BS 7533 why run the risk of failure?

BS 7533 has developed over 20 years to offer clear, consistent and tested methods for designing and constructing paved areas, offering a minimum construction life of 40 years.

Ultrascape are surprised to hear, all too often, that BS 7533 is still being ‘considered’ and not automatically specified. Why is this?

The risks and potential costs of using a non-compliant system are huge and should be instrumental in ensuring BS 7533 is specified every time. Here we review the benefits of BS 7533 compliant mortar paving systems for your consideration.

In order for a system to ‘actually’ be proven BS 7533 compliant, rather than just ‘manufactured to meet’ or ‘manufactured in accordance with’, it must have undergone independent testing using UKAS methods, which in general ensures the following benefits:

1. Can be used to design and build schemes in excess of 1000 standard axles per day
2. Helps to protect professional indemnity insurance
3. Reduces costly failures and resulting personal injury claims
4. Trusted throughout the world
5. Tried and tested methods of construction
6. Removes the uncertainty of site batched mortars

Most significantly, the British Standard promotes professional results that can give a construction life in excess of 40 years, whereas a non-compliant system cannot offer any minimum life expectancy.

Although the initial outlay may in some cases be lower, the ongoing and life cost of a non-compliant construction is generally significantly higher due to ongoing maintenance. Overall, using a BS 7533 compliant system helps to protect your professional indemnity insurance by reducing the risk of costly failures during the life of the construction.

One of the often overlooked aspects of the British Standard is that all of the materials are tested in conjunction with one another, ensuring that they work in harmony. This is extremely important when specifying a full mortar paving system to include bedding, priming, jointing and sealing.

Lastly, BS 7533 sets technical and practical guidelines that help to minimise potential workmanship issues. It is evident that using a compliant system is the one and only assurance against costly repercussions.

Do you need any further justification? Please call 01827 254402, we’ll be more than happy to discuss BS 7533 with you.

UltraScape have a fully RIBA accredited CPD Seminar available on the benefits of BS 7533, and the intricacies of rigid and flexible paving.  For further information on this, please email cpd@instarmac.co.uk.