EN 13967:2012 explained for damp proof and basement tanking sheets
What EN 13967:2012 covers
EN 13967:2012 is a European product standard for factory-made flexible plastic and rubber sheets used for damp proofing in buildings. It also covers plastic and rubber basement tanking sheets. In practical specification work, the standard helps designers, manufacturers, buyers and site teams identify which product types are covered, which characteristics need to be declared or tested, and how those characteristics are assessed.
The standard is particularly relevant when a membrane is intended to resist ground moisture, water not under hydrostatic pressure, or water under hydrostatic pressure in basement and below-ground work. It gives a common technical language for products that might otherwise be described only as a membrane, DPM or tanking layer. You can also explore more in Standards.
The search term en 13967 2012 often appears in procurement schedules, declarations of performance and technical datasheets. Users should also check the version reference. Many national standards bodies list the amended version, EN 13967:2012+A1:2017, as the current national adoption. The 2012 reference is therefore important, but it should be read alongside later national adoption, project specifications and applicable CE-marking rules.
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Why the standard matters in construction specifications
Damp proof and tanking sheets are usually concealed once floors, walls or foundation build-ups are complete. After that point, visual inspection can confirm only limited parts of the installation. Upfront product selection, documented performance and installation control therefore carry much of the risk.
EN 13967:2012 provides a shared framework for describing flexible plastic and rubber sheets. It helps designers distinguish normal damp proofing from basement tanking, and it identifies measurable characteristics such as watertightness, tensile properties, joint strength, tear resistance and water vapour transmission. It also helps manufacturers and purchasers align product datasheets, factory production control and marking information with a recognized European document.
The standard does not design the full waterproofing system. It is a product standard, not a basement waterproofing design manual. It does not replace project-specific assessment of ground conditions, drainage, structural movement, penetrations, material compatibility, workmanship or local building rules. A sheet may be tested to the standard and still perform poorly in service if laps, corners, service entries or protection layers are not properly designed and installed.
The three product types in EN 13967:2012
One of the most useful parts of EN 13967:2012 is its product designation system. Covered sheets are separated into three types: Type A, Type V and Type T. The designation is not just a label; it indicates how the sheet is intended to deal with moisture and water pressure.
| Designation | Common description | Typical purpose | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type A | Damp proof sheet | Used in floors, ground slabs or walls to resist liquid water where hydrostatic pressure is not the design condition | General damp proofing function |
| Type V | Ventilating or draining damp proof sheet | Provides a void or structure that allows movement of water vapour or liquid water between the sheet and another construction layer | Includes drainage or ventilation function |
| Type T | Tanking sheet | Used in below-ground floors, slabs or walls where the sheet is intended to resist water under hydrostatic pressure | Basement tanking and higher water-pressure context |
The Type T category is especially important because basement tanking is a higher-risk use than a basic damp proof membrane below a slab. EN 13967:2012 reflects that difference in the watertightness pressure used for testing: 2 kPa for Type A and Type V damp proof sheets, and 60 kPa for Type T tanking sheets. This difference should prevent a common error: treating every plastic or rubber sheet described as waterproof as suitable for basement tanking.
Key performance characteristics to check
The standard organizes performance around defined product characteristics and related test methods. Some characteristics confirm product identity and consistency; others address resistance to mechanical load, ageing, chemicals or fire classification. For specifiers and buyers, the main task is to check whether the technical datasheet or declaration of performance provides the right information for the intended use.
Dimensions, thickness and visible defects
EN 13967:2012 covers length, width, straightness, thickness and mass per unit area. These properties matter on site because rolls need to match the declared product and provide predictable coverage, overlap and jointing. The standard also requires the product to be free from visible defects when assessed by the relevant test method. For profiled or structured sheets, sample dimensions may need practical adjustment where the profile makes normal sampling impracticable, but any deviation must be recorded.
Watertightness and durability of watertightness
Watertightness is central to the standard. Products are tested using EN 1928 methods, with lower pressure for Type A and Type V sheets and higher pressure for Type T tanking sheets. EN 13967:2012 also considers durability of watertightness after artificial ageing and after chemical exposure. The 2017 amendment clarifies several references, including long-term ageing and exposure to alkaline conditions such as milk of lime under the relevant chemical exposure method.
Mechanical resistance and joint performance
Membranes can be damaged by installation traffic, reinforcement, backfill, sharp substrates and later construction work. For this reason, EN 13967:2012 includes resistance to impact, resistance to tearing by nail shank, resistance to static loading and tensile properties. Where joints are relevant, joint strength is determined using the specified method for plastic and rubber sheets. These values should be reviewed together. A membrane with adequate sheet strength may still be unsuitable if the jointing system is weak, difficult to control or poorly installed.
Water vapour transmission, bitumen compatibility and fire reaction
Water vapour transmission properties help designers understand vapour control behaviour, especially where the membrane forms part of a floor or wall build-up with insulation and finishes. Where relevant, compatibility with bitumen is assessed by exposure before watertightness testing. Reaction to fire is also addressed where required, using the European fire classification framework and the relevant small-flame ignition test method. In project documents, these characteristics should be tied to the intended application rather than copied into a generic checklist.
EN 13967:2012 and EN 13967:2012+A1:2017
A common point of confusion is the relationship between the 2012 standard and the 2017 amendment. Public catalogues from national standards bodies show that EN 13967:2012 was later amended as EN 13967:2012+A1:2017. The amendment was approved by CEN on 24 January 2017, with national implementation scheduled in 2017 and conflicting national standards withdrawn by early 2019. See also: Membranes.
For day-to-day specification, the document reference should be checked carefully. If a datasheet states EN 13967:2012, confirm whether the declared performance, test references and national adoption correspond to the amended text. If a specification calls for EN 13967:2012+A1:2017, suppliers should provide documentation for that version rather than an older historical edition. National designations may vary, such as BS EN, DIN EN, NEN-EN or SS-EN, but the underlying European text is the key technical reference.
There is also a CE-marking nuance. Under the EU Construction Products Regulation, when a construction product is covered by a harmonized technical specification and is placed on the EU market, the manufacturer generally draws up a declaration of performance and affixes CE marking according to the applicable rules. Some national databases distinguish between the current national standard text and the harmonized citation used for CPR purposes. Manufacturers, importers and specifiers should therefore verify the current OJEU citation and national guidance before making legal compliance claims.
How to use the standard in procurement and submittals
EN 13967:2012 is most useful when it is converted into a clear submittal checklist. A buyer or project team should not stop at the phrase compliant with EN 13967. The documentation should show the product type, declared characteristics, test methods, relevant tolerances and intended use.
- Confirm whether the sheet is Type A, Type V or Type T.
- Check whether the intended application is damp proofing, ventilating or draining damp proofing, or basement tanking.
- Compare watertightness requirements with the correct pressure level for the product type.
- Review mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tear resistance, impact resistance and static loading resistance.
- Check joint strength where the system relies on welded, bonded or taped laps.
- Ask for water vapour transmission data where vapour control affects the floor or wall build-up.
- Confirm compatibility with bitumen or adjacent materials where relevant.
- Make sure the declaration of performance, CE marking information and product label are consistent with the referenced standard and intended use.
For basement applications, the review should be stricter. The membrane type, protection layer, jointing method, terminations, penetrations, drainage provisions and repair procedures should all be checked. EN 13967:2012 helps describe the sheet, but the overall waterproofing strategy still depends on design detailing and site execution.
Common mistakes when reading EN 13967:2012
The first mistake is treating the standard as proof that a product is suitable for every damp or wet condition. A Type A damp proof sheet and a Type T tanking sheet do not serve the same design role. The second mistake is comparing membranes only by thickness. Thickness is important, but it does not replace watertightness, tensile properties, joint strength, deformation resistance or durability data.
The third mistake is ignoring the version reference. Because many public catalogues list EN 13967:2012+A1:2017 as the current adoption, a project specification that simply says EN 13967:2012 may need clarification. The fourth mistake is assuming that CE marking or a declaration of performance is the same as project approval. CE marking relates to declared performance under the regulatory framework; it does not confirm that the selected membrane is the correct design solution for a particular site.
The final mistake is separating product selection from installation risk. Membranes can be punctured, stretched, contaminated or incorrectly lapped. A good specification should therefore pair EN 13967 documentation with installation method statements, substrate preparation rules, protection requirements and inspection hold points.
Frequently asked questions
Is EN 13967:2012 only for basement membranes?
No. It covers plastic and rubber damp proof sheets for buildings, including but not limited to basement tanking sheets. Type T is the tanking category, while Type A and Type V address damp proofing and ventilating or draining damp proofing.
Does EN 13967:2012 cover bituminous damp proof sheets?
No. EN 13967 is for plastic and rubber sheets. Bituminous damp proof sheets are covered by other standards in the flexible waterproofing sheet family, so the material type should be checked before citing this standard.
Is EN 13967:2012 still the right reference?
It may appear in older datasheets, declarations and procurement text, but many national standards bodies list EN 13967:2012+A1:2017 as the current adopted version. Project teams should check the required national designation, amendment status and applicable CE-marking citation before finalizing wording.
Can a Type A sheet be used for tanking?
Not simply because it is watertight. Type A is the damp proof sheet designation, while Type T is the tanking sheet designation for applications involving hydrostatic pressure. If basement tanking is required, the specification should call for the appropriate product type and supporting test documentation.
What is the main practical takeaway?
Use EN 13967:2012 as a structured way to check product type, declared characteristics, test methods and documentation. Do not use it as a substitute for full waterproofing design, site-specific risk assessment or installation quality control.
