The smoke sheet has 7 levels of standard. Detail as follows.

1. RSS 1X: It has been thoroughly inspected. It is very clean with no more nor any defect. The inspection is also done for its production line and process.

2. RSS 1: No defect with minimal mold on some packages or rubber surface but not more than 5% of the sample.

3. RSS 2: Minimal amount of dry mold on packages, rubber surface, and lump. Some air bubbles and dust may also be found.

4. RSS 3: More than 80% of ripped smoke sheet produced in Thailand are at this standard level. The reference price of ripped smoke sheet is, therefore, mainly based on the RSS 3.

5. RSS 4: The mole found is similar to the RSS 2 and RSS 3, but the defected sample found must be less than 20%. The acceptable defects are air bubbles, dust and moderate black spots as well as a little over smoked.

6. RSS 5: The mole found is similar to the RSS 2, RSS 3, and RSS 4, but the defected sample found must be less than 30%. The acceptable defects are air bubbles, bigger and darker dust, over smoked with moderate stickiness, bloated and a little under smoked.

7. Burok: The leftovers cut pieces from various levels standard or really over smoked rubber, overused of acid, thick black smoke found, no elasticity, robber turned on evenly black.

Ribbed Smoked Sheet Making Process

After the process of making rubber sheet and drying the sheet, the rubber sheet can be smoked right away. Normally it would be smoked for about 4days.

However, if the sheet has been left over time, it should be cleaned and soaked in the 1% concentrated ParanitrophenoI solution to prevent mold during smoking process.

Air dry the rubber before being smoked. The smoking process should be about 4-7 days.

The 4-day smoking process would have temperature set for each day as follows;

● Day 1 at 120 - 125 F
● Day 2 at 125- 135 F
● Day 3 at 135- 140 F
● Day 4 at 140- 145 F

The condition of the smoke house is a very important factor affecting the quality of the smoked sheet. A good smoke house should consider the followings;

● Constant heat distribution
● Good air flow
● Good temperature control
● Fire prevention system
● Drainage system from rubber sheet out of the smoke house
● No leaking of smoke and moisture through the ceiling

The fire wood used in the smoke house should be the type that gives good amount of heat. If the fire wood is moist or gives out too much black smoke, the quality of the smoked sheet would be low and the sheet would be black.

Common problems during smoking process.

- Small air bubbles due to the high temperature during the initial period. It is suggested to adjust the temperature to 120-125 F throughout the whole smoking process.

- Air bubbles due to the high temperature during the final period. It is suggested to control the temperature below 145 F throughout the whole smoking process.

- Mold found on the sheet due to moisture in the smoke house. It is required to fix the temperature and sheet should be cleaned and soaked in the 1% concentrated ParanitrophenoI solution before being smoked to prevent mold during smoking process.

- The sticky black path is found because there is the leaking of smoke and moisture through the ceiling. This leads to the occurrence of sticky moisture on the ceiling. As more moisture is formed, the sticky black drops would drip onto the rubber sheet. Therefore, all the leaking on the ceiling must be covered.

- The rust color path is found because the temperature during the 1st day is too low. The recommended temperature is 120 F.