By exposure to sufficient traffic, this practice can be applied to any pile yarn floor covering which undergoes changes in surface appearance.

This practice does not simulate surface appearance changes due to soiling, pivoting, or rolling traffic, or traffic on stairs.

1.1 This practice covers the trafficking of pile yarn floor coverings in a laboratory in order to effect a change in surface appearance as a result of exposure to foot traffic under controlled conditions. A separate test method covers the assessment of surface appearance change using the CRI Reference Scales.

1.2 This practice is applicable to most changes in surface appearance observed in all types of carpet that are intended for residential or commercial use. It eliminates change in appearance associated with soiling by focusing on appearance change due to matting, flattening, or change in pile fiber configuration. Although “pile reversal” or “watermarking” is occasionally visible, this practice is not a reliable method for producing this phenomenon.

1.3 This practice may be used by mutual agreement between the purchaser and supplier to set purchasing specifications.

1.4 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.

1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 7.