British standards for floor tile installation

tallac

Does anyone know if/where I can view these standards (BS 5385)? I assumed they would be freely available from some standards website but all I can find are websites wanting to sell them for around £200.

Specifically, I was interested in max tolerance for unevenness between adjacent tiles?

grumbler

Are you sure such standards exist?

https://nhbc-standards.co.uk/9-finishes/9-1-a-consistent-approach-to-finishes/9-1-7-ceramic-concrete-terrazzo-and-similar-tile-finishes/

The NHBC Standards are produced by NHBC as guidance solely for our builder customers as to how to interpret the technical requirements in relation to the warranty cover provided by NHBC under its Buildmark, Buildmark Choice, Buildmark Link, Buildmark Solo, Buildmark Connect or any similar product from time to time. It has not been created or intended for distribution or use outside of that purpose. The information contained in the NHBC Standards do not constitute advice and is not to be relied upon by any third party. Nothing in the NHBC Standards is intended to, nor should it be taken to, create any legal or contractual relationship. Any third party who chooses to rely upon the information contained in the NHBC Standards shall do so entirely at their own risk and NHBC accepts no duty of care or liability, however caused, in connection with its use or reliance by any third party.

Rodders53

grumbler said:

Are you sure such standards exist?

Oh yes grumbler they certainly do.  https://landingpage.bsigroup.com/LandingPage/Series?UPI=BS 5385

Check with your local Library service if they have a British Standards Institution membership subscription that can be used to access the documents.  Otherwise a trip to the British Library may be in order.  Most British Standards are incredibly dry reading and not often an awfully great help in anything practical, though.

The NHBC guide you link to seems to answer the question admirably I think!

tacpot12

The standard is only any use in a contractual dispute, if compliance with the standard was an explicit part of the contract; i.e. you need to have said that the tiles need to be laid according to BS 5385 if you are to be able to sue the contractor because they were not laid according to the standard. Did you specify this in the contract?

hieveryone

I've been through a massive complaint regarding tile and acceptable tolerance levels and quite honestly, you'll get nowhere. It's all absolute crap and the legislation means nothing to the ombudsman either. I had tiles that wouldn't pass a coin running over them and my claim was still rejected. 

Section62

tacpot12 said:

The standard is only any use in a contractual dispute, if compliance with the standard was an explicit part of the contract; i.e. you need to have said that the tiles need to be laid according to BS 5385 if you are to be able to sue the contractor because they were not laid according to the standard. Did you specify this in the contract?

^This.

BS5385-3 is a Code of Practice - it sets a benchmark for two parties to a contract to agree to use.  Compliance with it isn't a stand-alone legal requirement as it is for example in the manufacture and sale of electrical plugs and sockets to BS1363.

If the contract with the tiler doesn't specify BS5385-3 then legal action would revolve around whether the work had been done to a reasonable standard.  As the claimant you could refer to BS5385-3 says as a guide to what other people may regard as reasonable, but it wouldn't carry the weight that it would if explicitly included as a contract term.

I agree that trying the local library service is the best bet for getting free access, but many library services have made cutbacks on things that are deemed 'technical' in favour of things that are popular, so I wouldn't hold too much hope.

stuart45

The maximum 1mm and 2mm lippage allowed is also dependant on the tiles being within certain tolerances.

mexican_dave

Sorry to ask a stupid question but the OP doesn't say why they want this BS. What's the project, is there a builder/floorlayer, what's the proposed area X by Y metres, inside or outside, is the OP in dispute with builder/floorlayer?