Overview
EN ISO 24346:2012 (ISO 24346:2006) specifies a standard laboratory method for determining the overall thickness of resilient floor coverings. Adopted by CEN, this method defines the test principle, apparatus, sample selection, conditioning, measurement procedure and reporting rules used by manufacturers, test labs and specifiers to produce comparable thickness data for sheet and tile flooring.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and principle: Overall thickness is the vertical distance between two parallel plates with the specimen under a specified load. Measurement is made with a dial gauge between a fixed lower plate (anvil) and a movable upper plate.
- Apparatus and settings: Specifies upper-plate diameters, applied masses and approximate pressures for different specimen structures (examples from Table 1):
- 8.00 mm diameter, area 50 mm², mass 0.40 kg → ~80 kPa (solid throughout)
- 11.30 mm diameter, area 100 mm², mass 0.80 kg → ~80 kPa (composition cork)
- 25.3 mm diameter, area 500 mm², mass 0.20 kg → ~4 kPa (non-solid layer)
- 50.0 mm diameter, area 2 000 mm², mass 5.0 kg → ~25 kPa (rubber/relief)
- Specimen preparation and sampling:
- Sheet: two representative samples from roll ends; cut test pieces minimum 100 mm across full width.
- Tile: select five tiles from a carton; cut pieces to 50 mm × 100 mm; avoid using first/last tiles.
- Conditioning: Minimum 24 h at (23 °C ± 2 °C) and relative humidity (50 % ± 5 %), test in same atmosphere.
- Measurement procedure:
- Instrument level, plates clean, dial gauge zeroed on anvil.
- Place weighted ring (500 g) to hold specimen perimeter; lower presser gently.
- Read thickness 5 s after load application; make at least five measurements per sample at locations ≥20 mm from edges.
- Dial gauge accuracy 0.01 mm; readings may be taken to 0.001 mm if instrument allows, but results are recorded and reported to 0.01 mm.
- Calibration and reporting: Verify gauge calibration with gauge blocks/shims. Report mean thickness (to 0.01 mm), and optionally minimum/maximum. Include test atmosphere, sample ID and any deviations.
Applications and users
- Quality control and production testing in resilient flooring manufacturing
- Laboratory testing for certification, conformity assessment and product datasheets
- Architects, specifiers and procurement teams requiring verified thickness for installation and performance criteria
- Research and development when comparing materials (vinyl, rubber, cork, foam-backed sheet/tile)
Related standards
- EN 428 (superseded by EN ISO 24346)
- ASTM F386, ASTM F387 (US test methods for resilient flooring thickness)
- JIS A 1454 (Japanese methods referenced for related floor covering tests)
Keywords: EN ISO 24346:2012, ISO 24346, resilient floor coverings, overall thickness, thickness measurement, floor covering test method.
