Industry Standards for Passenger Transit, Rail Vehicle Specifications

Materials & Workmanship


Floor Covering

Rubber floor covering requires additional specifications to those shown here such as overall quality and inspection criteria (defects, blisters, lumps, holes,etc.), flexibility (usually bending 180 degrees around a 3/4" (or 1/2") mandrel at 68°F). See also ASTM D2240 in the elastomer section for rubber hardness.

Typical quality criteria for rubber flooring is as follows:

There shall be no tears or cracks allowed in the installed floor lining, non-penetrating defects such as blisters, lumps, craters, and deformations shall be no greater than 0.031" (.793mm) in height difference from the nominal rubber thickness, and shall occur no more than the following:
· Defect diameter > 1" - Not allowed,
· 1" > Defect diameter > 1/4" - 1 each every 6 feet allowed, but must be repaired,
· Defect diameter < 1/4" - 3 per 12"x12" square area allowed, with no others closer than 3 feet.

Carpeting is typically specified in detail, WMATA has a very detailed carpet specification if needed.

Standard: ASTM F1344 - Standard Specification for Rubber Floor Tile
Purpose:

ASTM F1344 specification covers general requirements for the compound and physical characteristics, and tolerances of rubber floor tile.
Class 1 is homogeneous composition, A = solid color, B = mottled color
Class 2 is layered composition, A = solid color wear layer, B = mottled color wear layer

(If Vinyl flooring is desired, ASTM F1066 - Vinyl Composition Floor Tile may also be considered. Note: Vinyl is not usually recommended in transit applications due to flammability and toxic smoke considerations.)

Criteria: Specify standard name, reference table, class
Usage: ASTM F1344, table 1, with tile size adjusted for maximum sheet coverage, class X (1 or 2).
Standard: ASTM D2047 - Standard Test Method for Static Coefficient of Friction of Polish-Coated Floor Surfaces as Measured by the James Machine
Purpose:

ASTM D2047 test method covers the measurement of the static coefficient of friction of floor surfaces.

The ASTM D2047 test method is not suitable for use on wet surfaces. If wet walking surface testing is desired, ASTM C1028 may be an acceptable substitute.

Criteria: Specify standard name, and friction coefficient
Usage: ASTM D2047, the coefficient of friction of the floor material shall not be less than 0.60