Overview
EN ISO 26987:2012 (ISO 26987:2008) defines a laboratory procedure to determine the staining and chemical resistance of resilient floor coverings. The standard specifies how to apply liquid and paste chemicals to representative test pieces, how to clean and inspect affected areas, and how to report the results. It is intended to help manufacturers, test laboratories and specifiers assess how resilient flooring reacts to everyday chemicals and accidental spills.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Evaluates the reaction of resilient floor coverings to chemical substances (liquids and pastes).
- Sampling & preparation: Use representative, untreated samples (one test piece per colour) with a minimum surface area specified by the standard; condition at 23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5 % RH for at least 24 hours.
- Apparatus: Standard lab equipment (pipettes, spatula), watch glass (Ø 40 mm), white cotton pads, non‑scoring brushes, abrasives, and a rotary viewing table.
- Illumination & viewing: Standard light source at 5 500–6 500 K, intensity (1 500 ± 100) lx; view from about 800 mm distance at approx. 45° while rotating the sample.
- Test procedure:
- Apply chemical (liquid via pipette/watch glass or paste via spatula) to the marked area.
- Main contact period: 2 hours; examine within 5 minutes after removal.
- If adverse effects (staining, dulling, softening, swelling) are observed, a repeat test of 30 minutes is required.
- Clean using specified cleaning products or manufacturer‑recommended methods; if stains persist, use abrasives as directed.
- Result expression: Assign an index 0–3 - 0: Not affected; 1: Slight; 2: Moderate; 3: Severe.
- Test report must list identification of the sample, chemical substances tested, cleaning methods, contact periods, results, and any deviations from the standard.
Practical applications and users
- Flooring manufacturers - verify product resistance during development and quality control.
- Independent test laboratories - perform standardized chemical resistance testing for certification, compliance and comparative data.
- Architects, specifiers and procurement teams - select resilient floor coverings suitable for environments exposed to cleaning agents, solvents or chemical spills (healthcare, laboratories, commercial kitchens, industrial facilities).
- Facility managers - assess maintenance regimes and stain‑removal procedures relative to flooring durability.
Related standards
- EN 423 (earlier edition superseded)
- ASTM F925 - chemical resistance test method for resilient flooring
- JIS A 1454 - related resilient floorcovering staining test
Keywords: EN ISO 26987, ISO 26987, resilient floor coverings, chemical resistance test, staining resistance, flooring testing, stain removal, test procedure.
