Testing Requirements for Performance Characteristics in UK & European Standards
The UK and Europe adhere to the same standards for wood-based panels. The standard that classifies plywood is EN 636 and the overall harmonised standard for wood-based panels is EN 13986: 2004+A1 2015.
The standards set down specific tests to ensure your selected wood-based panels deliver the right performance characteristic for your application. Our guide makes this easy for you by listing the characteristic you want – and tells you where to find the testing requirements. The Clause number stays the same but the Table number varies depending on the specific application.
List of Tables: structural: exterior (3), floors/ walls/roof ( 7); non-structural: Internal – dry (4), internal humid (5), exterior (6¹)
Click here if you would like the information in table form or see lists below. Refer also to our application guide, which matches performance characteristics to your specific application.
| Essential structural & non-structural | Clauses/Tables 3,4,5,6,7 |
| Bending strength | 5.1 |
| Bending stiffness | 5.2 |
| Bond quality | 5.3 |
| Durability – moisture resistance 2 (not internal dry non structural) | 5.6.5 |
| Release of formaldehyde | 5.7 |
| Optional: structural & non- structural | Clauses/ Tables 3,4,5,6, 7 |
| Reaction to fire | 5.8 |
| Water vapour permeability | 5.9 |
| Airborne sound insulation | 5.10 |
| Thermal conductivity | 5.12 |
| Biological durability | 5.17 |
| Content of pentachlorophenol (PCP) | 5.18 |
| Optional: structural only | |
| Strength & stiffness for structural use | 5.13 |
| Optional/Extra tests for strength & stiffness for structural use | 5.133 |
| Racking resistance | 5.15.3 |
| Mechanical durability | 5.16 |
| Embedment strength | 5.19 |
| Impact resistance for structural use | 5.14 |
| Strength & stiffness under point load for structural load | 5.154 |
| Special feature – sound absorption | 5.11 in Tables 4, 5, 7 |
| Special feature – Air permeability (wind barriers) | 5.20 in Tables 3 & 6 |
| PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
|
STRUCTURAL | NON-STRUCTURAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | Exterior | Floors,
Walls/ Roofs
|
Internal Dry | Internal
Humid |
Exterior |
| ‘Essential’ in shaded cells | EN 13986 Table 31 | Table 7 | Table 4 | Table 5 | Table 61 |
| Bending strength | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Bending stiffness | 5.2 | 5.2 | – | – | – |
| Bond quality | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Durability – moisture resistance | 5.6.5 | 5.6.52 | – | 5.6.5 | 5.6.5 |
| Release of formaldehyde | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| Reaction to fire | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Water vapour permeability | 5.9 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 5.9 |
| Airborne sound insulation | 5.10 | 5.10 | 5.10 | 5.10 | 5.10 |
| Sound absorption | – | 5.11 | 5.11 | 5.11 | – |
| Thermal conductivity | 5.12 | 5.12 | 5.12 | 5.12 | 5.12 |
| Strength & stiffness for structural use | 5.13 | 5.13 | – | – | – |
| Optional/Extra tests for strength & stiffness for structural use3 | 5.13 | 5.13 | – | – | – |
| Impact resistance for structural use | – | 5.14 | – | – | – |
| Strength & stiffness under point load for structural load | – | 5.154 | – | – | – |
| Racking resistance | 5.15.13 | 5.15.3 | – | – | – |
| Mechanical durability | 5.16 | 5.16 | – | – | – |
| Biological durability | 5.17 | 5.17 | 5.17 | 5.17 | 5.17 |
| Content of pentachlorophenol (PCP) | 5.18 | 5.18 | 5.18 | 5.18 | 5.18 |
| Embedment strength | 5.19 | 5.19 | – | – | – |
| Air permeability | 5.205 | – | – | – | 5.205 |
|
1 Plywood should be used out of direct contact with the ground, soil or water 2 For use in humid conditions only 3 Tests for strength & stiffness in tension & compression, panel shear (Modulus of Rigidity), panel shear, planar shear (Modulus of Rigidity), & planar shear strength 4 Only relevant when intended for structural floor or roof decking on joists 5 Relevant only for use as wind barriers. |
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