Overview
ISO 11377:1997 specifies a repeatable procedure for setting up a test site and evaluating floor soiling of textile floor coverings by measuring colour change. The standard defines how to prepare, install and traffic carpet specimens in a controlled corridor environment, and how to evaluate soiling using instrumental or visual methods. It is intended to provide consistent, comparable results for product development, quality control and comparative testing.
Key topics and requirements
- Test site layout: corridor with straight, non-turning traffic, width between 1.3 m and 1.5 m; buffer strips of at least 2.5 m at each end; avoid entrances and areas where people congregate. A photoelectric traffic counter may be used.
- Specimen preparation: specimens sampled per ISO 1957 and cut square to (350 ± 10) mm sides; at least two replicates per sample; specimens placed in two parallel lines with buffer side strips.
- Installation and safety: secure specimens (e.g., pressure-sensitive tape or mounted on rigid substrates); edge trim or edging to prevent tripping; safety signage may conform to ISO 3864.
- Specimen layout and rotation: initial alternating layouts (examples: AB/BA, AB/CA/BC). Rotate specimens every two days or after a set number of trafficks: rotate 90° clockwise, move two places down the corridor and switch lines to ensure even soiling.
- Maintenance during test: suction-clean specimens after rotation using a defined vacuuming technique-two double strokes (twice backwards and twice forwards) with 50% overlap and initial positioning half on buffer and half on test area.
- End-point and evaluation: traffic until a predetermined soiling level (e.g., grey scale level) or fixed traffick/time is reached. Evaluation methods include:
- Instrumental colour measurement (ISO 105-J01)
- Grey scale assessment (ISO 105-A02)
- Visual comparative ranking
Note: pile flattening and specimen positioning can affect colour-measurement results.
- Test report requirements: identification of specimens, reference to ISO 11377, purpose, site layout at start/end, rotation and maintenance procedures, predetermined soiling level and trafficks/time, evaluation methods, results, environmental conditions, and date.
Applications
- Product development and comparative performance testing of carpets and textile floor coverings
- Quality assurance and batch verification for manufacturers
- Research on soiling mechanisms, cleaning effectiveness and wear simulation
- Specification and procurement guidance for facilities managers and flooring consultants
Who uses this standard
- Flooring and textile manufacturers
- Independent test laboratories and certification bodies
- R&D teams and product engineers
- Building managers, specifiers and procurement professionals
Related standards
- ISO 1957 - Sampling and cutting specimens for textile floor coverings
- ISO 105-A02 - Grey scale for assessing change in colour
- ISO 105-J01 - Measurement of surface colour
- ISO 3864 - Safety colours and signs
Keywords: ISO 11377:1997, textile floor coverings, floor soiling, test site set-up, soiling evaluation, colour change measurement, grey scale, flooring testing standards.
