BS EN 13967 explained for damp proof sheets and basement tanking
What BS EN 13967 covers
BS EN 13967 is the British adoption of the European product standard for flexible plastic and rubber damp proof sheets used in buildings, including plastic and rubber basement tanking sheets. BSI currently lists the consolidated version as BS EN 13967:2012+A1:2017, published with Amendment A1 incorporated in 2017. The standard is concerned with the product, not with the installed waterproofing system. It defines product types, characteristics, test methods, conformity evaluation, designation, marking and labelling information so that specifiers can compare damp proofing and tanking membranes on a consistent basis.
Its practical value is the distinction it makes between a general damp proof sheet and a sheet intended to resist hydrostatic pressure. That distinction matters in below-ground construction. A product selected only as a damp proof membrane may not be suitable where the design condition is tanking. At the time of writing on September 10, 2026, BSI and standards catalogue information list BS EN 13967:2012+A1:2017 as the current consolidated British Standard for this product family.
Why the product type designation matters
BS EN 13967 uses three product designations: Type A, Type V and Type T. These are not marketing labels. They describe the intended damp proofing function and affect the watertightness pressure used in the relevant EN 1928 test.
| Designation | Meaning in BS EN 13967 | Typical role in a project | Watertightness pressure stated in the standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type A | Damp proof sheet | Used on or under floors, ground slabs or walls to resist ground moisture where hydrostatic pressure is not the design condition | 2 kPa |
| Type V | Damp proof ventilating or draining sheet | Provides a continuous void or drainage structure so water vapour or liquid water can move between the sheet and the adjacent construction | 2 kPa |
| Type T | Tanking sheet | Used in walls, floors or ground slabs where the sheet is intended to resist liquid water under hydrostatic pressure | 60 kPa |
The 2 kPa and 60 kPa values are standardized product test conditions, not a full design calculation for a basement or retaining structure. The project designer still has to consider groundwater level, drainage, continuity at joints, penetrations, workmanship, substrate movement and repairability. Even so, the difference between Type A or V and Type T gives specifiers an important check: if the application is tanking, the product designation and declaration should show that the membrane is intended for tanking use.
Product characteristics to check before specification
A useful BS EN 13967 review starts with the product data sheet and Declaration of Performance, not with thickness alone. Membranes with similar nominal thickness can perform differently because of polymer type, reinforcement, surface profile, jointing method and durability testing. The standard therefore addresses a set of physical and performance characteristics rather than relying on one headline number.
Dimensions, thickness and mass
The standard refers to measurement of length, width, straightness, flatness, thickness and mass per unit area. Where a manufacturer declares a value, the product should be assessed against the declared tolerance. This matters in procurement and site control because a roll that is thinner, narrower or less consistent than declared can affect laps, coverage rates and installation quality.
Watertightness and durability
Watertightness is the central performance characteristic. BS EN 13967 points to EN 1928 testing, with different pressure levels for Types A and V compared with Type T. Durability is also addressed through exposure conditions such as artificial ageing and alkali exposure. Alkali resistance is relevant because membranes may be installed next to concrete or cementitious materials, where long-term chemical exposure can form part of the service environment.
Mechanical resistance and joints
The standard includes characteristics such as resistance to impact, resistance to static loading, tear resistance and joint strength where required. These are practical site issues. A membrane can be watertight as a sample but still fail in use if it is punctured by reinforcement, damaged during backfilling, torn around fixings or poorly jointed. For reinforced sheets, the type of reinforcement and the declared mechanical properties should be read together.
Water vapour and reaction to fire
BS EN 13967 also includes water vapour transmission properties where required and references reaction-to-fire classification methods. These characteristics do not replace building regulations or fire design requirements, but they help align the membrane data sheet with the wider specification. In occupied or habitable below-ground spaces, vapour control, condensation risk and internal finishes may all influence the final system choice.
How BS EN 13967 relates to compliance and marking
BS EN 13967 sits within the construction products standards framework. GOV.UK’s designated standards notice for construction products dated September 26, 2025 includes EN 13967:2012 in the list for Great Britain. GOV.UK guidance explains that designated standards support the Construction Products Regulation as it applies in Great Britain and provide a common technical language for assessing construction products.
For the European market, EN 13967 has been treated as a harmonised construction products standard, with historical Official Journal information showing a coexistence period beginning on March 1, 2013 and ending on July 1, 2013 for EN 13967:2012. In practice, manufacturers, importers and distributors should check the market rules that apply where the product is supplied. The marking route for Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the European Union is not identical, so current government guidance should be checked before products are placed on the market.
For product evaluation, the most useful documents are normally the Declaration of Performance, product data sheet, installation instructions, relevant third-party certificates and the manufacturer’s declared values. Certification information from notified or approved bodies often refers to AVCP System 2+ for this family of damp proof and tanking sheets. That does not transfer every design risk to the certificate. It means the factory production control and declared product characteristics have to be considered through the relevant conformity route.
What BS EN 13967 does not decide
A common misunderstanding is to treat BS EN 13967 as if it automatically approves a complete basement waterproofing design. It does not. It is a product standard for flexible plastic and rubber sheets. It helps establish what a sheet is, which type it belongs to and which characteristics must be declared or tested. It does not decide the final waterproofing strategy for a below-ground structure.
| Question | Relevant standard or guidance area | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Is the product a plastic or rubber damp proof sheet or tanking sheet? | BS EN 13967 | Defines Types A, V and T and product characteristics |
| Is the product a plastic or rubber damp proof course? | BS EN 14909 | Damp proof courses are a related but separate product category |
| Is the product a bitumen damp proof or tanking sheet? | EN 13969 | Bituminous sheets are covered under a different product standard |
| Is the product mainly a vapour control layer? | EN 13984 | Vapour control layers are not the same as damp proof sheets for ground moisture |
| How should a basement or below-ground structure be protected from water ingress? | BS 8102:2022 and project design guidance | Design strategy, groundwater risk, Type A, B or C protection and buildability need separate assessment |
BS 8102:2022 is especially relevant for below-ground structures because it addresses protection against water ingress at system level. It distinguishes between barrier protection, structurally integral protection and drained protection. A Type T tanking sheet under BS EN 13967 may form part of a barrier system, but the product standard does not by itself confirm that the whole basement design is suitable. See also: Membranes.
Specification checklist for BS EN 13967 sheets
Before accepting a membrane described as compliant with BS EN 13967, specifiers should ask for evidence that connects the declared standard to the actual intended use. The following checklist is a practical way to review submittals.
- Confirm the exact standard edition stated on the data sheet, preferably BS EN 13967:2012+A1:2017 or the equivalent EN 13967:2012+A1:2017 reference.
- Check whether the product is designated Type A, Type V or Type T.
- For tanking or hydrostatic pressure conditions, confirm that the product is declared as Type T and that the project waterproofing design supports its use.
- Review watertightness test information and whether the test pressure corresponds to the intended product type.
- Check declared thickness, mass per unit area, width, roll length and tolerances rather than relying on nominal thickness alone.
- Review ageing, alkali exposure and bitumen compatibility evidence where the site conditions make these relevant.
- Check joint strength and jointing method, including overlaps, welding, tapes, sealants or proprietary accessories.
- Ask how the membrane is protected during installation, reinforcement fixing, slab casting, backfilling and follow-on trades.
- Confirm how penetrations, corners, pile caps, kicker joints and transitions to other waterproofing products are detailed.
- Keep the Declaration of Performance, marking information and installation instructions with the project quality records.
This checklist is not a substitute for a competent waterproofing design. It is a way to avoid a common procurement error: accepting a generic “DPM” description when the project actually requires a defined damp proof or tanking sheet with declared performance.
Specification risks to avoid
The first risk is using BS EN 13967 as a broad label without the product type. A phrase such as “membrane to BS EN 13967” is incomplete if the design requires tanking performance. It should identify the type, relevant declared values, jointing method and compatibility requirements.
The second risk is confusing damp proofing with waterproofing under pressure. A Type A damp proof sheet is not the same as a Type T tanking sheet. If groundwater can build up against the structure, the waterproofing design should assess hydrostatic pressure, drainage assumptions and the consequences of failure.
The third risk is ignoring transitions. Many failures occur not through the flat area of a membrane but at laps, terminations, service penetrations, changes in substrate, movement joints and interfaces with other waterproofing systems. BS EN 13967 product data should therefore be read alongside project details and system-specific installation instructions.
For more standards-focused construction notes, visit the Standards section.
Frequently asked questions
Is BS EN 13967 still current?
BSI and standards catalogue information list BS EN 13967:2012+A1:2017 as the current consolidated British Standard at the time of writing on September 10, 2026. Because standards can be revised or withdrawn, procurement documents should always verify the current status before issue.
What is the difference between Type A and Type T under BS EN 13967?
Type A is a damp proof sheet for conditions where hydrostatic pressure is not the intended design condition. Type T is a tanking sheet intended for conditions involving liquid water under hydrostatic pressure. The standard reflects this difference in the watertightness test pressure, with Type T tested at a higher pressure than Type A.
Does BS EN 13967 cover damp proof courses?
Not as its main product category. Plastic and rubber damp proof courses are addressed by BS EN 14909. BS EN 13967 covers flexible plastic and rubber damp proof sheets and basement tanking sheets. The distinction is important when writing specifications for walls, floors, slabs and cavity details.
Does compliance with BS EN 13967 guarantee a dry basement?
No. Compliance helps demonstrate declared product characteristics, but a dry basement depends on the full waterproofing design, workmanship, groundwater risk assessment, structural movement, drainage strategy and maintenance assumptions. BS 8102:2022 is the more relevant British Standard for below-ground waterproofing design guidance.
Should a buyer ask for a Declaration of Performance?
Yes, where the product is supplied under the relevant construction products framework. The Declaration of Performance, product marking and technical data help confirm the intended use, declared characteristics and conformity route. They should be checked against the project specification rather than filed as a formality.
