FHA-HUD Carpet Standards UM 44d
FHA-HUD Carpet Standards UM 44, serve as quality control guidelines and performance criteria requirements for new carpet production.
HUD Carpet Standards HUD UM 44 set basic requirements and test procedures for carpet products. Cushion standards HUD UM72 also set these requirements and methods to be acceptable under FHA/HUD programs. NVLAP – National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program developed the HUD program for testing carpet products.
HUD Carpet Standards are listed under the HUD/FHA document “Use of Materials Bulletin No. UM 44d. This HUD standard applies to pile yarn floor covering materials designated as first quality. It covers tufted, woven, bonded or knitted carpet. These must be free from objectionable visual blemishes and physical defects.
The standards include the backing material and secondary backing. They also cover unitary and attached cushion (foam-backed). The fibers used in the pile extend into the backing. Extra aspects include the structure of the yarns, and the weight and density of the yarn material.
FHA-HUD Standards are Minimum Requirements
HUD Carpet Standards/Requirements and Test Procedures list the minimum carpet performance criteria for manufacturers. These criteria serve as a quality control standard. Carpets that meet these minimum standards meet industry standards for ordinary use. They also follow HUD/FHA requirements.
The HUD Carpet Standards Bulletin, assumes that the end user of carpet abides by the carpet manufacturers maintenance schedules. Carpet manufactures warranties stress that their guarantees are not valid when adequate maintenance procedures are not followed.
TW Group, a nationally recognized floor covering inspection company based in Washington state, has identified three common complaints in flooring. These are performance issues, tuft bind failure, and delamination. FHA and HUD have established standards to address these concerns, including the following examples.
Pile Yarn Weight oz. sq. yd. See Types and Classes ASTM D 418
Density oz. sq. yd. See Types and Classes N/A
Tuft Bind 6.25 lb. loop ASTM D 1335
-6.25 lb. cut & loop
-3.0 lb. cut pile only
Delamination Strength 2.5 lb. ASTM D 3936
HUD Carpet Standards Bulletin UM 44
Additional Resources: FHA-HUD: Fair Housing Administration – HUD; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – FHA; National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program –NVLAP
