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National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP)

Carpet and Carpet Cushion LAP

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Carpet Testing

ASTM D1335 Test Method for tuft bind of pile yarn floor coverings.

Credit: Shaw Industries Group, Inc.

Carpet Assessor Needed: An assessor is needed for the NVLAP Carpet and Carpet Cushion LAP. Acceptable candidates must have experience working in a carpet testing laboratory with knowledge of a wide range of testing methods. Experience with an ISO/IEC 17025 management system is a bonus. Assessors are contractors and will work approximately 2 weeks a year. Most laboratories are located around Dalton, GA, but some travel to Los Angeles, CA is required. If interested, please contact timothy.rasinski [at] nist.gov (timothy[dot]rasinski[at]nist[dot]gov).

In 1981 NVLAP established the Carpet Testing Program for accrediting laboratories that test carpet and attached carpet cushion products. This program was developed in response to a request from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Its purpose is to assist HUD in assessing the suitability of carpet and attached carpet cushion products for use in housing programs. HUD Use of Materials Bulletin No. 44 (UM 44), Building Products Standards and Certification Program for Carpet, includes the minimum requirements and standard test methods used for determining the acceptability of carpet and attached carpet cushion products for HUD housing.

In 1993 HUD issued Use of Materials Bulletin No. 72 (UM 72), Building Products Standards and Certification Program for Carpet Cushion, which includes minimum requirements and test methods for separate (not attached) carpet cushion products. In response to HUD’s issuance of UM 72, the NVLAP Carpet Testing program was expanded to include requirements for testing separate carpet cushions. The expanded NVLAP program was renamed the Carpet and Carpet Cushion (CCC) Program in 1994.   

For information on the requirements of accreditation see NIST Handbook 150 which contains the general requirements for accreditation of laboratories. In addition, NIST Handbook 150-6 contains specific requirements for carpet and carpet cushion laboratories.

Proficiency Testing Requirements

Section 7.7.2 of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requires a laboratory “monitor its performance by comparison with results of other laboratories, where available and appropriate.” The Carpet and Rug Institute, https://carpet-rug.org/, is developing a proficiency testing program similar to previous NVLAP proficiency testing. Labs are expected to participate in CRI proficiency testing in each round as appropriate.

Radiant panel apparatus for flammability test for flooring which is used to predict how a floor covering might spread fire in a corridor during a fully developed fire.
Radiant panel apparatus for flammability test for flooring which is used to predict how a floor covering might spread fire in a corridor during a fully developed fire.
Credit: Shaw Industries Group, Inc.

Requirements Documents

References and Information

 

 

Standards, Accreditation and Conformity assessment

Contacts

Created July 10, 2013, Updated June 7, 2024