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>

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method provides statistical (and graphical) information concerning floor surface profiles.
Results of this test method are used primarily to:
Establish compliance of randomly trafficked floor surfaces with specified FF  Flatness and FL  Levelness tolerances,
Evaluate the effect of different construction methods on resulting floor surface flatness and levelness, and
Investigate the curling and deflection of floor surfaces.
Results of this test method shall not be used to enforce contract flatness and levelness tolerances on those floor installations primarily intended to support the operation of fixed-path vehicle systems (for example, narrow aisle warehouse floors).
Note 2—When the traffic patterns across a floor are random, (as is generally the case) evaluation of the floor's FF  Flatness and FL  Levelness will necessarily involve a random sampling of the surface, since all of the infinite potential profiles to be seen by the traffic can not possibly be measured. In those instances when the traffic across a floor will be confined to specific paths, however, the requirement for random sampling is eliminated, since the floor can indeed be inspected exactly as it will be seen by all of the traffic. In these special cases, rather than inferring the condition of the traffic paths from a random sample, it is far more useful to measure each of the traffic paths directly using continuous recording floor profilometer configured to run exactly in the traffic wheel paths. Such direct simulation measurements eliminate the inherent uncertainties of statistical sampling and provide profile information immediately applicable to the correction of the surface in way of the future traffic.
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: 14-Jan-2008
• ICS: 91.060.30 - Ceilings. Floors. Stairs
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.21 - Serviceability

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1155M-96(2001) - Standard Test Method for Determining <i>F_F</i> Floor Flatness and <i>F_L</i> Floor Levelness Numbers [Metric]
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F3427-20 - Standard Practice for Documenting Environmental Conditions for Utilization with Exoskeleton Test Methods
• 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: 15-Jan-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F3218-19 - Standard Practice for Documenting Environmental Conditions for Utilization with A-UGV Test Methods
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2008
• 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: 15-Jan-2008

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: E1155M − 96(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Test Method for
Determining F Floor Flatness and F Floor Levelness
F L
Numbers (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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2.1 Discussion—For the purposes of this test method,
flatness will be measured by calculating curvature value, q,
1.1 This test method covers a quantitative method of mea-
between all 12-in. reading points separated by 24 in. The
suring floor surface profiles to obtain estimates of the floor’s
curvature value is the difference between successive elevation
characteristic F Flatness and F Levelness Face Floor Profile
F L
differences. The mean and standard deviation of all the
Numbers (F-Numbers) using the metric (SI) system of units.
curvature values for a given test section are then converted
NOTE 1—This is the metric companion to Test Method E1155.
according to the equations in this test method to get the
dimensionless F Flatness Number.
1.2 The text of this test method references notes and
F
footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and
3.1.3 floor profilometer—a Type I device (see 6.1.1) that
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
produces a continuous record of the elevation of a single point
considered as requirements of this test method.
moving along a line on the floor’s surface.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.4 horizontal—level, normal to the direction of gravity.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.5 inclinometer—a Type II device (see 6.1.2) that mea-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sures the angle between horizontal and the line joining the two
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
points of contact with the floor’s surface.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.6 level—horizontal, normal to the direction of gravity.
3.1.6.1 Discussion—For the purposes of this test method,
2. Referenced Documents
levelness will be measured by collecting elevation differences
2.1 ASTM Standards:
atpointsspaced10ftapartandthatwillbedescribedbythe F
L
E1155Test Method for Determining F Floor Flatness
F
Levelness number (dimensionless).
andF Floor Levelness Numbers
L
3.1.7 longitudinal differential floor profilometer, n—a Type
2.2 ACI Standard:
II device (see 6.1.2) that produces a continuous record of the
ACI 117-90Standard Specifications for Tolerances for Con-
3 elevationdifferencebetweentwopointsmovingalongalineon
crete Construction and Materials
the floor’s surface, which two points remain separated by a
fixed distance.
3. Terminology
3.1.8 sample measurement line—asamplemeasurementline
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
shallconsistofanystraightlineonthetestsurfacealongwhich
3.1.1 elevation—height, altitude, vertical location in space.
measurements are taken, with the limitations listed in 7.3.
Elevation measurements are always made parallel to the
direction of gravity. 3.1.9 sign convention—where up is the positive direction;
down is the negative direction. Consequently, the higher the
3.1.2 flat—even, plane, homoloidal, free of undulation.
reading point, the more positive its h value, and the lower the
i
reading point, the more negative its h value. Similarly, the
i
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
elevationdifferencefromalowpointtoahighpoint(thatis,an
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.21
uphill difference) is positive, while the elevation difference
on Serviceability.
from a high point to a low point (that is, a downhill difference)
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2008. Published January 2008. Originally
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E1155M–96(2001).
is negative.
DOI: 10.1520/E1155M-96R08.
3.1.10 test section—a test section consists of any subdivi-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
sion of the test surface with the limitations listed in 7.2.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
3.1.11 test surface—on any one building level, the entire
the ASTM website.
floor area of interest constitutes the test surface, with the
AvailablefromAmericanConcreteInstitute(ACI),P.O.Box9094,Farmington
Hills, MI 48333-9094, http://www.aci-int.org. limitations listed in 7.1.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1155M − 96 (2008)
3.1.12 vertical—parallel to the direction of gravity. lations primarily intended to support the operation of fixed-
path vehicle systems (for example, narrow aisle warehouse
3.2 Symbols:
floors).
3.2.1 A—area of Test Section i.
i
NOTE 2—When the traffic patterns across a floor are random, (as is
3.2.2 d—difference in elevation (in millimetres) between
i
generally the case) evaluation of the floor’s F Flatness and F Levelness
F L
reading points P and P (i ≥ 1).
i i−1
will necessarily involve a random sampling of the surface, since all of the
3.2.3 F—Face F Flatness Number (dimensionless). infinite potential profiles to be seen by the traffic can not possibly be
f F
measured. In those instances when the traffic across a floor will be
3.2.4 F —composite F Flatness Number forTest Section i.
f F
i
confined to specific paths, however, the requirement for random sampling
3.2.5 F—Face F Levelness Number (dimensionless). is eliminated, since the floor can indeed be inspected exactly as it will be
l L
seen by all of the traffic. In these special cases, rather than inferring the
3.2.6 F —composite F Levelness Number for Test Section
l L
i
condition of the traffic paths from a random sample, it is far more useful
i.
to measure each of the traffic paths directly using continuous recording
floorprofilometerconfiguredtorunexactlyinthetrafficwheelpaths.Such
3.2.7 h—elevation (in millimetres) of Reading Point P (i ≥
i i
direct simulation measurements eliminate the inherent uncertainties of
0).
statistical sampling and provide profile information immediately appli-
3.2.8 n—number of reading points in Test Sample j (n ≥ cable to the correction of the surface in way of the future traffic.
j j
12).
6. Apparatus
3.2.9 N —minimum number of 3-m elevation difference
min
6.1 Point Elevation Measurement Device:
readings required per the test section.
6.1.1 Type I Apparatus—If aType II apparatus (see6.1.2)is
3.2.10 q—arithmetic difference (in millimetres) between
i
not used for this test, then an apparatus capable of measuring
elevation differences d and d (i ≥ 2).
i i−1
the elevations of a series of points spaced at regular 300-mm
3.2.11 r —number of readings of Variable x obtained from
x
intervalsalongastraightlineonthefloorsurfaceshallbeused.
j
Sample j.
Examples of satisfactory Type I point elevation measurement
3.2.12 s —standard deviation of Variable x in Sample j. devices include, but are not limited to the following:
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
shims to measure vertical distance from lower straightedge
4. Summary of Test Method
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
6.1.1.4 Laser Level, with vernier or scaled target.
300-mm intervals along each line. The elevation differences
6.1.1.5 Taut Level Wire, with gage to measure vertical
between all adjacent reading points are calculated, and a
distance from wire to floor.
straight line approximation to the surface profile along each
6.1.1.6 Floor Profilometer.
measurement line is produced and evaluated for consistency
6.1.2 Type II Apparatus—If aType I apparatus (see6.1.1)is
with visual observation of the floor surface.
not used for this test, then an apparatus capable of measuring
4.2 Thearithmeticdifferencesbetweenalladjacent300-mm
the elevations of a series of points spaced at regular 300-mm
elevation differences and the elevation differences between all
intervalsalongastraightlineonthefloorsurfaceshallbeused.
pointsseparated3marethencalculated.Estimatesofeachtest
Examples of satisfactory Type II point elevation measurement
section’s floors F Flatness and F Levelness F-Numbers are
devices include, but are not limited to the following:
F L
obtained through statistical analyses of these calculated profile
6.1.2.1 Inclinometer, having 300-mm contact point spacing.
values. Finally, the F-Numbers for each test section are
6.1.2.2 Longitudinal Differential Floor Profilometer, having
combined to arrive at a composite set of F-Numbers for each
300-mm sensor wheel spacing.
test surface.
6.2 Ancillary Equipment:
6.2.1 Measurement Tape, graduated in millimetres.
5. Significance and Use
6.2.2 Chalk Line (or other means for marking straight lines
5.1 This test method provides statistical (and graphical)
on the test surface).
information concerning floor surface profiles.
6.2.3 Data Recording Means—This procedure requires the
5.2 Results of this test method are used primarily to:
recordingofbothverbalandnumericinformation.Examplesof
5.2.1 Establish compliance of randomly trafficked floor
satisfactory data recording means include, but are not limited
surfaces with specified F Flatness and F Levelness
to the following:
F L
tolerances,
6.2.3.1 Manual Data Sheet.
5.2.2 Evaluate the effect of different construction methods
6.2.3.2 Magnetic Tape Recorder (voice or direct input).
on resulting floor surface flatness and levelness, and
6.2.3.3 Paper Chart Recorder.
5.2.3 Investigatethecurlinganddeflectionoffloorsurfaces.
6.2.3.4 Direct Computer Input.
5.3 Results of this test method shall not be used to enforce
NOTE3—Sincethebiasoftheresultsobtainedwiththistestmethodwill
contract flatness and levelness tolerances on those floor instal- vary directly with the accuracy of the particular measurement device
E1155M − 96 (2008)
employed, all project participants should agree on the exact test apparatus
7.7 Construction Joints—Where construction joints are re-
to be used prior to the application of this test method for contract
quired to be measured, periodic measurements of the 600-mm
specification enforcement.
curvature q shall be taken, transverse to and centered on the
i
construction joint. At least one q measurement shall be taken
i
7. Organization of Test Area
on each straight section of joint, with a maximum interval
7.1 Test Surface—Onanyonebuildinglevel,theentirefloor
between measurement locations not to exceed 3 m. These
area of interest shall constitute the test surface.
measurement locations shall be recorded.
7.1.1 When this test method is used to establish compliance
NOTE 4—Since construction joints are a discontinuity in the floor
ofrandomlytraffickedfloorsurfaceswithspecified F Flatness
F
surface, measuring across them would introduce statistical anomalies into
and F Levelnesstolerances,eachportionofthesurfacewhich
L
this test method. Construction joints are therefore excluded from the
has a unique specified set of tolerances must be treated as a
generationof F-Numberstatistics.However,sincetrafficwillnevertheless
separate surface.
pass across many of the construction joints, a separate measurement and
analysis of the joints may be required in order to provide a quantitative
7.2 Test Section—A test section shall consist of any subdi-
measureoftheroughnessofthejointsthemselves.Somejointsmaynever
vision of a test surface satisfying the following criteria:
see traffic, for example, those along a wall. The particular joints required
7.2.1 Notestsectionshallmeasurelessthan2.4monaside,
to be analyzed may be specified in contract specifications, along with a
maximum allowable value for q.
nor comprise an area less than 12 m .
i
7.2.2 No portion of the test surface shall be associated with
8. Procedure
more than one test section.
7.2.3 Whentestingaconcretefloor,notestsectionboundary
8.1 Record the name and location of the subject building;
shall cross any construction joint.
the installation date of the subject floor, if known; the subject
7.3 Sample Measurement Line—Asamplemeasurementline
floor’s specified F and F values; the make, model, and serial
f l
shall consist of any straight line on the test surface satisfying numberofthetestapparatustobeused;thedateofthetest;and
the following criteria:
the name of the individual making the test.
7.3.1 No sample measurement line shall measure less than
NOTE 5—When this test is used to evaluate the compliance of a new
3.3 m in length.
concrete floor with contract flatness and levelness specifications, the
7.3.2 When testing a concrete floor, no portion of any
timeliness of the test vis-a-vis the date of the floor’s installation is of
sample measurement line shall fall within 600 mm of any slab
critical importance. Since most concrete floors will change shape signifi-
boundary, construction joint, isolation joint, block-out, cantly within a few days after installation, owing to inevitable shrinkage
and deflection, the American Concrete Institute (see ACI 117-90) now
penetration, or other similar discontinuity.
requires that specified concrete floor tolerances be checked within 72 h
7.3.2.1 Exception—Shrinkage crack control joints formed
after floor installation in order to ensure that an accurate gage of the
either by partial depth sawcuts or by partial depth inserts shall
surface’s “as-built” shape is assessed.
be ignored.
8.2 Lay out the test surface.
7.3.2.2 Exception—Iftheareatobeexcludedfrommeasure-
8.2.1 Divide the entire test surface into test sections.Assign
ment exceeds 25% of the test section area, then the 600-mm
a different identification number to each test section, and
boundary exclusion shall not apply.
record the locations of all test section boundaries.
7.3.3 Measurement lines may not be placed parallel to each
8.2.2 Withintherestrictionsdescribedin7.3,7.6,and8.2.3,
other closer than 1.2 m.
determine the number and location of all sample measurement
7.4 Type I Test Sample (Measured With Type I
lines to be used in each test section. As
...