Specification

TILE
SPECIFICATION GUIDE
TILE
SPECIFICATION GUIDE
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are nationally
recognized organizations, which identify and develop industry
test methods and technical standards.
All tile products distributed by Merola Tile are Grade 1, First-
Quality products and meet or exceed the requirements of ANSI
A137.1. Please refer to individual product pages for item-specic
technical data.
The tile industry uses ASTM C1028-06 to measure the
Coecient of Friction (COF), or the relative slip resistance
of tile surfaces. This procedure measures the maximum force
required to initiate motion, or slip, across the tile surface.
The values are recorded and averaged to determine the Static
COF (SCOF). A newer standard, called Dynamic Coecient of
Friction (DCOF) AcuTest, is an evaluation of the COF of a tile
surface under known conditions using a standardized sensor
prepared according to a specic protocol ANSI A326.3.
Measurements are made using a tribometer, under wet
conditions using a 0.05% sodium lauryl sulfate solution to
establish a thin lm as would be present when a slip occurs.
Because many variables aect the risk of a slip occurring, the
SCOF and DCOF measurement shall not be the only factor in
determining the appropriateness of a tile for a particular
application.
Water absorption is measured using ASTM C373-88.
Individual tiles are weighed, saturated with water, and weighed
again. The percent dierence between the two values is the
water absorption value. Tiles are categorized according to
water absorption percentages as follows:
Impervious Tiles absorbing 0.5% or less. (Frost-proof, can be used for outdoor
applications)
Vitreous Tiles absorbing more than 0.5% but not more than 3.0%.
(Frost-proof, can be used for outdoor applications)
Semi-Vitreous Tiles absorbing more than 3.0% but not more than 7.0%.
(Not frost-proof, not recommended for outdoor applications)
Non-Vitreous Tiles absorbing more than 7.0%. (Not frost-proof, not recommended
for outdoor applications)
Chemical resistance is measured using ASTM C650-04.
A tile sample is placed in continuous contact with a selection
of chemical agents for 24 hours, then the surface is rinsed and
examined for visible staining or variation.
Tiles used on oors and walls must be able to withstand the
expected load-bearing capacity of various installations. The
tile industry uses ASTM C648-04 to determine the strength
and durability of the tile. The test method provides means
for establishing whether or not a tile meets the strength
requirements which may appear in tile specications. Tile
strength is the force in pounds-force (or newtons) necessary
to cause an unsupported* tile to break.
* Breaking strength does not measure the weight limit of foot trac or supported tile.
The nal strength of a tile installation is calculated by including (but not limited to)
the tile, the installation materials and method, and suboor.
Merola Tile recommends adherence to industry installation
guidelines set forth here:
ANSI A108.1–Installation of ceramic tile with Portland Cement.
ANSI A108.4– Installation of ceramic tile with water resistant organic adhesives.
ANSI A108.5– Installation of ceramic tile installed with dry-set Portland Cement
Mortar or Latex-Portland Cement Mortar.
ANSI A108.6– Installation for ceramic tile installed with chemical-resistant epoxy.
The durability of glazed tile is measured by observing the
visible surface abrasion of the tile when subjected to the
ASTM C1027-99 testing procedure. Tiles are classied into the
following classes according to their durability:
PEI 0 (Wall Use Only)–Not recommended for use on oors.
PEI 1 (Light Residential)–Light-duty residential oors, bathrooms and bedrooms without
direct access from outside; no scratching dirt can be present.
PEI 2 (Residential)–All interior walls and light foot trac such as powder rooms and areas
subject to normal footwear trac with small amounts of scratching dirt.
PEI 3 (Heavy Residential or Light Commercial)–Medium-duty residential oors
including kitchens, halls, corridors, balconies and areas used more often with normal
footwear and moderate amount of dirt.
PEI 4 (Commercial)–Heavy-duty residential and commercial applications, including
kitchens, entrances and sales oors.
PEI 5 (Heavy Commercial)–Areas subject to heavy pedestrian trac over sustained
periods, such as shopping centers, airport concourses, public walkways
and industrial applications.
INDUSTRY STANDARDS
SCOF, DCOF
WATER ABSORPTION
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
BREAK STRENGTH
PEI RATING / ABRASION RESISTANCE