What is BS EN 12326-2 - carbonate slate testing about?
Slate is a preferred cladding and roofing material since it is environment friendly. BS EN 12326 is a European standard on slate and stone used for discontinuous roofing and external cladding. The main aim of the BS EN 12326 series is to ensure that the products and materials used for roofing and external cladding offer adequate performance and durability.
BS EN 12326-2 is the second part of the multi-series, and specifies test methods for slate and carbonate slate for roofing and wall cladding.
BS EN 12326-2 is applicable to natural roofing products as defined in EN 12326-1:2004 used for assembly into discontinuous roofs and external wall cladding.
Who is BS EN 12326-2 - carbonate slate testing for?
BS EN 12326-2 on slate and carbonate slate testing is useful for:
- Companies involved in roofing and cladding services
- Suppliers and distributors of mineral materials and products used in roofing and cladding
- Builders / real estate developers / architects / interior designers
- Civil engineers
- Contractors
- Quality control and testing personnel
Why should you use BS EN 12326-2 - carbonate slate testing?
Besides its natural beauty, slate is used in the building industry for its sturdiness and longevity.
BS EN 12326-2 provides recommendations on product characteristics and includes procedures for testing, marking, labelling, and packaging of slate and carbonate slate. 
BS EN 12326-2 provides guidance on test methods, surveillance sampling procedure apparatus, and preparation of test pieces. BS EN 12326-2 also guides you with the expression of results, and presentation of test results.
As a supplier of slate and carbonate slate products used for roofing and cladding, complying with BS EN 12326-2 can help demonstrate the performance of your product. You can ensure that your products are free from defects, offer adequate fire resistance, and provide long service life irrespective of external weather conditions.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 12326-2:2011 supersedes BS EN 12326-2:2000 which is withdrawn. BS EN 12326-2:2011 includes some technical and editorial changes with respect to BS EN 12326-2:2000. These include:
- Clause 10 "Determination of the modulus of rupture, and characteristic modulus of rupture"
- Clause 12 "Freeze-thaw test"
- Clause 13 "Determination of the apparent calcium carbonate and noncarbonate carbon content by catalytic thermal decomposition"
- A new informative Annex B has been added "Petrographic examination of origin and identification of slate"
