BS EN 1520:2011

What is BS EN 1520 - Prefabricated components of LAC with open structure about?

BS EN 1520 is a European Standard on prefabricated reinforced components of lightweight aggregate concrete. The main aim of BS EN 1520 is to provide manufacturers with the best industry practices to create high-quality building materials that impart strength and durability to your civil engineering works.

BS EN 1520 is for prefabricated components of lightweight aggregate concrete (LAC) with open structure and with structural or non-structural reinforcement intended to be used in building construction:

• For structural elements:
• Loadbearing wall components (solid, hollow core or multilayer
• Retaining wall components (solid) with or without surcharge loading
• Roof components (solid, hollow core or multilayer)
• Floor components (solid, hollow core or multilayer)
• Linear components (beams or piers)
• For non-structural elements:
• Non-loadbearing wall components (e.g., for partition walls)
• Cladding components (without fixtures) intended to be used for external facades of buildings
• Small box culverts used to form channels for the enclosure of services
• Components for noise barriers

Note: BS EN 1520 does not cover:

• Rules for the application of these components in structures
• Joints (except their strength)
• Fixtures
• Finishes for external components, such as tiling.

Who is BS EN 1520 - Prefabricated components of LAC with open structure for?

BS EN 1520 on prefabricated components of LAC is useful for:

• Construction material manufacturers and suppliers
• Construction industry
• Civil engineers
• Contractors
• Concrete production companies
• Quality control and testing authorities
• Regulatory bodies

Why should you use BS EN 1520 - Prefabricated components of LAC with open structure?

BS EN 1520 defines LAC as concrete with an open structure having an oven-dry density of not more than 2 000 kg/m3 and made with aggregates consisting entirely or partly of lightweight aggregates (LWA).

In this regard, BS EN 1520 covers the properties and requirements of materials and components of LAC and includes guidance on evaluation of conformity, marking, labelling and designation of prefabricated components of LAC.

As a result, if you are a producer of prefabricated components of LAC, complying with BS EN 1520 can help demonstrate the performance and credibility of your product, ensuring that they are fit for purpose. This can determine whether the prefabricated components of LAC contribute to reducing the load of the building structure and improving overall stability.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN 1520:2011 supersedes EN 1520:2002. BS EN 1520:2011 includes some technical changes with respect to EN 1520:2002. These include:

• Terms and definitions have been updated
• The order of clauses has been changed
• Lightweight aggregate concrete parameters have been adapted
• Normative references for reinforcement steel have been updated
• Properties and requirements of components have been adapted, e.g., acoustic properties, thermal resistance
• Evaluation of conformity has been adapted