The ever-increasing needs of industry require a continuing examination of concrete floor flatness specifications to ensure that floors are built to meet the requirements of the end user. This may be the immediate user, such as the tenant or owner of the building, or a funding organisation. Each end user is unique, and hundreds of flatness specifications would be necessary to satisfy fully the requirements of them all. In addition, most end users are not the building owners and it is the owners who dictate the floor flatness requirements to look after their own long-term interests. Such interests might include a change of floor use in the future that requires a higher flatness standard. It has become clear over the past few years that all end users and owners want the highest quality floor at an acceptable cost that will satisfy both their long-term and short-term requirements. The Concrete Society specification has to take account of these requirements and, at the same time, of what is achievable in practice.

Defined and free movement areas

Free movement areas

The new free movement specification

Free movement classifications

Measuring to free movement flatness specifications

Methods of construction for free movement areas

Acceptability if the FM limits are not achieved

Choosing the right specification

Change of floor flatness with time

Specifications outside the United Kingdom

Remedial measures if flatness specifications requirements are not achieved