What is BS EN 1341 - stone paving requirements and tests about?
Stone slabs are used for paving due to their versatility, durability, and natural beauty. BS EN 1341 is a European Standard that discusses slabs of natural stone for external paving.
BS EN 1341 specifies the performance requirements and the corresponding test methods for all-natural stone slabs used for external paving and road finishes.
Note: BS EN 1341 does not cover natural stone slabs for floors and stairs in buildings. In these cases, BS EN 12058 [1] applies.
Who is BS EN 1341 - stone paving requirements and tests for?
BS EN 1341 on natural stone paving requirements and tests is useful for:
- Relevant government / municipal authorities that commission work
- Road transport authorities
- Purchase divisions responsible for procuring stone slabs
- Contractors
- Retailers and suppliers of natural stone
- Quality control personnel
- Natural stone experts
- The construction industry
- Builders / real estate developers / architects working on large projects
Why should you use BS EN 1341 - stone paving requirements and tests?
External paving includes all pavements typical of road works, such as pedestrian and trafficked areas, and outdoor squares. A huge variety of natural stones with different characteristics can be used for external paving.
BS EN 1341 provides guidelines for the evaluation of conformity and for marking of natural stone slabs. BS EN 1341 also covers characteristics that are of importance to the trade.
BS EN 1341 guidelines represent a means to guarantee constancy of the product’s performance and a reliable declaration for both the users and the manufacturer.
BS EN 1341 guidelines help you to use appropriate natural stone slabs that provide longevity to external paving. Users are not inconvenienced since stone slabs withstand weathering well, and can last for decades with very little maintenance.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 1341:2012 supersedes BS EN 1341:2001 which is withdrawn. BS EN 1341:2012 includes the following editorial and technical changes with reference to BS EN 1341:2012. These include:
- Where possible the requirements refer to separate test methods prepared by CEN/TC 246, "Natural stones". The change was made to allow those placing the products on the market to use the same test results for a number of products
- The values to be declared have been clarified and where applicable the declared values are now ‘lower expected values’
- Annex A (Annex B in the 2001 version) has been extended to include safety factors specific to different uses