What Does EN 13967 Mean for Damp Proof Membranes?

What Does EN 13967 Cover?

EN 13967 is the European product standard for flexible plastic and rubber sheets used as damp proofing in buildings, including basement tanking sheets. If you buy, specify, or install membranes for floors, walls, slabs, podiums, or below-ground structures, this standard gives everyone the same way to read product performance. For more building standard topics, you can also visit the Standards section.

According to BSI Knowledge, BS EN 13967:2012+A1:2017 is the current British implementation, published on 31 December 2017. It sets out definitions, characteristics, test methods, and conformity evaluation for these sheets. In normal site language, it helps you ask a supplier the right questions before the membrane gets to the truck, the trench, or the basement wall.

Plastic and Rubber Damp Proof Sheets

The standard covers factory-made plastic and rubber sheets. Plastic sheets are made from polymeric materials and may include composites, while rubber sheets are made from elastomeric polymeric materials and may also include composites. This matters because a product name on its own, such as HDPE membrane, PVC sheet, EPDM sheet, or TPO membrane, does not tell you enough. You still need the declared performance, the test method, and the intended use.

Type A, Type V, and Type T Designations

EN 13967 divides products into three main types. Type A is a damp proof sheet, Type V is a ventilating or draining damp proof sheet, usually with a void or drainage structure, and Type T is a tanking sheet used where hydrostatic pressure may exist. That small letter on a data sheet can prevent a hard argument later. This is especially true on basement work, where groundwater can turn a clean drawing into a wet job very quickly.

Factory-Made Sheets for Buildings

The standard deals with factory-made flexible sheets for building use. It is not a full installation code, and it does not take the place of project design. It tells you how the product should be described and tested. The designer still has to match the sheet, substrate, joints, protection layer, drainage, and site water condition.

Why Does EN 13967 Matter for Buyers?

Buyers often compare membranes by thickness, roll size, and price per square metre. That is normal purchasing work, but it is not enough for a waterproofing decision. A 1.0 mm sheet with poor joints may perform worse than a thinner sheet with better tested results in the correct use. EN 13967 gives you a working checklist, not just a sales description.

Comparable Product Declarations

When a supplier declares performance to EN 13967, you can compare products against the same group of test references. Check watertightness, thickness or mass per unit area, tear resistance, tensile properties, joint strength where needed, and reaction to fire where required. It is a bit like checking a passport. The cover looks simple, but the real value is in the details inside.

Lower Risk in Basement Projects

Basements, retaining walls, lift pits, and below-slab areas are hard on weak product choices. EN 13967 defines tanking sheets as sheets used to stop liquid water under hydrostatic pressure from passing into the internal environment or from one part of a structure to another. That definition gives buyers a clear line between ordinary damp proofing and tanking duty. It also helps avoid buying a sheet that is only suitable for lighter water exposure.

Clear CE and DoP Paperwork

For EU market access, the Construction Products Regulation links harmonised standards with the Declaration of Performance and CE marking. The European Commission states that construction products covered by a European harmonised standard need a Declaration of Performance and must be CE marked. For importers, this paperwork is not decoration. It belongs in the product file and should be checked before the goods move.

Which Product Characteristics Should You Check?

A proper EN 13967 review starts with water risk, then moves to mechanical risk. A membrane may pass a water test but still fail on site if sharp aggregate, reinforcement chairs, formwork edges, or rushed backfilling damage it. Product characteristics should match the way the sheet will actually be used in the building.

Watertightness Test Pressures

The SIST preview of EN 13967:2012+A1:2017 states that watertightness is determined by EN 1928:2000. Type A and Type V sheets are tested at 2 kPa, while Type T tanking sheets are tested at 60 kPa. For quick context, 60 kPa is roughly equal to a 6.1 m water column. This does not mean every basement has that exact water head, but it shows why Type T is the category to check when water pressure is part of the design.

Dimensions, Thickness, and Mass

Length, width, straightness, thickness, and mass per unit area are not just paperwork items. They affect lap allowance, roll yield, handling, and site waste. EN 13967 refers to EN 1848-2 for length, width, straightness, and flatness, and EN 1849-2 for thickness or mass per unit area. If a project needs 150 mm laps and has hundreds of metres of wall base, a small roll-width mismatch can become real money.

Tear, Impact, and Static Load Resistance

Check tear resistance, impact resistance, and static loading if the membrane will face rough ground, site traffic, insulation boards, reinforcement spacers, or backfill. EN 13967 refers to EN 12691 for impact resistance and EN 12730 for static loading. The right value depends on the job. A protected wall membrane and an exposed below-slab membrane do not take the same level of site damage.

How Should You Read a Data Sheet?

A data sheet should help you make a decision, not leave you guessing. Good data sheets show the EN 13967 type, declared values, limiting values, test standards, tolerances, and roll identification. If a data sheet only says “high performance waterproof membrane” and gives no test basis, treat it as a brochure rather than technical evidence.

MDV and MLV Values

EN 13967 uses manufacturer’s declared value, or MDV, and manufacturer’s limiting value, or MLV. In simple terms, MDV is the value the manufacturer declares for a property with a tolerance, while MLV is the limit that results must meet. For example, a tensile property may need to be greater than or equal to the manufacturer’s limiting value in both machine and transverse directions. That is why the letters on the data sheet matter.

Test Method References

Do not accept numbers without methods. A data sheet should link values to test standards, such as EN 1928 for watertightness, EN 1931 for water vapour transmission, EN 12317-2 for joint shear resistance where required, and EN 12311-2 for tensile properties. Two suppliers can both claim “strong joint performance.” The useful question is how the joint was tested and whether that method fits the project detail.

Roll Marking and Batch Traceability

Roll marking, labelling, packaging, product data sheets, and batch records matter when something goes wrong. If a site team finds a puncture, a missing lap tape, or a roll from a different batch, traceability helps the team deal with the issue faster. Ask for batch numbers on delivery notes. Keep the DoP with the project file, not in someone’s inbox where it may disappear.

How Does EN 13967 Fit With CE Marking?

EN 13967 is not only a technical document. It also sits inside the wider construction product compliance system in Europe. If you sell into the EU or buy for an EU project, the standard, Declaration of Performance, CE mark, and factory production control should be treated as one connected chain.

Harmonised Standard Route

EUR-Lex records Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 as the legal framework that lays down harmonised conditions for marketing construction products. The European Commission explains that a harmonised standard gives common technical language for expressing performance. For EN 13967 products, that common language helps manufacturers, importers, architects, and contractors discuss the same characteristics. It also keeps the conversation away from private claims that cannot be checked. See also: Membranes.

Declaration of Performance Duties

A Declaration of Performance should identify the product type, intended use, essential characteristics, declared performance, applicable standard, and manufacturer. It should match the label and the commercial paperwork. If the membrane arrives with a DoP for a different product, older formulation, or unrelated application, stop and check the delivery. It is easier to fix documents at the gate than after concrete is poured.

Importer and Distributor Checks

If you import membranes, ask for the DoP, CE label details, test reports where relevant, and factory production control evidence before shipment. Do not wait for customs, the main contractor, or a clerk of works to ask for them. A clean compliance pack can reduce delays. This is especially useful on projects with strict submittal reviews.

What Mistakes Cause Problems on Site?

Most membrane failures come from a mix of wrong product choice, rough handling, poor detailing, and missing protection. EN 13967 helps with product choice, but it cannot stop a shovel blade, a bad lap, or a pipe sleeve that nobody sealed. Site discipline still matters.

Choosing Type A for Hydrostatic Pressure

A common mistake is treating all damp proof sheets as tanking sheets. Type A may be fine for damp proofing where water is not under hydrostatic pressure. If the design assumes groundwater pressure, Type T should be considered. Ask the designer to confirm the water condition, not only the membrane thickness.

Ignoring Joints and Penetrations

Joints, corners, pile caps, service penetrations, and day joints are weak points. EN 13967 includes joint strength where required, but the project also needs compatible tapes, welds, preformed corners, collars, and inspection rules. A good roll of membrane can still leak at one careless pipe penetration. That is why detailing needs the same attention as the sheet itself.

Confusing Damp Proofing With Gas Control

Some EN 13967 membranes may also be marketed for radon or methane control, but EN 13967 alone should not be treated as proof of gas resistance. If gas protection is part of the project, request separate gas test data and check the local code. Reliable public data for a universal “EN 13967 equals gas barrier” claim is not available. For that reason, the claim should not be made without proper evidence.

How Can You Specify EN 13967 Membranes Better?

A better specification tells the supplier what the membrane must do, how performance will be checked, and what documents must arrive with the material. Keep it practical. Site teams do not need a long essay. They need clear product type, minimum declared values, compatible accessories, and inspection steps.

Match the Type to the Water Risk

Start with the water condition. For general damp proofing, Type A may fit. For ventilating or draining use, Type V may fit. For basement tanking or hydrostatic pressure, Type T is the proper category to review. Then add project needs, such as thickness, joint method, puncture protection, chemical exposure, and compatibility with bitumen if relevant.

Request Evidence Before Shipment

Ask for the EN 13967 type, current data sheet, DoP, CE label sample, test basis, roll marking details, and installation accessories list before you approve the order. This is a basic buying check, but it is often missed when the schedule is tight. On a real project, a two-day document delay can hold a waterproofing crew while the excavation sits open. That is not a phone call anyone wants to make.

Link Site Work to the Standard

The standard gives product performance. The project specification should add handling, storage, substrate preparation, lap width, welding or taping method, protection board, inspection, and repair rules. Store rolls flat or as recommended by the manufacturer, keep mud out of laps, and photograph critical details before covering. These plain site habits often protect expensive basements.

FAQ

Q1: Is EN 13967 the Same as a Waterproofing Installation Standard? A: No. It is a product standard for flexible plastic and rubber damp proof sheets, including basement tanking sheets. Installation still depends on project design, manufacturer instructions, and local rules.

Q2: What Is the Difference Between Type A and Type T? A: Type A is a damp proof sheet used where liquid water is not under hydrostatic pressure. Type T is a tanking sheet used where hydrostatic pressure may be present.

Q3: Does EN 13967 Require a Fixed Thickness? A: No single universal thickness applies to all products. The sheet must declare thickness or mass per unit area and meet the stated tolerance and relevant performance requirements.

Q4: Does CE Marking Mean the Membrane Is Suitable for Every Basement? A: No. CE marking shows declared performance under the applicable framework. You still need to check water pressure, detailing, joints, protection, and project-specific design needs.

Q5: Can an EN 13967 Membrane Be Used as a Radon Barrier? A: Only if the supplier provides suitable gas resistance evidence and the project designer accepts it. EN 13967 by itself is not enough proof for gas control.