Testing of temporary floor coverings

Temporary floor coverings (such as decorators' felt drop sheet, film, paper board, etc.) protect floors and steps against soiling and damage during interior work. At the same time, they must serve as a safe walking surface and assure safe workplaces

In order to ensure that work on temporary floor coverings can be carried out safely, the Building construction subcommittee within the Construction expert committee has developed DGUV test principles, "Principles for the testing and certification of temporary floor coverings" (GS-IFA-B02), in conjunction with the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the DGUV (IFA). The test principles highlight hazards, present test methods, and define minimum requirements. Since temporary floor coverings temporarily assume the function of the floor itself, the test principles are based upon the normal requirements to be met by floors: they must not slide away or present a tripping hazard, and must exhibit sufficient slip resistance.

Temporary floor coverings that satisfy the requirements of the test principles are included in a list of approved products. They currently attract a financial subsidy (OSH bonus) from the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the building trade (BG BAU). The list of approved products enables trade and private users to select a safe product that satisfies the safety and health requirements.

The IFA conducts the following tests on temporary floor coverings:

• Traceability of the product
• Completeness of the instructions for use
• Chemical safety with respect to emissions of volatile organic compounds
• Coefficient of dynamic friction to DIN 51131 of the floor covering in the dry and wet state
• Mass per unit area (of non-self-adhesive floor coverings)
• Adhesive strength (of self-adhesive floor coverings)
• Ladder test based upon EN 131
• Tear resistance
• Bond strength of the layers
• Bending length (of non-self-adhesive floor coverings)
• pH value
• Walk test on floor coverings for steps

The tests can take the form of:

• Type examination for the purpose of awarding of the DGUV test mark
• Discrete test/development test