BS 6398 specifies requirements for materials and assembly of bitumen damp-proof courses (d.p.c.s) and gives a classification of such d.p.c.s according to the type(s) of base material they contain.
The d.p.c.s covered by BS 6398 are intended for use in masonry constructions.
BS 6398 on the specification for bitumen damp-proof courses for masonry is useful for:
Bitumen damp-proof courses are applied on walls to prevent the dampness of the wall and prolong the walls and wall paints life. There are multiple types of damp-proof courses and they all are useful in certain specified conditions.
BS 6398 classifies the multiple types of bitumen damp-proof courses based on their base materials and provides you guidance on their compositions. BS 6398 provides you with test methods to verify the physical specifications of these damp-proof courses. BS 6398 also guides you on the conditions within masonry where these damp-proof courses are suitable and where they are not. BS 6398 also provides you with marking and packaging guidelines for these products, this can help you improve in commercializing them.
Overall, the guidelines of BS 6398 help you to produce various types of bitumen damp-proof courses and also identify their applicabilities.