What is BS EN 998‑2 - Masonry mortar about?
BS EN 998 is a series of the European standard on mortar used in masonry to fill the gaps between blocks in construction.
BS EN 998‑2 is the second part of the BS EN 998 series of documents that specifies requirements for factory-made masonry mortars (bedding, jointing and pointing) for use in masonry walls, columns and partitions (e.g., facing and rendered masonry, load-bearing or non-load bearing masonry structures for buildings and civil engineering works).
BS EN 998‑2 defines for fresh mortar the performance related to workable life, chloride content, air content, density and correction time (for thin-layer mortar only). For hardened mortar it defines, e.g., performance related to compressive strength, bond strength, density measured according to the corresponding test methods contained in separate European Standards.
BS EN 998‑2 provides for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) and marking requirements of the product.
Note: BS EN 998‑2 covers masonry mortars defined in Clause 3 with the exception of the site made mortar and may be used in conjunction with codes of application and national specifications covering site made mortar.
Who is BS EN 998‑2 - Masonry mortar for?
BS EN 998‑2 on masonry mortars is useful for:
- Builders
- Architects
- Manufacturers of cement and mortar
- Manufacturers and suppliers of render and plaster materials
- Quality control inspectors
Why should you use BS EN 998‑2 - Masonry mortar?
Masonry cement is supplied for use in mortar and contains an air entrainer to give improved workability, and subsequently frost resistance after hydration.
The requirements on characteristics for fresh and hardened mortar is specified in BS EN 998-2 declaring their work-life, chloride content and air content.
BS EN 998‑2 provides the additional requirements for thin layer mortars and equipment procedures for mixing of mortar on site.
Designation of masonry mortar and marking and labelling of the product are set out in BS EN 998‑2.
BS EN 998-2 certifies the compliance of masonry mortars with the specifications and performance determination of the product type, as well as factory production control, for assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP).
Overall, BS EN 998‑2 assist you in manufacturing masonry mortars that hardens to bind building blocks such as stones, bricks, and concrete masonry units, to fill and seal the irregular gaps between them, spread the weight of them evenly, and sometimes to add decorative colours or patterns to masonry walls.
As a result, you may get high-quality masonry mortars in a variety of colours, sizes, textures, and patterns to enhance their aesthetic appeal while also controlling sound, resisting fire, insulating against daily temperature variations and having a longer lifespan.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 998‑2:2016 supersedes BS EN 998‑2:2010. BS EN 998‑2:2016 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 998‑2:2010. These include:
- Implementation of new regulatory (CPR) terminology where relevant
- Revised clauses on Assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP)
- New explanatory note added to tabulated values
- New annex with indicative frequencies on testing for factory production control
- Some minor editorial changes