Flooring Classifications and Standards
There are a few key standards that it is important to be aware of in our industry. We look at the most relevant when it comes to floor laying, deciding on stair nosings, and choosing floor coverings.
1. Understanding Flooring Classes
Use the BS EN Standards to find the best flooring for your project.
The standard requires that the flooring product will last at least 10 years without presenting problems, that is if used in the designated room type. However, the floor must have also been installed according to the instructions, and be used and maintained as prescribed, for this to apply.
2. Relevant Flooring Installation Standards
BS 8203 provides recommendations for the installation of cork, linoleum, plastics, and rubber floor coverings as well as recommendations for bases. BS 8201 is the equivalent for wood and wood-based panels and BS 5325 is the code of practice for textile coverings.
BS 5325:2020 is a major revision, 20 years since the previous update. It has been updated to ensure that the standard is aligned with other flooring standards updated since 2001, such as BS 8203 and BS 8201. New content has been added in areas such as power stretching, moisture measurement, and fabricated underlays. It includes recommendations on methods of installation and application products; and other changes have been made due to health and safety and legislative issues.
3. Building Regulations For Nosings
CONSIDERATIONS ON DIMENSIONS
Building Regulation Document (BR) K: Protection from falling, BR Document M: Access to and use of buildings, BS 8300, BS 9266 and BS5395, state the tread should measure between 50-65mm and riser 30mm-55mm.
RECOMMENDED LIGHT REFLECTIVE VALUES
The same Standards state: The colour of the nosing is required to differ from the floor covering by at least 30 points. Every colour has an LRV of between 0 (Black) and White (100). So, if the floor covering has an LRV of 50. The nosing needs to be between 0-20 or 80-100.
