What is BS EN 998-1 - Rendering and plastering mortar about?
BS EN 998 is a series of the European standards on mortar used in masonry to fill the gaps between blocks in construction.
BS EN 998-1 is the first part of the BS EN 998 series of documents that is applicable to factory-made rendering/plastering mortars based on inorganic binders for external (rendering) and internal (plastering) use on walls, ceilings, columns and partitions.
BS EN 998-1 contains definitions and final performance requirements.
BS EN 998-1 provides for the assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) and the marking requirement for the products.
A calcium sulphate binder can be used as an additional binder together with air lime. If air lime is the principal active binding component, the rendering/plastering mortar is covered by BS EN 998-1. If the calcium sulphate binder is the principal active binding component, the mortar is covered by EN 13279.
Note 1: BS EN 998-1 covers rendering/plastering mortars defined in Clause 3 with the exception of site-made rendering/plastering mortars and may be used in conjunction with codes of application and national specifications covering site made mortar.
Note 2: BS EN 998-1 does not cover mortars where calcium sulphate binder is the principal active binding agent.
Note 3: Special fire-resistant- and acoustical mortars, mortars for structural repair and surface treatments of building elements such as materials for smoothing or trueing, paints, coatings, thin-layer organic renders/plasters and prefabricated units (e.g., plasterboards) are not dealt with in BS EN 998-1.
Who is BS EN 998-1 - Rendering and plastering mortar for?
BS EN 998-1 on factory-made rendering/plastering mortars is useful for:
- Manufacturers of cement and mortar
- Manufacturers and suppliers of render and plaster materials
- Quality control inspectors
Why should you use BS EN 998-1 - Rendering and plastering 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 998-1 declaring their work-life, air content, durability and reaction to fire of mortar.
BS EN 998-1 provides the classification and summary of the requirement for hardened mortar properties.
Designation of rendering and plastering mortars are set out in BS EN 998-1 by declaring specific values or categories for hardened mortar along with marking and labelling of the products.
BS EN 998-1 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 998-1 assist you in manufacturing rendering or plastering mortars to create a more smooth and even surface on internal and exterior walls and ceilings that are much easier to clean and decorate the walls with paint or wallpaper hence enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the inside and outside walls of a building.
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 998-1:2016 supersedes BS EN 998-1:2010. BS EN 998-1:2016 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 998-1:2010. These include:
- Implementation of new regulatory (CPR) terminology where relevant
- The order of has been changed (fresh mortar before hardened mortar)
- Revised clauses on Assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP)
- New annex with indicative frequencies on testing for factory production control
- Some minor editorial changes