In one sentence: Specify homogeneous vinyl sheet to EN ISO 10581 (formerly EN 649) when welded seams and chemical resistance outrank installation speed; specify SPC rigid core where a department must return to service within one working day and the substrate is flat and dry.
The material choice follows from four project facts, not from product preference: the clinical function of the room, the chemicals actually used for disinfection, the rolling and static loads the floor must carry, and the joint strategy the facility can maintain. Once those four are fixed, the format usually selects itself.
| Criterion | Homogeneous sheet (EN ISO 10581) | SPC rigid core |
|---|---|---|
| Joint | Welded, continuous | Mechanical click joint |
| Disinfectant / chemical resistance | High | Moderate |
| Rolling loads | Suitable | Check thickness and locking system |
| Downtime per room | Longer (adhesive, welding, cure) | Short |
| Wet areas | Suitable when welded | Only with sealed edges |
| Substrate tolerance | Moderate | Low — flatness is critical |
| Local repair | Re-weld, re-condition | Replace plank |
| Typical reference | EN ISO 10581 (former EN 649) | Modular panel standard — confirm with supplier test report |
Request these from the supplier as extractable text or PDFs, not photos:
| Test | Standard |
|---|---|
| Homogeneous vinyl sheet classification | EN ISO 10581 (formerly EN 649) |
| Heterogeneous / compact sheet classification | EN ISO 10582 (formerly EN 649) |
| Total thickness | EN ISO 24346 |
| Residual indentation | EN ISO 24343-1 |
| Dimensional stability | EN ISO 23999 |
| Flexibility | EN ISO 24344 |
| Static conductive / ESD systems (where specified) | IEC 61340-5-1 (current edition 2024) |
Reaction-to-fire performance must be verified against the classification report required by the local building code; do not accept a performance claim that is not backed by a report.
Only where every joint is sealed against water ingress and the substrate is verified. In continuously wet areas, welded homogeneous vinyl sheet remains the lower-risk hospital flooring material because it forms a continuous, gapless surface when correctly installed and welded.
Quote the classification from EN ISO 10581 for homogeneous sheet, or EN ISO 10582 for heterogeneous sheet, and require the supplier's test report as an attachment to the submittal. Do not accept a marketing claim without the underlying laboratory report.
With cove formers formed on site using a heat gun, then welded to the sheet with a matching PVC welding rod. This produces a continuous, cleanable angle instead of a dust-catching joint. The welding rod must match the sheet composition — a mismatch causes joint failure under disinfectant exposure.
Use the acrylic contact adhesive recommended by the accessory manufacturer (for GREEN POINT accessories, this is the GP166 primer). Never use neoprene (chloroprene) adhesive with PVC accessories — it causes shrinkage at joints and skirtings under the thermal and chemical cycling typical in hospital environments.
Yes. Reaction-to-fire performance must be verified against the classification report required by the local building code. Do not accept a performance claim that is not backed by a laboratory test report. The relevant standard is EN 13501-1 in Europe; requirements vary by country and project type.
Further reading on this site:
Further reading on this site:
Our technical team can provide product data sheets, test reports, and application guidance for hospital and healthcare flooring projects.
Send a quick message — we reply within 1 business day.