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InterfaceFLOR lights the way with LRVs

31 January 2008, United Kingdom
InterfaceFLOR is lighting the way for the modular carpet tile industry by detailing the light reflectance value (LRV) of its products on its shade cards and literature.

The worldwide leader in the manufacture of modular commercial flooring is the industry’s pioneer for this directive, which stems from the ‘visual contrast’ guideline in the amended Disability Discrimination Act of 1995.

The LRV is the total quantity of visible light reflected by a surface when illuminated by a light source. The LRV scale runs from 0, which is a perfectly absorbing surface that would be assumed to be totally black, up to 100, a perfectly reflective surface that could be considered to be the perfect white.

Differences in LRV should be used to assess the degree of visual contrast between surfaces, such as floors, walls, doors and ceilings, key fittings or fixtures and surrounding surfaces. Research to date shows there is considerable confidence in recommending a difference in LRV of 30 points or more.

Architects and designers can use the 30 point LRV difference in selecting colours to ensure the various elements that make up an interior scheme are more easily defined by people with visual impairments. Modular carpet is particularly suited to creating these ‘readable’ environments since tiles of different tones may be used alongside one another to contrast with other surfaces, highlight changes in level, delineate specific areas of floor and aid way-finding while, at the same time, enhancing overall visual appeal.

With the vast range of colours, textures and designs available from InterfaceFLOR, the phasing in of LRV ratings on its shade cards and literature will mean that architects and designers can easily create appropriate flooring solutions which meet the needs of the widest user base.

For more information on Interface FLOR commercial flooring, please call 08705 30 40 30 or email us.

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