TILING TECHNICALITIES CODE OF PRACTISE FOR WALL AND FLOOR TILING

Subsection 1. GENERAL 1.1 Scope This section of BS 8000 gives recommendations on basic workmanship on building sites and covers those tasks which are frequently carried out in relation to wall and floor tiling.

The recommendations given in this Section of BS 8000 apply to the fixing of ceramic tiles and mosaics to walls and floors and to the fixing of terrazzo tiles to floors. The fixing of natural stone is covered in Section 11.2 of BS 8000. Design aspects of wall and floor tiling are given in BS 5385 and CP 202. Note. This code of practice includes supplementary elements in the form of commentaries to assist in its use and understanding.

Compliance with the commentaries is not necessary in order to be able to claim conformity with the standard. 1.2 References 1.2.1 Normative References This section of BS 8000 incorporates, by reference, provisions from specific editions of other publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate points in the text and the publications are listed on the inside back cover. Subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications apply to this Section of BS 8000 only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision.

1.2.2 Informative References This Section of BS 8000 refers to other publications that provide information or guidance. Editions of these publications current at the time of issue of this standard are listed on the inside back cover, but reference should be made to the latest editions. 1.3 Definitions For the purpose of this Section of BS 8000, the definitions given in BS 6100 : Subsection 1.3.1 : 1987 and BS 6100 : Subsection 1.3.3 : 1987 apply.

Subsection 2. Materials handling and preparation 2.1 Checking, handling and site storage of materials and components 2.1.1 Checking 2.1.1.1 When materials are delivered. Check delivery tickets and certificates against the specification; examine marks and labels and the condition of materials and components. If necessary refer to supplier immediately. 2.1.1.2 Before use. Before use check that the following applies.

(a) Materials and components are clean, undamaged, dry and enough for the task in hand.

(b) Tile sizes, thicknesses and colours are as specified. (c) For mosaics which are bonded to synthetic strips or other types of mesh backing, the glue is confined to the immediate area of the mesh or strips and not spread over the backs of the tesserae.

COMMENTARY. If glue is spread over more than 25% of the backs of the tesserae, it could interfere with adhesion between the mosaic and the mortar or adhesive bed unless the glue and the mortar or adhesive are compatible. (d) Adhesives, grouts, primers and sealants are as specified and are suitable for the conditions to which the tiling will be subjected when in service.

(e) Primers and adhesives are suitable for the background to which the tiles are fixed.

COMMENTARY. Cement-based adhesives are generally suitable for cement and sand rendered or screeded surfaces, for concrete and for brickwork. They are not suitable for direct fixing to plaster, wood, metal, painted surfaces or glazed surfaces. On such surfaces an organic adhesive should be used; but organic solvent-based adhesive should never be used when fixing to a painted background as the paint and solvent may react and adhesive may fail.

(f) Sand is the correct type and well graded.

(g) Cement is the correct type 2.1.2 Handling and site storage

2.1.2.1 Tiles and mosaics. Handle tiles and mosaics with care to avoid breakage and chipping. Store tiles in their original packaging in a clean, dry area. Stack cartons on a firm, level base. On solid floors stack on a sheet of polyethylene, pallets or timber to prevent any rising damp affecting the tiles and cartons. COMMENTARY. Damp cartons can stain tiles.

Take tiles from store in their original packaging to the location where they are to be fixed and unpack them there. 2.1.2.2 Cement, adhesives and jointing materials Where cement, adhesive and jointing materials are to be kept for later use, unless they are only small quantities of materials store as follows.

(a) Store in a dry, weatherproof, frost-free enclosed shed or building with a dry floor. If the floor is concrete, store on a timber platform.

(b) Keep different materials separate from each other in different stacks.

(c) Stack bags away from walls and cover stacks with tarpaulin or polyethylene sheet. (d) Stack bags so that consignments can be used in order of delivery.

(e) Check powder materials for deterioration when taking them out of storage and discard if they are lumpy in any way.

(f) Ensure that ready-mixed adhesives are not subjected to temperatures outside the range given in the manufacturer's sitework instructions; discard any that have been subjected to any such temperature.

In the case of small quantities of materials for immediate use which are not stored in a shed or building, stand them on a timber platform well clear of the ground and cover with tarpaulin or polyethylene so that all the bags and containers are wholly protected from wind and rain.

COMMENTARY. Even if materials in powder form are protected fro rain, moisture in the air may gradually cause their deterioration. Even in good conditions cement-based materials will go lumpy and eventually give lower strength.

2.1.2.3 Sand. Store different sands in different stock piles on hard clean bases which permit free drainage. Cover them over; keep dry and free from soil, leaves, dirt and rubbish and other harmful matter. 2.1.2.4 Flammable products. If the total quantity of flammable adhesives, primers, etc. exceeds 50L at any one time, store them in either:

(a) Metal lockers; or

(b) a detached store of non-combustible construction; or

(c) the open air away from buildings and sheeted over to provide protection from weather; or (d) a well ventilated room of fire-resistant construction.

Display 'NO SMOKING' signs.

For the storage of highly inflammable liquids attention is drawn to the Highly Flammable and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972 [1]. 2.2 Preparation of work, materials and components NOTE. Unless specifically stated otherwise all the provisions apply equally to internal and external work.

2.2.1 Programme Liaise with all concerned to ensure that sufficient time is allowed for fixing tiling and that, for floors the need to prevent traffic on newly tiled areas does not disrupt the programme for other work. 2.2.2 Pipes, conduits and similar items Do not begin tiling work until all concealed conduits, pipes, electrical cables, electrical boxes, etc. that penetrate the tiling have been fixed securely in position ad making good is completed.

2.2.3 Conditions in building Do not fix internal tiling unless the part of the building where tiling is to be placed is weather tight.

2.2.4 Cold weather working (a) Do not carry out tiling work with cement and sand or cement-based adhesives when the air temperature is below 5
C, or while any materials or substrate are frozen. For internal tiling

ensure that air temperature is maintained at a minimum of 5
C for at least 24hours after tile fixing is complete. Cover external work immediately to exclude frost, using insulated covers if necessary. Keep covers in position for at least 72hours if the temperature remains below 0
C. (b) Do not carry out tiling work with resin-based adhesives and primers when the air and surface temperatures are below those recommended in the manufacturer's sitework instructions.

COMMENTARY. Different proprietary products have different working temperatures and it is essential to observe the manufacturer's sitework instructions for each product. 2.2.5 Lighting Where work is carried out in artificial light, ensure the lighting is adequate and when practicable that the direction and intensity of temporary lighting is similar to that of the final permanent lighting.

COMMENTARY. Individual tiles, which are very slightly out of alignment with the general surface may show up badly when lighting falls from a different direction.

2.2.6 Preparation of materials 2.2.6.1 Mixing cement and sand mortar for a tile bed by machine (a) Where possible use a mixer of forced action type, especially when mixing semi-dry ingredients.

COMMENTARY. Free fall drum mixers have been found to produce inconsistent mixing of semidry materials.

(b) Batch materials by mass unless otherwise instructed.

(c) If batching by volume, measure the materials with gauge boxes or other suitable containers of known volume. Base measurements on a 50kg bag of cement having a volume of 35L. (d) If the mixer is of the rotating drum type maintain the drum at 10
to 12
from the horizontal throughout the mixing. (e) Mix materials dry to give a uniform colour before adding water. After water has been added, mix well until the consistency is uniform.

COMMENTARY. When a tilting drum mixer is used, the most suitable operating sequence to ensure thorough mixing and to minimize 'balling' of the mix is as follows:. (1) set the mixer in motion; (2) put in a little water;

(3) add approximately half the sand;

(4) add all the cement;

(5) add the remainder of the sand; (6) add the remainder of the predetermined amount of water;

(7) allow mixing to continue for at least a further 5 minutes.

(f) Always obtain agreement before pumping a floor screed as it may be necessary to alter the mix proportions. 2.2.6.2 Mixing cement and sand mortar for a tile bed by hand

(a) Measure the materials with the gauge boxes or other suitable containers of known volume. Base measurements on a 50kg bag of cement having a volume of 35L.

(b) Mix materials dry to a uniform colour before adding water. After water has been added mix until the consistency is uniform. 2.2.7 Admixtures Do not use admixtures in mortars, adhesives or grouts unless specified; use them only in accordance with the manufacturer's sitework instructions.

2.2.8 Pigments Incorporate pigments into jointing and grouting materials in strict accordance with the manufacturer's sitework instructions. COMMENTARY. Mixing instructions vary with different products so that no general guidance can

be given.

2.2.9 Preparing adhesives Prepare ready-mixed powder adhesives in accordance with the manufacturer's sitework instructions.

COMMENTARY. Mixing instructions vary with different products so that no general guidance can be given.

2.2.10 Retempering Do not attempt to retemper any water-mixed materials once they have begun to set but discard them. 2.2.11 Solvent-based adhesive When using solvent-based adhesives ensure that:

(a) there is free and adequate ventilation of the working area to dilute and remove the fumes;

(b) if the adhesive is flammable, no smoking or naked flame are allowed in or near the working area; (c) containers are kept closed when not in use.

2.2.12 Substrates 2.2.12.1 Condition. Check that:

(a) substrates are free from contamination and loose material; (b) substrates are dry, sound and free from areas that sound hollow when tapped;

(c) gypsum plastered substrates have been subjected to continuous air drying for at least 4 weeks before tiling is due to start;

(d) cement and rendered substrates have been subjected to continuous air drying for at least 2 weeks before tiling is due to start; (e) concrete substrates have been subjected to continuous air drying for at least 4 weeks after

curing before tiling;

(f) concrete floors have been subjected to continuous air drying for at least 6 weeks after airing before screeding or tiling; (g) cement and sand screeds, if any, have been subjected to continuous air drying for at least 3 weeks.

If a substrate is unsatisfactory in any respect do not commence tiling until the fault has been rectified.

COMMENTARY. Where thin-bed adhesives are to be used there is no practical possibility of adjustment by increasing or decreasing their thickness. 2.2.12.2.2 Floors. Before commencing floor tiling check the base to ensure that the specified accuracy of the finished tile surface can be achieved and the recommended thickness of specified adhesive or mortar can be provided. When the base is checked with a 2m straight edge laid on the surface and resting under its own weight ensure that any gap under the straight edge is not greater than the following: (a) 3mm for tiles in an adhesive (surface regularity 1);

(b) 5mm for tiles bedded in a cement and sand mortar (surface regularity 2);

(c) 10mm for tiles bedded in a cement and sand semi-dry mix (surface regularity 3)

For floors where a fall is required check that the substrates have the correct falls. If a substrate is unsatisfactory in any respect do not commence tiling, but obtain instructions.

COMMENTARY. It is good practice to have a uniform bed thickness beneath the tiles. It is essential that any variations in thickness of the bed remain within the thickness deviations of the specified bedding method. Where the allowable deviations in the bed thickness are small, inaccuracies in the substrate are likely to be repeated in the finished surface of the tiling.