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- Standard / BS-EN-520
BS EN 520
BS EN 520
The standard, BS EN 520, relates to gypsum plasterboards for use in building construction works, including boards for further secondary manufacture and boards to receive surface decoration or gypsum plaster. This standard is based on the current industry need for plasterboard performance, including Amendment A1. Presto Stantest provides precision testing equipment that is fully compliant with BS EN 520 to allow the manufacturer and/or the testing laboratory to measure the mechanical and physical properties of plasterboard accurately and repeatably.
Significance
Gypsum plasterboard is one of the most common interior lining products used in contemporary construction applications, and it has many key functions in many interior lining systems, such as partitioning, ceiling systems, and fire-rated assemblies. Standardized testing of their performance offers guarantees that inbuilt products will achieve the required level of safety, durability, and functionality. Product performance characteristics covered include reaction to fire, water vapor permeability, flexural strength as breaking load, impact resistance, and thermal resistance. These properties are fundamental to ensuring plasterboards perform safely and reliably across their intended building applications throughout the product's service life. System-level performance characteristics linked to plasterboard assemblies — including shear strength, fire resistance, impact resistance, direct airborne sound insulation, and acoustic absorption — are to be measured according to corresponding European test methods, with tests conducted on assembled systems simulating end-use conditions. The standard does not cover plasterboards subjected to secondary manufacturing operations such as insulating composite panels or boards with thin lamination. Presto's testing instruments support the complete product-level evaluation program required under BS EN 520.Scope