Professional Documents
Culture Documents
BS 4131 Terrazo Tiles
BS 4131 Terrazo Tiles
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
Specification for
Terrazzo tiles
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
Co-operating organizations
Contents
Page
Co-operating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Designation for ordering tiles 1
3 Cement 1
4 Pigments 1
5 Aggregate 1
6 Additives or admixtures 1
7 Manufacture 1
8 Shape 2
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
9 Dimensions 2
10 Tolerances 2
11 Finish 2
12 Freedom from defects or flaws 2
13 Uniformity of colour 2
14 Age at testing 2
15 Water absorption 2
16 Transverse strength 2
17 Independent tests 3
18 Sampling 3
19 Compliance 3
20 Age at delivery 3
21 Protection in transit 3
22 Supplier’s certificate 3
Appendix A Method of determining water absorption 4
Appendix B Method of determining transverse strength 5
Appendix C Recommendations for stacking tiles on site 6
Appendix D Recommendations for special use of tiles 6
Appendix E Recommendations for maintaining terrazzo tiling 6
Appendix F Dimensionally co-ordinated sizes 7
Figure 1a — A typical arrangement of loading for transverse strength
test (side and end elevations) 7
Figure 1b — A typical arrangement of loading for transverse strength
test (side and end elevations) 8
Figure 1c — A typical arrangement of loading for transverse strength
test (side and end elevations) 8
Figure 2 — Recommended methods for stacking terrazzo tiles 9
Table 1 — Sizes of marble aggregate corresponding to commercial grades 1
Table 2 — Sizes of tiles 2
Table 3 — Dimensionally co-ordinated sizes for tiles 7
Publications referred to Inside back cover
© BSI 04-1999 i
BS 4131:1973
Foreword
BS 4131 was first published in 1967 in response to a request from the National
Federation of Terrazzo-Mosaic Specialists.
This is a metric version of that British Standard, which it now supersedes. It also
incorporates minor corrections.
In drafting this British Standard, consideration was given to dimensional
co-ordination in accordance with PD 6432, “Dimensional co-ordination in
building. Arrangement of building components and assemblies within functional
groups”. The manufacture of terrazzo tiles, however, originated in Europe and
from there comes the machinery and material for making the tiles in the UK. It
was therefore considered more important to conform with European production
than to adopt dimensionally co-ordinated sizes, if that meant making sizes
different from those already in use in Europe. Consequently, the sizes specified
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
in this standard are the existing metric sizes which form the bulk of current
production.
Although the sizes in this standard may have a modular appearance, it should be
carefully noted that they are not dimensionally co-ordinated nor are they
intended to be so.
Despite dimensional co-ordination being excluded from the specified sizes in this
standard, it is nevertheless intended to incorporate it in those sizes if the
opportunity occurs during future revisions of the standard. This will depend on
international co-operation, and BSI will make every attempt during international
discussions to encourage other countries to adopt dimensionally co-ordinated
sizes of floor tiles.
Meanwhile, 9.2 enables dimensionally co-ordinated sizes to be covered by this
standard if they are provided by agreement between the purchaser and the
supplier. Appendix F gives further information on dimensionally co-ordinated
sizes.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.
Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 10, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.
ii © BSI 04-1999
BS 4131:1973
1 Scope 5 Aggregate
This British Standard specifies requirements for 5.1 Facing layer
hydraulically-pressed terrazzo floor and wall tiles. The aggregate shall consist of good quality marble,
NOTE The titles of the British Standards referred to in this or other natural stone of similar characteristics, of
standard are listed on the inside back cover.
adequate hardness, angular in shape as distinct
from elongated and flaky. Aggregate shall not
2 Designation for ordering tiles
contain clay, iron oxide, pyrites or other harmful
2.1 When placing an order or making an enquiry, foreign matter in such a form or in sufficient
tiles shall be designated by referring to the quantity to affect adversely the bond or strength, or
following: cause surface failure. Aggregate should preferably
a) The number of this British Standard. be graded and it is important to avoid a high fines or
dust content. The approximate sizes of aggregates
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
© BSI 04-1999 1
BS 4131:1973
7.2 The base layer shall consist of not less than 3 a) ground and grouted, or
and not more than 3½ parts of aggregate as b) ground, grouted and re-ground to a fine grit
specified in 5.2, to one part of cement as specified in finish for floors and walls, or
Clause 3, proportioned by weight.
c) ground, grouted and high polish finished for
7.3 The facing layer shall be such as to provide a walls.
minimum wearing thickness of 6 mm after
grinding. 12 Freedom from defects or flaws
7.4 The period between pressing and grinding shall
12.1 The aggregate shall be evenly distributed.
be sufficient to enable the tile to meet the
performance requirements specified in this 12.2 The face shall be free from projections,
standard. depressions, flakes and crazes.
7.5 The surface treatment shall be by grinding. Any 12.3 The edges of the tile shall be perpendicular to
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
slight surface imperfections shall be filled by the surface. The planes of the upper and lower
grouting with a neat cement paste coloured to match surfaces of the tile shall be parallel and adjacent
the original mix and well worked into the surface. vertical edges of square tiles shall be at right angles
to each other.
8 Shape 12.4 All arrises shall be sharp and true.
Tiles shall be square with flat tops and of
rectangular cross section. Other shapes may be
13 Uniformity of colour
supplied by agreement between the purchaser and The overall colour of tiles shall be practically
the supplier. uniform in any one delivery, except where special
random effects are ordered.
9 Dimensions NOTE Owing to variations in the colour of aggregates and
cement in the processes of manufacture, corresponding slight
9.1 The dimensions of square tiles shall be as given variations in the colour of the resultant tiles are unavoidable.
in Table 2.
Table 2 — Sizes of tiles 14 Age at testing
Length of each side: work Thickness: work size in mm The minimum age at testing shall be 28 days.
size in mm
11 Finish
By agreement between the purchaser and the
supplier, tiles shall be supplied either:
2 © BSI 04-1999
BS 4131:1973
19 Compliance
Compliance of tiles submitted for independent tests
shall be assessed as follows:
a) If two or more tiles from the sample taken in
accordance with Clause 18 fail to pass any of the
tests specified in Clauses 15 and 16, all the tiles
comprising the delivery represented by the
sample shall be deemed not to comply with the
requirements of this standard.
b) If one tile fails to pass, then the consignment
shall only be deemed to comply if the tiles in a
further sample of double the number of tiles from
the same delivery all satisfy the requirements of
the test which the one tile previously failed.
© BSI 04-1999 3
BS 4131:1973
Appendix A Method of determining At the corners of each tile mark the edges 5 mm
water absorption below the tile face. Tiles shall be placed face
downwards in the dishes [see A.1 d)]. Water at a
A.1 Apparatus temperature of 20 ± 2 °C, shall be poured carefully
The following apparatus shall be provided: into each dish until the water level is within ± 2 mm
of the mark on the four edges of each tile. The water
a) A balance capable of weighing up to 20 kg to an shall not surge more than 2 mm above these marks,
accuracy of 1 gram. nor shall it wet the backs of tiles. The specified
b) A well ventilated oven complying with the temperature and specified level of the water shall be
requirements of BS 2648 and in which the maintained for a period of 24 ± ½ h.
temperature shall be controlled between 100 °C At the end of that time each tile shall be taken out
and 110 °C. of the water, care being taken to prevent the tile
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
c) A water tank at least 75 mm deep in which the backing becoming wet. Surface water shall be
tiles may be immersed. removed from the wetted parts of the tile by dabbing
d) One or more dishes in which tiles may be them with a slightly dampened cloth. Each tile shall
immersed face downwards with at least 99 % of then be weighed in air and its weight (W2) shall be
each tile-face exposed to water. For this purpose recorded.
the bottom inside of each dish should be suitably A.5 Calculation of water absorbed by the
ribbed. Alternatively, glass rods or beads on tile-face
which specimens can be supported may be The water absorbed by the face of each tile shall be
provided. calculated and reported. The result shall be
A.2 Number of specimen tiles expressed in grams of water absorbed per square
The number of tiles to be used as test specimens centimetre of tile-face and shall be determined as
shall be determined in accordance with Clause 18. shown below.
A.3 Age of tiles when tested Let
The test for water absorption shall be commenced
between 28 and 35 days after tiles have been A = face-area of tile in cm2,
pressed. W1 = dry weight of tile in grams,
A.4 Test procedure for water absorption by
W2 = weight of tile in grams after absorption of
tile-face
water by face (see Clause A.4),
All test specimens shall be placed in the oven at the
w = weight of water absorbed by tile-face in
same time. They shall be arranged so that they are
grams/cm2.
separated from each other and from any heating
surface by a distance of at least 25 mm. They shall Then
be dried in the oven until they attain a constant
W2 – W 1
weight. Constant weight shall be considered as w = ----------------------
-
having been reached when the variation in total A
weight of any three tiles does not exceed 2 grams
over a period of 8 hours. Each result shall be expressed to the
nearest 0.01 grams/cm2.
The tiles having been removed from the oven should
preferably be cooled for 24 ± ½ h, in the air of a A.6 Test procedure for total absorption of
room at a controlled temperature of 20 ± 2 °C. Tiles water
may however, be cooled in any room so long as it is On completion of the previous test, tiles shall again
free from draughts and rapid temperature changes. be dried and cooled as described in A.4.
Tiles shall then be weighed and the dry weight (W1) Immediately afterwards tiles shall be immersed
of each shall be recorded. once more in water at a temperature of 20 ± 2 °C. As
far as possible, their main planes shall be parallel to
the surface of the water. The depth of water over the
top of each tile shall be between 25 mm and 50 mm.
Tiles shall remain immersed under the above
conditions for a period of 24 ± ½ h.
4 © BSI 04-1999
BS 4131:1973
At the end of that time each tile shall be taken out The bed of a testing machine shall contain two
of the water. Surface water shall be removed by round steel bars each 38 mm to 40 mm in diameter
dabbing the tile with a slightly dampened cloth. for supporting a tile in two places across its full
Each tile shall then be weighed in air and its weight width. The distance between the axes of the round
(W3) shall be recorded. steel bars shall be two-thirds of the length of the tile
A.7 Calculation of total absorption of water which they support.
The total absorption of water by each tile shall be One support shall be fixed horizontally. The other
calculated and reported. The result shall be shall be pivoted as shown in Figure 1b so that the
expressed as a precentage of each tile’s dry weight linear reactions at the two supports shall be evenly
and shall be determined as shown below. distributed to the tile without imposing any
torsional forces on it.
Let
The upper frame of a testing machine shall contain
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
© BSI 04-1999 5
BS 4131:1973
6 © BSI 04-1999
BS 4131:1973
E.8 Fine abrasive powders, although not Table 3 — Dimensionally co-ordinated sizes
recommended for regular maintenance, may be used for tiles
occasionally to remove stubborn marks. Length of tile-side
© BSI 04-1999 7
BS 4131:1973
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
8 © BSI 04-1999
BS 4131:1973
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
© BSI 04-1999 9
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
10
blank
BS 4131:1973
Publications referred to
© BSI 04-1999
BS 4131:1973
Revisions
It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services.
We would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using
this British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee
responsible, the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover.
Tel: 020 8996 9000. Fax: 020 8996 7400.
Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 20 February 2004, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures
that subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.
Buying standards
Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.
Information on standards
Copyright
Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the
UK, of the publications of the internationalstandardization bodies. Except as
permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means – electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written
permission from BSI.
This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard,
of necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
written permission of BSI must be obtained.