Overview
ISO 12951:2020 - "Textile floor coverings - Determination of mass loss, fibre bind and stair nosing appearance change using the Lisson Tretrad machine" - specifies laboratory test methods for evaluating wear and appearance change of textile floor coverings using the Lisson Tretrad machine. The standard defines four test procedures (A–D) covering mass loss, stair-nosing appearance change and different assessments of fibre bind (pile retention/hairiness) for loop, cut and needled constructions. It is the third edition (2020) and updates calibration options, clarifies Test C assessment and adds failure examples in Annex A.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Four test methods
- Test A: mass loss of textile floor coverings; also used to assess fibre bind on synthetic pile carpets.
- Test B: stair nosing appearance change.
- Test C: fibre bind on synthetic loop pile carpets.
- Test D: fibre bind (hairiness) on needled floorcoverings and coverings without pile.
- Apparatus - detailed specification for the Lisson Tretrad machine: bed plate (rounded 10 mm front radius to simulate stair nosing), Tretrad assemblies, vacuum cleaning system and sole coverings (SBR material with defined profile).
- Operating parameters - documented test conditions such as specimen tension (weight ~20 ± 2 kg), Tretrad vertical weight (~15 ± 2 kg), track length (~800 ± 40 mm) and linear speed (~0.28 ± 0.02 m/s). Vacuum flow minimum ~30 L/s at nozzle connection.
- Specimen selection & preparation - sampling rules (typically 4 specimens 1 500 mm × 100 mm), conditioning in standard atmosphere (ISO 139), sealing of cut edges when required.
- Calibration & assessment - two calibration methods for the apparatus, use of reference photographs for visual fibre-bind assessment, calculation and reporting of mass loss and appearance change.
- Reporting - prescribes result calculation, expression and items to include in the test report.
Applications and users
Practical uses of ISO 12951:2020:
- Quality control and acceptance testing of carpets and textile floor coverings.
- Product development and comparative wear performance evaluation.
- Compliance and specification for manufacturers, test laboratories and flooring suppliers.
- Performance assessment for stair nosing treatments and installation guidance.
- Research into pile retention, abrasion resistance and appearance retention.
Who typically uses it:
- Flooring manufacturers and R&D teams
- Independent testing laboratories and certification bodies
- Specifiers, architects and procurement officers
- Trade associations and standards committees
Related standards
Normative and related references include: ISO 139, ISO 1765, ISO 1957, ISO 2424, ISO 8543, ISO 9405 and EN 1307 (classification). These provide conditioning, sampling, mass and appearance assessment cross-references used with ISO 12951:2020.
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