All information on this page is copied material from Gulvfakta, which is a technical reference material, Source: Gulvfakta

1.3.4.1 Introduction
• Rubber floors are used in schools, hospitals, offices, shops, entrance areas, etc., rubber floors are especially used where heavy wear is expected. There are also molded rubber steps.
• Rubber is supplied both as track products and tiles in thicknesses between 2 and 12 mm. The thickness is chosen depending on the floor's use/intensity of use. Lane widths and tiles in several different sizes are supplied.
• Rubber used as floor covering must be CE marked.
• Rubber that is used as a floor covering in escape routes and other areas with requirements for fire and smoke development must have documentation to meet the European fire class Dfl-s1 according to DS/EN 13501-1 (class G floor covering).
• Rubber can be supplied with a profiled surface to improve walking safety and as an electrostatic dissipative floor covering for use in rooms with requirements for personal discharge. The supplier can provide detailed information on the coatings electrical resistance.
• The walking comfort and impact sound absorption for rubber floors will usually be good.
• The surface of rubber floors is smooth and easy to clean. Rubber floors can usually only withstand short-term exposure to oil and grease (especially animal fat). Special products must therefore be prescribed if there is a need for the floor to be able to withstand prolonged exposure to these substances.
• Rubber floors can be discolored by strong solar radiation, e.g. in glass buildings, and should therefore only be used in such places after acceptance from the supplier. Special UV-resistant rubber coatings are available.

1.3.4.2 Properties
Rubber floors that are EN-classified must meet the requirements of DS/EN 1817 and must therefore comply with specific requirements for:
• Length, width, straightness and surface weight
• Dimensional stability when exposed to heat
• Thickness, flexibility and resistance to indentation marks
• Wear resistance
• Color fastness to artificial light.
Classification of rubber takes place according to area of application with the thickness as the basis for the classification, see checklist 13. There is a requirement for a minimum thickness of the wear layer of 1 mm for all classes. For class "Business Moderate" and higher, the coverings are suitable for use with office chair wheels. The residential, commercial and industrial classes shown in checklist 13 can be further divided into moderate, normal, high and very high. In addition to the properties included in the classification, there will often be a need to set requirements for other properties, depending on the current application, e.g. due to special influences or wishes from the end user. These properties are included in the floor industry's supplementary properties, which for rubber floors include:

1.3.4.3 Requirements for the place of execution
Time must be set aside for the rubber coating to acclimatise. The acclimatization takes place by cutting the tracks and laying them loosely over the floor, while tiles are placed in unopened packaging in the room where they are to be laid. Acclimatization must last at least 24 hours. For coatings over 2.5 mm, acclimatization must be done by laying the coating loosely over the floor. During and after gluing rubber floors, the temperature in the air and the subfloor must be 17 - 25°C and the humidity between 35 and 75% RH. The substrate must have the same flatness as required by the finished floor, normally ± 2 mm on a 2 m straight log. Flatness and floors, including requirements and measurement methods, are described in the section Technology and quality

If rubber floors are to be laid directly on cast decks, the concrete's pore moisture (residual build-up moisture) must be no more than 85% RH. Moisture and floors, including requirements and measurement methods, are described in the Technology and quality section. There must not be strong drafts or strong sunlight during the laying of the floor. Rubber coverings must be laid on an absorbent substrate to ensure that the adhesive adheres well to the substrate. If there is insufficient absorbency, e.g. on a substrate of asphalt or epoxy, a minimum 2 mm thick layer of a putty compound prescribed by the putty compound supplier for the current substrate must be applied. In situations where a layer of putty cannot be applied as an absorbent substrate, contact the coating supplier for instructions on the gluing method.

1.3.4.4 Laying and use
Conditions in connection with laying and use
Correct free cutting in track joints is important, as the glue joint in the first part of the glue's curing phase will not be able to hold the coating to the substrate if compression occurs in the joint. The supplier's instructions on the execution of to and joints must be followed. Rubber floors are usually laid with butted joints, but the joints can also be sealed with sealant or a special joint thread. Due to the surface properties of the rubber, the coating supplier's instructions for gluing should be followed closely. Where large mechanical loads or large moisture and/or temperature variations are expected, a 2-component polyurethane adhesive (PU adhesive) should be used. The installation time depends on the materials to be glued together and on the humidity and temperature conditions in the room.

Electrostatic dissipative floors
Rubber is suitable as a conductive floor covering and can be used in rooms where there is a need to dissipate electrical charges. Conductive rubber coverings have a special composition and are laid in conductive glue. In addition, the floor must be further connected to ground through copper wire according to the supplier's instructions. It must be agreed where the floor contractor must run the copper wire up the wall. Execution of electrostatically dissipative rubber floors should be done in consultation with the coating supplier. Grounding must be carried out by an authorized electrical installer. Statically dissipative and statically conductive elastic floor coverings - concepts, requirements etc

1.3.4.5 Cleaning
Before putting into use, a basic cleaning must always be carried out to remove residues of release agent from the surface of the coating. The future users must be informed about correct cleaning, as incorrect cleaning can cause damage to the surface. The supplier's instructions on cleaning and maintenance of rubber floors must be given to the user. Dry methods are preferably used for daily cleaning, i.e. dry or wet mopping or vacuuming. For heavier, occasional cleaning, use mild detergents without strongly alkaline substances as directed by the coating supplier. Cleaning of rubber floors is discussed in the Cleaning section.

1.3.4.6 Checklist 13 and 14
Checklist 13. Properties included in the EN classification for rubber floors. The classification is based on the thickness. Other properties comply with the marked values for classified products.

Checklist 14. Supplementary properties that may need to be specified, e.g. due to special effects on the floor during the current use.