1

7. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS PLASTERING WORKS

7.1. GENERAL
These Technical Specifications contain the technical data for the works execution of
plastering works.
The provisions of the current chapter refer to the conditions, types of finishing and
manner of execution of the plastering works described in the following paragraph.
The plastering works can be classified by the following criteria:
a) Considering the location on the building:
Interior plastering, executed inside the building on walls or ceilings;
Exterior plastering, on facades and exterior ceilings, balconies etc.

b) Considering the nature of the surface on which it is applied:
Plastering on brick surfaces (walls, pillars, vaults, ceilings) which are executed
usually in two layers (first layer and finishing layer)
Plastering on surfaces of concrete elements and on surfaces of stone masonry
(walls and pillars)
Plastering on concrete and reinforced concrete surfaces (walls, beams, pillars
and ceilings) and on surfaces of stone masonry (walls and pillars), executed in
three layers (first layer, basecoat and finishing layer);
Plastering on ceilings made of concrete with smooth surfaces (slabs made of
monolith-cast reinforced concrete or pre-cast reinforced concrete elements),
where it shall be applied in two layers (first layer and finishing layer).
Plastering on surfaces suspended from a concrete slab by means of a false
ceiling (for instance a rabitz ceiling), masking the soffit of reinforced concrete
slabs, with or without beams, and the intersections between walls and slabs,
plastering executed in three layers.

c) Considering the finishing method of the visible last layer:

Ordinary plastering
The surface being only roughly smoothed, to be finished later by painting or wall
paper. Ordinary plastering can be divided into:
Rough plastering, made of fat lime mortar with or without cement, roughly
smoothed; used for the inside of warehouses, basements, etc.
Coarse plastering, polished with a wooden trowel, the mortar for the visible
layer being prepared with fine sand (finishing layer); this plaster being applied
on the walls and ceilings of residential and public buildings, as well as on the
surfaces intended to become a support for waterproofing.

Fine plastering
2

With the finishing layer being smoothed with a steel trowel, executed only by means of a
cement paste, where it is good to add in some cases some hydrophobic materials (for
example, water-stop, dye, etc.) used on walls which are often in contact with water or
washed with water.
Stucco plaster
(or skim coat), the finishing layer is executed as a thin layer of gypsum or lime paste with
the addition of gypsum, well smoothed with a gypsum skimmer; this type of plaster being
used only indoors on walls and ceilings in rooms requiring a finishing of high quality. Interior
wall surfaces which are to be painted with oil colour, alkyd paint, etc. should be plastered
before with gypsum.
Decorative plastering
can be divided into:
Decorative plastering with a finishing layer executed by means of special
materials (such as fine crushed stone) and final treatment by scraping,
brushing, etc. whilst the mortar is not yet perfectly hardened, or after
hardening, by different special tools (for instance bush-hammer) resulting in a
finish with a stone-like aspect (stone simili)
Decorative coarsely-textured plastering: This plastering is applied on facades
and manually or mechanical splashed-on in form of a fluid mix, containing
cement, lime and grinded stone, as well as an addition of dyes.

Note: This plaster is also part of most proprietary faade systems, where it is
applied on a reinforcement mesh fixed or glued to the exterior thermo-
insulation.

Decorative plastering executed of mortar prepared by adding of special
materials (terasit, dolomite, crystalline limestone, etc.)
Interior and exterior plastering, applied through spraying-on with a
compressed-air pistol, plaster made of colour pastes, mixed with cement, fine-
crushed stone aggregate or sand from 0 1 mm, white glue (Aracet E50 or
similar), gypsum, etc.

The above mentioned types of plastering shall be applied, depending on the
functional and aesthetical necessities of the different surfaces and the prescriptions in the
design.

7.2. REFERENCE STANDARDS AND NORMATIVES:
C 17-82 Technical instructions regarding the composition and the
preparation of masonry mortars and plastering
STAS 1667-76 Natural aggregates Natural river sand or crushed stone (no
sea sand)
3

STAS 1134-71 Mosaic stone (for terrazzo)
STAS 8625-90 Finishing plaster (GIPAC or similar)
STAS 6476-86 Natural pigment
STAS 7058-91 White glue (Aracet E 50 or similar)
STAS 790-84 Water for mortar
SR 1500-96 Cement PA 35
STAS 545/1-80 Gypsum in buildings


7.3. MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED, QUALITY CONTROL, DELIVERY, HANDLING
AND STORAGE
Mortars for plastering consist of the following materials:
Lime hydrate in form of powder for use in construction
Paste lime
Cement
Gypsum for use in construction
Aggregates:
Natural river sand or stone dust can be partially replaced with:
- fine aggregate from crushing of natural rock
- washed sea sand

The ratio of utilization in the mortar mixture will be established through testing, ensuring a
content of at least 25% of natural sand.
Water
It will be used from the water supply
Adhesives
Plasticizers: Depending on the cement types a plasticizer may be used as additive. The
dosage of thaw organic plasticizers shall be determined on the basis of preliminary
testing.
Hardening accelerators: Calcium chloride may be used as hardening accelerator for
cement and lime-cement plaster, in case of execution of works during cold weather.
The calcium chloride is added to the water mixture in form of a solution with a
concentration degree of 10% (with a density of 1.083) or 20% (with a density of 1.477)
in a proportion of 3% of the cement mass.
In the case of residential and public buildings and in order to avoid the appearance of
efflorescence, any addition of calcium chloride shall be limited to a max. of 2%.
4

The addition of calcium chloride gives good results for mortars with a consistency of up
to 8cm at the standard quad (flow table test).

Cement retarders: For gypsum mortars, cement retarders may be used.
The final, visible plastering layer shall be executed from a mortar marked for use as
finishing layer and having the same composition as the basecoat, but normally
environment, the applied materials and the category of the mortar.
The mortar strength for different layers should decrease from the support surface
towards the exterior.
For gypsum works, there shall be used: gypsum paste, hydrated lime or lime putty or
slam carbide mixed with gypsum. For stucco profiles mould gypsum paste shall be used.
The maximum periods for utilization of the mortars from the moment of their
preparation, in order to utilize them in good conditions for interior plastering works, shall be
the following:
For lime mortar type M 40T: up to 12 hours;
For cement mortar (type M100T) and lime-cement mortar (type M50T) without cement
retarders: up to 10 hours, and with the retarder, up to 16 hours


7.4. WORK EXECUTION, MOUNTING, INSTALLING, ASSEMBLING
All materials will be introduced into the works only after verification of the certificates
confirming their conformity with the norms in force.
Mortar coming from a Manufacturers station or central can be introduced into the
works only, if the transport is accompanied by a technical sheet stating its technical
characteristics.
The consistency of fresh mortars for the execution of interior plastering shall comply
with the following standards (values obtained by flow-table test method):
For spraying
- mortar for automatic application: 12cm;
- mortar for manual application: 9cm;
Application on ACC blocks: 14 to15cm.
- First layer, mortar for manual application: 5 to 7cm;
- Base layer, in manual application: 7 to 8cm, and in automatic application: 10 to12cm.
- For the finishing layer, manually executed: 7 to 8cm, and on masonry made of ACC
blocks: 13 to 15cm.

7.4.1. Preparatory Operations
Tasks to be accomplished before starting the plastering:
control of the surfaces to be plastered; the support surfaces must set for a while for
not producing settling or contractions, the mortar in masonry must be hardened in
the joints and the concrete surfaces must be relatively dried, because the humidity
must not negatively influence the plasters adherence;
5

completion or suspension of all other works in the area, because any simultaneous
or later works might provoke the deterioration of the plastering;
cleaning of the support surface, the surface for rabitz plastering should be made of
stretched metal or galvanized lath directly fixed to or suspended from the structural
elements above;
checking of verticality and flatness of the surfaces to be plastered, checking if
deviations are greater than the ones specified for the construction elements,
especially by these Technical Specifications;
scraping of the joints of brick masonry up to a depth of 3 to 5mm, and checking if the
concrete surfaces can be accepted in their unfinished state;
checking of the execution and acceptance of the necessary protection works (floor
covers, etc.), because the ulterior execution of the plaster might damage other works
(for instance installation pipes, doors and windows);
checking if there are all the auxiliary parts correctly mounted: such as dowels,
embedded elements, metallic supports, brackets.

7.4.2. Marking of the Surfaces to be Plastered
The marking of the surfaces to be plastered shall be done through mortar markers
(small props) with a width of 8 to 12 cm and a thickness for obtaining perfect vertical or
horizontal surfaces (for the ceilings), being sufficiently plane and not exceeding the
admissible deviations. The mortar used for executing the small props shall be similar to the
one used for the basecoat.

7.4.3. Priming
conete surfaces, including pillars and undersides of slabs shall be sprayed with water,
and then be primed with a cement spray and water in a thickness of 3 mm;
brick/block masonry surfaces shall be sprayed with water and primed through spraying
with fluid basecoat mortar with a thickness of 3 mm;
on the surfaces of ACC block masonry, the spray shall be executed with mortar and
lime-cement in a composition of 1:0.25:3 (cement, lime, sand);
on a support made of galvanized rabitz mesh, the plastering shall be directly applied,
the first layer of mortar having the same composition as the mortar for the basecoat.
The priming of the surfaces shall be as uniform as possible: no discontinuities, no deep
seeps or coarse and rough surfaces are allowed.

7.4.4. Basecoat Execution
The basecoat with a thickness of 5 to 20mm shall be executed on concrete surfaces
(or rabitz mesh) after at least 24 hours from the spraying and after at least 1 hour for brick
surfaces. If the sprayed surface is too much dried-out or executed during hot weather, it
shall be watered prior to the basecoat execution:
Spraying of the supporting structure and base-coating in rooms with walls and
ceilings of a height of up to 3m may be executed on the respective floor and on mobile
stands.
6

The upper part of the walls and ceilings of rooms being higher than 3m shall be
executed from continuous work platforms.
The mortars used for basecoats shall have the same dosage as specified regarding
the composition and preparation of masonry mortars.
The basecoat thickness is defined by the thickness of laid-out markers (small props)
and shall be checked during the execution, in order to obtain a vertical and plane surface:
no deep asperities, imperfections or cavities are allowed.
On surfaces of ACC block masonry, the second layer (base coat) shall be of 10 to 12
mm. This thickness shall be executed after drying of the first layer, with a mortar of a mix of
1:2:8 (cement, lime, sand).
Before applying the finishing layer, it shall be checked if the basecoat surface is
sufficiently dried and has no visible burnt lime grains.

7.4.5. Execution of the Finishing Layer
The finishing layer of interior plastering shall have the same composition as the
basecoat, but the sand shall be finer, up to 1 mm.
The plastering thickness of 2 to 5mm shall be executed by throwing with a trowel in
certain time intervals, and in between, the surface shall be levelled with a smoothing
board
The finishing layer on ACC masonry shall be of 1 to 3 mm and made of the same
mortar as the one for the base layer, with sand of 01 mm grain sizes.
The lime binder for those rooms which are to be painted shall be executed through
closing the pores of the finishing layer with a thin layer of lime and an addition of
gypsum, 100 kg per 1 m3 of lime paste.
The gypsum binder applied on surfaces to be painted later shall be executed by
covering the finishing layer with a thin layer (skim coat) of approx. 2mm of gypsum
paste.
The gypsum binder shall be applied only on a support layer with a certain degree of
humidity, but in quantities strictly necessary before finishing the gypsum binding.
The interior plastering on ACC block-wall masonry shall be executed at least 15
days after the execution of the masonry.
For polished plastering, the finishing layer shall be smoothed with a steel smoothing
board and shall be executed only by using cement paste
All edges of plastering likely to be exposed to mechanical shock or vandalism shall
be protected by metal profiles (stretched metal angles).
In case the interior plastering is executed at an ambient temperature lower than
+5C., special measures shall be taken, as stipulated in the Normative for works
execution during cold weather.

7.4.6. Proprietary Faade Systems
The plastering of proprietary faade systems is machine-made. The different
supporting layers, such as thermal insulation and plastic reinforcement mesh are part of the
system and may vary from one Manufacturer to another. The type of plaster, paint or
7

cladding used cannot be dissociated from the supporting layers, fixing methods etc., as the
Quality Certificate relates to the entire system.
There are three types of finishes:
Smooth render and painting;
Coarse render, textured;
Decorative slip bricks, stone cladding or ceramic tiles (mainly for socle areas).



7.5. QUALITY CONTROL, ADMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS
The plastering support layers shall be checked by the Contractor, the Employer and
the Engineer and taken over according to the contractual previsions for checking and
taking-over of covered-up works.
Before plastering, the Contractor shall obtain the consent of the Engineer concerning
the execution technology, the utilization of the type and composition of the specified
mortar, as well as the thickness of the successive layers prescribed in the design.
The Contractor and the Engineer shall verify if the protection measures against frost
and any constraints effecting normal drying are followed and if, during the first days
after plastering, it has been watered (in the case of wall masonry made of ACC
blocks).
The tests results on the mortar test samples shall be presented to the Employer and
the Engineer within 48 hours after the approval of the bulletin for each delivered lot
(transport) of mortar.
In case of interior plastering and taking-over of parts of the works it shall be verified:
- the mortars compressive strength;
- the number of applied layers and their thickness, at least for one bore every
200 m2;
- adherence at support and between layers;
- supports flatness and edges linearity (piece by piece)

The results of the verification shall be written down in the minutes register for covered-
up works and this to be done before executing any skim-coating and painting.
Checking of the visual aspect of the plastering, by looking at the form of the concave
and convex angles at the edges and corners of the plastering.
The plastered surfaces have to be uniform, and shall have no unevenness, ripples,
cracks, burnt lime shots, visible traces of local repairs
The intersections between walls and ceilings, the corners, the window/door reveals and
sills shall be either sharp or rounded (whatever was specified in the drawings),
rectangular and perfectly vertical or horizontal, as the case may be.
Protective metal edging and corner strips shall be included at all locations likely to be
exposed to mechanical shock or vandalism.
The plastered surfaces shall not have any cracks, cavities, embrasures, surfaces not
covered with mortar at the intersection between the plastering and the joinery, behind
radiators and pipes etc.
The verification of the evenness of the plastered surfaces shall be carried out by means
of a smoothing board of 2m length, in any direction.
8

For plastering/coating by means of lime or gypsum binders, the degree of evenness of
the surfaces may be checked and appreciated by hand-touching of the respective
surface only.
The thickness of the plastering layer shall be checked by knocking-in of nails or by
investigation in less visible locations.
The adherence of the plastering layers at the support layer shall be checked by
knocking with a wood hammer; a sound of emptiness would show an inadequate
quality and requires the re-checking of the entire surface, where the plaster is loose.

7.5.1. Verification before Commencing the Plastering Works
the existence of a technical execution procedure in the documentation received from
the Contractor;
if the masonry works and integrated installations are finished (the existence of the
minutes for works that become covered-up);
support layers are adequate;
component materials for mortar are qualitatively adequate and have quality certificates.

7.5.2. Verification during Execution of the Plastering Works
the mortar dosage prescribed in the design is respected;
the time intervals for drying of the individual layers are respected;
the thickness of the mortar layer is in compliance;
chnical procedure for execution is in compliance;
application of the protection measures against any constraints effecting normal drying;
mortar sampling taken for testing;
adequate adherence with the support layer.

7.5.3. Verification of Completion of the Plastering Works
visual testing of the quality of works for tracking down any defects that might go beyond
the admissible deviations;
the Engineer shall issue minutes on the acceptance of covered-up works, in order to
confirm compliance with the Technical Specifications, and stating that the general
aspect of the plaster, the form of the edges, intersections and profiles, as well as the
adherence of layers to the support layer are adequate;
checking the evenness of the plastered surfaces;
checking the thickness of the mortar layers;

7.5.4. Admissible Deviations in Quality at Taking-Over
Defects Rough
plastering
Coarse
plastering
Binder
plastering
Roughness, tweaks, unevenness,
cracks around the windows,
behind the radiators and pipes,
burnt lime shots, visible tracks of
local repairs
Maximum 3 cm2
every m2.
No admission No admission
9

Big lumps (up to 3mm), blisters or
in depth scratches (up to 3mm) in
the smoothing of the covering
layer.
Maximum 2 every
m2.
No admission No admission
Imperfections of evenness of the
plastered surfaces in any direction
(by checking with a smoothing
board of 2m length).
No checking
required
Max. 2
irregularities/m2 in
any direction, with
a depth of 2mm
Max. 2
irregularities/ m2 in
any direction, with
a depth or height
up to 1mm
Vertical deviations of the wall
plastering
Same as max.
admissible
deviations for the
supporting
elements
Up to 1mm/m and
max. 3mm per
entire room height
Up to 1mm/m and
max. 2mm per
entire room height
Deviations of vertical and
horizontal inner and outer edges,
intersections with joinery, with
embrasures, windowsills,
intersections between walls and
ceilings
Same as max.
admissible
deviation for the
supporting
elements
Up to 1mm/m and
max. 3mm per
element.
Up to 1mm/m and
max. 2mm per
entire height or
length of the
element
Deviations of radius at curved
surfaces
No checking
required
Up to 5mm Up to 3mm