ASTM C-1027 describes the standard test method for determining visible abrasion resistance of glazed ceramic tile.  The Florida Tile classification for durability is based upon both the results of this test and practical experience.  Florida Tile unglazed products are all Class IV+.

ASTM C-1028-89 is the standard test method for determining the static coefficient of friction of ceramic tile and other like surfaces by the dynamometer pull meter method. Static coefficient of friction is a term used in physics to describe the amount of force required to cause an object (shoe sole material) to start moving across a surface (flooring material). A higher coefficient indicates increased resistance of shoe sole material to start moving across a flooring material. The ASTM procedure states that “the measurement made by this apparatus is believed to be one important  factor relative to slip resistance. Other factors can affect slip resistance, such as the degree of wear on the shoe and flooring material; presence of foreign material, such as water, oil and dirt; the length of the human stride at the time of slip; type of floor finish, and the physical and mental condition of humans. Therefore, this test method should be used for the purpose of developing a property of the flooring surface under laboratory conditions, and should not be used to determine slip resistance under field conditions unless those conditions are fully described.”

Please consult ASTM Standard Test Method C-1028-89 for a more detailed explanation of coefficient of friction and test methods.

Note that the precision of this test as described in the ASTM procedure indicates that the coefficient values can be expected to vary as much as 0.3.

Since coefficient of friction is normally less than 1.0, test results will vary by more than 30%.

Also, the static coefficient of friction may vary  within and between production runs because of the inherent characteristics of ceramic tile.

Although ANSI has not established a standard value for coefficient of friction, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has established a recognized industry of 0.5 (wet and dry) for slip-resistant surfaces. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommends but does not require “a Static Coefficient of Friction of 0.60 for accessible routes and 0.80 for ramps” ADA does not specifically state that 0.60 is both a dry and a wet requirement.

It is important to note that any tile or other hard surface flooring can become slippery when wet or improperly maintained. The use of Florida Tile® ceramic tile is not recommended for exterior horizontal surfaces.

The coefficient of friction of all hard surface flooring materials, including ceramic tile, can be adversely effected by inadequate or improper maintenance, such as the use of unsuitable  cleaning materials or procedures. The Florida Tile Care and Maintenance Brochure explains how to maintain your ceramic tile floor. For a copy of this brochure, see your Florida Tile Distributor or call Florida Tile at 1-800-FLA-TILE.

Moh’s Hardness:

Scratch resistance of glazes is measured by scratching the glaze with a mineral of known  hardness. Hardness of minerals is classified by Moh’s Scale, which lists 10 minerals according to their hardness. Each mineral in this scale will scratch those with lower numbers in the scale, but will not scratch minerals with higher numbers. Talc is classified as number one on the Moh’s Scales and diamond ten. Resilient flooring materials, such as vinyl and asphalt tile, are relatively soft and can be  scratched by talc, number one on the scale. White polished marble can be scratched by calcite, which is number three. Black marble rates a four and can be scratched by fluorite. Most glazes used on ceramic tile fall in the five to six range, which is also slightly harder than most steels. Case-hardened steel, such as what is used in drill bits used for drilling holes in steel, is approximately six and will scratch most glazes. Some glazes used on ceramic tiles, designed for floor use, cannot be scratched by a case-hardened drill bit. Quartz, number 7 on Moh’s Scale, will scratch most glazes and all but the hardest unglazed ceramic tiles. Sand is a common example of natural quartz.

Breaking Strength:

ASTM C-648 describes the standard test method for determining structural strength of ceramic tile. This test provides a means for establishing whether or not a lot of ceramic tile meets the strength requirements which may be required for a specific installation procedure and its ability to withstand load and impact. The ANSI standard requires an average breaking strength of 90 lbs. for wall tiles and 250 lbs. for floor tiles. Tiles installed on floors with adhesives may require higher breaking strengths.

Acid Resistance:

ASTM C650 is the standard test method for  determining resistance of ceramic tile to chemical substances. The glazed surface of Florida Tile products is resistant to virtually all caustic and  corrosive liquids.

Typical exceptions are: fluorides and concentrated hydrochloric acid.

Frost Resistance

ASTM C-1026 describes the standard test method for determining ceramic tile’s ability to withstand repeated cycles of freezing and thawing. Ability of tile to resist damage or deterioration when tested in freezing and thawing situations such as those found in centraland northern sections of the United States.

MSDS Information

MSDS Sheets are available upon request.  Please email us at salesdept@floridatile.com.

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Related Documents. Drawings and general provisions of contract, including General Supplementary Conditions and Division I Specification sections apply to work of this section: Related Work Specified Elsewhere. A. Lathing and Cement Scratch Coat Section B. Waterproof Wallboard Section C. Waterproof Membranes Section D. Sealants for Movement joints Section Description of Work. Definition: AN surfacing units made of ceramic materials. Extent of tile as indicated on drawings and schedules. Types of tile work include the following:- Glazed Wall Tile - Glazed Paver Tile- Porcelain Paver Tile & Mosaics - Quarry Tile Quality Assurance: A. Source of Materials: Provide materials obtained from one source for each type and color of tile, grout and setting materials. B. Work shall be executed and tested in accordance with current editions of the following standards: 1. ANSI A108.1 - Installation of ceramic tile with Portland Cement I ANSI A108.4 - Installation of ceramic tile with water resistant organic adhesives. ANSI A108.5 - Installation of ceramic We installed with dry-set Portland Cement Mortar or Latex-Portand Cement Mortar. ANSI A108.6 - Installation for ceramic tile installed with chemical-resistant epoxy. 2. American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) ASTM C150 - Specifications for Portland Cement ASTM C206 - Specifications for Hydrated Lime 3. Federal Specifications (FS) F5TT-S 001543 Class A or B (COM-NBS) One Part Silicone Rubber
Submittals. A. Certificates of Compliance: The manufacturer shall famish Certificates of Compliance stating conformance with all requirements of American National Standards Institute Specification ANSI A137.1-1988. B. Master Grade Certificate: Furnish Master Grade Certificates for each shipment and type of tile signed by the manufacturer and the installer. C. Samples: Submit samples of each type of tile for each color and texture required, not less than 12" square. A fiffl-size sample of each of trim for each color is required. Product Handling. Deliver to job site and store packaged material in original containers with labels intact. Prevent damage to materials by water, freezing or other causes.
Project Conditions. Maintain temperatures at not less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit in tiled areas during installation and for 7 days after completion unless higher temperatures are required by manufacturer's instructions. PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS , A. All tiles are Standard Grade complying with ANSI Al 37.1-1988 as manufactured by Florida Tile, Inc., Lakeland, FL or approved equivalent. B. Sizes, colors, textures and patterns as selected by the architect. See drawings and schedules. C. Provide trim of the same color, size and finish of adjacent flat tile. D. Accessories - Furnish cast vitreous china accessories to match or harmonize with color and finish of accent wall tile. Accessories required where shown on drawings. Setting Materials. Portland Cement Mortar Installation Materials: Provide materials to comply with ANSI A108.1 as required for installation method designated. Cleavage Membranes: Polyethylene film. 4 mU. ASTM C171 Type 1.1.2. Reinforcing Mesh: Welded wire fabric 2" x 2" 16/16 gauge. Dry-Set Portland Cement: ANSI 118.1 water- retentive Portland Cement, sand and special latex additives. Lattices vary considerably. Follow manufacturer's directions explicitly. Organic Adhesive: ANSI A136.1 Type I for are as requiring prolonged water resistance. Provide . primer-sealer as recommended by the manufacture. Epoxy Mortar: ANSI I 1 8.3 Formula AAR- I I or high-temperature resistance formula where indicated. Grouting materials. Commercial Portland Cement Grout: Pre-blended compound composed of Portland Cement and additives formulated for the type We installed. Latex-Portland Grout: Use latex additive in grout compatible with Latex-Portland Cement Mortar. Dry Set Grout: Portland Cement and additives formulated for type of tile installed.	4 3/8 X 4 3/8 Bright Wall Tile
INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS Before tile installation begins, the installer is responsible for checking the tile for obvious visual defects. Cartons of tile must be blended to achieve an aesthetic blend. No claims will be accepted after installations that have obvious visual defective tile. Substrate surfaces shall not show variations in excess of Wall Floor Dry-Set Mortar 1/8', in 8, 1/8', in Io Organic Adhesive 1/8" in 8' 1/16" in 3' Latex-Portland Cement Mortar 1/8" in B' 1/8' in 10' Epoxy 1/16" in 3' ANSI Installation Standard: Comply with applicable parts of ANSI A-108 Series for ceramic tile installation. Refer to the Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation published by the Tile Council of America. Extend tile work into recesses, and under and behind equipment and fixtures except where otherwise shown. Fit tile to electrical outlets, piping, fixtures and other penetrations so that plates, collars or covers overlap tile. joints shall align vertically and horizontally between trim and field tile. Grout tile to comply with reference installation standards using grout materials indicated. Protection: Leave finished installation free of cracked, chipped, broken, unbonded or otherwise defective tile work Protect all floor tile installations with kraft paper or other heavy covering during construction period to prevent staining or damage. No foot or wheel traffic permitted on floor for at least 7 days after grouting.
Limited & Product Defect Warranty: Florida Tile, Inc. ("Manufacturer") warrants to the original purchaser that it will replace with comparable products any standard grade products sold by it which fail to meet the requirements in American National Specifications Institute, Specification A137.I-1988 or of the ASTM tests noted above for durability, coefficient of friction, acid resistance, or frost resistance. Florida Tile, Inc. will not be responsible for any costs of labor, installation or removal of tile. Ten-Year Glaze Wear Warranty: Manufacturer warrants that Natura Granite Series, and Natura Tough-One Series only, will be free of undue visible glaze wear caused by normal wear and tear from pedestrian foot traffic for a period of the (10) years from the date of original installation. Undue glaze wear is defined as wear in which the glaze is worn through to the body itself. Visibility of wear is measured from a standing height of not less than five feet looking down on the tile surface. This limited warranty is not intended to be a guarantee that glazed tiles will never show signs of wear. This warranty is for purchases made on or after May 1, 1992. It covers standard grade material manufactured by Florida Tile, Inc. Glaze Wear Warranty Limitations: The Manufacturer specifically excludes from this glaze wear warranty glaze failures due to the following incidents: • improper installation of the tile, • acts of God, • falling objects, abuse, misuse, negligence, vandalism, fire, exposure to extreme temperature, or accidents, • failure to follow the Manufacturer’s recommended installation, maintenance and care guidelines, including use of improper chemicals or compounds, • non-foot traffic wear, or any act or omission which might be reasonably expected to damage a ceramic floor. In the event of a valid claim, the Manufacturer will remove and replace the tile(s) in the affected area(s) at its own expense, FOB manufacturing plant. Color matching of the replacement material is restricted to the currently available production items or materials that is in the Manufacturer’s existing inventory. Making a Claim: The original purchaser must notify the Manufacturer in writing within sixty (60) days after delivery and prior to installation, of any defective tile: or for Natura Granite and Natura Tough-One within (60) days of the occurrence of any undue visible glaze wear. After notification of any defective tile or glaze wear, the Manufacturer, or authorized agent, will, as soon as reasonably practicable, inspect the tile. At Manufacturer’s option, such inspection shall take place either on site, or by having samples of the allegedly defective tile sent to the Manufacturer’s laboratories. No claim will be honored without the tile having been inspected by the manufacturer. Claims made beyond the above periods are void. "Nonstandard" and "substandard" tile are sold "as is" and "with all faults." The original purchaser must provide Manufacturer with the following information in order to have a claim honored under these warranties - a copy of the sales invoice showing: A. Date of Sale B. Specific material and quantity purchase C. Name and address of distributor D. Name and address of buyer Claims, or any questions about these warranties should be addressed in writing to: Vice President - Sales, Florida Tile, Inc., P.O. Box 447, Lakeland, FL 33802 Your Florida Tile distributor has brochures for the care and maintenance of ceramic tile. If you do not have this maintenance brochure, contact your Florida Tile distributor or write to the manufacturer at the address listed above. Manufacturer makes no other warranties, express or implied, including merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Purchaser’s remedy is limited to replacement as described above, and under no circumstances shall the manufacturer be liable for any loss or damage arising from the purchase, use, or inability to use this product, or for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages. No installer, dealer, agent or employee of manufacturer has the authority to modify the obligations or limitations of this warranty. These warranties give specific legal rights. Since some states have laws governing consumer rights and damages, some of the above limitations may not apply to you, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state. Except for these other rights, the remedy provided under these warranties state the limit of the Manufacturer’s responsibilities.

Copyright © 1997 Florida Tile, Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 05, 2009.