Glossary
If you've encountered any words or terms on this site that you don't understand the meaning of, then you may find them explained here.
- Acoustical Impact Noise
If according to EN ISO 140-6 the impact noise improvement has been determined this symbol can be used.
- Antistatic
In the carpet industry this symbol is generally used for ‘antistatic’ properties. If the requirements for the measured body voltage (after walking on the carpet) is lower than 2 kV this symbol can be used. This symbol does not indicate that the floor covering also meets higher performance criteria as often recommended in the contract market.
- Ashlar
Arrows should all point in the same direction with the tile bond displaced by half a tile in the length direction.
- Backings
InterfaceFLOR has developed extremely high-performance backings for the demanding contract market.
- Biomimicry
Biomimicry is the science that studies nature's models and imitates or takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems. For example, we have a range of random products that were first inspired by leaves on a forest floor.
- BRE
BRE (Building Research Establishment) ratings are determined by an external body and demonstrate that we make a reduced impact on the environment through the manufacture of our products compared with the industry average impact. A customer who chooses an “A” rated product, rather than one that is “B” or “C” rated, is reducing their impact on the environment. All InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles assessed have achieved the highest classification, the “A” rating.
- Brick
Arrows should all point in the same direction with the tile bond displaced by half a tile in the width direction.
- BSI ( British Standards Institution )
The BSI certification mark is for organisations whose management systems have been assessed by BSI as fulfilling the requirements of a given standard or scheme. The UK has management systems in compliance with BS EN ISO 9001: 2000 and BS EN ISO 14001: 2004.
- CE Marking
All InterfaceFLOR products are CE marked.
- Colourfastness - light
Light fastness is tested to ISO 105-BO2. This test determines the resistance of a coloured textile to an artificial light source representative of natural daylight.
- Cool Carpet®
Cool Carpet® is a scheme that allows us to offer products that are ‘climate-neutral’, meaning that all greenhouse gases emitted during that product’s lifecycle are offset.
- Cut pile
This is the process of creating loops during the weaving of a carpet product, and then cutting them. Slight tufting is then used to give the product an appearance of thickness and softness.
- Dimensional stability
Tiles have to fulfil additional requirements for shrinkage and extension. If these criteria are met the producer may use this symbol to indicate that the product is dimensionally stable.
- Duolithic
An installation method whereby tile arrows can be pointed in opposite directions, resulting in a broadloom installation.
- Flammability
Reaction to fire is strictly regulated in each EU member state. New EU fire classes reaching from class F to A (not relevant for carpets) today replace the former national classifications.
Fire classes D, C and B are subdivided in the classes s1 and s2. Smoke density in case of s1 is lower than in case of s2 meaning the product has an overall better performance within the same fire class.
For classes D, C and B specific requirements have to be met. This has to be attested by an independent notified test Lab.
InterfaceFLOR contract carpet tiles are Bfl s1 or Cfl s1 class.- GlasBac®
Graphlex® and Glasbac® the Market Leading Modular Flooring Backing Systems
These two backings ensure lay-flat and maximum dimensional stability thanks to their perfectly controlled manufacturing technique and the integration of layers of fibreglass.
Graphlex® and GlasBac® backings offer the following advantages:
– Appearance: Precise cutting with cleaner edges which allow tiles to fit together perfectly, giving the effect of a broadloom carpet.
– Stability: The integration of fibreglass layers for optimal dimensional stability.
– Dissipation of static electricity:
• Graphlex® incorporates Computerguard technology, which allows static electricity to be dissipated and meets the required European and world standards in ensuring a vertical resistance of ≤109 Ohms.
• GlasBac® contains conductive material throughout to attain this performance standard- Graphlex®
Graphlex® and Glasbac® the Market Leading Modular Flooring Backing Systems
These two backings ensure lay-flat and maximum dimensional stability thanks to their perfectly controlled manufacturing technique and the integration of layers of fibreglass.
Graphlex® and GlasBac® backings offer the following advantages:
– Appearance: Precise cutting with cleaner edges which allow tiles to fit together perfectly, giving the effect of a broadloom carpet.
– Stability: The integration of fibreglass layers for optimal dimensional stability.
– Dissipation of static electricity:
• Graphlex® incorporates Computerguard technology, which allows static electricity to be dissipated and meets the required European and world standards in ensuring a vertical resistance of ≤109 Ohms.
• GlasBac® contains conductive material throughout to attain this performance standard- GUT
GUT tests and improves carpet to ensure the comfort of the living environment.
Every GUT monitored carpet is contaminant-tested, odour-neutral, emissioncontrolled and safe in usage. Compliance with these criteria is scrutinized and controlled every year, for every consumers’ well being.- Intercell®
Intercell® is our modular flooring system that solves the problem of cable management in the modern workspace. Designed to accommodate and conceal the complex wiring systems required for today's electronic office, Intercell® is space-efficient, neat and strong.
- LEED
LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a third-party, NGO green building rating system which was originated from USGBC. LEED has a specific criteria which requires carpets to comply to VOC emission criteria (Environmental Quality Credit 4.3 Low Emitting Materials – Carpet).
All InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles have been independently tested under the CHPS 01350 Indoor Air Quality requirement, and comply with the VOC emission criteria set up by the CRI Green Label Plus.
In addition InterfaceFLOR products can also help to achieve other criteria including:
- Materials & Resources Credit 4.1 Recycled Content
- Materials & Resources Credit 5.1 Regional Materials
- Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 4.1 Low Emitting Materials, Adhesive & Sealants
- Innovation and Design Credits 1-4, Climate Neutral Products- Loop pile
Loop pile carpets are created using weaving technology which form a series of uncut loops. These loops can be set to a standard height or a series of different height to help create patterns and textures.
- LRQA ( Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance )
The InterfaceFLOR production site at Scherpenzeel Holland has management systems which are compliant with the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards as established and approved by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance.
- Magnetic Backing
Magnetic Backing is our 100% magnetic backing system suitable for very heavy traffic areas. It is designed for use with metal floors and is compatible with the Intercell® access flooring system. No preparatory product is necessary for installation, since the tile backing is completely magnetic and remains so after being cut or moved. The magnetic properties of the backing remain for the life of the carpet tile. The magnetic fields do not affect computers, storage discs or any under floor communication networks.
- Mission Zero
This is our promise to eliminate any negative impact our company may have on the environment by the year 2020.
- Monolithic
Arrows should all point in the same direction – also known as Broadloom or Sheet.
- Needle punching
This is the method of producing the face of the carpet by punching a layer of pre-prepared fibres that look like hairs with thousands of needles into a pre-constructed backing.
- Non-directional
Tiles installed without regard to direction and orientation.
- Quarter turn
Tiles turned 90 degrees to one another – also known as Chequer Board or Tessellated.
- ReCushion Bac®
ReCushion Bac® is a backing system developed to increase under foot comfort and sound absorption. It is suitable for heavy traffic areas such as offices, conference rooms, shops and hotels, as well as healthcare and educational establishments. ReCushion Bac® improves the acoustic proper ties of the carpet tile (by up to 3.3dB) and reduces the effects of echo and impact noise. The backing is ideal for use in open-plan workspaces, where noise is often a problem. ReCushion Bac® is manufactured from 85% post-industrial waste, thereby reducing environmental impact.
- Recycled content
We are progressively increasing the recycled content in our products. The total amount of recycled content is due mainly to the recycled filler (limestone) used in our backing and the mount of recycled content in our yarn, which varies by supplier and colour. We use ISO14021 to certify our claims on recycled content.
- ReEntry®
As part of our commitment to sustainability we’re determined to reduce the volume of used product sent to landfill. To help us achieve this we've developed the ReEntry® scheme to reclaim and refresh as much end-of-life product as possible.
- Slip Resistance
According to EN 14041 floor coverings have to fulfil certain safety requirements.
One of them is slip resistance. If this claim is made by the producer, the floor covering intended to be used under dry and not contaminated conditions shall have a dynamic coefficient of friction of greater than or equal to 0.30. In this case the symbol DS shall be used. In all other cases the symbol NPD - No Performance Declared - has to be used.- Thermal Conductivity
If a carpet is installed over underfloor heating three additional requirements have to be fulfilled. Thermal conductivity has to be lower than 0.17 m2K/W. The requirements for antistatic behaviour (body voltage) have to be met. Appearance retention under normal and ageing conditions has to be fulfilled.
- Warranty
All Carpet tiles carry a warranty. Please contact your local Customer Services for further details.
