Standards
No standards exist which relate specifically to dance floors. This was noted by the US-based organisation Entertainment Services Technical Association (ESTA) (www.esta.org) and a Working Group was set up to establish an international standard to be adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The Working Group consists of manufacturers, end-users, and specifiers. The Harlequin group is represented by its associate, American Harlequin Corporation.
The new standard will be broadly based on DIN 18032, but modified to reflect the interests of dancers and related stage performers. In June 2006 the initial section in draft form in English and with English terminology was open for public review. The section BSR E1.26 – 2006, "Recommended Testing Methods and Values for Shock Absorption of Floors Used in Live Performance Venues", relates to shock absorption and has now been adopted as an ANSI standard. A further section, BSR E1.34 “Measuring and Specifying the Slipperiness of Floors Used in Live Performance Venues”, was submitted for public review in January 2008.
When the standard is complete there will be incentive for manufacturers to submit products for testing and the Harlequin group is confident of its products meeting the test criteria, which are unattainable by a number of stiffer sports floors. Further details can
be found at www.esta.org
Note: It cannot be assumed that if a product conforms to this standard it will automatically be approved by dancers, whose predilictions vary. The proposed standard will, however, provide protection to specifiers and manufacturers in the form of concensual test data. Please consult Harlequin for guidance before specifying.
DIN Standard Test 18032 Part II
Summary: tests of shock absorption, vertical deformation, area deflection and behaviour under rolling load, described under DIN 18032, were carried out on Harlequin sprung floors by the Centre for Sports Technology Ltd., in London. DIN 18032 part II is the German Standard for floor requirements for sports halls. Outline descriptions of the methods are given below:
3.1 Force Reduction (shock absorption)
The ‘Force Reduction’ test measures the degree by which the floor reduces the impact force which occurs when an athlete, or dancer, lands on it.
The test was devised to simulate the forces observed when a runner’s heel strikes the ground.
The apparatus consists of a 20kg mass which is allowed to fall onto a stiff spring resting on the floor.
The force which results from the impact depends on the relative stiffness of the floor to that of the spring. The test is carried out on a concrete floor as well as on the floor under test and the result quoted is the amount by which the force measured on the test floor is lower than the force measured on concrete.
3.2 Vertical Deflection
In the ‘Vertical Deflection’ test, the amount by which the floor deflects under impact load is measured directly. The test is similar in principle to the force reduction test, however, a softer spring is used and the drop height is adjusted so that the peak force produced falls within a certain range
3.3 Area Deflection
Area Deflection is measured using a modification of the vertical deflection apparatus. Instead of measuring the deflection at the point at which the test force is applied, it is measured 500mm away.
The purpose of the test is to ensure that one athlete or dancer standing on the floor will not be excessively disturbed by the movements of another nearby.
3.4 Resistance to a Rolling Load
The ‘Rolling Load Resistance’ test is carried out on two structuraly critical areas of the floor. A steel wheel whose width, diameter and corner radii are defined, is loaded to 1500 N and is rolled repeatedly over the surface of each area. After 300 passes, the floor is examined for damage.
