Guidelines for Inspection of Carpet Cushion & Handling of Complaints
The Carpet Cushion Council (CCC) is an industry association representing manufacturers of carpet cushion and suppliers to the industry. The Council has published these Guidelines for Inspection of Carpet Cushion to help retailers, distributors and dealers of cushion better understand how the products are produced and what to expect from the cushion products they purchase for resale and/or installation.
A description of the types of carpet cushion can be found under the Consumer Info/Types of Cushion section of the CCC website. http://www.carpetcushion.org/types.cfm
The CCC has suggested minimum standards for each type of cushion to ensure satisfactory performance when correctly installed beneath carpet. Each category of cushion is described in the tables, showing suggested minimum requirements for residential and commercial applications. http://www.carpetcushion.org/cushion-criteria.cfm Inspection of cushion involves verification that the cushion complies with the specifications in these tables. The correct class of cushion should be installed according to the particular application and to type of traffic in the area, and should meet the minimum thickness, density (or weight) and compression force deflection (for commercial applications) specified.
Inspection Criteria
Installation should comply with the CCC Cushion Installation Guidelines
http://www.carpetcushion.org/PDF/CCC-Cushion-Installation-Guidelines.pdf
Key parameters for carpet cushion include thickness, density (weight) and surface area. Acceptable tolerances include:
Density |
Thickness |
Surface Area |
|
Bonded |
+/- 5% |
+/- 1/32 in. |
+/- 5% |
Mechanically Frothed |
+/- 5% |
+/- 1/32 in. |
+/- 5% |
Prime |
+/- 5% |
+/- 1/32 in. |
+/- 5% |
Rubber |
+/- 5% |
+/- 1/16 in. |
+/- 5% |
Fiber |
+/- 10% |
+/- 1/16 in. |
+/- 5% |
Carpet cushion rolls should be laid out for 48 hours prior to measurement.
Consumers may wish to retain a small sample (e.g. 12 inches square) of new cushion pre-installation for reference purposes.
Thickness is determined by taking the mean average of four micrometer measurements, which should be taken at least two inches from the edge of the roll. Density is calculated by dividing the sample weight by its volume and converting to pounds per cubic foot.
Should there be any issues following installation, it is important that the original density value is determined. A pre-installation sample, or sample from an area of zero traffic or loading, should be used.
Standard Roll Weights for Bonded Foam Cushion
| Product Density lbs./ft.3 | Roll Size yards |
Product Thickness (inches) |
||||||
1/4 |
5/16 |
3/8 |
13/32 |
7/16 |
15/32 |
1/2 |
||
Weight per Roll (lbs.) |
||||||||
4 |
40 |
- |
- |
44 |
48 |
52 |
56 |
60 |
5 |
30 |
- |
- |
42 |
45 |
49 |
52 |
56 |
6 |
30 |
- |
42 |
50 |
54 |
59 |
63 |
67 |
7 |
25 |
32 |
40 |
49 |
53 |
37 |
61 |
65 |
8 |
25 |
37 |
46 |
56 |
60 |
66 |
70 |
75 |
10 |
25 |
47 |
58 |
70 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Carpet cushion should be of uniform texture, free from dirt, lumps, voids and obvious manufacturing imperfections. All edges should be trimmed clean and smooth and be parallel.
Bonded cushion should have a suitable facing material to ease installation which should cover the entire surface area and should not be tacky or have any loose areas. Cushion facing should cover a minimum of 98% of the surface area of the cushion, should not be tacky, should not contain appreciable loose areas, and should be non-peeling.
Flattening
Flattening is loss of height due to traffic or loading. The defect will be visible on the upper (carpet facing) side. The probable cause of this defect is associated with loss of cushion height caused by traffic conditions that exceeded the minimum recommendations, for example, cushion appropriate for light/medium traffic installed in areas with heavy traffic.
Odors
Cushion should be free of offensive odor and preferably comply with the CRI/CCC Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality Program, ensuring consumers are purchasing low-VOC products which meet the strictest requirements in the country.
http://www.carpetcushion.org/Green-Label-Program-Plus.cfm
Odor complaints should be verified by the manufacturer, retailer, installer and consumer. The source of odor should be verified since odors may be comingled and the installation process involves other products (carpet, adhesive, cleaning solutions) that may contribute to odor. As with many new flooring materials an initial odor may be present, which should dissipate quickly with adequate ventilation.
Moisture Accumulation
Carpet cushion may have a film installed on one or both faces. In the case of installation over substrates such as concrete, moisture may be sealed into the substrate resulting in accumulation of surface humidity. Retailer recommendations should be solicited to make sure the proper type of cushion is installed in each application.
Sound Transmission
One positive attribute of carpet/cushion combinations is the reduction of sound transmission or sound absorption. The behavior of the combination is dependent on the amplitude, frequency and noise source. Data regarding noise reduction is shown in the following document: http://carpetcushion.org/acoustical-characteristics.cfm. There are no specific sound standards for carpet cushion.
Thermal Insulation of Carpet Cushion
http://carpetcushion.org/r-value.cfm. There are no specific thermal transmission standards for carpet cushion. Retailer recommendations should be sought to make sure the proper type of cushion is installed in the case of radiant floor heating.
Perceived Defects - Feel and Underfoot Noise
It is recommended that consumers verify their choice of carpet/cushion combination prior to purchase regarding comfort and feel. Retailer recommendations based on application type should be heeded to make the best choice. Only product approved by the consumer should be installed.
Cushion/carpet installations should not demonstrate areas of differing hardness, either localized or in different areas of the installation. If noise is perceived when walking on the carpet, the defect should be determined and addressed according to the cause. Noise may occur due to decomposition of an element of the carpet, air entrapment, or friction between surfaces.
Lumps, high spots, low spots, thin or weak areas should be less than five per 100 square yards of cushion area. Imbedded or protruding foreign matter should be less than three per 100 square yards of cushion area. Cuts, holes or tears should be no larger than 1/2 inch when measured from any direction.
Recommended Procedure for Handling Complaints
The primary route of contact should be as direct as possible. Consumers should refer to the retailer from whom the product was purchased. The retailer in turn may wish to work with its supplier or with the manufacturer. It should be noted that several products or manufacturers may be involved.
When a cushion manufacturer conducts an investigation, or has an investigation made on its behalf, it should inform the retailer/contractor of the results of the inspection or investigation and the status of the complaint as soon as possible.
The CCC may be contacted regarding recommendations but it does not adjudicate in the case of complaints. The CCC makes good faith recommendations based on technical evaluations and experience, and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or omissions in data and recommendations shown in published documentation or verbal advice provided.
Revision Date: June 2021