QB UPEC

The QB mark can be supplemented with a classification. For floor coverings, this is known as the UPEC classification, which facilitates the selection of floor coverings best suited to the uses of the location where it will be installed.

For project owners and specifiers, relying on a QB brand issued by an impartial actor is the simplest and most reliable way to:

  • Identify the floor coverings best suited to the user’s requirements and the constraints of the space,
  • Make sure the characteristics will endure with use,
  • Distinguish between two products that appear identical, with an objective, clear and transparent choice.

For manufacturers, the QB UPEC certification provides a better visibility on the market, both in France and at the international level.

The CSTB issues QB certification associated with UPEC classifications for the following products:

  • Ceramics
  • Resilient flooring
  • Laminate flooring
  • Textiles
  • Carpets

Premises classification

The UPEC classification, united with the QB mark, enables any specifier, project owner or private individual to determine the product fitting the use of the premises where it will be laid.
The different types of premises are grouped into eleven categories corresponding to varying degrees of harshness of use:

  1. Housing
  2. Civil & administrative buildings
  3. Trains stations and Airports
  4. Shops
  5. Hotels & Holidays
  6. Schools
  7. Hospitals
  8. Medical houses
  9. Retirement homes
  10. Sports buildings
  11. Kitchens & restaurants

Each type of premises is assigned a classification according to the use. This ranking centres around four concepts:

U. is for Wear (Usure) P. is for Puncturing (Poinçonnement) E. is for Water (Eau) C. is for Chemicals (Chimie)
Characterizes the impact of footfall Characterizes mechanical effects (static effect, shifting or rolling furniture, impacts of falling objects) Characterizes the frequency with which water comes into contact with the floor Characterizes resistance to staining and chemical agents

Each concept goes along with an index number. The higher the index number, the better are the product characteristics:

  • U : 2, 2s, 3, 3s, 4
  • P : 2, 3, 4, 4+, 4s
  • E : 0, 1, 2, 3
  • C : 0, 1, 2, 3

Examples of classification:

  • In the hallway of a house, a U2sP2E1C0. rated covering is preferred.
  • In a nursery’s activity room, a product will need a classification of at least U3P3E2C1 to meet the specific demands of this type of space.

In order to guide your research, the document « Notice sur le Classement U.P.E.C. des locaux [Information on the UPEC Classification of Buildings] » (Cahiers du CSTB n° 3509), summarises all of the building classification tables.

Revêtement QB
© Michel Assezat