CRI CARPET INSTALLATION STANDARD 2011 First Edition
The Carpet and Rug Institute 100 S. Hamilton P.O. Box 2048 Dalton, Georgia 30722-2048 706/ 278-3176 COPYRIGHT PENDING DISCLAIMER The Carpet and Rug Institute assumes no responsibility and accepts no liability for the application of the principles or techniques contained in this standard.
CONTENTS Foreword ............................................................................................................. 1 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................ 2 Section Number 1. Scope ......................................................................................................... 3 2. Applicable Documents and References...................................................... 3 3. Terminology ............................
FOREWORD This minimum standard requirement for installation of carpet is based upon reliable principles and procedures developed through practical experience, research, and information obtained from manufacturers, retailers, installers, end users, testing laboratories, and others who have specialized expertise. This minimum standard requirement does not include carpet performance characteristics.
Acknowledgements This minimum standard requirement was prepared under the direction of the Installation Issues Management Team of the Carpet and Rug Institute and in cooperation with experts in the carpet installation and related fields.
CRI Carpet Installation Standard 2011 1. Scope This document establishes minimum industry standards for commercial carpet installation. 2. Applicable Documents and References 2.1 Carpet and Rug Institute References: • The Carpet Primer * • Characteristics of Patterned Carpet Technical Bulletin* * Downloadable from The Carpet and Rug Institute web site www.carpet-rug.org 2.
When bending or folding is unavoidable for delivery purposes, the carpet is required to be unrolled and allowed to lie flat immediately upon arrival at the installation site. CAUTION: Failure to observe the preceding requirements may result in the following: 1) Contamination from soil, grease and/or oil 2) Delamination 3) Dimensional changes 4) Permanent indentation 5) Development of wrinkles and bubbles 6) Pile reversal 7) Roll-crushing 8) Creases 9) Pattern distortion 6.
• • • • • • Allow tolerance by cutting carpet 3-4 inches (75-100 mm) longer than the area measurement Carpet pile direction for each area Name of manufacturer, style, backing system and color of carpet for each area Large scale drawings showing treatment of step areas or other detail work Location and type of expansion joints and edge transitions. Type of wall base in each area. 6.2 Planning for Seams - Keep seams to a minimum. Position seams so that, where possible: • they run the length of the area.
7. Site Conditions – All Installations 7.1 Substrate Conditions – The owner or general contractor is responsible for providing an acceptable substrate for the specified installation. Note: Installing carpet prematurely before other trades have completed their work will result in problems with: overall appearance, visible damage, soiling, adhesive failure, delamination and dimensional stability. These conditions may not be immediately evident. Refer to Section 16-Protecting Indoor Installations. 7.
7.5 Wood - Wood substrates are required to be structurally sound, flat, dry and securely anchored. Substrates, such as plywood, hardwood, particleboard, oriented strand board, or other materials, are required to be flooring grade (APA approved) and installed according to manufacturer specifications. Irregularities, imperfections and joints are required to be properly patched and prepared. It is required that all protrusions be properly prepared. 7.
structurally sound and well bonded to substrate. Fill grout lines flush with approved cementitious leveling or patching compound. Follow the open time recommendations of the adhesive manufacturer when adhering carpet to nonporous substrates. 8.2 Slate and Brick - These surfaces may be too rough and uneven for most installations and may require refinishing and/or smoothing before installing carpet. 8.
exceed 75% relative humidity. (ASTM F2170 - Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using In Situ Probes). 9.5 Testing for Alkalinity - Testing the pH at the surface of a concrete slab must be conducted in accordance with ASTM F 710-05 “, not to exceed 9 pH . (ASTM F710-05 Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring). Note: Preparing the surface of a concrete slab for pH testing can be problematical.
Properly prepare all edges that are used for seams in strict compliance with carpet manufacturer recommendations. 12.1 Trimming – Trim carpet edges at seams using tools and techniques best suited for the carpet style (e.g., loop-pile, cut-pile, cut-and-loop pile, woven carpet) in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. Trim edges far enough into the material to maintain the structural integrity of the carpet and to maintain pattern design where applicable.
Note: It is the general contractor or building owner’s responsibility to supply a substrate that meets agreed upon specifications as defined by ASTM E1155-96 (2008). 13.2.1 Treated Wood – Wood that is chemically treated to alter properties relating to outdoor exposure or flame resistance is not a suitable substrate for direct glue-down applications. Floor covering adhesives would be subject to chemical degradation when applied to these surfaces. 13.2.
13.2.7 Sweeping Compounds - These compounds may leave residue that interferes with adhesive bonding. Do not use sweeping compounds prior to adhesive application. Vacuum dusty areas instead. Vacuum is required to have a properly functioning filter per OSHA and/or EPA requirements. 13.2.8 Layout – Lay out the carpet according to the seaming diagram. Where applicable, allow for pattern repeat. Align all carpet breadths to their proper position and trim seams. 13.3 Floor Adhesive Application 13.3.
contaminating face yarns (See Figure 1). This insures that all edges trimmed for seaming are protected from edge ravel. Allow seam adhesive to dry before proceeding with the installation to prevent transfer to the face yarn. An additional bead of seam adhesive is applied to the cut edge of one side only, after that side is first placed into the floor adhesive. In order to weld the seam edges together, while the seam adhesive is still transferrable, abut the edges to form the seam. Figure 1 13.
14.2 Preparation – Refer to Section 6.0 and 9.0 of this Standard for floor preparation requirements. 14.3 Cushion installation - Install cushion in the longest continuous lengths possible with consideration to traffic patterns and carpet seam placement. It is required that cushion seams be at a right angle (90º) to carpet seams or offset at least six inches (150 mm). Butt cushion seams net without compression, leaving no gaps. Do not tape or staple cushion seams for double glue down installations. 14.
recommendation for that specific style. Seal cut edges at seams with proper seam adhesive applied as recommended by the carpet or adhesive manufacturer. Roll installed carpet according to manufacturer recommendations. 15.4 Pre-applied Adhesive Systems (“peel-and-stick”) - Pressure sensitive adhesives sometimes are applied to attached-cushion backings during manufacture. Backings of this type have special floor preparation requirements.
specific carpet. Cushion thickness for commercial carpet installations should not exceed ⅜ inch (10 mm). Install separate carpet cushion in the longest continuous lengths possible, with cushion seams placed at right angles to carpet seams, or offset at least six inches (150 mm) to one side. Trim cushion flush with the inside contour of the tack strip and securely fastened to the substrate using staples or nonflammable cushion adhesive at all seams and around the perimeter of each room.
FIGURE 2 - Stretch Diagram for Tufted Carpet In the absence of carpet manufacturer stretch recommendations, use the diagram below. Step 8 D C Step 6 Step 7 Step 3 Step 4 B Step 5 Carpet direction Step 2 Step 1 A Step 1 - Hook onto tack strip, approximately three feet in both directions, along corner A. Step 2 - Power stretch at approximately 15o angle from wall A-B and hook onto tack strip at corner C. Step 3 - Hook and secure onto tack strip with knee kicker along wall from A to C.
16.5.1 Using a Mechanical Stretching Device (i.e. Power Stretcher) is Mandatory. Devices used as a substitute for, or an attachment to such devices that penetrate through the carpet backing may cause injury, damage carpet or substrates, or result in inadequate stretch. Such devices are not acceptable. Mechanical stretching device – A tool used to stretch carpet during the installation process.
Note: Carpet placed into transition moldings requires edge sealing to prevent raveling. 17. Carpet on Stairs 17.1 Preparation – It is required that the stair tread, riser and stair nose should be clean, dry and structurally sound. The stair nose return should be rounded ¾-1 inch (19 to 25 mm) to prevent sharp stair edges from cutting carpet and/or cushion, and to provide proper carpet contact for adhesive installations.
18.2 Adhesive Application - Follow manufacturer’s recommendations. Generally, a thin film of pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to prevent lateral movement of modules. 19. Patterned Carpet Installations 19.1 Uninstalled Patterned Carpet - Carpet is a textile fabric subject to inevitable processing variations in the four pattern conditions: bow, skew/bias, elongation variations and trueness of edges. Measurement of these four conditions is performed on an uninstalled breadth of carpet.
manufacturer, sequence carpet cuts working from the longest measured repeat gradually down to the shortest repeat within the dye lot. 19.6 Carpet Layout – Lay carpet out according to the seaming diagram. Unroll carpet and allow it to relax for a minimum of 24 hours before installation. Pre-cutting of carpet is recommended. Note: Patterned carpet may require additional material for proper pattern matching. 19.7 Seam Preparation – Refer to Section 8. 19.
20.3 Maintain Temperature – Do not allow the temperature of indoor carpeted areas to fall below 50o F (10o C), regardless of the age of the installation. 21. Outdoor Carpet and Synthetic Turf Installation - Outdoor carpet installed with adhesives creates conditions quite different from those encountered indoors. Both carpet and adhesive are subjected to extreme weather and traffic. Installation surfaces are much more varied and often are uneven.
recommendations of the adhesive manufacturer when adhering carpet to nonporous substrates. 21.3.5 Asphalt – Asphalt requires special considerations as a substrate. Follow adhesive and carpet manufacturer’s recommendation. 21.3.6 Swimming Pools - Regardless of the surface encountered, indoor swimming pools should be drained and dry before installing outdoor carpet. Do not use outdoor pools during carpet installation. Remove fungus or algae from the surfaces to be covered.
Appendices 24
Table I Adhesives – Common Types Used in Carpet Installation ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A. Carpet Floor Adhesives 1. Latex Adhesive: Common name for adhesives used to install broadloom carpets, excluding those with vinyl backing, either directly to a substrate or over underlayment and cushion.
Typical Adhesive Applicators for Carpet Installation Carpet Type Approximate Spread Rate feet2/gal Approximate Spread Rate yards2/gal 1/8” x 1/8” x 1/8” U notch (3.2mm x 3.2mm x 3.2mm) 54 – 90 6 – 10 1/8” x 1/8” x 1/16” U notch (3.2mm x 3.2mm x 1.6mm) 45 – 72 5–8 1/8” x 1/8” x 1/8” V notch (3.2mm x 3.2mm x 3.2mm) 90 – 108 10 – 12 1/8” x 1/8” x 1/16” V notch (3.2mm x 3.2mm x 1.6mm) 72 – 90 8 – 10 Carpet: smooth back, attached cushion, needle punched 3/32” x 3/32” x 3/32” V notch (2.4mm x 2.
Guidelines for Maintaining Indoor Air Quality During Carpet Installation • During installation, maintain air circulation by operating the HVAC system at full capacity. • Vacuum old carpet thoroughly before removal to minimize the amount of dust particles. Note: When selecting a new vacuum cleaner, look for units bearing the CRI Seal of Approval “Green Label.” This label identifies vacuums that have been tested and meet minimum standards for dust containment, soil removal, and carpet appearance retention.
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DEFINITIONS OF TERMS adhesive – A substance that dries to a film capable of holding materials together by surface attachment. [Applying adhesive to the floor normally is accomplished with a trowel, airless spray, or roller.] adhesive transfer – When installing carpet, the degree of coverage and/or penetration of the applied adhesive into the back of carpet, while maintaining full coverage of the floor.
needlepunched carpet – carpet made of a dense network of yarn fibers having a open time – The earliest time interval between the spreading of adhesive on a substrate and the placement of a floor covering material into the adhesive for bonding. patching – Floor preparation process of filling holes, cracks, and imperfections, etc., in a floor substrate prior to installation of carpet pattern bow – A distortion visible as wavy or crooked pattern lines when viewed across carpet width.
stretch-in – Installation method whereby carpet is placed over separate carpet cushion and is secured in place, under tension, using a power stretcher (mechanical stretching device). tack strip – Wood strip fastened to the floor near the walls of a room, containing either two or three rows of pins angled toward the walls on which the carpet is stretched and secured in a stretch-in installation.
