Introduction


Carpet Performance


The Quality Mark


Awards Process


Monitoring


The Tests


Members &
QM Products

The Suitability Evaluation System

The PRINCIPLES OF THE suitability evaluation SYSTEM

The SES produces test scores for the following criteria: -

  • WEAR INDEX - the relationship between SURFACE PILE WEIGHT, DENSITY AND THE FIBRE FACTOR [score 10-30]
  • APPEARANCE RETENTION - measured by the Hexapod or Vetterman Drum Test [score 7.5-30]
  • SURFACE PILE DENSITY - measured in grams per cubic centimetre [score 5-20]
  • TUFT DENSITY - measured in tufts per square decimetre [score 4-10]
  • LUXURY RATING CLASS - the relationship between PILE HEIGHT, SURFACE PILE WEIGHT and TUFT DENSITY [score 6-10]

The aggregate scores from the criteria opposite are used to identify SUITABILITY CLASSIFICATIONS as follows: -

Less than 45
45-59
60-74
75-89
90+
LIGHT DOMESTIC
MODERATE DOMESTIC
GENERAL DOMESTIC
HEAVY DOMESTIC
EXTRA HEAVY DOMESTIC

In addition, carpet carrying the QUALITY MARK must have been subjected to the following tests of flammability: -

  • METHENAMINE PILL TEST (Pass/Fail)
  • HOT METAL NUT TEST (Low/Medium)

THE QUALITY MARK WILL BE AWARDED WHERE THE SES SUITABILITY CLASSIFICATION COINCIDES WITH, OR EXCEEDS THE SUITABILITY CLAIM MADE BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PRODUCT.