Standards Development

Scope

This document applies to all bonded crack isolation membranes/matting that are used beneath ceramic tiling for internal and external tile installations on walls and floors.

This ISO standard gives the terminology concerning the products and specifies the test methods and the values of performance requirements for bonded crack isolation products associated with tile adhesives. Cracking is limited to horizontal planar movement of the substrate. It should be noted that while crack isolation membranes are intended to minimize the potential for crack propagation from the substrate through the finished tile or stone installation, they may not always be 100% effective in preventing all defects in the finished cover.

Furthermore, this document specifies the evaluation of conformity and the classification and designation of all bonded crack isolation products beneath ceramic tiling.

NOTE 1 Bonded crack isolation products may also be used beneath other types of tiles (natural and agglomerated stones etc.), where they do not adversely affect these materials.

Purpose

Crack isolation membranes/mattings are sometimes included in some form when tiling areas. Specifiers and architects currently do not have a method for specifying minimum performance criteria for these membranes. This standard will allow for the inclusion of crack isolation membranes/mattings, establishing a difference between crack isolation membranes and uncoupling membranes which are often confused with each other, leading to mistakes.