(F) FLOORING & CLADDING

1.0 INDIAN STANDARDS:

All relevant standards as specified in elsewhere in this volume
are also applicable.
1.1 The Indian Standards to be followed are:

1. IS 777 : Specification for glazed earthen are tiles.

2. IS 1237 : Specification for cement concrete
flooring tiles.
3. IS 1443 : Code of practice for laying and finishing
of cement concrete flooring tiles.
4. IS 2114 : Code of practice for laying insitu terrazzo
floor finish.
5. IS 2571 : Code of practice for laying insitu cement
concrete flooring
6. IS 4457 : Specification for cement unglazed
vitreous acid resisting tiles.
7. IS 5318 : Code of practice for laying of flexible PV
sheet and tile flooring.
8. IS 5491 : Code of practice for laying in-situ
granolithic concrete floor topping.

2.0 MATERIAL:

2.1 Cement, sand, water shall conform to concrete and mortar

section of this volume.

2.2 MARBLE:
 The marble used shall be as approved by the EIC and shall be
hard, sound, free from cracks, cavities, holes, patches of
injurious veins, weathered portions, flaws, etc. 4 Nos. of 300 x
300 mm sized marble pieces shall be submitted for approval.
Material received shall conform to the said approval group 4
marbles and no other type shall be accepted. Color, grains,
vein, etc. must conform to the approved sample only. Size
and thickness shall be as specified. The marble may be
ordered in various sizes to suit the pattern selected by the
Architect/EIC. Required pattern matching of marble shall be
carried out by the contractor while cutting the marble.

2.3 KOTA STONE:

Kota stone shall be of approved size to achieve the pattern to

be approved by the Engineer-in-Charge. Thickness shall be as
specified stone shall be dense, hard and free from cracks,
decay, weathering and flaws.

3.0 SUB-BASE:

Sub-base for all flooring shall be prepared and kept ready for
further applications. All items shall be defined and detailed on
the drawing measurements shall be as per the BOQ of these
items.

Preparation of sub-base may be by doing excavation of back

filling in plinth. Back filling shall be with the selected earth in
layer of 150mm to 200mm maximum and adequately watered
and well-compacted to achieve 90% compaction at
optimum moisture content.
 In case of excavation, the base shall be well-dressed to the
desired level and inspected. All loose spots shall be excavated
till the hard surface is reached and then filled as directed by
the EIC. Surface shall be watered with just sufficient water and
rolled and compacted with vibratory compactor, wherever
possible.
3.1 BASE FLOOR:
This shall be regular reinforced concrete floor of plain cement
concrete floor as specified. Its thickness shall vary from 50mm
to 150mm as the case may be. In case of RCC floor concrete
this may be nominally reinforced with reinforcement bars.

All specifications of concreting shall be the same as per

concrete and reinforcement.

4.0 FLOOR FINISHES:

4.1 Indian Patent Stone.
4.1.1 Cement concrete floor of specified grade of 40 to 75mm
thickness shall be laid panels. Cement concrete shall conform
to concrete.

The concrete surface finish may be monolithically laid with

structural slab or laid over hardened structural slab. For
convenience and to protect final finish in the period of
construction laying of concrete over hardened structural slab
shall be preferred.

4.1.2 a) Hardened structural slab shall be thoroughly wire-

brushed, hacked with mechanical scabbler to remove
 all scum. Burr of cement mortar and allowed to expose
coarse aggregate. Surface shall be wetted and
cleaned thoroughly.

b) Concrete shall be laid in panels. Panels shall be such as

to minimize shrinkage and curing. Their length to
breadth ratio shall be 1.5:1. It is advisable to keep the
maximum length of each panel as 2.0 m.

Panels shall be formed be providing shuttering of timber

of steel angles to accurate level. They shall be rigid and
water tight.
c) In case dividing strips are to be provided, the same shall
be fixed to accurate level and concrete poured into
them (not required to be in alternate bays).

4.1.3 a) The concrete mix used shall be as stiff as possible yet

sufficiently workable when mix is held in hand it shall
form a ball but when released will crumble by itself.
b) Thick cement plaster slurry shall be brushed into the
surface just prior to laying of the concrete. It must be
noted that slurry shall not be brushed over area where
concrete laying is likely to be delayed.
c) Concrete laid shall be vibrated and compacted as
required. It shall be leveled with 3m straight edge.
d) Surface shall be well trowelled and rubbed smooth to
the satisfaction of the Engineer-in-charge.
e) No additional dry cement or cement mortar shall be
sprinkled on the stiffened concrete surface to achieve
smoothness.
f) Concrete shall be kept moist for 14 days.
 g) Edges of panel shall be well-compacted to minimize
liftings and curlings.

4.1.4 IPS-laid monolithic with structural concrete shall be carried out

as under:-
a) Floor concrete slab shall be allowed to stiffen enough
but still be in a plastic stage.
b) Mix shall be laid in position and well-compacted with
wooden float and leveled with 3m straight edge.
c) After the surface has become slightly hard, steel
trowelling shall be carried out to achieve smooth,
leveled surface.
d) NO additional dry cement or cement mortar shall be
sprinkled in the stiffened concrete surface at any stage.
e) The concrete shall be wet cured for 14 days.

4.1.5 Measurement shall be square meter for specified thickness

and for specified mix.

4.1.6 Precast rerrazzo tiling.

4.1.7 Tiles shall conform to IS 1237.

Metric size of tiles as per IS 1237 are:

Nominal Size Actual Size Minimum

Thickness
200mm x 198.5mm x 198.5mm 20mm
200mm
300mm x 198.5mm x 298.5mm 25mm
300mm
 250mm x 248.5mm x 248.5mm 22mm
250mm

Tolerances on length and breadth shall be maximum 1mm

and in thickness 3mm.

Tiles shall be hydraulically pressed with a minimum pressure of

140 kg.sq.cm. Tiles shall be single coat polished prior to receipt
at site. Backing of tiles shall be in ordinary cement aggregate
in proportion of 1:3 by weight. Top wearing course shall be
minimum 6mm at any point in the tiles.

4.2.2 BEDDING:
The bedding for the tiles shall be with cement mortar 1:6 or as
specified in Schedule ‘A’ of the tender. Thickness of bedding
mortar shall be 30mm average.

Structural concrete or base slab shall be cleaned, wetted and

mopped as detailed in 4.1.2 a of this section. Mortar shall be
spread uniformly, tamped and leveled with a 3m straight
edgy. The bed shall be keyed prior to finishing of the day’s
work. Thickness shall be as specified but at no point shall the
bed be less than 10mm.

4.2.3 LAYING OF TILES:

A thick cement slurry/paste shall be spread over the bedding
and cleaned tiles laid over this grouted area. Grouting shall be
such that the area is covered within 15-20 minutes. Joints shall
be as thin as possible and limited to 2mm at the maximum.
 Laying shall start after due consideration is given to following
points and approved by the Engineer-in-charge.
1. Detum levels of floors in rooms, adjacent rooms,
passages etc.

2. Slopes, if provided, the flooring should be given by

adjusting thickness of mortar.

3. Tiles in openings and doors are equally placed.

4. Passage may be laid first to achieve evenness in doors.

5. Tiles in room shall be symmetrical and equal cut tiles
shall be around the edges.

6. In case of differently coloured tiles in passages and

rooms, a dividing strip shall be provided and change
over of colour shall be under the shutter.

7. In case there is any other architectural or structural

feature, the same shall be considered and the pattern
adjusted accordingly.

8. Tiles may be allowed to go under plaster or dado about

10mm.
4.2.4 After the tiles are laid, surplus cement slurry from the joints shall
be cleaned. The flowing day the joints shall again be cleaned,
washed and wire brushed.

Grouting of joints shall be carried out with coloured

(pigmented cement) cement or gray cement that matches
the color of tiles. Grout shall be worked into joint. Excessive
grouts shall be cleaned off.
4.2.5 The floor shall be kept wet for a period of 7 days. No traffic
shall be allowed on the bedding and bedded tiles for atleast 2
days.

4.2.6 POLISHING:
Polishing and grinding shall be done only after 14 days.
Machine cutting or grinding shall be carried out. At first the
grinding shall be with rough stone of grade 48 to 60. All chips
shall be visible and grinding shall be uniform. It shall be
cleaned with water. All pin-holes and opened out joints shall
be grouted with matching coloured cement grouts supplied
by the tile manufacturer. It shall be cured for a period of 7
days by keeping a moist. Joint width should not be more than
1 to 1.5mm.

Second coat cutting/grinding/polishing shall be done with

carboundum stone of grade 120. The same procedure as for
the first coat shall be repeated till curing is completed.

The final cutting/grinding/polishing shall be with a fine stone of

22 to 32 grade and shall be done with ample water.

Oxalic acid powder shall be spread 33gm/sq.m. and polished

by machined fitted with Hessian bobs. The floors shall then be
washed, cleaned and dried with a soft cloth or linen.
Wherever corners of tiles are slightly low and remain
unpolished, they should be hand polished by using rubbing
stone.
 In case of wax polishing, wax polish shall be applied to the
surface. It shall be rubbed with machine. Then clean saw-dust
shall be spread over the floor and rubbed with polishing
machine. This will remove wax, leaving a glossy surface
underneath.

Case shall be taken that, the floor is not left slippery and that
the ordinary wax is not used under any circumstances.

4.2.7 Precast terrazzo tiles are measured in square metres. Their rate
shall include all material and labour costs required to
complete the items to the satisfaction of the EIC. No extra shall
be admitted on account of cutting of tiles in shape, preparing
a pattern from different coloured tiles or special border or a
band. Landing of staircase shall be paid for in square meters.
Treads and risers shall be measured in running meters for a
particular width of tread and height of riser.

4.3 KOTA STONE FLOORING:

4.3.1 Machine cut Kota stone slabs used shall be of 25 to 32mm
thickness. As far as possible colour shall be uniform. Tiles used
at site shall be machine cut.
4.3.2 In machine cut edge tiles, edges shall be protected from any
damage in transit. No breakage shall be permitted. All edges
shall be sharp, perfectly rectangular and all tiles otherwise
shall be rejected outright. Edges shall be pencil-rounded and
polished for exposed corners and faces.
4.3.3 Bedding shall be of cement sand mortar as detailed in clause
4.2.2 of this section. In all cases of cement-sand-mortar mix, a
 ratio of 1.6 will be maintained unless specified otherwise in the
BOQ/drawing.
4.3.4 Laying of Kota stone flooring shall be as in clause 4.2.3, 4.2.4 &
4.2.5 of this section.

4.3.5 Polishing and grinding shall be carried out as in 4.2.6 of this

section.

4.3.6 Measurement shall be in square metres. Steps and risers for

specified width and height shall be measured in running
metres or as detailed in BOQ. Rates shall include costs for all
labour, material, cutting, dressing, polishing of exposed faces
and edges, wastage etc. including laying in pattern and
polishing to the required standard. No extra shall be permitted
on any account.

4.4 MARBLE FLOORING/GRANITE FLOORING:

4.4.1 Machine cut marble/granite stone slabs shall of 10, 20, 25, 32
& 40mm thickness as specified by the Architect. Colour shall
be uniform and the slabs free from all defects. Tiles used at site
shall be machine cut.

4.4.2 In machine cut tiles, edges shall be protected from any

damage in transit. No breakage shall be permitted. All edges
shall be sharp, perfectly rectangular. Edges shall be pencil-
rounded and polished for exposed corners and faces.

4.4.3 Bedding shall be of cement-sand-mortar as detailed in clause

4.2.2 of this section. It shall in all cases be in cement-sand-
 mortar mix in a ratio of 1:6 unless specified otherwise in the
BOQ/drawings.

Laying of marble stone flooring shall be as in clause 4.2.3, 4.2.4

& 4.2.5 of this section. Polishing and grinding shall be carried
out as in clause 4.2.6 of this section.

4.4.4 Measurement shall be square meters. Steps and risers for

specified width and height shall be measured in running
meters or as detailed in BOQ. Rates shall include costs for all
labour, material, cutting, dressing, polishing of exposed faces
and edges, wastage etc. including dry laying in pattern,
providing dividing strips, special cut piece of various sizes to
create the pattern as shown in the drawing and polishing to
required standard etc. No extra shall be permitted on any
account. Before starting the work, the contractor shall get
samples of slabs (marble/granite) approved by EIC. The tiles
shall be of sizes & thickness as called for in the drawing or item
description.

4.5 Glazed Ceramic Tiles:

4.5.1 Glazed ceramic tiles shall be laid on structural concrete slab
or floor concrete slab. Tiles shall be laid in accordance to IS
Specifications and instructions of manufacturer and as
directed by EIC.

4.5.2 Tiles do no require any special bedding as for Terrazzo and

stone floor tiles. But to achieve the required slopes, an
average 30 to 40 mm thickness bedding of IPS and underlayer
 should be provide. Over this, tiles shall be laid in a cement
mortar ratio of 1:4 on a bed of 12mm thickness.

4.5.3 Sub-grade shall be cleaned, wetted and mopped. IPS shall be

laid in required slope/gradients. It shall be cured for 7 days
and the surface shall be kept rough to achieve key with
bedding of cement mortar. Cement mortar of about 12mm
shall be spread over the area uniformity and compacted with
3 meters straight edge to achieve dead uniform levels.
Surface shall be allowed to harden but in plastic state a thick
cement paste by using cement @4.4 kg/sq.m. shall be worked
into the bedding. Cement paste shall be applied to the area
only where immediate laying of tiles is carried out. Wetted tiles
shall be cleaned and fixed in the thick cement pasted
bedding. Tiles shall be positioned by tapping with wooden
hammer and level checked with straight edge 2-3 metre long
Joints shall be as specified or as thin as possible. Points to be
noted prior to start are as under:-
1. Dry laying of tiles should be done first in a nearby palace
and should be got checked and approved by the
Engineer.
2. Tiles of the same colour and shade should be grouped
together.
3. End cut tiles are more than half.
4. Floor and wall tiles are in the same line.
5. Change of tiles is below the door shutter.
6. Dividing strip is provided.
7. Cutouts of floor drains are in line with the tiles. Tiles
around cutouts are greater than 50 mm or half the tile
whichever is greater.
 8. Joints should be very thin and in any case not more than
1 to 1.5 mm width.
9. Joints shall be cleaned thoroughly and grouted with
colour or white cement as specified. White or colour
grout shall be prepared with colour pigments added to
cement as per colour of tiles or as directed by EIC. Grout
shall be a thick paste and tooled into joints and area of
the tile cleaned with a damp cloth. Grouting shall be
cured by wet curing for 7 days. Grouting material fallen
on the tiles should be immediately wiped out by using
clean cloth. It should be ensured that no stains are left
on the tiles.
10. After 24 hours of grouting tiles shall be cleaned with
water and after 7 to 10 days or prior to handling over,
tiles shall be washed with mild acid. Care shall be taken
that grout does not develop any stain mark.
11. All expansion joints shall be carried out right through and
finished by sealing with silicon sealant.
4.5.4 Tiles shall be measured in square metres. Rate shall include for
all material, labour, cutting, fixing, grouting, cleaning etc.
competed to be satisfaction of the Engineer-in-charge.

5.0 SKIRTING/DADO/STEPS/RISERS:

5.1 Material for skirting, dado, steps, risers shall be as specified in

drawings.

5.1.1 Surface preparation shall be same as for flooring for each

type. Backing coat, plaster for dado and skirting shall be done
as detailed in the plaster section. It shall be combed for
creating a key and better adhesion with skirting material.
 In case of steps, bedding shall be laid exactly as flooring and
all operations described therein shall be carried out.

5.1.2 External and internal facings shall be fixed with adequate

provision for expansion and compression joints.

The contractor shall supply and fix all necessary supports,

anchor slots, anchor cramps and dowels required for the
satisfactory completion of all vertical marble or any other
stone cladding work.

Notwithstanding the above stipulation, the contractor shall be

entirely completed.

All anchors and other fixing shall be concealed when the work
is completed.

Great care shall be taken to protect delivered and laid

marble/granite and other stones from dripping and staining
during the course of work.

5.1.3 Skirting or dado tiles shall be fixed as under:

1) Sufficiently hardened backing/undercoat must be
damp.
2) Tiles shall be buttered with gray/white or pigmented
cement paste on the back side as directed.
3) Tiles shall be fixed on the undercoat and tamped with
wooden mallet or rubber mallet to achieve full adhesion
 to the undercoat. Edge shall be tamped to secure line
and level.
4) Care shall be taken to achieve pattern of laying with
respect to floor or ceiling. Joint should not be more than
1 to 1.5mm.
5) Tiles shall be mapped with wet cloth to remove grout
coming out from joints.

5.1.4 Polishing and cleaning shall be as described in type of tiles

referred above, except that the operation shall be manual.

5.1.5 Measurement shall being funning meters for skirting, steps,

risers for specified width. Dado shall be measured in square
meters or as per BOQ.

Rates shall include materials and labor required to complete

the items as specified and approved by the Engineer-in-
charge. It shall include dividing strips, treating expansion joist,
sealing corners and edges around fittings and fixtures etc. all
completed as approved by the Engineer-in-charge.

Signature of Tenderer Additional Chief

Engineer(I&NT)
Date.:
Date.: