ASTM F1482-21

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Designation: F1482 − 15 F1482 − 21
Standard Practice for
Installation and Preparation of Panel Type Underlayments to
Receive Resilient Flooring
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1482; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice includes recommendations for the installation of panel type underlayments including wood based, fiber
reinforced gypsum and fiber-cement panel underlayment/subfloor assemblies upon which resilient flooring may be installed.
1.2 The structural integrity of subfloor assemblies is governed by local building codes.
1.3 This practice does not supersede in any manner the resilient flooring, underlayment or adhesive manufacturer’s written
instructions. Consult the individual resilient flooring, underlayment or adhesive manufacturer for specific recommendations.
Manufacturer’s instructions supercede the recommendations included in this practice.
1.4 See Supplementary Requirements for “Select Warnings” that have been provided.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C1278/C1278M Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum Panel
C1288 Specification for Fiber-Cement Interior Substrate Sheets
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
2.2 ANSI Standards:
ANSI/A208.1 Particleboard
ANSI/AHA A135.4 Basic Hardboard
This guidepractice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F06 on Resilient Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.40 on Practices.
Current edition approved April 15, 2015April 1, 2021. Published June 2015April 2021. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20092015 as F1482
ε1
– 04(2009)15. . DOI: 10.1520/F1482-15.10.1520/F1482-21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
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2.3 NIST Standards:
Voluntary Product Standard PS 1-091 for Structural Plywood
Voluntary Product Standard PS 2-102 for Performance Standard Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels
2.4 Other Documents:
APA Engineered Wood Construction Guide, Form E30
APA Data File: Selection, Installation and Preparation of Plywood Underlayment Form L335
Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings (January
1998)
Lead-Based Paint: Interim Guidelines for Hazard Identification and Abatement in Public and Indian housing (1991 revised)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions used in this standard shall be in accordance with Terminology F141.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 fully adhered flooring—resilient flooring which has adhesive under the entire product, bonding it to the underlayment
surface.
3.2.2 non fully adhered flooring—resilient flooring that may be loose laid, in which no adhesive is utilized, or partially bonded
to the surface of the underlayment, typically at seams or the surrounding perimeter, or both, of the product.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This practice provides minimum recommendations for the installation and preparation of wood-based, fiber-reinforced gypsum
and fiber-cement panel underlayments suitable to receive resilient floor coverings. Actual requirements for materials to be used,
mixtures, and other details are generally included as part of project plans or specification detail and may vary from the minimum
recommendations set forth in this practice.
5. Underlayments
5.1 There are several types of panel underlayment available over which selective resilient flooring products may be installed.
5.2 Plywood, underlayment grade plywood, complying with PS 1-10,1, is composed of veneer plies and layers that are glued
together with adhesive. The grain orientation of the face veneers has grain running in the long direction of the panel. The inner
veneers often alternate in grain direction, but may be oriented in the same direction as adjacent inner veneers. Other sanded
plywood grades are suitable for underlayment applications. APA Form E30 and Form L335 provide additional information.
5.3 Oriented Strand Board (OSB), complying with PS 2-10,2, is made of thin narrow strands of hardwoods and softwoods that
are longer than they are wide. The strands are dried, screened, blended with adhesive and formed into a multi-layered mat. In the
surface layer, the long axes of the strands are oriented so that they are in general parallel with the long direction of the panel. The
strands in the inner layers may not be oriented in any particular direction or may be generally oriented perpendicular to the long
direction of the panel. OSB is not generally recommended as underlayment for fully adhered resilient floor systems but is permitted
for some underlayment applications. APA form E30 provides additional information.
5.4 Fiber-Cement Underlayment, complying with Specification C1288, is a discrete non-asbestos fiber-reinforced cement flat
sheet consisting essentially of an inorganic hydraulic binder formed by the chemical reaction of a siliceous material and a
calcareous material reinforced by organic fibers, non-asbestos inorganic fibers, or both.
5.5 Gypsum Fiber Panel, underlayment, complying with Specification C1278/C1278M.
Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov.
Available from APA—The Engineered Wood Association, 7011 S. 19th St., Tacoma, WA 98466–5399, www.apawood.org.
Resilient Floor Covering Institute, 401 E. Jefferson Suite 102 Rockville, MD 20850,115 Broad St, Suite 201 LaGrange, GA 30240, www.rfci.com.
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Washington, DC, www.hud.gov.
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5.6 Particleboard, complying with ANSI/A208.1, is manufactured from lignocellulosic materials (usually wood) primarily in the
form of discrete pieces or particles, combined with a synthetic resin or other suitable binder and bonded together under heat and
pressure in a hot press.
5.7 Hardboard, complying with ANSI/AHA A135.4, is a panel manufactured primarily from inter-felted lignocellulosic fibers,
which are consolidated under heat and pressure in a heated press. Hardboards are not generally recommended as an underlayment
for resilient floors.
6. Selection of Panel Underlayment
6.1 General Consideration:
6.2 Lifestyle, cost constraints, desired pattern aesthetics, and so forth, can affect which resilient product and panel underlayment
should be selected. The resilient manufacturer’s product information and installation recommendations should be reviewed prior
to purchase. Some resilient manufacturer’s literature offers specific recommendations or prohibitions as to types of underlayments
for use under their flooring products.
6.3 There are two major categories of resilient flooring installation techniques:
6.3.1 Fully adhered, and
6.3.2 Non fully adhered (perimeter or loose laid).(perimeter, loose-laid or locked together, etc.).
6.4 Fully adhered floors, constituting the majority of resilient floors installed, generally have more limitations or restrictions
regarding underlayment suitability of use, than perimeter or loose laid floors.
6.5 Non fully adhered floors are ones that because of their product construction are designed to be freefloating or loose laid over
the underlayment or partially bonded; that is, at the seam or perimeter areas, or both. Non fully adhered resilient flooring products
may permit a wider selection of underlayments to be utilized.
6.6 The panel underlayment shall be smooth enough so that the texture of the graining or particle placement in the panel will not
show through the finished resilient flooring. The underlayment panels shall not contain any foreign substance or markings that may
stain the resilient flooring after installation. Protective coatings that may be used on underlayment panels shall be non-staining and
be compatible with adhesives used for installing the finished flooring. Panels should not contain preservatives (pressure treated).
6.7 Responsibility for appearance or performance related issues that arise from use of panel underlayment outside the resilient
manufacturer’s recommendations, typically fall back to the underlayment panel manufacturer or whoever selected or specified the
panel underlayment to be used. Following the resilient flooring manufacturer’s published guidelines is recommended.
6.8 Responsibility for appearance or performance related issues that arise from patching, leveling or adhesive compounds outside
the resilient manufacturer’s recommendations, typically fall back to the supplier of those materials or whoever selected or specified
those materials. Following the resilient manufacturer’s published guidelines is recommended.
7. Material Acceptance
7.1 Delivery—All materials shall be delivered in packages, containers, or bundles with the identification and markings intact.
7.2 Inspection—Inspection of the materials shall be agreed upon between the purchaser and the supplier as part of the purchase
agreement.
7.3 Rejection—Materials that are damaged, wet, frozen or in any way defective shall not be used. Rejection of materials shall be
promptly reported verbally to the producer and immediately reported in writing. The notice of rejection shall contain a statement
documenting the basis for material rejection.
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7.4 Certification—When specified in the contract documents, the panel underlayment producer shall furnish a report certifying that
the materials are in conformance with product and material standards and contract documents. The panel underlayment shall be
marked as complying with the applicable product specification.
8. Material Storage and Conditioning
8.1 All materials shall be kept dry by storage under cover and protected from the weather. Outside storage is not recommended.
8.2 All other underlayment components shall be stacked off the ground, flat and with care taken to avoid damage to edges, ends
or surface. It should be s
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