This specification was formulated way back in 1969 and specified rubber as the product for electrical safety. In 2006, after due deliberation by the Bureau of Indian Standards, it was felt that in today's environment, the quality and safety provided by a rubber-based product was inadequate — so the standard itself was withdrawn. It was not possible to simply update or improve the old standard, because the definition and expectation of "safety" had changed over the decades.
Tests that were missing entirely
- Fire retardant test
- Ageing and chemical test
Rubber mats used to be supplied in 6mm, 12mm and 20mm thicknesses. These mats were, in effect, like gas cylinders — waiting to promote a fire hazard in exactly the environment they were meant to protect.
What the new standard requires
Under IS 15652:2006, the specified product is Elastomer, with a far higher fire safety standard. While the definition of Elastomer is broad, it essentially means any product with elastic properties. Rubber does possess this quality, but loses it over time, and does not meet the required tensile and electrical parameters as it ages.
Under the new standard, products carry a service life of 10–15 years, without deterioration in insulation or mechanical properties.
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