ASTM E1155-96(2001)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining FF Floor Flatness and FL Floor Levelness Numbers
Standard Test Method for Determining <i>F<sub>F</sub></i> Floor Flatness and <i>F<sub>L</sub></i> Floor Levelness Numbers
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method provides statistical (and graphical) information concerning floor surface profiles.
Results of this test method are used primarily to:
5.2.1 Establish compliance of randomly trafficked floor surfaces with specified FF Flatness and FL Levelness tolerances,
5.2.2 Evaluate the effect of different construction methods on resulting floor surface flatness and levelness, and
5.2.3 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’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 inch-pound system of units.
Note 1--A complete metric companion to Test Method E1155 has been developed, Test Method E1155M; therefore, no metric equivalents are shown in this test method.
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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E1155–96 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Method for
Determining F Floor Flatness and F Floor Levelness
F L
Numbers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1155; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
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 inch-pound system of units.
curvature values for a given test section are then converted
NOTE 1—A complete metric companion to Test Method E1155 has
according to the equations in this test method to get the
been developed, Test Method E1155M; therefore, no metric equivalents
dimensionless F Flatness Number.
F
are shown in this test method.
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
atpointsspaced10ftapartandthatwillbedescribedbytheF
L
2. Referenced Documents
Levelness number (dimensionless).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.7 longitudinal differential floor profilometer, n—a Type
E1155M Test Method for Determining F Floor Flatness
F
II device (see 6.1.2) that produces a continuous record of the
and F Floor Levelness Numbers [Metric]
L
elevationdifferencebetweentwopointsmovingalongalineon
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
elevationdifferencefromalowpointtoahighpoint(thatis,an
uphill difference) is positive, while the elevation difference
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
from a high point to a low point (that is, a downhill difference)
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.21
on Serviceability.
is negative.
Current edition approved April 10, 2001. Published May 1996. Originally
3.1.10 test section—a test section consists of any subdivi-
published as E1155–87. Last previous edition E1155–87.
2 sion of the test surface with the limitations listed in 7.2.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
Available from American Concrete Institute, P.O. Box 19150, Detroit, MI
48219-0150.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1155–96 (2001)
NOTE 2—When the traffic patterns across a floor are random, (as is
3.1.11 test surface—on any one building level, the entire
generally the case) evaluation of the floor’s F Flatness and F Levelness
F L
floor area of interest constitutes the test surface, with the
will necessarily involve a random sampling of the surface, since all of the
limitations listed in 7.1.
infinite potential profiles to be seen by the traffic can not possibly be
3.1.12 vertical—parallel to the direction of gravity.
measured. In those instances when the traffic across a floor will be
3.2 Symbols:
confined to specific paths, however, the requirement for random sampling
3.2.1 A—area of Test Section i.
is eliminated, since the floor can indeed be inspected exactly as it will be
i
3.2.2 d—difference in elevation (in inches) between read- seen by all of the traffic. In these special cases, rather than inferring the
i
condition of the traffic paths from a random sample, it is far more useful
ing points P and P (i$ 1).
i i−1
to measure each of the traffic paths directly using continuous recording
3.2.3 F—Face F Flatness Number (dimensionless).
f F
floorprofilometerconfiguredtorunexactlyinthetrafficwheelpaths.Such
3.2.4 F —composite F FlatnessNumberforTestSection i.
f F
i
direct simulation measurements eliminate the inherent uncertainties of
3.2.5 F—Face F Levelness Number (dimensionless).
l L
statistical sampling and provide profile information immediately appli-
3.2.6 F —composite F Levelness Number forTest Section
l L cable to the correction of the surface in way of the future traffic.
i
i.
3.2.7 h—elevation (in inches) of Reading Point P (i$ 0). 6. Apparatus
i i
3.2.8 n—number of reading points in Test Sample j (n $
j j
6.1 Point Elevation Measurement Device:
12).
6.1.1 Type IApparatus—IfaTypeIIapparatus(see6.1.2)is
3.2.9 N —minimum number of 10-ft elevation difference
min
not used for this test, then an apparatus capable of measuring
readings required per the test section.
the elevations of a series of points spaced at regular 12-in.
3.2.10 q—arithmetic difference (in inches) between eleva-
i
intervalsalongastraightlineonthefloorsurfaceshallbeused.
tion differences d and d (i$ 2).
i i−1
Examples of satisfactory Type I point elevation measurement
3.2.11 r —number of readings of Variable xobtained from
x
j devices include, but are not limited to the following:
Sample j.
6.1.1.1 Leveled Straightedge, with gage (for example, tri-
3.2.12 s —standard deviation of Variable x in Sample j.
x
j square, dial indicator, etc.) to measure vertical distance from
3.2.13 V —variance of Variable x in Sample j.
x
j
the upper straightedge surface to floor.
3.2.14 z—differenceinelevation(ininches)betweenRead-
i
6.1.1.2 Leveled Straightedge, with graduated wedges or
ing Points P and P (i$ 10).
i i−10
shims to measure vertical distance from lower straightedge
surface to floor.
4. Summary of Test Method
6.1.1.3 Optical Level, with vernier or scaled target.
4.1 Straight lines are marked at various locations on the
6.1.1.4 Laser Level, with vernier or scaled target.
floor surface. Point elevations are then measured at regular
6.1.1.5 Taut Level Wire, with gage to measure vertical
12-in. intervals along each line. The elevation differences
distance from wire to floor.
between all adjacent reading points are calculated, and a
6.1.1.6 Floor Profilometer.
straight line approximation to the surface profile along each
6.1.2 Type IIApparatus—IfaTypeIapparatus(see6.1.1)is
measurement line is produced and evaluated for consistency
not used for this test, then an apparatus capable of measuring
with visual observation of the floor surface.
the elevations of a series of points spaced at regular 12-in.
4.2 The arithmetic differences between all adjacent 12-in.
intervalsalongastraightlineonthefloorsurfaceshallbeused.
elevation differences and the elevation differences between all
Examples of satisfactory Type II point elevation measurement
points separated 10 ft are then calculated. Estimates of each
devices include, but are not limited to the following:
test section’s floors F Flatness and F Levelness F-Numbers
F L
6.1.2.1 Inclinometer, having 12-in. contact point spacing.
are obtained through statistical analyses of these calculated
6.1.2.2 Longitudinal Differential Floor Profilometer,having
profile values. Finally, the F-Numbers for each test section are
12-in. sensor wheel spacing.
combined to arrive at a composite set of F-Numbers for each
6.2 Ancillary Equipment:
test surface.
6.2.1 Measurement Tape, graduated in feet.
5. Significance and Use
6.2.2 Chalk Line (or other means for marking straight lines
on the test surface).
5.1 This test method provides statistical (and graphical)
6.2.3 Data Recording Means—This procedure requires the
information concerning floor surface profiles.
recordingofbothverbalandnumericinformation.Examplesof
5.2 Results of this test method are used primarily to:
satisfactory data recording means include, but are not limited
5.2.1 Establish compliance of randomly trafficked floor
to the following:
surfaces with specified F Flatness and F Levelness toler-
F L
ances, 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
NOTE 3—Since the bias of the results obtained with this test method
contract flatness and levelness tolerances on those floor instal-
will vary directly with the accuracy of the particular measurement device
lations primarily intended to support the operation of fixed-
employed, all project participants should agree on the exact test apparatus
path vehicle systems (for example, narrow aisle warehouse
to be used prior to the application of this test method for contract
floors). specification enforcement.
E1155–96 (2001)
NOTE 4—Since construction joints are a discontinuity in the floor
7. Organization of Test Area
surface, measuring across them would introduce statistical anomalies into
7.1 TestSurface—Onanyonebuildinglevel,theentirefloor
this test method. Construction joints are therefore excluded from the
area of interest shall constitute the test surface.
generationofF-Numberstatistics.However,sincetrafficwillnevertheless
7.1.1 When this test method is used to establish compliance
pass across many of the construction joints, a separate measurement and
analysis of the joints may be required in order to provide a quantitative
ofrandomlytraffickedfloorsurfaceswithspecifiedF Flatness
F
measure of the roughness of the joints themselves. Some joints may never
and F Levelness tolerances, each portion of the surface which
L
see traffic, for example, those along a wall. The particular joints required
has a unique specified set of tolerances must be treated as a
to be analyzed may be specified in contract specifications, along with a
separate surface.
maximum allowable value for q.
i
7.2 Test Section—A test section shall consist of any subdi-
vision of a test surface satisfying the following criteria:
8. Procedure
7.2.1 No test section shall measure less than 8 ft on a side,
2 8.1 Record the name and location of the subject building;
nor comprise an area less than 320 ft .
the installation date of the subject floor; the subject floor’s
7.2.2 No portion of the test surface shall be associated with
specified F and F values; the make, model, and serial number
f l
more than one test section.
of the test apparatus to be used; the date of the test; and the
7.2.3 Whentestingaconcretefloor,notestsectionboundary
name of the individual making the test.
shall cross any construction joint.
7.3 Sample Measurement Line—A sample measurement
NOTE 5—When this test is used to evaluate the compliance of a new
line shall consist of any straight line on the test surface 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
satisfying the following criteria:
critical importance. Since most concrete floors will change shape signifi-
7.3.1 No sample measurement line shall measure less than
cantly within a few days after installation, owing to inevitable shrinkage
11 ft in length.
and deflection, the American Concrete Institute (see ACI117-90) now
7.3.2 No portion of any sample measurement line shall fall
requires that specified concrete floor tolerances be checked within 72 h
within 2 ft of any slab boundary, construction joint, isolation
after floor installation in order to ensure that an accurate gage of the
joint, block-out, penetration, or other similar discontinuity.
surface’s “as-built” shape is assessed.
7.3.2.1 Exception—Shrinkage crack control joints formed
8.2 Lay out the test surface.
either by partial depth sawcuts or by partial depth inserts shall
8.2.1 Divide the entire test surface into test sections.Assign
be ignored.
a different identification number to each test section, and
7.3.2.2 Exception—If the area to be excluded from mea-
record the locations of all test section boundaries.
surement exceeds 25% of the test section area, then the 2-ft
8.2.2 Within the restrictions described in 7.3, 7.6, and 8.2.3,
boundary exclusion shall not apply.
determine the number and location of all sample measurement
7.3.3 Measurement lines may not be placed parallel to each
lines to be used in each test section. Assign a different
other closer than 4 ft.
identification number to each sample measurement line, and
7.4 Type I Test Sample (Measured With Type I
record the locations of all sample measurement line starting
Apparatus)—ATypeItestsampleshallconsistofnotlessthan
and stopping points. Mark or otherwise physically delineate
twelve sequential point elevation measurements made at regu-
each sample measurement line on the test surface.
lar 12-in. intervals along a single sample measurement line.
8.2.3 The sample measurement lines within each test sec-
7.5 Type II Test Sam
...
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