ASTM F150-25 covers electrical conductance or resistance of conductive and static-dissipative resilient flooring in tile or sheet form. It measures resistance between two points on the flooring surface and between the flooring surface and ground, using either a mounted qualification sample or an installed floor.
Craftsman Concrete coordinates the specified floor-testing method and reporting requirements with the project team. Test records identify the method, applied voltage and measured results in the project’s testing and closeout documentation.
This overview does not replace the complete test procedure.
What ASTM F150-25 measures
The method describes two resistance measurements:
- Surface-to-surface: resistance between two electrodes placed on the flooring.
- Surface-to-ground: resistance between the flooring surface and a ground connection.
Its scope concerns resilient flooring in tile or sheet form. The ASTM F150 flooring-scope guide explains the materials and applications addressed.
ASTM F150 also states that static-control footwear needs to be used with the floor for it to perform effectively with personnel.
Equipment and electrode requirements
The measuring apparatus must have ±10% accuracy and provide open-circuit voltages of 10 VDC ±10% and 100 VDC ±10%. Power supplies should be current limited, usually below 5.0 milliamperes, and test leads should be isolated from ground.
The method uses two cylindrical metal electrodes with these requirements:
| Electrode property | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5 pounds ±1 ounce (2.27 kilograms ±28 grams) |
| Diameter | 2.5 inches ±0.062 inch (63.5 millimetres ±1.58 millimetres) |
| Conductive contact hardness | Shore A (IRHD) 50–70 under ASTM D2240 |
| Resistance between electrodes on a metallic surface | Below 1,000 ohms when measured at 10 volts or less |
Before placement, electrode surfaces should be cleaned with a minimum 70% isopropanol-water solution using a clean, low-linting cloth, then allowed to dry.
Test voltage and reading time
ASTM F150-25 defines dissipative floor material as having resistance at least 1.0 × 10^6 ohms and below 1.0 × 10^9 ohms (section 3.1.2). Its procedures give conductive and static-dissipative floors different voltage-selection instructions for both measurement configurations on qualification samples and installed floors.
Conductive floors
Start at 10 VDC and take the reading 15 seconds after applying the voltage or once the reading reaches equilibrium.
- If the reading is below 1.0 × 10^6 ohms, record it.
- If the reading is higher than 1.0 × 10^6 ohms, change to 100 VDC. Repeat the reading after 15 seconds or once it reaches equilibrium, and record that result.
The method describes these branches as “below” and “higher than” 1.0 × 10^6 ohms. It does not assign a branch to a reading exactly equal to that value.
Static-dissipative floors
Apply the prescribed 10 VDC or 100 VDC and take the reading after 15 seconds or once it reaches equilibrium. Use 100 VDC when the floor is known to be greater than 1.0 × 10^6 ohms.
The ASTM F150 test-voltage guide explains the rationale for the lower-voltage approach and the method’s move away from 500 VDC.
Qualification testing of a mounted flooring sample
Sample assembly and conditioning
The qualification sample, called a specimen in ASTM F150, is a 48-inch by 48-inch portion of floor covering (1.22 metres by 1.22 metres). It is installed using the manufacturer’s recommended procedures, adhesives and grounding method.
When mounted, it uses an insulating support material. The method recommends ¼-inch tempered hardboard (6.35 millimetres).
Whenever possible, condition the sample for at least 24 hours at 73.4 °F ±1.8 °F (23 °C ±1 °C) and 50% ±5% relative humidity, then test in the same environment. The time between installation and testing follows the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Preparation and measurements
Place the mounted sample on a nonconductive surface and lightly wipe it with a lint-free cloth to remove foreign material.
Unless otherwise specified, a required qualification test uses one sample and five measurements, with electrodes at different locations for each measurement. Record each value to two significant figures.
For surface-to-surface testing, place the electrodes at least 1 inch (25.4 millimetres) in from the sample edge and 36 inches (914.4 millimetres) apart.
For the qualification surface-to-ground configuration, section 8.1.2 connects the positive electrode or positive meter wire to ground and places the negative electrode on the flooring. The negative electrode should be more than 6 inches (152.4 millimetres) from the ground connection and any metal ground strip embedded in the adhesive.
Testing an installed floor
ASTM F150-25 includes procedures for testing installed flooring, with requirements for sampling, surface preparation and electrode placement. The installed-floor testing guide explains the measurement counts, locations and preparation for initial and subsequent testing.
What the report must contain
The reporting provisions call the surface-to-surface and surface-to-ground measurements “point-to-point” and “point-to-ground,” respectively.
For qualification and installed testing, the report must include:
- Test-area size in square feet.
- Test date and number of tests performed.
- All point-to-point and point-to-ground resistance values in ohms.
- Minimum and maximum values for both measurements, with resistance and test voltage reported.
These requirements appear in sections 9.1 and 9.2.
Comparing ASTM F150 with STM7.1
ASTM F150 and ANSI/ESD STM7.1 have different scopes and procedural requirements. The STM7.1 and ASTM F150 comparison explains the distinctions relevant to choosing and specifying the test.
Frequently asked questions
It covers electrical conductance or resistance of conductive and static-dissipative resilient flooring in tile or sheet form. Its procedures measure resistance between two points on the flooring surface and between the flooring surface and ground, using qualification samples or installed floors.
Whenever possible, condition the sample for at least 24 hours at 23 °C ±1 °C (73.4 °F ±1.8 °F) and 50% ±5% relative humidity, then test it in the same environment.
No. ASTM F150-25 states that static-control footwear needs to be used with the floor for it to perform effectively with personnel.