BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

1849-2:2009

Flexible sheets for

waterproofing —
Determination of
thickness and mass per
unit area
Part 2: Plastic and rubber sheets

ICS 91.100.50

NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW

BS EN 1849-2:2009

National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 1849-2:2009. It

supersedes BS EN 1849-2:2001 which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee B/546/2, Plastics and rubber sheets for Waterproofing.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity
from legal obligations.

This British Standard Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

was published under the
authority of the Standards
Policy and Strategy Date Comments
Committee on 30 June
2010
© BSI 2010

ISBN 978 0 580 59214 0

 BS EN 1849-2:2009

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 1849-2

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM December 2009

ICS 91.100.50 Supersedes EN 1849-2:2001

English Version

Flexible sheets for waterproofing - Determination of thickness

and mass per unit area - Part 2: Plastic and rubber sheets

Feuilles souples d'étanchéité - Détermination de l'épaisseur Abdichtungsbahnen - Bestimmung der Dicke und der
et de la masse surfacique - Partie 2: Feuilles d'étanchéité flächenbezogenen Masse - Teil 2: Kunststoff- und
de toiture plastiques et élastomères Elastomerbahnen für Dachabdichtungen

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 19 October 2009.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as the
official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2009 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 1849-2:2009: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 1849-2:2009
EN 1849-2:2009 (E)

Contents Page

Foreword ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 4
1 Scope.......................................................................................................................................... 5
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................... 5
3 Terms and definitions ............................................................................................................... 5
4 Sampling .................................................................................................................................... 7
5 Determination of thickness ...................................................................................................... 7
5.1 Principle ..................................................................................................................................... 7
5.2 Apparatus .................................................................................................................................. 7
5.3 Test specimens ......................................................................................................................... 7
5.4 Procedure .................................................................................................................................. 7
5.4.1 General ....................................................................................................................................... 7
5.4.2 Mechanical measurement ........................................................................................................ 8
5.4.3 Optical measurement................................................................................................................ 8
5.5 Expression of results................................................................................................................ 8
6 Determination of mass per unit area....................................................................................... 9
6.1 Principle ..................................................................................................................................... 9
6.2 Apparatus .................................................................................................................................. 9
6.3 Test specimens ......................................................................................................................... 9
6.4 Procedure .................................................................................................................................. 9
6.5 Expression of results................................................................................................................ 9
7 Test report ................................................................................................................................. 9
Annex A (informative) Example of the cut cross-section of a membrane ....................................... 10

2
 BS EN 1849-2:2009
EN 1849-2:2009 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN 1849-2:2009) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 254 “Flexible
sheets for waterproofing”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by June 2010, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by June 2010.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such
patent rights.

This document supersedes EN 1849-2:2001.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

3
BS EN 1849-2:2009
EN 1849-2:2009 (E)

Introduction
This European Standard is intended for characterisation of plastic and rubber sheets as manufactured
or supplied before use. This test method relates exclusively to products or to their components where
appropriate, and not to waterproofing membrane systems composed of such products and installed in
the works.

This test is intended to be used in conjunction with EN 13956, Flexible sheet for waterproofing —
Plastic and rubber sheets for roof waterproofing — Definitions and characteristics.

4
 BS EN 1849-2:2009
EN 1849-2:2009 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard specifies methods for the determination of the thickness and mass per unit
area of plastic and rubber sheets for roof waterproofing.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 13416, Flexible sheets for waterproofing — Bitumen, plastic and rubber sheets for roof
waterproofing — Rules for sampling

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1
surface texture
textured pattern on one or both surfaces of the sheet creating a difference between the effective and
overall thickness not exceeding 0,15 mm

NOTE See Figure 2 a) and c).

3.2
surface profile (surface structure)
raised area on the surface of the sheet creating a difference between the effective and overall
thickness exceeding 0,15 mm

NOTE See Figure 2 b).

3.3
internal fabric
layer of woven or non-woven fabric of synthetic or mineral fibres incorporated in the sheet. This layer
may or may not constitute reinforcement

NOTE See Figure 1 c).

3.4
backing
layer of woven or non-woven fabric of synthetic or mineral fibres or other materials, fixed to the bottom
of the sheet

NOTE see Figure 2 d).

3.5
overall thickness
d
thickness of the sheet excluding any surface profile

5
BS EN 1849-2:2009
EN 1849-2:2009 (E)

3.6
effective thickness
deff
thickness of the sheet providing the waterproofing function including any surface texture but excluding
any surface profile and backing

a) b)

c)

Key

a) homogeneous single layer sheet

b) multi-layer sheet
c) sheet with internal fabric

Figure 1 — Structure of the sheet

d = deff

d = deff

a) b)
d = deff

def
d

c) d)

Key

a) sheet with surface texture on one side

b) sheet with surface profiles
c) sheet with surface texture on both sides
d) sheet with backing

Figure 2 — Types of surfaces

6
 BS EN 1849-2:2009
EN 1849-2:2009 (E)

4 Sampling
Test samples shall be taken in accordance with EN 13416.

5 Determination of thickness

5.1 Principle

The thickness is determined by a mechanical device unless there is a hindrance by a surface profile
and/or backing. In this case, optical measurement shall be used.

5.2 Apparatus

5.2.1 Measuring device

Capable of indicating the thickness to an accuracy of 0,01 mm. The measuring surfaces shall be
planar and have a diameter of (10 ± 0,05) mm exerting a pressure of (20 ± 10) kPa on the sheet
surface.

NOTE The determination of thickness according to EN 12311-2 may also be done with a measuring
diameter of (5 ± 0,05) mm exerting a pressure of (20 ± 10) kPa on the sheet surface for the dumbbell type.

5.2.2 Optical device

For sheets with a surface profile and/or backing, capable of indicating the thickness to an accuracy of
0,01mm.

5.3 Test specimens

2
The test specimens shall be square or circular in form, and have an area of (10 000 ± 100) mm . Cut
from the sheet n test specimens (see Table 1) evenly divided over the width b of the sheet, the outer
specimen (100 ± 10) mm from the edges (see Figure 3).

Table 1 — Required number of test specimens

1 701 2 201 2 701 3 201 3 701 4 201
Width of the sheet
< 1 700 to to to to to to > 4 701
b [mm]
2 200 2 700 3 200 3 700 4 200 4 700

Number of test
specimens 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
n [-]

5.4 Procedure

5.4.1 General

Condition the sample for at least 2 h at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % relative humidity immediately
before measuring.

Ensure that the sample and the faces of the measuring device are free from contamination for
example dust.

7
BS EN 1849-2:2009
EN 1849-2:2009 (E)

Record all relevant thicknesses of the sheet once per test specimen to 0,01 mm. Calculation of the
mean value and standard deviation is based on the readings of all test specimens.

Dimensions in millimetres

2 2 2

100 ± 10 X X 100 ± 10

Key

1 test piece
2 test specimen
b width of the sheet
x constant distance between test specimens

Figure 3 — Example of cutting plan for 3 test specimens

5.4.2 Mechanical measurement

Check the zero point of the measuring device before starting the measurements and recheck after
each series of measurements.

When determining the thickness, lower the foot gently to avoid deforming the material.

5.4.3 Optical measurement

Measure optically the thickness of a sheet with any surface profile and/or backing. The small
specimens for optical measurements should not be longer than 10 mm. The small specimen shall be
cut with a razor-sharp knife from each test specimen. The cut cross section of the specimen shall be
installed in an angle of (90 ± 5)° to the direction of viewing, using a microscope.

5.5 Expression of results

The overall thickness (d) shall be stated as the mean thickness of all test specimens.

The effective thickness (deff) shall be stated as the mean thickness of all test specimens without taking
into account any surface profile and/or backing.

8
 BS EN 1849-2:2009
EN 1849-2:2009 (E)

State all the results of sheet thickness and standard deviation to the nearest 0,01 mm.

NOTE Annex A shows an example of a cross-section of a cut membrane.

6 Determination of mass per unit area

6.1 Principle

The mass per unit area is determined by weighing a test specimen of known area. (The same
specimens as used for determination of thickness may be used).

6.2 Apparatus

Balance capable of indicating sample weight to an accuracy of 0,01 g.

6.3 Test specimens

The test specimens shall be square or circular in form, and have an area of (10 000 ± 100) mm2.

Cut from the sheet n test specimens (see Table 1) evenly divided over the width b of the sheet, the outer
specimen (100 ± 10) mm from the edges (see Figure 3).

6.4 Procedure

Condition the test specimens for 20 h at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % relative humidity immediately
before weighing.
2
Weigh the test specimens to the nearest 0,01 g and calculate the mass per unit area, in g/m .

6.5 Expression of results

2
The mass per unit area shall be stated as the mean of the calculated values in g/m rounded to the
2
nearest 5 g/m .

7 Test report
The test report shall contain at least the following information:

a) reference to this document (EN 1849-2) and any deviation from it;

b) all details necessary to identify the product tested;

c) information on sampling in accordance with Clause 4;

d) number of specimens tested;

e) conditioning atmosphere used;

f) presser-foot size for mechanical measurement of the thickness;

g) details of preparation of test specimens in accordance with 5.3, 5.4.3 and 6.3 respectively;

h) test results (mean values and standard deviation to the nearest 0,01 mm) in accordance with 5.5
and 6.5 respectively;

i) any non-standard procedures or any peculiarities encountered during testing;

j) date of testing.

9
BS EN 1849-2:2009
EN 1849-2:2009 (E)

Annex A
(informative)

Example of the cut cross-section of a membrane

d1
d2

deff

1 mm

Key

deff effective thickness

Figure A1 — Cross-section of a fleece backed membrane at 20X magnification cut with a razor
blade

NOTE Experience has shown that a magnification of 10X to 20X is sufficient for this test.

10
 BS EN 1849-2:2009

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BS EN
1849-2:2009
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