ASTM F924-90(2009)

Standard Test Method for Resistance to Puncture of Cushioned Resilient Floor Coverings

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Much of the cushioned resilient flooring in use today is in household kitchens. Kitchen flooring is frequently subjected to the hazard of dropped tableware and cutting knives, that can puncture the wear layer of cushioned resilient flooring. Food and soil that become embedded in these punctures often can not be removed by ordinary maintenance, resulting in unsightly marks. Moisture, grease, or oils that penetrate to the cushion layer can be wicked into the foam and cause permanent discoloration. Ultimately, the service life of the material is shortened.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the laboratory procedure for determining the resistance of cushioned resilient floor coverings to punctures from dropped pointed objects such as dinner forks.
1.2 This test method employs a 35-g cylindrical dart with a flat, small-diameter tip that is dropped onto a specimen of flooring. The dart represents the weight of a typical fork and the tip produces a similar puncture to those which result from dropped forks.
1.3 Flooring with thick wear layers may not puncture under even the most severe drop. Although data can be obtained by increasing the drop height or the weight of the dart, values of this magnitude have no practical application.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability and regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precaution statement see 8.2.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2009
• Technical Committee: F06 - Resilient Floor Coverings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F924-90(2004) - Standard Test Method for Resistance to Puncture of Cushioned Resilient Floor Coverings
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: F924 − 90(Reapproved 2009)
Standard Test Method for
Resistance to Puncture of Cushioned Resilient Floor
1
Coverings
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF924;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Floor Coverings by Optical Measurement
1.1 This test method covers the laboratory procedure for
3. Terminology
determining the resistance of cushioned resilient floor cover-
3.1 Definitions:
ings to punctures from dropped pointed objects such as dinner
3.1.1 For definitions of other terms used in this test method,
forks.
refer to Terminology F141.
1.2 This test method employs a 35-g cylindrical dart with a
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
flat, small-diameter tip that is dropped onto a specimen of
3.2.1 puncture—a break in the wear layer of the specimen.
flooring. The dart represents the weight of a typical fork and
An indentation at the point of impact shall be considered a
the tip produces a similar puncture to those which result from
puncture only if the wear layer is broken completely through at
dropped forks.
some point.
1.3 Flooring with thick wear layers may not puncture under
3.2.2 wicking—the presence of ink below the wear layer of
even the most severe drop. Although data can be obtained by
the specimen in areas adjacent to a puncture. This can be seen
increasing the drop height or the weight of the dart, values of
next to the actual cut, and appears either as spots on the pattern
this magnitude have no practical application.
layer or as a general discoloration.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
4. Significance and Use
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only 4.1 Much of the cushioned resilient flooring in use today is
and are not considered standard.
in household kitchens. Kitchen flooring is frequently subjected
to the hazard of dropped tableware and cutting knives, that can
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
puncture the wear layer of cushioned resilient flooring. Food
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and soil that become embedded in these punctures often can
responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and
notberemovedbyordinarymaintenance,resultinginunsightly
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
marks. Moisture, grease, or oils that penetrate to the cushion
mine the applicability and regulatory limitations prior to use.
layer can be wicked into the foam and cause permanent
For specific precaution statement see 8.2.
discoloration. Ultimately, the service life of the material is
shortened.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Apparatus
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier
1
5.1 Dart Drop Assembly (Fig. 1), consisting of a ⁄2 in.
Packaging
plywood platform tilted 20° from horizontal, and a vertical
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
slotted tube at least 40 in. (1016 mm) long with an inside
F410 Test Method for Wear Layer Thickness of Resilient
diameter of 1.05 6 0.05 in. (26.7 6 2 mm). The mouth of the
tube shall be approximately 2 in. (50.8 mm) above the center
of the platform. The tube shall be marked in 1 in. or less
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF06onResilient
graduations showing the height above the surface of a mounted
Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.30 on Test
Methods - Performance.
specimen positioned on the platform. At the top of the tube
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2009.PublishedJuly2009.Originallyapproved
1
shall be a flat cap with a ⁄4 in. diameter opening in the center.
in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as F924 – 90 (2004). DOI:
This hole should have smooth, rounded sides.
10.1520/F0924-90R09.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.2 Dart(Fig.2),consistingofa0.970 60.003(246 60.76
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
mm) outside diameter hollow cylindrical aluminum body with
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. a 0.078 6 0.0005 in. (2.0 6 0.013 mm) diameter tip at one end
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F924 − 90 (2009)
FIG. 1 Dart Drop Assembly
and a steel wire loop at the other end, weighing a total of 35 6 6.2 The required number of specimens of each sample
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