylene sheet (≥0.1 mm thick), or PVC flooring (60x60 cm).
• Sealing Material: Putty, adhesive plasticine, or suitable mastic for sealing edges.

Rounding Off (Clause 0.6)

• Final test/analysis values must be rounded as per IS 2:1960.
• Retain the same significant figures as specified in the standard.

Flooring Thickness (Clause 3.1.1)

• Thickness depends on service conditions (load, wear, environment).
• No fixed formula; design based on use-case and durability requirements.

Electrical Resistance Test (Clause 5.5)

• Refer to Table A-4 for electrical resistance limits (not fully provided here).
• Ensures flooring meets safety and insulation standards.

Additional Notes:

• Use PVC or vinyl asbestos tiles as per their respective specifications.
• Flexible PVC flooring has its own specification for durability and flexibility.

flowchart TD
    A[Materials] --> B[Sheet (Glass/Rubber/Polyethylene/PVC)]
    A --> C[Sealing (Putty/Plasticine/Mastic)]
    D[Thickness] --> E[Depends on Service Conditions]
    F[Testing] --> G[Rounded values per IS 2:1960]
    F --> H[Electrical Resistance per Table A-4]

For detailed electrical resistance values and flooring thickness, consult the full IS 5318 document and related PVC/asbestos flooring standards.

IS 5318: Preparation of Sub-floor - Key Points & Formulas

Key Specifications (Clause 4.1 & 5.3)

• Sub-floor type: Concrete with effective damp-proof course (DPC) is preferred.
• Surface finish: Troweled smooth for PVC flooring.
• Drying time: Concrete must be allowed to dry sufficiently before flooring.
• Damp-proofing: Must comply with Clauses 5.3.1 or 5.3.2 (methods for damp-proofing).
• Thickness of screeded bed: As per design, typically 12-25 mm.
• Evenness: Surface tolerance should be within ±3 mm over 2 m length.
• Ventilation: Required for wooden sub-floors to prevent moisture build-up.

Determination of Sub-floor Dryness (Appendix A, Clause 6.2)

• Moisture test: Use calcium chloride test or electrical moisture meter.
• Acceptable moisture content: Generally < 4% for concrete sub-floor before laying PVC.

Typical Thickness & Drying Time Table

Damp-proofing Treatment (Summary)

• Method 5.3.1: Use of bituminous membrane or liquid applied membrane.
• Method 5.3.2: Use of polyethylene sheet under concrete slab.

flowchart TD
    A[Prepare Sub-floor] --> B{Type of Sub-floor}
    B --> |Concrete| C[Trowel finish + DPC]
    B --> |Wood| D[Provide ventilation]
    C --> E[Drying Time (21-28 days)]
    E --> F[Damp-proofing Treatment]
    F --> G[Lay Flooring]
    D --> G

Summary: Ensure sub-floor is dry, smooth, damp-proofed, and properly ventilated before flooring installation as per IS 5318.

IS 5318: Laying and Fixing of PVC Flooring – Key Points

1. Surface Preparation

• Sub-floor must be clean, dry, and smooth.
• For metal floors (Clause 5.4):
  • Remove rust/scale by chipping or wire brushing.
  • Welded joints must be smooth and free from undulations.
  • Remove paint/grease by caustic soda wash & rinse.
  • Use compatible putty to fill uneven areas.

2. Conditioning of PVC Flooring (Clause 6)

• PVC sheets/tiles should be conditioned at the installation site temperature for ~24 hours before laying.

3. Laying & Fixing Method

• Use adhesives compatible with PVC and substrate.
• Ensure full contact between flooring and adhesive.
• Avoid air bubbles by rolling with a heavy roller.
• Follow recommended adhesive open time and curing periods.

Typical Adhesive Application (General Practice)

Summary Diagram: PVC Flooring Installation Steps

flowchart TD
    A[Surface Preparation] --> B[Condition PVC Flooring (24 hrs)]
    B --> C[Apply Adhesive on Sub-floor]
    C --> D[Lay PVC Sheet/Tile]
    D --> E[Roll to Remove Air Bubbles]
    E --> F[Curing & Final Inspection]

References:

• IS 5318 (Clause 1.1, 5.4, 6)
• Compatible adhesive manufacturer datasheets
• Related IS codes on bitumen felts and damp-proofing for substrate treatment

This ensures durability, smooth finish, and proper bonding of PVC flooring.

IS 5318: Protective Edging for PVC Flooring

Key Specifications (Clause 7.1)

• Purpose: Protect exposed edges of PVC sheets/tiles (e.g., doorways, stair treads) from damage.
• Method: Use metallic edge strips securely fastened to the sub-floor.
• Edge strips must ensure:
  • Firm anchorage to prevent movement.
  • Full coverage of exposed edges.

Materials (Clause 2.1)

• Edge sealing materials include:
  • Glass sheet (~30x30 cm), rubber mat, or polyethylene sheet (≥0.1 mm thick).
  • Putty, adhesive plasticine, or suitable mastic for sealing edges.

Thickness (Clause 3.1.1)

• Flooring thickness depends on service conditions; protective edging should match or exceed this thickness for effective protection.

Summary Table: Protective Edging Components

Diagram: Edge Protection Setup

flowchart LR
    A[Sub-floor] --> B[Metallic Edge Strip]
    B --> C[PVC Flooring]
    C --> D[Sealing Material (Putty/Mastic)]
    D --> E[Backing Sheet (Glass/Rubber/Polyethylene)]

Note: Ensure edge strips are corrosion-resistant and compatible with PVC flooring to avoid chemical reactions.

IS 5318: Maintenance and Cleaning of PVC Flooring

Key Specifications & Procedures

• Adhesive Removal (Clause 6.8):

  • Wipe off adhesive squeeze immediately with a wet cloth before hardening.
  • If hardened, remove using solvent:
    • Solvent mix: 1 part commercial butyleacetate + 3 parts turpentine oil.

• Initial Cleaning (Clause 6.10):

  • After fixing, clean with warm soap solution:
    • Soap solution: 2 spoons soap in 5 litres warm water, applied with a wet cloth.

• Routine Cleaning (Clause 8.1):

  • Mop with soap solution using a clean damp cloth.
  • Do not pour water directly on flooring to avoid adhesive failure.
  • Periodic polishing recommended for appearance and wear resistance.
  • Avoid excessive polish build-up as it traps dirt and becomes tacky.

Summary Table

flowchart LR
    A[Adhesive Squeeze] -->|Wipe immediately| B[Wet Cloth]
    A -->|If hardened| C[Apply Solvent]
    C --> D[Remove Adhesive]
    E[Post Fixing] --> F[Clean with Soap Solution]
    G[Routine Cleaning] --> H[Mop with Soap Solution]
    H --> I[Avoid Direct Water]
    J[Polishing] --> K[Apply Periodically]
    K --> L[Avoid Thick Layers]

This ensures durability and appearance per IS 5318 standards.

IS 5318 - Determination of Sub-floor Dryness (Appendix A, Clause 6.2)

Key Tests for Sub-floor Dryness:

1. Preliminary Test (A-2)

   • Approximate method to distinguish very wet slabs from dry/nearly dry.
   • Conducted at multiple points and repeated until no dampness is visible.
   • If dry, proceed to confirmatory tests.

2. Hygrometer Test (A-3)

   • More accurate than preliminary.
   • Measures relative humidity near the slab surface.
   • Used to confirm dryness after preliminary test.

3. Electrical Resistance Test (A-4)

   • Measures moisture content via electrical resistance.
   • Acceptance criteria:

     Flooring Type	Max Moisture Content (%)
     Vinyl asbestos flooring	6.5
     Other floorings	5.5

   • Slab considered dry only if all readings are below these values.

Procedure Summary:

• Conduct preliminary test → If dry, confirm with Hygrometer or Electrical Resistance test.
• Repeat tests at multiple points until consistent dryness is confirmed.

flowchart TD
    A[Start: Preliminary Test] --> B{Is slab dry?}
    B -- No --> C[Delay & Retest]
    B -- Yes --> D[Confirmatory Test]
    D --> E{Hygrometer Test or Electrical Resistance Test}
    E --> F{Results within limits?}
    F -- Yes --> G[Slab considered dry]
    F -- No --> C

This ensures reliable assessment before flooring installation.