What is BS 4046 - Specification for Compressed straw building slabs about?
BS 4046 is the British Standard on the specification for Compressed straw building slabs.
The main objective of BS 4046 is to provide the best industry guidance to ensure construction materials contribute to the structural integrity and durability of your civil engineering works.
BS 4046 specifies requirements for compressed straw building slabs when used internally in buildings.
Appendix A gives methods of sampling, conditioning and preparation of test specimens and test pieces and methods of tests.
Appendix B gives guidance on the use of compressed straw building slabs. This includes particular reference to the need for proper sealing of the cut edges to provide continuity of the surface covering and protection from moisture, mould growth and insect pests.
Who is BS 4046 - Specification for Compressed straw building slabs for?
BS 4046 on the specification for Compressed straw building slabs is useful for:
- Manufacturers of construction materials
- Manufacturers and suppliers of building straws
- Builders
- Architects
- Civil engineers
Why should you use BS 4046 - Specification for Compressed straw building slabs?
The compressed straw slab is a slab consisting of natural straws compressed by heat and pressure, encased in and firmly bonded to facings of paper or other materials to form rectangular slabs. Straw has excellent insulating properties, and the massive structure of the straw absorbs large amounts of heat and radiates it constantly into the room. This minimizes heat loss and provides a pleasant indoor climate.
In this regard, BS 4046 specifies the classification of compressed straw slabs according to the composition of the core, the facings used and the profile of the longitudinal edge as well as the tests for performance and physical characteristics of compressed straw slabs.
BS 4046 covers the test methods to give the measures of dimensional tolerances, taper profile, squareness, mass, moisture content, modulus of elasticity, bending strength, resistance to impact, screw holding, thermal conductivity, boron content and relative humidity as well as marking requirements for compressed straw building slabs.
As a result, if you are a building straw manufacturer, complying with BS 4046 can demonstrate the quality, performance, and dependability of your products, achieving the structural integrity required for building works.
Overall, straw offers an alternative and sustainable means to house our growing population while diminishing our impact on forests.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS 4046:1991 supersedes BS 4046-2:1971. BS 4046:1991 includes some technical changes with respect to BS 4046-2:1971. These include:
- Requirements for both 50 mm and 58 mm thick slabs are now included, with both square and tapered edges.
- The composition has been extended to include the incorporation of additives to the straw core to avoid insect infestation in certain environments of use
