kSIST FprEN ISO 4918:2026

• Abstract:

  ISO 4918:2016 specifies methods for determining the change of appearance and stability of a textile floor covering or any damage caused by detachment of layers, opening of joints, or crazing of a resilient or laminate floor covering under the movement of a castor chair.

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 14-Sep-2025
• ICS: 97.150 - Floor coverings
• Technical Committee: ITEK - Textile and textile products
• Current Stage: 5020 - Formal vote (FV) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 13-Aug-2026
• Due Date: 01-Oct-2026
• Ref Project: FprEN ISO 4918 - Resilient, textile, laminate and modular mechanical locked floor coverings - Castor chair test (ISO/FDIS 4918:2026)

• Revises: SIST EN ISO 4918:2021 - Resilient,textile and laminate floor coverings - Castor chair test (ISO 4918:2016)
• Effective Date: 14-Feb-2024

Overview

kSIST FprEN ISO 4918:2026 defines standardized test methods for evaluating how resilient, textile, laminate, and modular mechanical locked floor coverings withstand the wear and stress caused by castor chair movement. Developed by SIST with input from ISO/TC 219, this standard is aligned with international best practices for floor coverings. It helps manufacturers, designers, and quality control professionals assess flooring product performance under realistic conditions, focusing on aspects such as change of appearance, structural stability, and potential surface or layer damage.

Key Topics

• Test Scope: The standard is applicable to a wide range of floor coverings, including resilient (vinyl, rubber), textile (carpet), laminate, and modular types with mechanical locking systems.
• Simulated Castor Chair Use: The procedure simulates castor chair movement across the flooring, subjecting the product to repeated mechanical stress cycles to replicate typical office and commercial environments.
• Assessment Areas:
  • Appearance Change: Evaluates surface wear, texture loss, and changes in color.
  • Stability & Structural Integrity: Assesses for delamination, opening of joints, cracking, or crazing.
  • Joints and Layer Evaluation: Particularly important for products with mechanical locking, the test identifies vulnerabilities to separation or wear at joints.
• Test Methodology:
  • Controlled Environment: Precise settings for temperature and humidity ensure repeatability.
  • Standardized Equipment: Mechanical platforms use castor assemblies to apply uniform loads and rotational motion to test specimens.
  • Assessment Intervals: Flooring samples are checked after set cycles for signs of wear or failure.

Applications

The castor chair test outlined in kSIST FprEN ISO 4918:2026 is highly relevant in various sectors:

• Product Development and Quality Control: Flooring manufacturers use these methods to benchmark new products or validate changes in material composition or design.
• Certification and Compliance: Passing the castor chair test can serve as a key indicator for meeting regulatory or contractual performance requirements, supporting marketing and sales claims for durability.
• Specification by Architects and Designers: Specifiers in commercial, institutional, and residential projects may require certification of flooring’s resistance to chair castors, particularly for offices, classrooms, and communal spaces.
• Risk Mitigation in Facility Management: Ensures long-term performance where mobile seating is prevalent, reducing maintenance costs and the risk of early replacement.

Related Standards

For comprehensive evaluation of floor coverings, the following standards are commonly referenced alongside kSIST FprEN ISO 4918:2026:

• ISO 9405: Assessment of changes in appearance for textile floor coverings.
• EN 12529: Specifications for castors for furniture, including swivel chairs.
• EN 16511: Requirements and test methods for modular mechanical locked floor coverings.
• ISO 139: Defines standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing of textiles.
• ASTM D7330: Surface appearance change in pile floor coverings.

These documents provide guidance on terminology, sampling, conditioning, and detailed performance criteria for different types of floorings.

Practical Value

By implementing kSIST FprEN ISO 4918:2026, stakeholders in flooring production and supply chains can:

• Ensure robust performance of floor coverings subjected to castor chair use.
• Meet industry expectations for durability and stability, enhancing product reputation and reducing lifecycle costs.
• Facilitate access to international markets through harmonized testing and compliance with globally recognized standards for floor coverings.

Keywords: floor coverings, resilient flooring, textile flooring, laminate flooring, modular flooring, castor chair test, durability testing, mechanical lock, ISO 4918, office flooring standards, SIST standard, flooring evaluation.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
01-september-2025
Netekstilne, tekstilne, laminatne in modularne mehansko zaklepne talne obloge -
Preskus s stolom na kolescih (ISO/DIS 4918:2025)
Resilient, textile, laminate and modular mechanical locked floor coverings - Castor chair
test (ISO/DIS 4918:2025)
Elastische, textile, Laminat- und modulare mechanisch verriegelnde Bodenbeläge -
Stuhlrollenversuch (ISO/DIS 4918:2025)
Revêtements de sol textiles, résilients ou stratifiés - Essai à l'appareil à roulettes
(ISO/DIS 4918:2025)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 4918
ICS:
97.150 Talne obloge Floor coverings
oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 4918
ISO/TC 219
Resilient, textile, laminate and
Secretariat: NBN
modular mechanical locked floor
Voting begins on:
coverings — Castor chair test
2025-06-24
Revêtements de sol textiles, résilients ou stratifiés — Essai à
Voting terminates on:
l'appareil à roulettes
2025-09-16
ICS: 97.150
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 4918:2025(en)
oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 4918:2025(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 4918
ISO/TC 219
Resilient, textile, laminate and
Secretariat: NBN
modular mechanical locked floor
Voting begins on:
coverings — Castor chair test
Revêtements de sol textiles, résilients ou stratifiés — Essai à
Voting terminates on:
l'appareil à roulettes
ICS: 97.150
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2025
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
Phone: [phone]
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 4918:2025(en)
ii
oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
ISO/DIS 4918:2025(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 1
5 Apparatus . 2
6 Materials . 6
7 Sampling . 6
7.1 Textile floor coverings .6
7.2 Resilient floor covering without mechanical connection system .7
7.3 Resilient, laminate and modular mechanical locked with mechanical connection
systems .8
8 Test area. 9
8.1 Textile floor coverings .9
8.2 Resilient, laminate and modular mechanical locked floor coverings .9
9 Procedure .10
9.1 Textile floor coverings .10
9.1.1 General .10
9.1.2 Mounting of the specimens .10
9.1.3 Verifications of the castors .10
9.1.4 Preparing of the apparatus .10
9.1.5 Test procedures .10
9.2 Resilient, laminate and modular mechanical locked floor coverings . 12
9.2.1 General . 12
9.2.2 Mounting of the specimens . 12
9.2.3 Verification of the castors . 13
9.2.4 Preparing the apparatus . 13
9.2.5 Test procedure.14
10 Assessment . . 14
10.1 Textile floor coverings .14
10.1.1 General .14
10.1.2 Test A — Structural integrity assessment . 15
10.1.3 Test A — Appearance retention assessment . 15
10.1.4 Test B — Colour change assessment . 15
10.1.5 Test C — Structural integrity assessment .16
10.2 Resilient, laminate and modular mechanical locked floor covering .16
11 Calculations and expression of results .16
11.1 Textile floor coverings .16
11.1.1 General .16
11.1.2 Castor index .16
11.2 Resilient, Laminate and Modular mechanical locked floor coverings .17
12 Test report . 17
12.1 General .17
12.2 Textile floor covering .17
12.3 Resilient, Laminate and Modular mechanical locked floor covering .17
Annex A (informative) This is an example of assembly of the samples inside or outside of the
device, .18

iii
oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
ISO/DIS 4918:2025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO [had/had not] received notice of
(a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 219, Floor coverings.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 4918:2016/Amd 1:2018), which has been
technically revised. This edition also replaces EN 985:2001.
The main changes are as follows:
— adding modular mechanical locked floor coverings
— better description of the machine
— better description of the fasting methods
— methods how to test MMF
A list of all parts in the ISO 4918 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
ISO/DIS 4918:2025(en)
Introduction
This test is a method for determining the change of appearance and stability of a textile floor covering or
any damage caused by detachment of layers, opening of joints, or crazing of a resilient, laminate or modular
mechanical locked floor covering under the movement of a swivel castor chair. It is important that this
measurement is made under a well described fixation method.

v
oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
DRAFT International Standard ISO/DIS 4918:2025(en)
Resilient, textile, laminate and modular mechanical locked
floor coverings — Castor chair test
1 Scope
This document specifies methods for determining the change of appearance and stability of a textile floor
covering or any damage caused by detachment of layers, opening of joints, or crazing of a resilient, laminate
or modular mechanical locked floor covering under the movement of a swivel castor chair.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 139, Textiles — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
ISO 1957, Machine-made textile floor coverings — Selection and cutting of specimens for physical tests
ISO 2424, Textile floor coverings — Vocabulary
ISO 9405, Textile floor coverings — Assessment of changes in appearance
EN 12466, Resilient floor coverings — Vocabulary
EN 12529, Castors and wheels — Castors for furniture — Castors for swivel chairs — Requirements
EN 16511, Modular mechanical locked floor coverings (MMF) — Specification, requirements and test method for
multilayer modular panels for floating installation
ASTM D7330:2015, Standard Test Method for Assessment of Surface Appearance Change in Pile Floor Coverings
Using Standard Reference Scales
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 2424 and EN 12466 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 Principle
A floor covering, including one or more joints, treated or welded where necessary, is submitted for
a prescribed number of cycles to the action of three castors. The castors move in epicyclical paths with
multiple changes of direction, stops and starts, and the frequency of passage varies from area to area.
For textile floor coverings, three different assessment methods are specified:
a) the change in appearance is assessed after 5 000 cycles and 25 000 cycles in accordance with ISO 9405
(Test A) or ASTM D7330,
oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
ISO/DIS 4918:2025(en)
b) the change in colour is assessed by means of grey scales after 750 cycles in accordance with ISO 9405
(Test B) or ASTM D7330,
c) the extent of deterioration is assessed after 10 000 cycles or 25 000 cycles (Test C).
For resilient, laminate or a modular mechanical locked floor coverings, any damage to the specimen caused
during testing and visible as detachment of layers, opening of joints, cracking or crazing shall be assessed.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Rotating test platform
The rotating test platform on which the specimen is placed shall have a diameter of at least 795 mm (cicular
platform) or platform a length and width of at least 1 000 mm (square platform).
5.2 Castor assembly
This assembly comprises a vertical shaft, set in a bearing, and a plate on which the castors are mounted
(Figure 1, item 1). This castor assembly is offset at a distance of (198 ± 1) mm from the centre of the rotating
test platform.
The three castors are each arranged concentrically at 120° intervals around the centre of the plate at a
distance of (130 ± 1) mm from the centre of the plate, and are free to rotate, so that they follow the rotation
of the castor assembly.
The tested area of the specimen is determined by the distance between the axes of revolution of the castor
chair assembly and the specimen table and by the distance of the castors from the centre of the plate. This
area is approximately 0,3 m .
The apparatus is provided with a lifting device to raise the castor assembly above the test platform when
the apparatus is stopped.
oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
ISO/DIS 4918:2025(en)
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 total mass 90 kg
2 distance >3 mm
3 load/drive plate
4 castor mounting plate
5 chain
6 specimen
7 suction device with height regulation
8 rotating test platform
9 specimen support
Figure 1 — Typical castor chair apparatus
The castor assembly is loaded with a mass of (90 ± 2) kg equally divided over the three castors.
The distance (under load) between the castor mounting plate and the load/drive plate shall be >3 mm.

oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
ISO/DIS 4918:2025(en)
Key
1 castor assembly
Figure 2 — Path of castors
5.3 Drive mechanism
The drive to the rotating test platform and to the castor assembly is interlocked and fitted with a reversing
mechanism. The number of cycles is set by means of a pre-set counter. The rotational speed of the rotating
-1 -1
platform shall be (19 ± 2) min and that of the castor assembly (50 ± 5) min .
After (180 ± 20) s of rotation, the platform shall stop and remain in the stop position for (5 ± 2) s, after which
time the direction of rotation of the rotating platform shall reverse.
The relationship between the rotational speed of the test platform and that of the castor assembly causes a
sharp reverse movement of the castors of about 160° at a point close to the outer edge of the stressed area
(see Figure 2).
5.4 Suction device
The suction capacity of the vacuum cleaner and the height of the suction device (Figure 1, item 7) should
be able to remove all abrased material or dust in a way that the surface of the test specimen is always kept
clean during the test. A suction capacity of (30 ± 5) l/s could be appropriate to reach this requirement.
5.5 Castors
5.5.1 General
Single-wheel swivel castors shall be used having the following dimensions (see Figure 3):
a) diameter of the wheel: (50 ± 2) mm;
b) width of the wheel: (20 ± 2) mm;
c) radius of curvature, R, of castor tread: (130 ± 5) mm;
d) crank distance: (32 ± 2) mm;
The distance between any two castor mountings shall be (225 ± 5) mm.

oSIST prEN ISO 4918:2025
ISO/DIS 4918:2025(en)
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 3 — Single-wheel swivel castors (nominal dimensions in mm)
1)
5.5.2 Type H castors (EN 12529), suitable for resilient, textile, laminate and modular mechanical locked
floor coverings.
Type H castors shall have plain wheels and a hard tread. The castor treads shall be made from polyamide,
with a surface hardness of (95 ± 5) Shore A and shall be stored under exclusion of light. The wheels
shall be one colour over their entire surface. The surface of the castors shall be replaced after maximum
2 000 000 cycles of the rotating test platform. It is advisable to replace them all three.
The castor treads shall be examined after each test to verify that they are still smooth, without any deep
scoring or encrusted hard particles. The tread shall be replaced if the dimensions of the wheel fall outside
the tolerances given in 5.5.1.
5.5.3 Type W castors (EN 12529), suitable for resilient, laminate and modular mechanical locked floor
covering.
Type W castors shall have resilient-tyred wheels and a soft tread. The castor treads shall be made from
polyurethane, with a surface hardness of (90 ± 5) Shore A and shall be stored under exclusion of light. The
surface of the castors shall be replaced after maximum 1 000 000 cycles of the test platform. It is advisable
to replace them all three.
The castor treads shall be examined after each test to verify that they are still smooth, without any deep
scoring or encrusted hard particles. The tread shall be replaced if the dimensions of the wheel fall outside
the tolerances given in 5.5.1.
5.6 Lifting device, to raise the castor assembly above the test platform when the apparatus is stationary.
1) Quanz-Maschinenbau GmbH, Industriestraße 61, 51399 Burscheid, Tel: [phone]; FAX: [phone];
e-mail: quanz -maschinenbau@ t -online .de, w
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