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The introduction of BS
EN 12591 (European Bitumen Standards) on 1 January 2002 replaces
BS 3690 Part 1.
The new standards
change the grades of bitumen used in the UK to those used within
the European community. 100 pen bitumen is now no longer used and
the closest match will be 100/150 pen and 70/100 pen. These new
figures define the minimum and maximum penetration values.
100/150 pen being slightly softer then the old 100 pen and 70/100
harder. The most common grade for use in the UK will be
100/150.
Other changes in the
Standards are with the terminology used:
-
Wearing Course
replaced by Surface Course;
-
Basecourse
replaced by Binder Course;
-
Roadbase
replaced with Base.
The relevant code of
practice issued under the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991 are
expected to be amended shortly and will incorporate these changes.
This web site will be updated to include changes when the new
codes of practice are available.
The table below gives
the old and new grades.
|
BS
3690 – Until 31/12/2001
|
EN
12591- from
1/1/2002
|
|
Grade
|
Pen
Range
|
Grade#
|
Pen
Range
|
BS4987:2001
reference
|
|
15
pen*
|
10
- 20
|
No
EN 12591 equivalent
|
|
|
|
25
Pen*
|
20
– 30
|
20/30
|
20
– 30
|
|
|
35
Pen
|
28
– 42
|
30/45
|
30
– 45
|
35
|
|
|
|
35/50
|
35
– 50
|
|
|
50
Pen
|
40
– 60
|
40/60
*
|
40
– 60
|
50
|
|
|
|
50/70
|
50
– 70
|
|
|
70
Pen
|
60
– 80
|
No equivalent
|
|
|
|
|
|
70/100
|
70
– 700
|
|
|
100
Pen
|
80
– 120
|
No equivalent
|
|
|
|
|
|
100/150
*
|
100
– 150
|
125
|
|
200
Pen
|
170
– 230
|
160/220
*
|
160
– 220
|
190
|
|
300
Pen
|
255
– 345
|
250/330
|
250
- 330
|
290
|
|
450
Pen*
|
385
- 515
|
No
EN 12591 equivalent grade
|
|
|
# Supply and Ordering grades to be used from 1 January 2002.
* Not yet specified by BS 594 and BS 4987 for asphalts and
coated macadams.
* Preferred grades in the UK to EN 12591
References:
BS EN 12591:2000-Bitumen and bituminous binders
BS 4987:2001-Coated macadam Part 1 and 2
Training and Assessment centres should be using these new
Standards now and alter the wording/questions used
accordingly. Please note that any changes made to
assessment materials used for Operative and Supervisors
qualifications must be approved by the awarding body. |
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