Canadian

Concrete Floor Tolerances

Geoff Kinney
CFLRA Executive Director
& CFCAC Chairman
CFLRA CFCAC

Ontario focus National focus

Unionized firms Union and non-union firms
ICI Sector only All sectors
Labour Relations Technical issues (eg: CSA)
Safety Product promotion
Training Trade development
 Tolerances are often confusing.
Tolerances must relate to the needs of the intended
usage.
Must be specified in Division 3 (and not 9).
Can be based on surveys of existing floors.
Specifications must take curling tolerance losses into
consideration.
To maintain standardization across the industry,
specifications must be based upon CSA A23.1-2009
 Standards are highly-political consensus based documents
that take years to develop and change.
CSA Standards are mandatory across Canada through
inclusion in National and Provincial Building Codes a must
read !
The CFLRA/CFCAC maintains a library of guides & standards.

CSA A23.1-09
 The straightedge tolerance system was developed by
cavemen and is still misunderstood today.
The F Number tolerance system was developed in the
mid-1970s by the FACE Company to define a practical
method of tolerance specification, measurement and
enforcement.
The Fmin tolerance system was also developed in the
mid-1970s for wire guided floor environments.
The Waviness system was introduced in the early 1990s
by Dr. Bob Loov at The University of Calgary but has not
been used extensively (Kalman).
 Allclauses are mandatory and contain mandatory
wording (shall).
Notes to Tables are mandatory when written in
mandatory language.
Notes to clauses are not mandatory and offer
additional information only.
Owner means the owner, architect or engineer.
The owner may specify different requirements than
specified in A23.1 if they wish to do so (at their own
peril).
 7: Floor Tolerances

30/25

50/40

Straightedge tolerances will likely disappear in 2014

7.5.1.1
Slab or floor finish tolerances shall meet the requirements of either the
straightedge method (see Clause 7.5.1.4) or the F-number method (see Clause
7.5.1.5) and the classifications of Table 22, as specified by the owner. Surface
tolerances, determined by Clauses 7.5.1.2 and 7.5.1.3, are mutually exclusive
and therefore only one method shall be specified for a particular slab or floor.
Notes:
(1) The F-number method should be employed where detailed information about
the flatness and levelness of a slab surface is required. It provides a much
improved statistical evaluation of the entire floor flatness and information on
levelness not provided by a straight-edge survey.
(2) See ACI 117 and 302.1R for further information.

The waviness index has been removed in this new standard.

7.5.1.2
Slab or floor tolerance measurements shall be made a maximum of 72 h after
completion of each floor placement.

Thereby representing as built tolerances relating to the materials, and

methods of construction employed.
This time period is essential to exclude any drying shrinkage curling.
Daily measurement inhibits any compounding of tolerance problems on
successive pours.
Measurements taken outside of this time period are for information
purposes only not to be used for acceptance or rejection criteria.
 Must be measured in 72
hours.
To be specified in Division 3.
Paid for by the owner.
Specified from CSA Table 22
only.
Requires immediate
communication of results.
Owner to specify corrective
action.
7.5.1.3
Levelness tolerances shall not apply to cambered or inclined surfaces, nor
shall they apply to suspended slabs placed on unshored forms or surfaces
after the removal of the shores.
Notes:
(1) When the tolerance for a particular use is not specified in Table 22, an
existing surface that is satisfactory should be surveyed. The limits determined
by this survey may then be used to determine the limit for the proposed
Surface tolerances after considering the effects of drying shrinkage curling.
(2) Floor tolerances and construction methods for surfaces subject to
Automatic wire-guided vehicles are beyond the scope of this Standard.
Specialists should be consulted for these surfaces. Further information can
be obtained through the Concrete Floor Contractors Association of Ontario.
(3) The flooring contractor should be provided with copies of the tolerance
test results prior to continuing with concrete placements.

The Straightedge method is a flatness test only

 2% slope for full drainage.
Straightedge and F Number
tolerances are generally not
applicable in practical
terms.
7.5.1.4.1 General
The straight edge method shall not be used on cambered surfaces.

7.5.1.4.2 Straightedge equipment

The straightedge shall consist of a metal channel, pipe, or angle of 3 m length.
Sleeper pads of 20 mm depth and 20 mm width shall be affixed to each end.
Measurements shall be taken at the centre of the straightedge. The
measurement system shall consist of a dial indicator, a scribed rod, or other
direct measuring equipment with a scale accuracy of 1 mm.

3.0 m
7.5.1.4.3 Measurement locations and system
Measurements shall be taken at a frequency of one location for
every 10 m2 of floor area, with a minimum of five measurements
per concrete placement. Measurements shall be randomly
located over the entire area. At each measurement location, a
reading shall be taken with the straightedge parallel and then
perpendicular to the long direction of the slab or floor.
Measurements shall be to the closest 1 mm. A record shall be
made of the location and the value of each reading.
7.5.1.4.4 Compliance

Compliance with the designated tolerances will be considered

satisfactory if 90% of the measurements are less than or equal to
the tolerance in Table 22, unless otherwise specified by the
owner.

10% of the values are permitted to exceed the specified limits.

ACI 117 has 50% higher values for 100% compliance.

 Are historically common, ambiguous and
dangerous !
Are not based upon reliable data because
straightedge tolerances are interpreted
subjectively and are very difficult to measure
accurately.
The is no relationship between straightedge
tolerances and construction methods.
 FF62 FF37

FF27 FF22

Straightedge tolerances are meaningless

7.5.1.5 F Number Method

Slab or floor flatness (FF) and levelness (FL) shall be measured

in accordance with ASTM E 1155M.
Surfaces shall be considered to comply with F-number
tolerances if the overall combined values of the entire floor
installation are greater than or equal to the overall F-Number
specified in Table 22, with no placement less than 60% of the
specified overall value (minimum FF :FL values shall not be less
than FF 15:FL10).

Minimum local values apply to individual test lines !

 Based upon statistical sampling of elevation changes on the
floor surface using sophisticated measurement devices.
There are two F Number systems:
FF/FL for random traffic
and
Fmin for defined / wire guided traffic
F Numbers tolerances are:
Informative: Quantify existing surfaces.
Systematic: ASTM E1155.
Meaningful: Relate to methods.
Repeatable: Not subjective / global in use.
 Specified overall value (SOV): the average value to
be exceed by the combined values of all individual
placements. Failure to exceed SOV generally equals
financial penalties but not floor replacement or
rejection.
Minimum local value (MLV): any test line must not be
less than 60% of the SOV. MLV failure requires
localized floor replacement !
 Levelness is defined as the variation in elevation between
two points 10 apart (FL).
Screeding methods determine levelness of a floor.
Wet screeded: 12 mm+ ~ FL15-20
Pipe screeded: 8 mm ~ FL 20-40
Laser screeded: 6 mm ~ FL 25-35
Strip poured: 3 mm ~ FL 25-100
 Flatness is defined as the variation in elevation between two
points 12 apart (FF) over a 2 curvature.
Finishing methods determine flatness of a floor.
Single machine: FF15-25
Pan Float (Disk) : FF25-30
Highway straightedge: FF25-30
Laser screeded + PF: FF35-50
Strip poured: FF50-150+
 Run 1 Profile Run 17 Profile
1000
1000

FF15/FL11* 500
FF48/FL35**

Inches x 1000
500
Inches x 1000

0
0 1 112131415161718191101
111
121
131
141
151
161
171
181
191
201
211
221
231
241
1 112131415161718191101111121131141151161171181191201211221231241 -500

-500
-1000
Half-Feet
-1000 Half-Feet
* Hand Screed
** Laser Screed
Elevation change
Run 2 Profile Run 5 Profile
1500 1000

1000 FF91/FL70**
500
FF68/FL19** 500
Inches x 1000

Inches x 1000

0 0
1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 91101111121131141151161171181191201211221231241 1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 91101111121131141151161171181191201211221231241
-500
-500
-1000

-1500 -1000
Half-Feet Half-Feet
 The term Superflat Floor is used to describe any floor
surface which utilizes defined traffic / wire guided equipment.
The term Superflat Floor is Canadian in origin.
Superflat floors are specified and certified to the Fmin
tolerance system (Fmin40 through Fmin100).
Fmin tolerances are not applicable to random traffic
environments.
Superflat floors are poured in a strip pour layout.
Superflat floors do not have transverse sawcut joints.
Superflat floors need to be designed to maintain the
constructed tolerances.
Superflat floors must be certified using a profilograph.
 Out of tolerance are
allowable within the
FF tolerance system

Areas above the yellow

tolerance limit must be
repaired in order to
conform with the Fmin
tolerance system.
Note: The Fmin limit is 0.080 or 80 thousands
of an inch for an Fmin 50 floor
 There are significant
FF30
differences between
the profiles of regular
floors and Superflat
floors.
FF117
Maximum Rate of Change 0.080 0.066 0.061 0.057 0.053 0.050 0.044 0.040
per Foot of Travel:

Approximate Fmin 50 60 65 70 75 80 90 100

Tolerance:

This chart indicates the approximate Fmin tolerances for a given rate of change.

How to use this chart:

1) Find the value conforming to the manufacturers equipment chart which states the maximum rate
of change per foot of travel.
2) Read across the chart until you find the nearest value and look below for the approximate Fmin
tolerance value.
FF = 2 x Fmin
FL = Fmin

Eg: Fmin80 = minimum FF113/FL80

 Superflatfloor construction
methods were designed for
narrow aisle, high rack, wire
guided defined traffic
configurations, but these
SPAR Canadarm Lab
techniques can also be
used for other surfaces as
well.

Toronto Star Newspapers

 Minimum readings = area(sf)/30
readings .
Test area at least 8 wide and greater
than 320 sf.
Test lines shall not cross construction
joints.
Test lines shall not come within 2 of
vertical obstruction unless
obstructions >25% of the test area.
Test lines at least 11 long.
Test lines at least 4 apart.
Equal number of test lines and
readings in each direction.
May be parallel or at 45 to longest
boundary.
 Using highly sensitive
equipment capable of
measuring 1/1000.
Profilograph measures
transverse and
longitudinal variations.
Dipstick F-Meter

Fmin
Profilograph

Road
Profiler
 Strange results may be
attributable to
inaccurate equipment
calibration (eg: FL>FF).
 Individual test line
information is only valuable
for MLV localization.
The overall values for each
placement are reported.
The combined average
results for the entire project
must exceed the specified
overall value (SOV).
7.5.2 Correction shall be made by grinding, unless otherwise
specified by the owner.
Note: The effects of grinding on the appearance and abrasion
resistance of a floor surface should be considered prior to
proceeding with grinding (see ACI 302.1R).

Note: Grinding to improve overall random traffic tolerance is

generally not possible only localized defects can be improved
by grinding. The materials and methodology must be correct
from the start.
 US straightedge placed directly on the floor without
sleepers (ACI 117-10).
Tile contractors use straightedge tolerances.
Rink surfaces often involve elevation tolerances too
(+/-6mm in elevation).
Survey grid common in forming industry.
Waviness system similar to F-Numbers but based on
different measurement lengths (not just 2 and 10).
Only the methods in CSA A23.1 should be accepted
without modification.
Reinforcing should be designed to restrain tolerance
losses caused by normal drying shrinkage curling
in slabs on grade.
Tolerance losses of 50% may occur !

Unreinforced (NFG)
Micro synthetic fibres (NFG)
Wire mesh (partial)
Macro synthetic (partial)
Steel fibres (partial)
Rebar
Post tensioning
Existing surfaces can be
improved to Fmin100
tolerances through
localized corrective
grinding.
 CSA numbers are intentionally specified at the
lower limits so as to be exceeded using the
specified methodology.
Real world data is necessary to ensure that we
do not over-specify problems from the
beginning:
http://www.concretefloors.ca/fnumberdata.htm
Any tolerance problems should be brought
forward to the association for assistance.
 Slumps
Curling
Crazing
Dipstick Calibration
Exterior hardeners
Preconstruction
Contraction Joints
Sidewalk Joints
Screeding Methods
Silicate Curing
Sloping Floors
TSawcuts
 Concrete Purchasing
Granular Base
Elevations
Timing of Sawcut
Filling
Timing of Tolerance
Measurement
 Carbon monoxide
Double trowels on
elevated slabs.
Guardrails & fall
protection.
Ladders.
Single trowels on
elevated slabs.
Isocyanates.
 Refer to CSA clauses and table 22.
Refer confusing specification to the CFCA.
Ensure a clear understanding of tolerance limits prior to
bidding and pre-construction (or qualify).
Refer to lift truck data and similar existing floors.
Beware straightedge and elevation tolerances.
Measure tolerances with 72 hours of each slab placement.
Reinforce to restrain normal drying shrinkage curling
forces.
We need to increase our CSA representation.
 Concrete Floor Contractors Association of Canada
RPO DUNDAS NEYAGAWA, PO Box 30021, Oakville, ON, L6H
7L8
Tel: (905) 582-9825
Fax: (416) 981-3913
E-mail: info@concretefloors.ca
Website: www.concretefloors.ca