Suite 8, Granland Business Center, R. Castillo St.

, Davao City, 8000

(082) 287-5116 / 09224587788 / 09238108133 / 09271649435
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POLISHED CONCRETE SYSTEM SPCIFICATIONS AND GUIDELINES

I. What is concrete polishing?

This is the process of grinding, honing, and polishing concrete, such as a cast-in-
place slab or topping with or with no exposure of aggregates, using mechanical
equipment and techniques in order to achieve the desired appearance or finish.1

II. What are the benefits of polished concrete?

a. The flooring achieves a sustainable design and durability due to increase

abrasion resistance.
b. Improves the efficiency of floors for areas where faster and safer mobility
are needed.
c. Increases the slip resistance of concrete floorings. The typical slip
resistance of polished concrete is between 0.7 to 0.9 DCOF as compared
to the typical slip resistance of Vinyl Composite Tiles (VCT) which is at the
minimum of 0.5 OSHA DCOF.2
d. Provides low-cost maintenance for the company. It eliminates the need to
apply additional flooring materials such as tiles and coatings.
e. Decreases the need for additional lighting for indoor areas
f. Environment friendly

III. What are the uses of polished concrete?

a. New concrete applications

b. Retrofitting and refurbishment

IV. What are the applications of polished concrete?

a. Warehouses
b. Mills
c. Retail stores
d. Showrooms
e. Offices and hotels
f. Schools
g. Restaurants
h. Packing and dry goods facilities
i. Transportation facilities

1 Cuviello, J. (2013). Polished concrete definitions. Concrete Polishing Association of America.

[Link]
2 Sotter, G. (2015). OSHA’s “Suggestion” for Minimum Floor Coefficient of Friction (COF). Safety Direct America.

[Link]
V. AGGREGATE EXPOSURE3

Approximate
Classification Name Appearance
surface cut depth
A Cream Very little
Little Aggregate Exposure
Fine aggregate exposure with
Fine aggregate
B 1/16 inch little or no medium aggregate
(Salt & pepper)
exposure at random locations
Medium Aggregate exposure
Medium
C 1/8 inch or no large aggregate
Aggregate
at random locations
Large aggregate exposure
Large
D ¼ inch with little or no fine aggregate
Aggregate
exposure at random locations
Note : Floor Flatness (FF) number affects the consistency of aggregate exposure

VI. REFLECTIVE CLARITY AND REFLECTIVE SHEEN4

Level Name Reflective Clarity Reflective Sheen Grit Range

Flat appearance with no to
1 Ground a very slight diffused None to very low Below 100
reflection
Matte appearance with or
100-200
2 Honed without slight diffused Low to medium
reflection
Semi - Objects being reflected are
400
3 polished not quite sharp and crisp Medium to high
but can be easily identified
Objects being reflected are
Highly sharp and crisp as would be 800-3000
4 High to highest
Polished seen in a mirror-like
reflection
Gloss can be measured by a gloss meter.
Reflective Clarity refers to the degree of sharpness and crispness of the reflection of the
overhead objects once viewed 5 feet perpendicular above a surface.
Reflective Sheen refers to the degree of gloss reflected from the surface once viewed at
20 feet from and at an angle to a surface.

3 Information taken from Concrete Polishing Association of America CPAA

4 Information taken from Concrete Polishing Association of America CPAA.

VII. GENERAL CONTRACTOR and PLACING CONTRACTOR

A. SUBMITTALS

1. Materials

a. Indicate the concrete mix design for the concrete mix to be used.
Please follow the mix design recommended by the polishing
contractor.
b. Qualify the placing contractor who knows and has experience with
placing concrete for polished concrete finish.

2. Concrete Mix

a. Indicate the concrete mix design along with testing data and data
sheets, including sand, aggregate sizes, cement, ad mixtures, and
other relevant variables.
b. The recommended specification for concrete slab placement and
mix should follow the requirements indicated by the polishing
contractor.

3. Mock-ups

a. Provide mock-up samples directly on concrete surface before

construction and acceptance/rejection of owner/ architect/
representative.
b. Depending on finish required, the cure of concrete slab of 10-28 days
must be met before providing the mock-up.
c. Depending on the specifics of the job, mock up approval can be for
the general contractor or for the polishing contractor.

4. Quality Assurance

Because the general contractor and the placing contractor is

responsible for the success of the polished concrete floor, both
should have a pre-placement meeting with the polishing contractor.

B. CONSTRUCTION

1. Materials
a. Materials such as cement, sand, and aggregate should be
consistent with the same batch for the entire project.
b. Lightweight aggregates such as pumice/lahar stones should not be
used when the exposed aggregates are the desired look.
c. Concrete must come from the same batch plant throughout the
entire job.
2. Storage (On and Off Site)

a. Ensure safe storage and protection of liquid Color additives.

b. Mix additives thoroughly prior to use.
c. Properly store and protect chemical admixtures from harmful
elements that can alter their components.

3. Subgrade

a. The subgrade must be well prepared, uniformly flat and should

meet the recommended specification for concrete placement for
polished concrete in order to lessen damages and flaws in the
concrete surface. Important: Any unevenness or soft spots will
cause cracks and/or deflections in the surface that will affect the
floor finish.

b. Install a high-performance vapor barrier membrane between the

subgrade and the concrete. Important: Moisture movements
between surfaces can adversely affect a polished concrete
surface.

c. Other important specifications:

1. Class A based on ASTM E1745-09 Standard Specification

for Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Solid or
Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs.
2. Permeance: Not more than 0.1 perms (grains/[Link]/hr/in-
Hg) after conditioning testing according to Section 7.1
ASTM E154-08a Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor
Retarders Used in Contract with Earth Under Concrete
Slabs, on Walls, or as Ground Cover.
3. Thickness: Not less than 0.4mm (15 mils).
4. Tensile strength: Not less than 45 lbf/in.
5. Puncture Resistance: 2200 grams.
6. Installation of vapor barrier should comply with ASTM
E1643-09 Standard Practice for Selection, Design,
Installation, and Inspection of Water Vapor Retarders
Used in Contact with Granular Fill Under Concrete Slabs.

4. Concrete Mix Design

Important: Each mix ingredient should be from the same source, from the same
batch, and must be delivered to the concrete producer in one (1) delivery.

a. Type I Portland Cement according to ASTM C150-09 Standard

Specifications for Portland Cement.
 b. The compressive strength should be a minimum of 3500 psi
Standard of 3500 to 5000 psi).
c. Of extreme importance: Water-Cement ratio < 0.45.
1. Inform workers about the importance of measuring
volume of cement and water. Require them to follow the
best practice and standard.
2. Following the correct ratio will achieve the best possible
results and will reduce cracks in the concrete slab.
d. Interior concrete slabs must not be air entrained.
e. A total of not more than < 20% Fly ash, slag are recommended.
f. The use of small, medium, and large aggregates is recommended
in the mix.
g. Use sand filtered by fine mesh screen. Washed and Vibro-
filtered sand are preferred.
h. Do not use lahar, dead stones, pumice materials in the sand
mix.
i. Admixtures cannot be calcium chloride based.
j. Once an integral color is included in the concrete mix, the minimum
batch size should only be 3 cu. yards.
k. During batching, the consistency of all incoming materials should
be monitored and controlled.

5. Concrete placing

a. During mixing, transportation, and placing of the concrete mix,

ensure that the temperature does not exceed 29.4°C (85°F).
b. At the point of discharge, the slump should be 5 inches, plus or
minus ½ inch.
c. Power trowelling is preferred to achieve better finish before the
polishing process is performed.
d. For best practice in levelling concrete, use equipment such as bull
floats, and laser screed.

6. Contraction Joints

a. Where possible, all joints should always be at right angles.

b. Joints should be squared as much as possible. The depth of each
joint is 25mm or 1 inch.
c. Saw cutting should be done immediately after the slab has
been placed to minimize raveling at the joint or premature
micro-cracking.
d. A saw blade with triangular arbor configuration is preferred to
reduce raveling or dislodging aggregates.
e. Specifications for typical joints on interior slabs for polished floors:
 Slab Thickness in inches Joint spacing in feet
4 10
6 12
8 15

7. Curing

a. Cure the concrete for a minimum of 10-28 days before starting the
polishing procedure.
b. Important: Follow ACI 308R-01 Guide to Curing Concrete for
evaporation control and wet curing.
c. The placing contractor or general contractor and DARIV need to
agree on the curing agent to be used for the project.
d. If densifiers and hardeners are used, no application is needed at
this stage. DARIV will handle this as part of our scope of work.
e. The general contractor and placing contractor will sign off and
turnover the slab to DARIV.

8. Tolerances for Floor Flatness (FF)/ Floor Levelness (FL)

a. Floors should be poured in accordance with ACI 301.

b. Achieve FF numbers of at least 50.
c. Achieve FL numbers of at least 30.
d. The values of FF and FL are for standard concrete projects.
e. Other details: FF and FL Tolerance Chart

Specified Overall Minimum Local

Value Value
Floor Flatness (FF) 50 35
Floor Levelness (FL) 30 20

f. FF and FL should be tested within 8 hours after completing the final

troweling based on ASTM E1155-96 (2008).
g. A solution should be set for out of- tolerance work during the pre-
construction meeting

9. Finish

a. The desired finish with the areas where polished concrete will be
done should be finalized during the pre-construction meeting.
b. An approved mock-up is necessary.
c. A gloss meter or similar measuring device is recommended
C. General Contractor or Owner

1. The general contractor or the owner is the responsible party for the slab’s
condition once turned over by the placing contractor until DARIV commences its
work.
a. Prevent other trades off the slab as much as possible.
b. Cover the slab and protect it from oil spills, contact with metals, and
from mastics/glues.
c. Do not let tobacco juice and cigarette butts contaminate the floor.
d. Prevent all forms of vehicle traffic on the floor.

D. POLISHING CONTRACTOR - DARIV

1. Submittals

a. Materials

i. Densifier and Hardener. TDS provided.

ii. SEALER - extra guard for additional protection and
enhancement of shine and finish. – TDS provided
iii. Provide data sheets on any materials to be used in coloring and
polishing process. E.g., Ameripolish - dyes and stains –
premium water-based dyes will be used for staining if staining of
concrete floor is required and approved.
iv. Patching compounds and grouting System to fill and repair
cracks that are polishable.
v. Metal bonded pads grit: 30/50/100
vi. Diamond Abrasive resin pads grit:
30/50/100/200/400/800/1500/3000
vii. Diamond Impregnated Polishing Pads

b. List of Equipment

i. Grinding and Polishing machine

 3-phase motor
 1-phase motor
ii. Self-propelled high speed burnisher
iii. Microfiber mop
iv. Panel boards
v. Wet and dry vacuum
vi. Variable Hand grinders/Edge grinders
vii. Squeegees
viii. High-Volume Low-Pressure sprayer
ix. Toolbox
x. Electric driven walk-behind Buffing machine
xi. Lighting, Cables and wires

c. Mock-up
i. Provide necessary mock-ups for all projects.
ii. Provide the color mock-ups if required for approval.
iii. Provide a 1 x 2 m mock-up at site.
iv. Secure approval from Architect/owner before commencing job.
v. Request for an NTP (Notice to Proceed) document.
 d. Polishing Process
i. Clean slab thoroughly.
 Remove all traces of paint, oil spots (best effort), dirt,
mastics, and other contaminants.
 Scrub the slab with brush or pads.
 Use clean water and neutral pH cleansers. Rinse well.
 Protect adjacent areas in order to prevent damage
ii. Repair and fill surface cracks.
 Allow repaired cracks to fully cure.
iii. Follow the appropriate step-by-step processes from grinding, to
honing up to the desired level.
iv. Apply sealer, densifier, hardener using sprayer and let it fully dry.
v. Continue honing and polishing until the desired level is achieved.
Important: if staining is required, the stain must be applied
before the application of sealer, densifier, and hardener.
vi. Clean-up the area once work is complete.
vii. The general contractor or the owner is responsible for
protecting the floor from other construction trades. Inform
everyone concerned about the finished floor.
viii. Edges are rarely polished to the same degree that is achieved
for the main floor. Adequate consideration is expected.

e. Quality Assurance

i. DARIV (polishing contractor, the placing contractor and the

general contractor must conduct a pre-construction meeting
to manage all expectations, including the outcome based on
the concrete to be placed and polished.
ii. Testing standards
 Gloss meter
 Mohs Scale
 Consistency of look and sheen
 Free of scratches

f. Maintenance
i. It is important to inform the owner that a maintenance procedure
or program is available.
ii. Do not use high pH cleaners. Only neutral cleaners can be used
to maintain the polished concrete floor.
iii. For cleaning, the use of cleaning pads and brushes are
recommended. White or Red Pads are preferred.

5. Pre-Construction Conference or Meetings

a. Attendees:
i. Placing contractor
ii. Sub-grade contractor
iii. Polishing contractor
iv. General Contractor
 v. Architect/Owner
vi. Ready Mix supplier or producer

b. Agenda Items:
i. Review approved mock-ups (including site visit).
ii. Review contract documents
iii. Review substrate conditions.
iv. Review surface preparations.
v. Set expectations for surface, appearance.
vi. Set protection for concrete floors that are finished.
vii. Assigned party responsible for protection of the finished floor
until the time of turnover.
viii. Punchlist of area done before turn over.
ix. Signed turnover approval.

DARIV has prepared this document as a guide only. All information provided here is
based on the best information and judgements at the time of its publication. Please
expect that advancements in polished concrete research and experiences change and
develop continually, which can alter existing information on this trade. In no event will
the members of DARIV be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or
consequential damages. Any persons or bodies of persons utilizing all or parts of the
following information assumes all risks in connection therewith.