What can we help you with?
Technical flooring, delivered directly
- ESD flooring, urethane cement, terrazzo, and polished concrete
- In-house W-2 installation crews and experienced field leadership
- National service coverage with project-specific staffing plans
- Testing, documentation, and defined project closeout
- Dedicated support for corporate procurement and multi-site contracting
Phone: +1 (844) 687-1961
Cleaned versus as-is testing
Clean the floor first when the test is intended to measure a clean surface. Test without pre-cleaning when the objective is to assess the conditions present. A cleaned-floor result does not automatically represent the floor’s condition before cleaning.
ANSI A326.3-2021 distinguishes between these two field-test conditions. Its informative guidance connects the choice to the purpose of the test.
| Test condition | What it measures | Surface preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaned | The floor without existing contamination | Clean the surface before testing. |
| Prevailing, or as-is | The floor under the conditions present at the time | Do not pre-clean. Remove obvious solid contaminants as required by the method and record what was removed. |
“As-is” does not mean leaving obvious dirt, crumbs or coffee grounds in the test path. ANSI A326.3-2021 requires these solids to be removed and their removal noted. That limited removal is different from cleaning the surface to produce a contaminant-free test condition.
For the broader relationship between surface condition, maintenance and slip resistance, see our polished concrete slip-resistance guide.
What the test report should record
A result needs enough context to identify the condition it represents. In addition to its other reporting requirements, ANSI A326.3-2021 requires field-test reports to record:
- Surface preparation: whether the tested areas were cleaned or left in their prevailing condition.
- Test locations: descriptions or photographs sufficient to find the same areas again.
- Conditions present: relevant contaminants, coatings or sealers, traffic, maintenance equipment and walk-off mats.
A cleaned result and an as-is result should not be treated as interchangeable. If both conditions are tested, identify each clearly so the reader can distinguish the results.
Project Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Under ANSI A326.3-2021, the choice depends on the test objective. Cleaned testing measures the floor without existing contamination; prevailing-condition testing measures it without pre-cleaning.
No. ANSI A326.3-2021 requires obvious solid contaminants, including dirt, crumbs and coffee grounds, to be removed before prevailing-condition testing. Their removal must be recorded. This is different from fully cleaning the surface.
Not automatically. A cleaned-floor result represents the cleaned test condition. Contaminants and other conditions present during everyday use may differ, so the report must identify how the surface was prepared and the conditions present during testing.
Polished Concrete Knowledge Center
Resource links
Performance & Safety
Design & Aesthetics
Installation Guidance
Economics & Sustainability
Maintenance & Aftercare
Comparative & Decision-Making
Blog
Craftsman Publishes 2026–2027 ESD Flooring Technical Guide
ESD Epoxy Flooring Case Study: 34,000 SF Dallas, TX
