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IS 653:1992 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for linoleum sheets and tiles. This standard specifies the dimensional, physical, and manufacturing requirements for plain, moire, and jasper linoleum sheets and tiles used as floor coverings. It provides guidelines on material composition, testing, and quality control to ensure the durability of resilient flooring finishes.
Linoleum Sheets And Tiles
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Architectural — Flooring, Wall Finishing and Roofing
! Linoleum sheets and tiles must be acclimatized to the installation environment's ambient temperature to prevent stiffness and cracking during handling.
! Ensure the sub-floor is perfectly level, completely dry, and damp-proof before laying the linoleum to prevent moisture trapped underneath from causing adhesive failure or blistering.
linoleumflooringjute canvascorkwood flour
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ISO 24011:2018ISO (International Organization for Standardization), Switzerland
HighCurrent
Resilient floor coverings — Specification for plain and decorative linoleum
Both standards provide specifications for linoleum floor coverings in sheet and tile form.
EN ISO 24011:2018CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Resilient floor coverings - Specification for plain and decorative linoleum
The European adoption of ISO 24011, directly equivalent in technical scope to IS 653.
ASTM F2034-20ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Sheet Linoleum Floor Covering
Specifies requirements for sheet linoleum, covering composition, physical, and performance properties.
BS EN ISO 24011:2018BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighCurrent
Resilient floor coverings. Specification for plain and decorative linoleum
The British national adoption of the EN ISO standard, covering the same product types as IS 653.
Key Differences
≠IS 653 uses a simple classification of Types (A, B, C) and Grades (X, Y), whereas ISO 24011 uses a detailed classification system based on use area (e.g., Class 23 for heavy domestic, Class 34 for very heavy commercial) linked to specific performance levels.
≠The 1992 version of the Indian Standard does not include requirements for Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions, which are now a key consideration in modern international standards like those in Europe and the USA.
≠IS 653 specifies a nominal sheet width of 1.83 m (approx. 6 ft), which was a historical standard. Modern international standards like ISO 24011 specify a nominal width of 2.0 m.
≠While both test for similar properties, IS 653 often details test methods within its appendices, whereas modern ISO/EN standards reference a large suite of separate, specific testing standards (e.g., ISO 24343 for indentation, ISO 24344 for flexibility).
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental definition of linoleum is consistent across all standards, specifying a composition of linseed oil, binders, fillers (like wood/cork flour), and pigments on a backing.
≈All standards require the use of a fibrous backing, with jute (hessian) being the traditional and commonly specified material.
≈Key performance characteristics such as resistance to indentation, flexibility (cracking resistance), and color fastness to light are mandatory evaluation criteria in both IS 653 and its international counterparts.
≈All standards cover the product in both sheet and tile formats, providing requirements applicable to both forms of the floor covering.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Overall Thickness Tolerance (for ≤ 3.2mm)
±0.15 mm
±0.10 mm
ISO 24011:2018
Flexibility Test (Mandrel Diameter for 2.0 mm thick linoleum)
40 mm
20 mm
ISO 24011:2018 (ref. ISO 24344)
Color Fastness to Artificial Light
Not less than 6 (on blue wool scale)
≥ 6 (on blue scale)
ISO 24011:2018 (ref. ISO 105-B02)
Nominal Sheet Width
1.83 m
2.0 m
ISO 24011:2018
Residual Indentation (Requirement)
≤ 0.20 mm (for Grade X)
≤ 0.15 mm (Type I, for commercial use)
ISO 24011:2018
Residual Indentation (Test Method)
14 kg load on 29 mm dia. flat plunger
Method specifies a 500N load on a spherical foot; test methods are not directly comparable.
ISO 24343-1 (referenced by ISO 24011)
Squareness of Tiles (Tolerance)
±0.4 mm max deviation
≤ 0.25 mm max deviation
ISO 24011:2018 (ref. ISO 24342)
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Which code provides the testing procedures for linoleum?+
IS 1198 specifies the methods of test for evaluating the physical properties of linoleum sheets and tiles.
How is the flexibility of linoleum measured?+
Flexibility is evaluated using a pliability test, where a specimen is bent around a standard mandrel at a specified temperature to check for surface cracking or failure.
What physical properties are primarily evaluated for linoleum approval?+
Key tests include dimensional tolerances (thickness), pliability, resistance to indentation, and water absorption.