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 BRITISH STANDARD BS 6431-7:
1986
EN 177:1991
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Ceramic floor and wall

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tiles —
Part 7: Specification for dust-pressed
ceramic tiles with a water absorption
of 3 % < E u 6 % Group Blla

The European Standard EN 177:1991 has the status of a

British Standard.

UDC 691.433-413-033.6:666.75-184
 BS 6431-7:1986

Cooperating organizations

The European Committee for Standardization, under whose supervision this

European Standard was prepared, comprises the national standards
organizations of the following Western European countries.
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Austria Oesterreichisches Normungsinstitut

Belgium Institut belge de normalisation
Denmark Dansk Standardiseringsraad
Finland Suomen Standardisoimisliito, r.y.
France Association française de normalisation
Germany Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V.
Greece Hellenic Organization for Standardization
Iceland Technological Institute of Iceland
Ireland National Standards Authority of Ireland
Italy Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione
Luxembourg Inspection du Travail et des Mines
Netherlands Nederlands Normalisatie-instituut
Norway Norges Standardiseringsforbund
Portugal Instituto Portuguès da Qualidade
Spain Asociación Española de Normalización y Certificación
Sweden Standardiseringskommissionen i Sverige
Switzerland Association suisse de normalisation
United Kingdom British Standards Institution

This British Standard was

published under the authority
of the Board of BSI and comes
into effect on Amendments issued since publication
28 February 1986

© BSI 07-1999 Amd. No. Date of issue Comments

7096 July 1992 Indicated by a sideline in the margin

The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference CLB/2
Draft for comment 83/10876 DC

ISBN 0 580 15064 X

 BS 6431-7:1986

Contents

Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
National foreword ii
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Foreword 2
1 Scope and field of application 3
2 References 3
3 Description 3
4 Shapes and sizes 3
5 Requirements 5
6 Marking and designation 8
7 Ordering 8
National appendix A Inside back cover
National appendix B Inside back cover
Figure 1 — Tile 4
Figure 2 — Tile with spacer lug 4
Table 1 5
Table 2 5
Table 3 6

© BSI 07-1999 i
 BS 6431-7:1986

National foreword

This Part of this British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the
Clay Products Standards Committee and is the English language version of
EN 177:1991 “Ceramic tiles. Dust-pressed ceramic tiles with a water absorption
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of 3 % < E u 6 % (Group BIIa)” published by the European Committee for

Standardization (CEN).
EN 177 was produced as a result of international discussion in which the UK took
an active part.
Attention is drawn to the use in this standard of the comma as a decimal marker.
This is to accord with European practice, but it should be noted that it is current
practice in British Standards to use a full point on the baseline as a decimal
marker.
Additional information. When marking or specifying a product
(see 6.1 and 6.2) the manufacturer may mark or specify by reference to either the
European Standard or the British Standard.
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 and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 8, 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.

ii © BSI 07-1999
 EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 177
NORME EUROPÉENNE
September 1991
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
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UDC 691.43:413-033.64 Supersedes EN 177:1984

Descriptors: Tiles, coating slabs, water absorption tests, equipment specifications, shape, dimensions, dimensional tolerance,
appearance, physical properties, mechanical properties, chemical properties, marking

English version

Dust-pressed ceramic tiles with a water absorption

of 3 % < E u 6 % (Group Blla)

Carreaux et dalles céramiques pressés à sec à Trockengepreßte keramische Fliesen und

absorption d’eau 3 % < E u 6 % (Groupe Blla) Platten mit Wasseraufnahme
von 3 % < E u 6 % (Gruppe Blla)

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1991-09-18. CEN members

are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels

© CEN 1991 Copyright reserved to all CEN members

Ref. No. EN 177:1991 E
 EN 177:1991

Foreword
This European Standard was drawn up by the
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Technical Committee CEN/TC 67 “Ceramic tiles”,

the Secretariat of which is held by UNI.
This European Standard was adopted by CEN on
the strength of its acceptance by the following
member countries:
Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

2 © BSI 07-1999

1 Scope and field of application
This European Standard specifies the sizes,
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dimensional tolerances, mechanical, physical and
chemical requirements, surface quality
requirements and marking of ceramic tiles.
It is applicable only to dust-pressed ceramic tiles of
first quality, including tiles premounted on sheets,
with a water absorption of 3 % < E u 6 % according
to Group Blla of EN 87, for interior and exterior use
(see clause 7 ordering) on both floors and walls.
2 References
EN 87, “Ceramic floor and wall tiles — Definitions,
classification, characteristics and marking”.
EN 98, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of
dimensions and surface quality”.
EN 99, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of water
absorption”.
EN 100, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of modulus
of rupture”.
EN 101, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of scratch
hardness of surface according to Mohs”.
EN 102, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of
resistance to deep abrasion — Unglazed tiles”.
EN 103, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of linear
thermal expansion”.
EN 104, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of
resistance to thermal shock”.
EN 105, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of crazing
resistance”.
© BSI 07-1999
EN 177:1991
EN 106, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of chemical
resistance — Unglazed tiles”.
EN 122, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of chemical
resistance — Glazed tiles”.
EN 154, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of
resistance to surface abrasion — Glazed tiles”.
EN 163, “Ceramic tiles — Sampling and basis for
acceptance”.
EN 202, “Ceramic tiles — Determination of frost
resistance”.
3 Description
The definition of dust-pressed ceramic tiles is given
in EN 87. Mosaic is a tile of any geometrical shape
whose surface area is equal or less than 90 cm2. The
surface of tiles and components belonging to this
group can be smooth, profiled, wavy, decorated or
finished in some other way. It can be unglazed
(UGL), glossy, matt or semi-matt (GL).
Although tiles have a visible surface and usually a
surface which is intended to be adhered and bears a
back panel, they may have identical surfaces
without a panel or marking.
Tiles may have spacer lugs.
4 Shapes and sizes
For shapes and sizes see Table 1 and Table 2 and
Figure 1 and Figure 2.
3
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4
EN 177:1991

Figure 1 — Tile

Figure 2 — Tile with spacer lug

© BSI 07-1999
 EN 177:1991

4.1 Modular preferred sizes

Table 1
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Co-ordinating size (C) Work size (W) mm Thickness mm

cm (d)
Length Width
(a) (b)
M 10 × 10
M 15 × 15 The manufacturer shall choose The thickness shall be specified
M 20 × 10 the work size in order to allow a by the manufacturer. It includes
M 20 × 15 nominal joint width of between 2 mm the profile on the visible face and
M 20 × 20 and 5 mm on the rear side
M 30 × 30
4.2 Non-modular sizes
The most common sizes are:
Table 2
Nominal size (N) Work size (W) mm Thickness mm
cm (d)
Length Width
(a) (b)
10 × 10
15 × 7,5
15 × 10
15 × 15
15,2 × 7,6 The manufacturer shall choose the The thickness shall be specified
15,2 × 15,2 work size in such a way that the by the manufacturer. It includes
20 × 10 difference between the work size and the the profile on the visible face and
20 × 20 nominal size is not more than ± 2 % on the rear side
25 × 25 and 5 mm
30 × 15
30 × 20
30 × 30
40 × 30
4.3 Other sizes 4.5 Accessories
For tiles with dimensions other than those given in Dimensions of accessories and their tolerances are
Table 1 and Table 2, the work size shall be stated by not standardized and these shall be stated by the
the manufacturer. The relevant requirements for manufacturer where appropriate.
work size and thickness given in the respective
tables are applicable. 5 Requirements
4.4 Spacer lug tiles Given the wide diversity of tile/component sizes as
Spacer lugs are projections, which are located along found in practice, shape and dimensional
certain edges of tiles so that when two tiles are requirements shall be based upon the surface area
placed together, in line, the lugs on adjacent edges determined by nominal dimensions of the tiles and
separate the tiles by a distance not less than the components in question.
specified width of joint. Lugs are positioned so that Dimensional and surface quality requirements and
the joint between the tiles may be filled with grout physical and chemical properties shall be as given in
without the lugs remaining exposed. Table 3.
Dust-pressed tiles may be made with other spacer Sampling and basis for acceptance shall be in
lug systems and in such cases the manufacturer’s accordance with EN 163.
work size shall apply.
For example of spacer lug tiles see Figure 2.
NOTE Some tiles have one or more manufacturing projections
part way along certain edges and smaller than 0,3 mm. These are
not intended as spacer lugs and should not be used to space
joints.

© BSI 07-1999 5
 EN 177:1991

Table 3
Surface S of the product (cm2) Test
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according to
S u 90 90 < S u 190 190 < S u 410 S > 410

Dimensions and surface quality

Length and width
e The deviation in % of the average
size for each tile (2 or 4 sides) from
the work size (W) ± 1,2 ± 1,0 ± 0,75 ± 0,6 EN 98
f The deviation in % of the average
size for each tile (2 or 4 sides) from
the average size of the 10 test
specimens (20 or 40 sides) ± 0,75 ± 0,5 ± 0,5 ± 0,5 EN 98
Thickness
The deviation, in % of the average
thickness of each tile from the work
size thickness ± 10 ± 10 ±5 ±5 EN 98
Straightness of sidesa (facial sides)
The maximum deviation from
straightness, in % related to the
corresponding work sizes ± 0,75 ± 0,5 ± 0,5 ± 0,5 EN 98
Rectangularitya
The maximum deviation from
rectangularity in % related to the
corresponding work sizes ± 1,0 ± 0,6 ± 0,6 ± 0,6 EN 98
Surface flatness
The maximum deviation from flatness,
in %
a) Centre curvature, related to
diagonal calculated from the work
sizes ± 1,0 ± 0,5 ± 0,5 ± 0,5 EN 98
b) Edge curvature, related to the
corresponding work size ± 1,0 ± 0,5 ± 0,5 ± 0,5 EN 98
c) Warpage, related to diagonal
calculated from the work sizes ± 1,0 ± 0,5 ± 0,5 ± 0,5 EN 98
Surface qualityb Min. 95 % of tiles shall be free from visible
defects that would impair the appearance of a
major area of tiles EN 98
a Not applicable for tiles having curved shapes.
b
Because of firing, slight variations from the standard colour are unavoidable. This does not apply to intentional irregularities of
colour variation of the face of dust-pressed tiles of low water absorption (which can be unglazed, glazed or partly glazed) or to the
colour variation over a tile area, which is characteristic for this type of tile and desirable. Spots or coloured dots which are
introduced for decorative purposes are not considered a defect.

6 © BSI 07-1999
 EN 177:1991

Table 3
Surface S of the product (cm2) Test
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according to
S u 90 90 < S u 190 190 < S u 410 S > 410

Physical properties
Water absorption % by weight Average 3 < E u 6 Individual max. 6,6 EN 99
Modulus of rupture in N/mm2 Average W 22 EN 100
min. 20
Scratch hardness of surface (Mohs’ scale)
a) glazed tiles min. 5 EN 101
b) unglazed tiles min. 6
Abrasion resistance
a) Resistance to deep abrasion of
unglazed tiles
Removed volume in mm3 max. 345 EN 102
b) Resistance to abrasion of glazed tiles According to the abrasion class indicated EN 154
Class I – IV by the manufacturer
Co-efficient of linear thermal expansion max. 9 × 10–6 EN 103
from ambient temperature to 100 °C (K–1)
Thermal shock resistance required EN 104
Crazing resistancea glazed tiles required EN 105
Frost resistance required if agreed EN 202
Chemical properties
Resistance to staining of glazed tiles
Class 1 – 3 min. Class 2 EN 122
Resistance to household chemicals and
swimming pool water cleansers, except to
cleansing agents containing hydrofluoric
acid and its compounds
a) glazed tiles min. Class B EN 122
Class AA – D
b) unglazed tiles required EN 106
Resistance to acids and alkalis (with the
exception of hydrofluoric acid and its
compounds)
glazed tiles required if agreed according to the EN 122
Class AA – D chemical
unglazed tiles resistance class indicated by the EN 106
manufacturer requiredb
a Certain decorative effects may have a tendency to craze. These shall be identified by the manufacturer, in which case the crazing
test given in EN 105 is not applicable.
b If the hue becomes slightly different this is not considered to be chemical attack.

© BSI 07-1999 7
 EN 177:1991

6 Marking and designation 6.2 Designation

6.1 Marking Tiles shall be specified according to the following
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Tiles and/or their packaging shall bear the following
marking:
a) manufacturer’s mark and/or trade mark and
the country of origin;
b) mark of the first quality;
c) reference to this European/National Standard;
d) nominal and work sizes, modular (M) or
non-modular;
e) nature of the surface e.g. glazed (GL) or
unglazed (UGL).
examples:
Dust pressed tile EN 177 BIIa 15 cm × 15 cm
(W 152,4 mm × 152,4 mm) UGL
Dust pressed tile EN 177 BIIa M 15 cm × 15 cm
(W 147 mm × 147 mm) GL
7 Ordering
When an order is placed, items such as size,
thickness, type of surface, colour, relief, abrasion
class for glazed tiles1) and any special properties
such as chemical resistance and resistance to frost,
shall be agreed by the parties concerned.

1)
Reference may be made for example, to the convention established between the EUF (European Association of Tile Fixers) and
the CEC (Federation of European Ceramic Tile Manufacturers).

8 © BSI 07-1999
 BS 6431-7:1986

National appendix A
The United Kingdom participation in the preparation of this European Standard was entrusted by the Clay
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Products Standards Committee (CLB/-) to Technical Committee CLB/2 upon which the following bodies
were represented:

British Ceramic Research Association

British Ceramic Tile Council
British Standards Society
Builders’ Merchants’ Federation
Building Employers Confederation
Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors
National Federation of Clay Industries
National Master Tile Fixers’ Association
National Tile, Faience and Mosaic Fixers’ Society
Royal Institute of British Architects

National appendix B
The British Standards corresponding to the European Standards related to in the text are as follows:

European Standards British Standards (content identical)

BS 6431 Ceramic floor and wall tiles

EN 87:1982 Part 1:1983 Specification for classification and marking, including definitions and
characteristics
EN 98:1984 Part 10:1984 Method for determination of dimensions and surface quality
EN 99:1982 Part 11:1983 Method for determination of water absorption
EN 100:1982 Part 12:1983 Method for determination of modulus of rupture
EN 101:1984 Part 13:1986 Method for determination of scratch hardness of surface according to
Mohs
EN 102:1982 Part 14:1983 Method for determination of resistance to deep abrasion. Unglazed tiles
EN 103:1982 Part 15:1983 Method for determination of linear thermal expansion
EN 104:1982 Part 16:1983 Method for determination of resistance to thermal shock
EN 105:1982 Part 17:1983 Method for determination of crazing resistance. Glazed tiles
EN 106:1982 Part 18:1983 Method for determination of chemical resistance. Unglazed tiles
EN 122:1984 Part 19:1984 Method for determination of chemical resistance. Glazed tiles
EN 154:1984 Part 20:1984 Method for determination of surface abrasion. Glazed tiles
EN 163:1985 Part 23:1986 Specification for sampling and basis for acceptance
EN 202:1985 Part 22:1986 Method for determination of frost resistance

© BSI 07-1999
 BS 6431-7:
1986
EN 177:1991 BSI — British Standards Institution
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