Tile Adhesives And Why They Need To Meet British Standards
Every CE marking depicts that a product is safe for use as required by the European Union Certification. Tile adhesives are also required to meet this safety norm to be declared fit according to British Standards.
Like all construction material such as tiles, bricks etc adhesives need to pass the safety test in order to be used in Europe. This can include adhesives for tiles, plastic water pipes, gypsum blocks, metallic components and timber. The BS EN 12004 is the minimum requirement that is needed in order for a tile adhesive to pass the test to conform. The properties stated in the new British Standard are perfect in comparison to the former British Standard BS 5980 as they are more descriptive. Adhesives have to pass a series of tests which include dispersion, performance and reaction in order to be classified.
The newly introduced tests are far more detailed as to what were carried out earlier for meeting safety standards. The newly formed safety tests also now have to take into consideration the following factors:- the ability to stretch, slipperiness, water resistance and the ability to withstand deformation. The fundamental characteristics have to be declared by the manufacturer in order to prove the adhesive conforms to the British Standard. A manufacturer will confirm that it is safe for use by marking the product under a certain catergory.
All CE marked adhesives may not necessarily conform to the compulsory prerequisites as stated in the directive for BS EN 12004. Having a CE marking only implies that it has passed the general standard that allows it to be sold in the European Union markets but it does not ensure full safety of the product as per the new British Standard. To be considered fit for BS EN 12004 standards adhesives have to have passed the following performance tests; heat ageing, freezing and thawing. These tests however, are not included in order to pass the CE certification. The durability of the product however needs to pass the Construction Products Directive.
Before you buy any product it is advisable to check the markings. Products should hold both the CE and the BS EN 12004 certification. Ensure you check thoroughly before purchasing to ensure this. The heat ageing, freeze and thaw requirements are factors you should still check for on the contents label even if it has both the markings. To know that this property does not exist in the adhesive you need to look out for a no performance determined or NPD sign or maybe a value such as N/mm2, which is lower than 0.Durability is measured with 5N/mm2.
The CE and the BS EN 12004 marks are classification ratings that are set by the manufacturer to show the product you are buying passes all safety norms.
With these kind of checks in place the public can rest assured whether decorating the bathroom, with those gorgeous ceramic bathroom tiles or choosing a tile design for your kitchen, each product has had to pass the safety checks in place.
Tags: Bricks, Catergory, Ce Marking, Ceramic Bathroom Tiles, Construction Material, Decorating The Bathroom, Deformation, Dispersion, Fundamental Characteristics, Gypsum Blocks, Metallic Components, Performance Tests, Plastic Water Pipes, Prerequisites, Safety Standards, Safety Test, Safety Tests, tile adhesive, Tile Adhesives, Tiles, Union Markets, Water Resistance