BS-8201-1987.pdf

BRITISH STANDARD BS 8201:1987 Code of practice for flooring of timber, timber products and wood based panel products (Formerly CP 201) UDC 692.535:674.06 + 674.8 Licensed Copy: London South Bank University, London South Bank University, Fri Dec 08 05:34:50 GMT+00:00 2006, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI BS 8201:1987 This British Standard, having been prepared under the direction of the Timber Standards Committee, was published under the authority of the Board of BSI and comes into effect on 27 February 1987 © BSI 02-1999 The following BSI references relate to the work on this standard: Committee reference TIB/31 Draft for comment 79/10692 DC ISBN 0 580 14236 1 Committees responsible for this British Standard The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Timber Standards Committee (TIB/-) to Technical Committee TIB/31 upon which the following bodies were represented: Building Employers Confederation Chipboard Promotion Association Ltd. Contract Flooring Association Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment (Fire Research Station) Department of the Environment (Property Services Agency) Fibre Building Board Organization (Fidor) Greater London Council Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors Institute of Clerks of Works of Great Britain Incorporated National Sawmilling Association Royal Institute of British Architects Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Scottish Building Employers Federation Timber Trade Federation Coopted member Amendments issued since publication Amd. No.Date of issueComments Licensed Copy: London South Bank University, London South Bank University, Fri Dec 08 05:34:50 GMT+00:00 2006, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI BS 8201:1987 © BSI 02-1999i Contents Page Committees responsibleInside front cover Forewordii Section 1. General 0Introduction1 1Scope1 2Definitions2 3Materials3 4Performance factors4 5Selection14 6Design considerations14 7Care on site20 8Exchange of information21 9Time schedule21 Section 2. Board and strip 10General considerations22 11Work off site22 12Work on site22 13Inspection23 Section 3. Blocks 14General considerations24 15Work off site24 16Work on site24 17Inspection24 Section 4. Mosaic 18General considerations26 19Work off site26 20Work on site26 21Inspection27 Section 5. Overlay and parquet 22General considerations28 23Work off site28 24Work on site28 25Inspection29 Section 6. Flooring of wood based panel products 26General considerations30 27Care, conditioning and selection30 28Work on site31 29Inspection36 Section 7. Upkeep and maintenance 30Routine maintenance37 31Maintenance of moisture content after installation37 32Renovation of block floors37 33Renovation of old wood floors37 Appendix A Tests for dampness of concrete bases Index45 Licensed Copy: London South Bank University, London South Bank University, Fri Dec 08 05:34:50 GMT+00:00 2006, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI BS 8201:1987 ii © BSI 02-1999 Page Figure 1 Typical forms of fixed floor construction for use with timber or wood based panel flooring34 Figure 2 Typical forms of floating floor construction to provide impact and airborne sound resistance35 Figure 3 Typical forms of ground floor construction for use with wood based panel products36 Figure 4 Typical range of designs for wood block flooring37 Figure 5 Apparatus for measuring dampness in concrete bases40 Table 1 Timbers suitable for floors for heavy pedestrian traffic5 Table 2 Timbers suitable for floors for normal pedestrian traffic6 Table 3 Timbers suitable for floors for light pedestrian traffic7 Table 4 Timbers suitable for decorative floors8 Table 5 Timbers suitable for heavy duty industrial floors9 Table 6 Timbers suitable for light duty industrial floors9 Table 7 Timbers suitable for floors with high resistance to chemicals and acids10 Table 8 Timbers suitable for floors with small movement11 Table 9 Timbers suitable for gymnasium floors12 Table 10 Timbers suitable for ballroom floors12 Table 11 Timbers suitable for skating rink floors13 Table 12 Consolidated recommendations for fixing18 Table 13 Maximum spans for tongued and grooved softwood board22 Table 14 Maximum spans for wood chipboard complying with type II or type II/III of BS 5669:197930 Table 15 Summary of recommendations for laying and fixing plywood panels34 Table 16 Summary of recommendations for laying and fixing wood chipboard panels35 Publications referred toInside back cover Licensed Copy: London South Bank University, London South Bank University, Fri Dec 08 05:34:50 GMT+00:00 2006, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI BS 8201:1987 © BSI 02-1999iii Foreword This British Standard code of practice has been prepared under the direction of the Timber Standards Committee. It is a revision of CP 201-1:1967 (Imperial) and CP 201-2:1972 (Metric) which it supersedes and which are both withdrawn. The information and recommendations given in CP 201 have been rationalized where necessary and the opportunity has been taken to add recommendations relating to flooring made from wood based panel products. The code includes recommendations relating to the work involved in laying flooring and illustrates some typical constructions on which it may be laid. General recommendations applicable to all types of wood flooring are contained within sections 1 and 7 but recommendations specific to individual types of floor are given in sections 2 to 6 inclusive. Because some recommendations are applicable to more than one individual type of floor this layout involves some repetition. It was considered that a limited degree of repetition to ensure reasonable completeness of each section would be preferable to excessive cross-referencing. Appendix A describes test methods for use in conjunction with the recommendations given in 6.4.6. 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 to iv, pages 1 to 50, an inside back cover and a back cover. This standard has been updated (see copyright data) and may have had amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the inside front cover. Licensed Copy: London South Bank University, London South Bank University, Fri Dec 08 05:34:50 GMT+00:00 2006, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI iv blank Licensed Copy: London South Bank University, London South Bank University, Fri Dec 08 05:34:50 GMT+00:00 2006, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI BS 8201:1987 © BSI 02-19991 Section 1. General 0 Introduction 0.1 This code does not specifically deal with the selection and means of fixing impermeable coverings to wood floors. However there are certain precautions that should be observed when such coverings are subsequently to be applied. These precautions are described in 6.8 (also see 6.4.6). 0.2 Floors of wood based panel products are normally expected subsequently to be covered by carpets, linoleum and the like. Certain measures are therefore recommended to ensure that the floor is suitable for such covering and these measures are described in 28.6. Although most floors of wood based panel products may be covered, the text includes information on their resistance to wear in the uncovered condition in order to be consistent with other materials. 0.3 The words “timber” and “wood” in this code cover softwoods, hardwoods, plywood, hardboard, blockboard and chipboard as may be appropriate in the context. 0.4 Sections 2 to 6 should always be read in conjunction with sections 1 and 7. 1 Scope This code of practice gives recommendations for laying the following types of flooring of wood and wood products: a) board and strip; b) block; c) mosaic; d) overlay and parquet; e) wood based panel products. The code does not deal with the protection afforded to a floor by floor coverings or surface finishes. This code does not deal with floors for temporary structures or floors intended for limited use. Different considerations may apply to these floors. NOTEThe titles of the publications referred to in this standard are listed on the inside back cover. 2 Definitions For the purposes of this code the definitions given in BS 6100-4 apply together with the following. 2.1 base element that supports the flooring 2.2 screed layer of material of substantial thickness laid in-situ to provide a suitable surface upon which the flooring may be applied without requiring further adjustments of level to bring the surface of the flooring to the designated level 2.3 underlay sheet material laid over a structural floor to accommodate irregularities or unevenness of its surface in order to provide a smooth surface for the final flooring 2.4 vapour check material or part of a construction element that offers a high resistance to the passage of water vapour 2.5 damp proof membrane continuous layer of impervious material 2.6 face better or preferred surface of a plywood panel 2.7 flooring upper layer of a floor providing a finished surface; including wood board and strip, block, mosaic, overlay and parquet, and wood based panel products 2.8 fixed floor method of construction where the flooring is fixed directly to the base See Figure 1 and Figure 3(a). 2.9 floating floor upper part of a floor laid upon a base, sometimes with resilient material between, without being positively fixed (See Figure 2.) 2.10 suspended floor floor that spans between (local) supports 2.11 wood board flooring lengths of hardwood or softwood sections spanning between bearers with the width of board being greater than 100 mm Licensed Copy: London South Bank University, London South Bank University, Fri Dec 08 05:34:50 GMT+00:00 2006, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI BS 8201:1987 2 © BSI 02-1999 2.12 wood strip flooring length of hardwood or softwood sections spanning between bearers, with the width of strip being 100 mm or less 2.13 block flooring softwood or hardwood blocks with a system of interlocking 2.14 end grain block flooring flooring of softwood or hardwood blocks with the wearing surface at right angles to the grain NOTENormally the blocks are 75 mm deep. 2.15 mosaic flooring panels comprising squares assembled from softwood or hardwood fingers held together by a removable surface membrane or fixed flexible backing 2.16 overlay pre-finished panels or interlocking wood strips of proprietary manufacture for direct application to a fully supporting base 2.17 parquet hardwood strip or strip of proprietary manufacture, in long or short lengths according to pattern requirement, for direct application to a fully supporting base 2.18 panel flooring plywood, blockboard, flooring type chipboard and hardboard panels having square, rebated or, tongued and grooved edges 2.19 flooring thickness finished thickness of the flooring prior to installation 3 Materials 3.1 Nomenclature of timbers The names used for the timbers referred to in this code are in accordance with the nomenclature given in BS 881, BS 589. 3.2 Classification of timber The classification of softwoods and hardwoods is botanical. Softwoods belong to the order Coniferae (conifers). These include European redwood, European whitewood, Douglas fir and hemlock. Hardwoods belong to the order Dicotyledoneae (broad leaf trees) which include oak, beech, teak and maple. 3.3 Basic recommendations 3.3.1 Freedom from defects. All wood flooring should be free from: a) rot; b) active insect attack; c) such defects as will detract from the suitability of the flooring, e.g. splits, shakes and loose knots. However, for softwoods within the scope of BS 1297 some minor defects are permissible. In hardwood, firm knots and pinholes normally are unacceptable. NOTEThe maximum dimensions of sound and tight knots, and limits on other defects in tongued and grooved or strip flooring of softwood are specified in BS 1297. In certain particular cases it may be desirable further to limit the size and number of firm knots in the exposed face of softwood flooring. In other cases it may be reasonable to allow a relaxation in the normal requirement for hardwood floors. These cases fall outside the recommendations of this code and, if changes are required, they should be the subject of separate agreement between the purchaser and the supplier. If pinholes are so permitted then they should be filled with a suitable filler. Pinhole borers (ambrosia beetles) cannot live in wood after it has been cut and dried. 3.3.2 Colour variations. Natural colour variations in both softwood and hardwood are to be expected. NOTE If for a particular contract more uniform colour is required, this should be arranged by prior agreement between the purchaser and the supplier. In such cases the level of acceptance should be clearly specified preferably after discussion between the parties on the cost and other implications. 3.3.3 Softwood and hardwood. Tongued and grooved softwood flooring should comply with BS 1297. Sizes of hardwood flooring should comply with BS 5450. 3.3.4 Blocks. Softwood and hardwood blocks should be between 200 mm and 500 mm long with a face width not greater than 90 mm and thickness not less than 20 mm with at least 9 mm of clear wearing thickness above the interlocking system. 3.3.5 Mosaic fingers. Mosaic fingers should be 100 mm to 165 mm long with a thickness of 6 mm to 10 mm and width 20 mm to 25 mm. The layout of the individual fingers within a panel should be such as to maintain a regular pattern over the whole of the floor. 3.3.6 Parquet strips. Parquet strips should be not less than 6 mm thick. Licensed Copy: London South Bank University, London South Bank University, Fri Dec 08 05:34:50 GMT+00:00 2006, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI BS 8201:1987 © BSI 02-19993 3.3.7 Fibre building board. Fibre building board should comply with the requirements of Parts of BS 1142 as follows: a) hardboard with Part 2; b) bitumen impregnated insulating board with Part 3; c) insulating board with Part 3. 3.3.8 Wood chipboard. Wood chipboard should comply with the requirements of BS 5669 and be of type II or type II/III. 3.3.9 Blockboard. Blockboard should comply with the requirements of BS 3444 with bond type MR as a minimum. 3.3.10 Plywood. Plywood should comply with the requirements of BS 6566 with bond type MR as a minimum. 3.3.11 Adhesives. Adhesives should meet the recommendations given in Table 12. 3.3.12 Nails. Except where masonry nails are recommended, nails and pins should comply with the requirements of BS 1202-1 and should be selected, as appropriate to the use (see 6.7.2 and Table 12), from the following list: a) round plain head nails (“normal” nails); b) round lost head nails; c) oval lost head nails; d) oval brad head nails; e) annular-ringed shank flat head nails (“improved” nails); f) clout nails; g) panel pins. In addition, the use of lost