BRITISH STANDARD BS 743:1970

Incorporating
Amendment Nos. 1, 2,
3 and 4

Specification for

Materials for
damp-proof courses

UDC 699:82:691
BS 743:1970

Co-operating organizations

The committee responsible for the preparation of this British Standard consists
of representatives of the following Government departments and scientific and
industrial organizations:

Association of British Roofing Felt Manufacturers Ltd.

British Lead Manufacturers’ Association
British Non-Ferrous Metals Federation
British Paper and Board Makers Association
British Plastics Federation
Confederation of British Industry
Copper Development Association
English Slate Quarries Association
Greater London Council
Institute of Petroleum
Institution of Municipal Engineers
Lead Development Association
Mastic Asphalt Council and Employers’ Federation
Ministry of Public Building and Works
Ministry of Public Building and Works Building Research Station
National Federation of Building Trades Employers
National Federation of Clay Industries
North Wales Slate Quarries Association
Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

This British Standard, having

been approved by the
Building Divisional Council,
was published under the
authority of the Executive
Board on
30 October 1970

© BSI 03-2000

First published July 1937 Amendments issued since publication

First revision March 1941
Second revision March 1951 Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
Third revision September 1966
Fourth revision October 1970
2503 March 1978

The following BSI references 4336 September

relate to the work on this 1983
standard:
Committee reference B/34
70/6015
4594 October 1984

6579 January 1991 Indicated by a sideline in the margin

ISBN 0 580 06214 7
 BS 743:1970

Contents

Page
Co-operating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Lead 1
3 Copper 1
4 Bitumen 1
5 Mastic asphalt 1
6 Polyethylene 1
7 Slates 1
8 Bricks 1
9 Mortar 2
10 Designation for ordering 2
Appendix A Text deleted 3
Appendix B Text deleted 3
Appendix C Text deleted 3

© BSI 03-2000 i
BS 743:1970

Foreword

This standard makes reference to the following British Standards and Special
Publication:
BS 12, Portland cement (ordinary and rapid-hardening).
BS 146, Portland-blastfurnace cement.
BS 410, Test sieves.
BS 598, Sampling and examination of bituminous mixtures for roads and
buildings.
BS 890, Building limes.
BS 1097, Mastic asphalt for tanking and damp-proof courses (limestone
aggregate). [Included in BS 988, BS 1097, BS 1076, BS 1451. Mastic asphalt for
building (limestone aggregate).]
BS 1178, Milled lead sheet and strip for building purposes.
BS 1200, Sands for mortar for plain and reinforced brick-work; blockwalling and
masonry. (Included in BS 1198-1200. Building sands from natural sources).
BS 1418, Mastic asphalt for tanking and damp-proof courses (natural rock
asphalt aggregate). [Included in BS 1162, BS 1410, BS 1418. Mastic asphalt for
building (natural rock asphalt aggregate).]
BS 2870, Rolled copper and copper alloys, sheet strip and foil.
BS 3235, Test methods for bitumen.
BS 3921, Clay bricks and blocks.
BS 4027, Sulphate-resisting Portland cement.
BS 5642, Sills and copings — Part 1: Specification for window sills of precast
concrete, cast stone, clayware, slate and natural stone.
BS 6398, Specification for bitumen damp-proof courses for masonry.
BS 6515, Specification for polyethylene damp-proof courses for masonry.
BS 8215, Code of practice for design and installation of damp-proof courses in
masonry construction.
CP 3, Code of basic data for the design of buildings — Chapter IX: Durability.
DD 86, Damp-proof courses.
This metric revision of BS 743 has been prepared under the authority of the
Building Divisional Council, as part of the change to the metric system in the
construction industry, giving values in terms of SI units. For further information
on SI units, reference should be made to PD 56861).
This standard will eventually be superseded by new or existing standards
covering the following classes of material for damp-proof courses:
1) Lead and copper, sheet thicknesses.
2) Bitumen damp-proof sheeting with varying base materials, indicating the
filler content and the maximum softening point of the coating bitumen on the
addition of filler.
3) Mastic asphalts, suitable for damp-proof courses.
4) Low density black polythene sheeting.
5) Materials used in mortars for bedding damp-proof courses, ordinary, rapid
hardening, blastfurnace and sulphate resistant cements. Building limes and
sands.
6) Slates, with the requirements for “wetting and drying” and sulphuric acid
immersion tests.
7) Bricks and blocks manufactured from fired brickearth, clay or shale.

1) PD 5686, “The use of SI units”.

ii © BSI 03-2000
 BS 743:1970

Research is in progress to develop test methods as a basis for future performance

based specifications for damp-proof courses (see DD 86).
Guidance on the design and installation of damp-proof courses is given in
BS 8215. The importance of correct laying is emphasized since the efficiency of
the damp-proof course depends as much on the method of use and workmanship
employed as upon the intrinsic quality of the materials. In particular, the
composition of the mortar and the workmanship used for bedding bricks and
slates is of great importance when laying damp-proof courses near ground level.
Materials used as damp-proof courses in walls constructed with modular
components designed in accordance with BS 43302) and PD 64443) should have
widths in accordance with BS 40114).
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,
pages 1 to 4, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

2)
BS 4330, “Recommendations for the co-ordination of dimensions in building. Controlling
dimensions”.
3) PD 6444, “Recommendations for the co-ordination of dimensions in building. Basic space for
structure, external envelope and internal sub-division”.
4) BS 4011, “Recommendations for the co-ordination of dimensions in building. Basic sizes for
building components and assemblies”.

© BSI 03-2000 iii

iv blank
 BS 743:1970

1 Scope NOTE When measured as described in A.1 of BS 6398:19837) x

is equal to one-half of the excess mass of d.p.c. material and y is
This British Standard specifies requirements for the equal to one-third of the excess mass of d.p.c. material.
following materials suitable for use in the
construction of damp-proof courses: 5 Mastic asphalt
Lead A damp-proof course of mastic asphalt shall comply
Copper with, one of the following British Standards:
Bitumen BS 1097, “Mastic asphalt for tanking and
damp-proof courses (lime-stone aggregate)”.
Mastic asphalt
BS 1418, “Mastic asphalt for tanking and
Polythene
damp-proof courses (natural rock asphalt
Slates aggregate)”.
Bricks
Materials for mortar 6 Polyethylene
Polyethylene damp-proof courses for masonry shall
2 Lead comply with the requirements of BS 65158).
Lead for use as a damp-proof course material shall
comply with the requirements of BS 11785) and 7 Slates
shall weigh not less than 19.5 kg/m2 Any slate used as a damp-proof course material
(Code No. 4: 1.80 mm thickness). shall be not less than 230 mm long, and have a
minimum thickness of not less than 4.0 mm.
3 Copper When tested by the wetting and drying test method
Copper for use as a damp-proof course material described in Appendix B of BS 5642-1:19789), it
shall comply with the requirements of sections 2 shall meet the requirements for Type B.
and 7 of BS 2870:19806) for temper When tested by the sulphuric acid immersion test
grade 0 (annealed) and shall be of minimum method for Type B slates described in Appendix A of
thickness 0.25 mm. BS 5642-1:19789) damp-proof course slates shall
NOTE 1 If joints are to be welted grade C106 should be show no signs of delamination along the edges when
specified. examined through a lens giving a magnification of
NOTE 2 Where the d.p.c. projects from the wall to form a drip
or flashing the minimum thickness of the piece forming the drip
about two diameters, nor of swelling, softening or
or flashing should be increased to 0.50 mm. flaking of the surface, nor exhibit gaseous evolution
during immersions.
4 Bitumen A slate damp-proof course shall consist of at least
Bitumen damp-proof courses for masonry shall two courses of slates laid to break joint, each slate
comply with the requirements of BS 63987). being bedded in 1 : 0 to 1/4 : 3 cement/lime/sand in
accordance with BS 8215.
Bitumen damp-proof sheeting shall comply with the
appropriate requirements of BS 63987) and shall
8 Bricks
have the following composition:
Nominal mass per unit area of base = 0.24. Bricks shall be fired-clay bricks complying with the
requirements for damp-proof course bricks in
Mass per unit area of base W 0.18 kg/m2. BS 392110).
Mass per unit area of bituminous A brick damp-proof course shall consist of at least
material W (2.6 + x) kg/m2. two courses of brick laid to break joint, each brick
Mass of filler and surfacing within the being bedded in 1 : 0 to 1/4 : 3 cement/lime/sand in
range (1.7 + y) to (1.6 + x) kg/m2. accordance with BS 8215.
Mass of assembled d.p.c. material W 5.4 kg/m2.

5) BS 1178, “Milled lead sheet and strip for building purposes”.

6) BS 2870, “Rolled copper and copper alloys, sheet strip and foil”.
7) BS 6398, “Specification for bitumen damp-proof courses for masonry”.
8) BS 6515, “Specification for damp-proof courses for masonry”.
9) BS 5642, “Sills and copings” Part 1 “Specification for window sills of precast concrete, cast stone, clayware, slate and natural
stone”.
10) BS 3921, “Clay bricks and blocks”.

© BSI 03-2000 1
BS 743:1970

9 Mortar 10 Designation for ordering

The materials of mortar used for the bedding of When designating damp-proof course materials for
damp-proof course materials shall comply with the the purposes of an enquiry or order, the following
relevant requirements of the following British information shall be given:
Standards: 1) Material and, in the case of bitumen, type
BS 12, “Portland cement (ordinary and letter.
rapid-hardening)”. 2) British Standard number, i.e. BS 743.
BS 146, “Portland-blastfurnace cement”. 3) Width, where applicable.
BS 890, “Building limes”. 4) Length or weight or number required, as
BS 1200, “Sands for mortar for plain and reinforced appropriate.
brickwork; block-walling and masonry”.
BS 4027, “Sulphate-resisting Portland cement”.

2 © BSI 03-2000
 BS 743:1970

Appendix A Text deleted

Appendix B Text deleted
Appendix C Text deleted

© BSI 03-2000
4 blank
 BS 743:1970

British Standards Institution

The following are available on application:
YEARBOOK
Including subject index and numerical list of British Standards
SECTIONAL LISTS. Gratis.
Acoustics (SL 10)
Aerospace materials and components (SL 25)
Automobile (SL 34)
British Standards Handbooks (SL 27)
Building (SL 16)
Chemical Engineering (SL 5)
Chemicals, fats, glues, oils, soap, etc. (SL 4)
Cinematography and photography (SL 1)
Coal, coke and colliery requisites (SL 13)
Codes of Practice (SL 8)
Consumer goods (SL 3)
Documentation, including Universal Decimal Classification (SL 35)
Drawing practice (SL 37)
Electrical engineering (SL 26)
Farming, dairying and allied interests (SL 31)
Furniture, bedding and furnishings (SL 11)
Gardening, horticulture and landscape work (SL 41)
Gas and solid fuel and refractories (SL 2)
Glassware, excluding laboratory apparatus (SL 39)
Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (SL 42)
Hospital equipment (SL 18)
Illumination and lighting fittings (SL 14)
Industrial instruments, etc. (SL 17)
Iron and steel (SL 24)
Laboratory apparatus (SL 23)
Leather, plastics, rubber (SL 12)
Local authority purchasing officers’ guide (SL 28)
Machine tools (SL 20)
Mechanical engineering (SL 6)
Nomenclature, symbols and abbreviations (SL 29)
Non-ferrous metals (SL 19)
Nuclear energy (SL 36)
Packaging and containers (SL 15)
Paints, varnishes, paint ingredients and colours for paints (SL 9)
Personal safety equipment (SL 30)
Petroleum industry (SL 38)
Printing and stationery, paper and boards (SL 22)
Road engineering (SL 32)
Shipbuilding (SL 40)
Textiles and clothing (SL 33)
Welding (SL 7)

© BSI 03-2000
BS 743:1970

BSI — British Standards Institution

BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing
British Standards. It presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the
international level. It is incorporated by Royal Charter.

Revisions

British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of

British Standards should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or
editions.

It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services.
We would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using
this British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee
responsible, the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover.
Tel: 020 8996 9000. Fax: 020 8996 7400.

BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures
that subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.

Buying standards

Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the

BSI implementation of those that have been published as British Standards,
unless otherwise requested.

Information on standards

BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and

international standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters
Service. Various BSI electronic information services are also available which give
details on all its products and services. Contact the Information Centre.
Tel: 020 8996 7111. Fax: 020 8996 7048.

Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments

and receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details
of these and other benefits contact Membership Administration.
Tel: 020 8996 7002. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

Copyright

Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the
UK, of the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as
permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means – electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written
permission from BSI.

This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard,
of necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
written permission of BSI must be obtained.

If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing

agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
BSI Tel: 020 8996 7070.
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL