FloorScore white for website

FloorScore®

What is FloorScore® IAQ Certification?

When it comes to indoor air quality, a primary concern is the emission level of specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs). FloorScore® IAQ Certification means that a flooring product is independently certified by SCS to comply with the volatile organic compound emissions criteria of the California Section 01350 Program. Hundreds of resilient hard surface flooring materials and their adhesives bear the FloorScore® seal. This seal tells you that the products have been independently certified by SCS to comply with the volatile organic compound emissions criteria of the California Section 01350 Program ( California Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers, Version 1.2 ). Any product that has met these stringent standards is a product that will contribute to good indoor air quality. The FloorScore® certification means healthier, cleaner air. And that means healthier humans.

Why everyone should care about indoor air quality.

IAQ is important because, if you’re like most people, you spend around 90% of your time indoors. If you’re breathing poor quality air, you could be facing a higher risk level for a variety of health problems, including headaches, dizziness, and more serious long-term conditions.

FloorScore full img new
FloorScore full img mobile

Using recycled and recyclable materials

Cutting back on waste generation

Reducing packaging-or eliminating it altogether

Lowering product emissions

Important info about FloorScore

If you work in an office or have children in school where new flooring is installed – or if you are simply concerned about indoor air quality – the FloorScore® seal means you can “breathe easier” because the floor meets the requirements of California Section 01350 which has been adopted by Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS).

Healthy air contributes to better learning in schools, improved productivity in offices and more comfortable homes. Poor IAQ can be a factor in a variety of health problems, such as headaches and dizziness and more serious long-term effects.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in a building depends on many factors, including:

How well the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system and filters are maintained,
How well and how often the rooms are cleaned,
The people, activities and furnishings in the building,
The outdoor environment, and
Surfaces and finishes throughout.

In terms of IAQ, one issue is the emission level of particular volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many currently available hard surface flooring materials and their adhesives are certified under the FloorScore program.

  • U.S. Green Building Council LEED Rating System
  • LEED for New Construction (NC)
  • LEED for Commercial Interiors (CI)
  • LEED for Core and Shell (CS)
  • LEED for Healthcare (HC)
  • LEED for Schools
  • LEED for Homes
  • LEED for Existing Buildings (EB)
  • Green Guide for Health Care
  • ANSI/GBI 01-2010 Green Building Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings
  • ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1 Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings
  • NAHB ANSI National Green Building Standard
  • BREEAM
  • Collaboration for High Performance Schools (CHPS)
  • CSI Green Format
  • HBN Pharos Project
  • NSF/ANSI 332-2010 Sustainability Assessment for Resilient Floor Coverings
  • Florida Green Home Standard
  • City of Scottsdale Environmental Rating System
  • EPA Tools for Schools Program

IAQ is important because, if you’re like most people, you spend around 90% of your time indoors. If you’re breathing poor quality air, you could be facing a higher risk level for a variety of health problems, including headaches, dizziness, and more serious long-term conditions.

A Healthier Workplace – FloorScore

Absolutely. Here are five ways to improve your IAQ:

  1. Improve your HVAC system design and maintenance
  2. Ensure adequate ventilation with clean air
  3. Improve air filtering
  4. Schedule maintenance or remodeling for minimum impact
  5. Control the sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Where can I find a list of flooring products that have earned the FloorScore<sup>®</sup> seal?

A current list is maintained at http://www.scscertified.com/products/program.php?a=FloorScore.

Where can I find the FloorScore<sup>®</sup> test procedure and certification requirements?

You can find on SCS’s website at https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/floorscore

In short, what does FloorScore<sup>®</sup> require?

To earn the FloorScore® seal, a flooring product must satisfy the requirements of the SCS-EC-10.2-2007 Environmental Certification Program – Indoor Air Quality Performance, which includes:

  1. testing demonstrating compliance with emission concentrations for listed VOCs under California Section 01350;
  2. manufacturing facility on-site audits and yearly surveillance audits;
  3. annual product re-testing;
  4. product record keeping; and
  5. a documented quality control plan.

Why does IAQ matter to me?

If you’re like most people, you spend over 90% of your life indoors.

Are some people more sensitive to VOCs than others?

Yes. During installation when VOC levels can be higher, people who are sensitive to odors or chemicals should avoid the area. Floorscore certification does not include the installation process.

Why is hard surface flooring recommended for classrooms, offices and homes?

Hard surface floors are easy to clean and maintain because they provide a one-dimensional surface that doesn’t absorb odors, spills, dust or soil. They also don’t easily retain moisture, which can promote the growth of microorganisms, such as dust mites and mold, that can contribute to poor IAQ.

Where can I learn more?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a web site that provides information on indoor air quality at www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html. You can also find out about all the indoor air quality certifications offered by SCS at http://www.scscertified.com/gbc/indoor_air_quality.php.

SCS global services

SCS is an internationally recognized third-party evaluation, testing, and certification organization. SCS programs span a wide cross-section of the economy, including consumer products, the energy industry, manufacturing and retail, and home improvement and construction.

As a third party independent certification firm, SCS audits and determines whether products qualify for the FloorScore® seal by meeting the requirements of SCS-EC-10.3-2014 v3.0. Under this program, SCS (1) reviews all VOC emissions test reports for particular products generated by independent testing laboratories; (2) determines whether those test results meet the California Section 01350 requirements for listed VOCs; and (3) conducts periodic manufacturing plant inspections to review product formulas, processing, and quality control to ensure the continuing integrity of the FloorScore® seal.

The product certification program includes requirements for:

  • Laboratory testing for emissions of volatile organic chemicals
  • Development and use of a Documented Control System
  • Site audits

Links & Documents

FloorScore® Product Certification Requirements

To Apply for Certification, Download SCS FloorScore® Application

Complete Emissions Test Specifications Document