Among the manufacturers of ceramic tile there are certain standards that are universal. ISO Standards have been established by the International Standards Organization to unify product standards and testing methods for ceramic tiles worldwide. Manufacturers that adhere to these standards produce all Global TILE ONE products. One of the most important of these standards is the PEI rating. The P.E.I. (Porcelain Enamel Institute) rating is a measurement of how well a ceramic tile will wear. Generally, ceramic tile manufacturers classify their products in 5 categories. They are as follows:
Establishes how much effort it takes to move an object across the face of the tile dry or wet. This is vitally important when choosing floor tile in an attempt to minimize slip and fall injuries. For example, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that floor surfaces be stable, firm, and slip resistant. Further, the Building Code for the City of Los Angeles, California (USA) requires that level surfaces have a COF of not less than 0.6 and ramps no less than 0.8 when tested.
The color shade or shades of all tile varies some degree from piece to piece, from each production run to run. At least several pieces from the same production run should be reviewed whenever possible to determine acceptable color shade variations. Any questions or concerns about your tile selection should be clarified prior to installation.
Establishes the tiles surface abrasive hardness. This test establishes a whole number rating for the tile. This means simply that the higher the number, the harder the tiles surface.