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IS 3462:1986 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for unbacked flexible pvc flooring. This standard specifies the requirements, methods of sampling, and testing for unbacked flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flooring supplied in the form of continuous lengths (rolls) or tiles. It defines critical physical properties including residual indentation, flexibility, curling, and dimensional stability.
unbacked flexible PVC flooring
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Architectural — Flooring, Wall Finishing and Roofing
Covered homogeneous PVC flooring and was the key European standard before being harmonized with ISO.
JIS A 5705:2017Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), Japan
MediumCurrent
Polyvinyl chloride flooring tiles
Specifies requirements for PVC floor tiles, including homogeneous types, but does not cover roll goods.
Key Differences
≠IS 3462:1986 does not mandate a specific wear resistance or abrasion test, relying on thickness for durability. In contrast, ISO 10581 uses a mandatory abrasion test to classify products into performance-based wear groups (T, P, M, F).
≠IS 3462 classifies flooring simply by nominal thickness. ISO 10581 uses a more detailed classification system based on binder content (Type I and Type II), which has implications for flexibility and indentation resistance.
≠The Indian standard specifies a maximum 'volatile matter loss' (1.0%), a simple mass loss test. Modern international standards like ISO 10581 focus on specific Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions, which is a more sophisticated and health-oriented requirement.
≠The dimensional stability requirement in IS 3462 allows for a maximum of 0.25% change, while ISO 10581 allows up to 0.40%. However, the ISO standard references a more rigorous and updated testing methodology (ISO 23999), making a direct comparison of the values misleading.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 3462 and its international counterparts like ISO 10581 define the product as being homogeneous, meaning it's a single, solid layer of PVC with fillers, plasticizers, and pigments distributed throughout its thickness.
≈The scope of both the Indian standard and key international equivalents covers the supply of flooring in both tile and roll formats.
≈All standards include a mandrel bend test to assess flexibility, ensuring the material can be handled and coved during installation without cracking. The principle of the test is identical.
≈Both IS 3462 and international standards require testing for resistance to a range of common chemicals (e.g., dilute acids, alkalis, oils, grease) to ensure the surface is not damaged in typical use environments.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Dimensional Stability (Linear Change)
≤ 0.25% (at 80°C for 6 hrs)
≤ 0.40% (at 80°C for 6 hrs)
ISO 10581:2017
Residual Indentation
≤ 0.15 mm (for thickness ≥ 1.5mm)
≤ 0.10 mm (for Type I flooring)
ISO 10581:2017
Colour Fastness to Light (Blue Wool Scale)
≥ Grade 6
≥ Grade 6
ISO 10581:2017
Flexibility (Mandrel Diameter for ~1.5-2.0mm thickness)
20 mm (for 1.5mm thick)
20 mm (for Type II flooring)
ISO 10581:2017
Overall Thickness Tolerance
± 0.10 mm
± 0.10 mm (for nominal thickness ≤ 2.0 mm)
ISO 10581:2017
Volatile Matter Loss
≤ 1.0%
Not specified; replaced by VOC emission tests.
ISO 10581:2017
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use