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 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 F3427-20 - Standard Practice for Documenting Environmental Conditions for Utilization with Exoskeleton Test Methods
• 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
1
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
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
1
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-
2
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.
3
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.
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