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4-4-4-A ing-DEF - VPDF PDF
4-4-4-A ing-DEF - VPDF PDF
EXTERNAL FLOORS
Dimensional quality
Surface quality
There are different classes for these parameters, with their corresponding
marking, depending on whether the terrazzo tiles are intended for interiors or exteriors.
Abrasion resistance
Terrazzo tiles for use in exteriors feature four classes with their corresponding
marking codes, as shown in the following table.
Slip resistance
The standard states that unpolished, dry terrazzo tile exiting the factory has
satisfactory non-slip performance. As a result, this consideration should be taken into
account in customarily dry internal locations.
However, now that the Technical Building Code (CTE) has been approved in
Spain, the slip resistance shall be characterised of all tiles intended for floors for private
communal use and in publicly trafficked architecture, in dry and wet surface conditions,
based on the demands of the document on safety against risk of pedestrian slip-falls [SU
1 of the CTE], as already mentioned for both ceramic tiles and natural stone tiles.
If the tiles display reliefs or a rough surface texture, it may be assumed that they
are slip resistant, though this statement cannot be generalised, since terrazzo tiles with
certain polished (or even unpolished) high reliefs exhibit poor wet anti-slip performance
(for example, in pavements and outdoor urban paving).
The test values and demands according to the above SU 1 document of the
Spanish CTE are given below.
1 Sample holder
2 Sample
3 Adjustable mass
4 Water inlet 1 Scale C (126 mm slip length)
5 Adjustable abrasive hopper and dispensers 2 Scale F (76 mm slip length)
6 Polishing wheel 3 Pointer
7 Rubber ring 4 Pendulum arm
5 Rubber slider
6 Levelling screw
Flat-bed polishing machine 7 Test piece
8 Bubble level indicator
9 Vertical adjustment screw
In addition to the characterisation of the slip risk of terrazzo tiles that have been
subjected to mechanical polishing and subsequent lapping treatment, terrazzo tiles
should also be characterised that are intended for public flooring under a wide spectrum
of risks, including the presence of grease and other substances that encourage slipping.
Water absorption
For tiles intended for interiors, maximum values of water absorption through
the fair face are set of 0.4 g/cm2 (for no individual tested piece) and of 8% for total
absorption.
Reaction to fire
Just as with ceramic tiles and natural stone tiles, terrazzo tiles need not be tested
in order to be automatically classified as Alfl [Commission Decision 96/603/CE], unless
they contain 1% by weight or more of the tile in organic matter. This consideration
extends to in-factory surface treatments that involve the application of organic products
(sealants, primers, etc.).
This parameter is included in standard EN 13748 for terrazzo tiles intended for
exteriors, as deck elements, the same consideration being applied as for the reaction to
fire (automatic classification as Alfl).
Thermal conductivity