Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
IS 809:1992 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for rubber flooring materials for general purposes. This standard prescribes the requirements and methods of test for solid rubber flooring materials used for general purposes in buildings. Architects, interior designers, and material engineers use this specification to ensure quality control, durability, and dimensional consistency of rubber flooring sheets or tiles.
Rubber Flooring Materials For General Purposes
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Architectural — Flooring, Wall Finishing and Roofing
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Rubber flooring materials should be acclimatized to the installation room temperature for at least 24-48 hours prior to laying.
! Ensure the concrete sub-floor is perfectly smooth, level, dry, and free of dust. Any unevenness will eventually telegraph through the flexible rubber flooring.
! Always verify the chemical compatibility of the adhesive with the specific rubber flooring compound to prevent delamination or chemical breakdown over time.
EN 1817:2019CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Resilient floor coverings - Specification for homogeneous and heterogeneous smooth rubber floor coverings
Specifies requirements for smooth homogeneous and heterogeneous rubber floor coverings in sheet or tile form.
ASTM F1344 - 15(2021)ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Rubber Floor Tile
Covers requirements for solid-color and patterned rubber floor tiles intended for general use.
ASTM F1859 / F1859M - 17(2023)ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Rubber Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing
Covers requirements for unbacked rubber sheet flooring intended for general purpose flooring.
ISO 20326:2016ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
MediumCurrent
Resilient floor coverings — Specification for rubber floor tiles
Specifies characteristics for rubber floor tiles, but IS 809 also covers sheet flooring.
Key Differences
≠IS 809 classifies flooring simply into Type 1 (smooth surface) and Type 2 (profiled surface), whereas EN 1817 uses a comprehensive classification system based on usage areas (domestic, commercial, industrial) and wear resistance.
≠Fire safety requirements differ significantly. IS 809 has a basic flammability test, while EN 1817 requires classification according to EN 13501-1 (Euroclasses) and ASTM standards mandate testing like ASTM E648 (Critical Radiant Flux), which are far more detailed.
≠Modern international standards like EN 1817 and ASTM F1344 have mandatory requirements for colorfastness to light (e.g., using Xenon arc tests), a parameter not specified in IS 809:1992.
≠Chemical resistance testing in IS 809 is limited to a few specific agents (dilute acid, alkali, oil), while EN and ASTM standards reference test methods (like EN ISO 26987 and ASTM F925) that cover a much broader range of chemicals and evaluate effects more systematically.
Key Similarities
≈All standards cover flooring materials primarily composed of vulcanized natural and/or synthetic rubber, supplied in both tile and sheet (roll) form.
≈Fundamental physical properties like Hardness (Shore A), Tensile Strength, and Elongation at Break are specified across all standards as key performance indicators.
≈All standards include requirements for dimensional stability after exposure to heat to ensure the flooring does not excessively shrink or expand after installation.
≈A requirement for resistance to indentation and subsequent recovery is a common feature, ensuring the flooring can withstand static loads without permanent damage.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Hardness (Shore A)
85 ± 5
≥ 85
ASTM F1344-15
Thickness Tolerance
±0.15 mm or ±10% of nominal thickness (whichever is less)
±0.13 mm (±0.005 in)
ASTM F1344-15
Squareness of Tiles
±0.5 mm deviation from a true square
≤ 0.25 mm (0.010 in)
ASTM F1344-15
Dimensional Stability (Shrinkage/Growth)
≤ 0.40% (at 70°C for 6 hours)
≤ 0.25% (at 82°C for 6 hours)
ASTM F1344-15
Residual Indentation
≤ 0.15 mm
≤ 0.10 mm (for commercial/industrial class)
EN 1817:2019
Tensile Strength (Minimum)
3.5 MPa
Not explicitly specified; performance is evaluated via indentation, wear, etc.
ASTM F1344-15
Abrasion Resistance
Volume loss ≤ 1.0 cm³
Volume loss ≤ 150 mm³ (for Wear Group T, highest resistance)
EN 1817:2019
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
standard thickness range2.0 mm to 6.0 mm
thickness tolerance± 0.2 mm
hardness requirement75 to 85 IRHD
minimum tensile strength3.0 MPa
minimum elongation at break150 %
maximum water absorption0.5 % by mass (after 24 hours)
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Physical Requirements for Rubber Flooring
What are the common thicknesses for rubber flooring under this code?+
Commonly specified thicknesses range from 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm, chosen based on expected foot traffic and load requirements.
How is the hardness of the rubber flooring specified?+
Hardness is typically measured in IRHD (International Rubber Hardness Degrees) and should fall between 75 and 85 to ensure adequate wear resistance while providing underfoot comfort.
Which IS code is referred for testing the physical properties of the rubber?+
The IS 3400 series (Methods of test for vulcanized rubbers) is heavily cross-referenced for testing tensile strength, hardness, and aging.