ASTM E1155M-96(2001)

Standard Test Method for Determining <i>F_F</i> Floor Flatness and <i>F_L</i> Floor Levelness Numbers [Metric]

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a quantitative method of measuring floor surface profiles to obtain estimates of the floor's characteristic FF Flatness and FL Levelness Face Floor Profile Numbers (F-Numbers) using the metric (SI) system of units.
Note 1--This is the metric companion to Test Method E 1155.
1.2 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of this test method.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2000
• ICS: 91.060.30 - Ceilings. Floors. Stairs
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.21 - Serviceability

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1155M-96 - Standard Test Method for Determining <i>F_F</i> Floor Flatness and <i>F_L</i> Floor Levelness Numbers [Metric]
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Replaced By: ASTM E1155M-96(2008) - Standard Test Method for Determining <span class="bdit">F_F</span><span class="bold"> Floor Flatness and </span><span class="bdit">F_L</span><span class="bold"> Floor Levelness Numbers [Metric] </span>
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1155-20 - Standard Test Method for Determining <emph type="ital">F<inf>F</inf></emph> Floor Flatness and <emph type="ital">F<inf>L</inf></emph> Floor Levelness Numbers
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E557-12(2020) - Standard Guide for Architectural Design and Installation Practices for Sound Isolation between Spaces Separated by Operable Partitions
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F3218-19 - Standard Practice for Documenting Environmental Conditions for Utilization with A-UGV Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F3427-20 - Standard Practice for Documenting Environmental Conditions for Utilization with Exoskeleton Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E 1155M – 96 (Reapproved 2001)
METRIC
Standard Test Method for
Determining F Floor Flatness and F Floor Levelness Numbers
F L
[Metric]
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1155M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope between all 12-in. reading points separated by 24 in. The
curvature value is the difference between successive elevation
1.1 This test method covers a quantitative method of mea-
differences. The mean and standard deviation of all the
suring floor surface profiles to obtain estimates of the floor’s
curvature values for a given test section are then converted
characteristic F Flatness and F Levelness Face Floor Profile
F L
according to the equations in this test method to get the
Numbers (F-Numbers) using the metric (SI) system of units.
dimensionless F Flatness Number.
F
NOTE 1—This is the metric companion to Test Method E1155.
3.1.3 floor profilometer—a Type I device (see 6.1.1) that
1.2 The text of this test method references notes and produces a continuous record of the elevation of a single point
footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and moving along a line on the floor’s surface.
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be 3.1.4 horizontal—level, normal to the direction of gravity.
considered as requirements of this test method. 3.1.5 inclinometer—a Type II device (see 6.1.2) that mea-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the sures the angle between horizontal and the line joining the two
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the points of contact with the floor’s surface.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.6 level—horizontal, normal to the direction of gravity.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.1.6.1 Discussion—For the purposes of this test method,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. levelness will be measured by collecting elevation differences
atpointsspaced10ftapartandthatwillbedescribedbythe F
L
2. Referenced Documents
Levelness number (dimensionless).
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.1.7 longitudinal differential floor profilometer, n—a Type
E1155 Test Method for Determining F Floor Flatness and
II device (see 6.1.2) that produces a continuous record of the
F
F Floor Levelness Numbers elevationdifferencebetweentwopointsmovingalongalineon
L
2.2 ACI Standard:
the floor’s surface, which two points remain separated by a
ACI117-90 StandardSpecificationsforTolerancesforCon- fixed distance.
crete Construction and Materials
3.1.8 sample measurement line—a sample measurement
line shall consist of any straight line on the test surface along
3. Terminology
which measurements are taken, with the limitations listed in
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
7.3.
3.1.1 elevation—height, altitude, vertical location in space.
3.1.9 sign convention—where up is the positive direction;
Elevation measurements are always made parallel to the
down is the negative direction. Consequently, the higher the
direction of gravity.
reading point, the more positive its h value, and the lower the
i
3.1.2 flat—even, plane, homoloidal, free of undulation.
reading point, the more negative its h value. Similarly, the
i
3.1.2.1 Discussion—For the purposes of this test method,
elevationdifferencefromalowpointtoahighpoint(thatis,an
flatness will be measured by calculating curvature value, q,
uphill difference) is positive, while the elevation difference
from a high point to a low point (that is, a downhill difference)
is negative.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
3.1.10 test section—a test section consists of any subdivi-
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.21
sion of the test surface with the limitations listed in 7.2.
on Serviceability.
Current edition approved April 10, 2001. Published May 1996. Originally
3.1.11 test surface—on any one building level, the entire
e1
published as E1155M–87. Last previous edition E1155M–87 .
floor area of interest constitutes the test surface, with the
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
3 limitations listed in 7.1.
Available from American Concrete Institute, P.O. Box 19150, Detroit, MI
48219-0150. 3.1.12 vertical—parallel to the direction of gravity.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E 1155M – 96 (2001)
will necessarily involve a random sampling of the surface, since all of the
3.2 Symbols:
infinite potential profiles to be seen by the traffic can not possibly be
3.2.1 A—area of Test Section i.
i
measured. In those instances when the traffic across a floor will be
3.2.2 d—difference in elevation (in millimetres) between
i
confined to specific paths, however, the requirement for random sampling
reading points P and P (i$ 1).
i i−1
is eliminated, since the floor can indeed be inspected exactly as it will be
3.2.3 F—Face F Flatness Number (dimensionless).
f F
seen by all of the traffic. In these special cases, rather than inferring the
3.2.4 F —composite F FlatnessNumberforTestSection i.
condition of the traffic paths from a random sample, it is far more useful
f F
i
3.2.5 F—Face F Levelness Number (dimensionless). to measure each of the traffic paths directly using continuous recording
l L
floorprofilometerconfiguredtorunexactlyinthetrafficwheelpaths.Such
3.2.6 F —composite F Levelness Number forTest Section
l L
i
direct simulation measurements eliminate the inherent uncertainties of
i.
statistical sampling and provide profile information immediately appli-
3.2.7 h—elevation(inmillimetres)ofReadingPoint P (i$
i i
cable to the correction of the surface in way of the future traffic.
0).
3.2.8 n—number of reading points in Test Sample j (n $
j j
6. Apparatus
12).
6.1 Point Elevation Measurement Device:
3.2.9 N —minimum number of 3-m elevation difference
min
6.1.1 Type I Apparatus—IfaTypeIIapparatus(see6.1.2)is
readings required per the test section.
not used for this test, then an apparatus capable of measuring
3.2.10 q—arithmetic difference (in millimetres) between
i
the elevations of a series of points spaced at regular 300-mm
elevation differences d and d (i$ 2).
i i−1
intervalsalongastraightlineonthefloorsurfaceshallbeused.
3.2.11 r —number of readings of Variable x obtained from
x
j
Examples of satisfactory Type I point elevation measurement
Sample j.
devices include, but are not limited to the following:
3.2.12 s —standard deviation of Variable x in Sample j.
x
j
6.1.1.1 Leveled Straightedge, with gage (for example, tri-
3.2.13 V —variance of Variable x in Sample j.
x
j
square, dial indicator, etc.) to measure vertical distance from
3.2.14 z—difference in elevation (in millimetres) between
i
the upper straightedge surface to floor.
Reading Points P and P (i$ 10).
i i−10
6.1.1.2 Leveled Straightedge, with graduated wedges or
4. Summary of Test Method shims to measure vertical distance from lower straightedge
surface to floor.
4.1 Straight lines are marked at various locations on the
6.1.1.3 Optical Level, with vernier or scaled target.
floor surface. Point elevations are then measured at regular
300-mm intervals along each line. The elevation differences 6.1.1.4 Laser Level, with vernier or scaled target.
between all adjacent reading points are calculated, and a
6.1.1.5 Taut Level Wire, with gage to measure vertical
straight line approximation to the surface profile along each
distance from wire to floor.
measurement line is produced and evaluated for consistency
6.1.1.6 Floor Profilometer.
with visual observation of the floor surface.
6.1.2 Type II Apparatus—IfaTypeIapparatus(see6.1.1)is
4.2 Thearithmeticdifferencesbetweenalladjacent300-mm
not used for this test, then an apparatus capable of measuring
elevation differences and the elevation differences between all
the elevations of a series of points spaced at regular 300-mm
pointsseparated3marethencalculated.Estimatesofeachtest
intervalsalongastraightlineonthefloorsurfaceshallbeused.
section’s floors F Flatness and F Levelness F-Numbers are
F L
Examples of satisfactory Type II point elevation measurement
obtained through statistical analyses of these calculated profile
devices include, but are not limited to the following:
values. Finally, the F-Numbers for each test section are
6.1.2.1 Inclinometer, having 300-mm contact point spacing.
combined to arrive at a composite set of F-Numbers for each
6.1.2.2 Longitudinal Differential Floor Profilometer,having
test surface.
300-mm sensor wheel spacing.
6.2 Ancillary Equipment:
5. Significance and Use
6.2.1 Measurement Tape, graduated in millimetres.
5.1 This test method provides statistical (and graphical)
6.2.2 Chalk Line (or other means for marking straight lines
information concerning floor surface profiles.
on the test surface).
5.2 Results of this test method are used primarily to:
6.2.3 Data Recording Means—This procedure requires the
5.2.1 Establish compliance of randomly trafficked floor
recordingofbothverbalandnumericinformation.Examplesof
surfaces with specified F Flatness and F Levelness toler-
F L
satisfactory data recording means include, but are not limited
ances,
to the following:
5.2.2 Evaluate the effect of different construction methods
6.2.3.1 Manual Data Sheet.
on resulting floor surface flatness and levelness, and
5.2.3 Investigatethecurlinganddeflectionoffloorsurfaces.
6.2.3.2 Magnetic Tape Recorder (voice or direct input).
5.3 Results of this test method shall not be used to enforce
6.2.3.3 Paper Chart Recorder.
contract flatness and levelness tolerances on those floor instal-
6.2.3.4 Direct Computer Input.
lations primarily intended to support the operation of fixed-
NOTE 3—Since the bias of the results obtained with this test method
path vehicle systems (for example, narrow aisle warehouse
will vary directly with the accuracy of the particular measurement device
floors).
employed, all project participants should agree on the exact test apparatus
NOTE 2—When the traffic patterns across a floor are random, (as is to be used prior to the application of this test method for contract
generally the case) evaluation of the floor’s F Flatness and F Levelness specification enforcement.
F L
E 1155M – 96 (2001)
7. Organization of Test Area between measurement locations not to exceed 3 m. These
measurement locations shall be recorded.
7.1 Test Surface—Onanyonebuildinglevel,theentirefloor
area of interest shall constitute the test surface.
NOTE 4—Since construction joints are a discontinuity in the floor
7.1.1 When this test method is used to establish compliance surface, measuring across them would introduce statistical anomalies into
this test method. Construction joints are therefore excluded from the
ofrandomlytraffickedfloorsurfaceswithspecified F Flatness
F
generationof F-Numberstatistics.However,sincetrafficwillnevertheless
and F Levelness tolerances, each portion of the surface which
L
pass across many of the construction joints, a separate measurement and
has a unique specified set of tolerances must be treated as a
analysis of the joints may be required in order to provide a quantitative
separate surface.
measureoftheroughnessofthejointsthemselves.Somejointsmaynever
7.2 Test Section—A test section shall consist of any subdi-
see traffic, for example, those along a wall. The particular joints required
vision of a test surface satisfying the following criteria:
to be analyzed may be specified in contract specifications, along with a
maximum allowable value for q.
7.2.1 Notestsectionshallmeasurelessthan2.4monaside,
i
nor comprise an area less than 12 m .
8. Procedure
7.2.2 No portion of the test surface shall be associated with
8.1 Record the name and location of the subject building;
more than one test section.
the installation date of the subject floor, if known; the subject
7.2.3 Whentestingaconcretefloor,notestsectionboundary
floor’s specified F and F values; the make, model, and serial
shall cross any construction joint. f l
numberofthetestapparatustobeused;thedateofthetest;and
7.3 Sample Measurement Line—A sample measurement
the name of the individual making the test.
line shall consist of any straight line on the test surface
satisfying the following criteria:
NOTE 5—When this test is used to evaluate the compliance of a new
7.3.1 No sample measurement line shall measure less than concrete floor with contract flatness and levelness specifications, the
timeliness of the test vis-a-vis the date of the floor’s installation is of
3.3 m in length.
critical importance. Since most concrete floors will change shape signifi-
7.3.2 When testing a concrete floor, no portion of any
cantly within a few days after installation, owing to inevitable shrinkage
sample measurement line shall fall within 600 mm of any slab
and deflection, the American Concrete Institute (see ACI117-90) now
boundary,constructionjoint,isolationjoint,block-out,penetra-
requires that specified concrete floor tolerances be checked within 72 h
tion, or other similar discontinuity.
after floor installation in order to ensure that an accurate gage of the
7.3.2.1 Exception—Shrinkage crack control joints formed
surface’s “as-built” shape is assessed.
either by partial depth sawcuts or by partial depth inserts shall
8.2 Lay out the test surface.
be ignored.
8.2.1 Divide the entire test surface into test sections.Assign
7.3.2.2 Exception—If the area to be excluded from mea-
a different identification number to each test section, and
surement exceeds 25% of the test section area, then the
record the locations of all test section boundaries.
600-mm boundary exclusion shall not apply.
8.2.2 Within the restrictions described in 7.3, 7.6, and 8.2.3,
7.3.3 Measurement lines may not be placed parallel to each
determine the number and location of all sample measurement
other closer than 1.2 m.
lines to be used in each test section. Assign a different
7.4 Type I Test Sample (Measured With Type I
identification number to each sample measurement line, and
Apparatus)—ATypeItestsampleshallconsistofnotlessthan
record the locations of all sample measurement line starting
twelve sequential point elevation measurements made at regu-
and stopping points. Mark or otherwise physically delineate
lar 300-mm intervals along a single sample measurement line.
each sample measurement line on the test surface.
7.5 Type II Test Sample (Measured With Type II
8.2.3 The sample measurement lines within each test sec-
Apparatus)—A Type II
...