What is BS 8297 about?
BS 8297 is a British standard on design, manufacture and installation of architectural precast concrete, it also states its code of practice.
BS 8297 gives recommendations and guidance for the design, manufacture, transport and installation of architectural precast concrete units in the form of:
- Units supported by and fixed to a structural frame or wall to perform a cladding role
- Units which may neither be associated with or form part of a building
- Units used as permanent formwork in part or in whole, but limited to architectural elements
- The architectural function of a sandwich panel
Note: BS 8297 does not provide recommendations relevant to units incorporating glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC/GRC), semi-dry or small wet-cast masonry units instead of larger architectural wall cladding panels, nor the design of the supporting structure to which the units might be attached.
Who is BS 8297 for?
BS 8297 on design, manufacture and installation of architectural precast concrete is useful for: 
- Architects
- Structural engineers
- Façade consultants
- Manufacturers of architectural precast concrete
- Key suppliers and interfacing trades
- Test facilities and testing contractors
Why should you use BS 8297?
Framed structures are often enclosed by precast concrete panels. These in turn frequently serve an architectural role in providing the external appearance of the building. In such instances, the panels are generically referred to as cladding. As well as providing the external envelope of a building, similar precast concrete units might also be used for other purposes, such as decorative columns, either loadbearing or not, balconies, and other substantial elements.
BS 8297 has been developed to give recommendations and good practice for specifiers and manufacturers during the design, manufacture, transport and installation of architectural precast concrete units.
BS 8297 will help you as it includes recommendations on the measures to be taken to provide for permanent and temporary movements and tolerances of the structure, to enable the cladding to perform its function satisfactorily.
With the use of BS 8297, you can verify the quality of the given product as it gives guidance and verification of performance.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS 8297:2017 supersedes BS 8297:2000, which is withdrawn.
BS 8297:2017 includes some principal changes with respect to BS 8297:2000. These are:
- Clarification of scope
- Updated terms and definitions
- Dimensions for certain components
- Describes the provisions necessary for the cladding to perform its function satisfactorily
- Gives the minimum standards required of materials and methods to be employed
