Building Construction Handbook, Eighth Edition

Building Regulations, Approved Document C2, Section 5:
A wall may be built with a `damp-proof course of bituminous material,
polyethylene, engineering bricks or slates in cement mortar, or any
other material that will prevent the passage of moisture.'

Material Remarks

Lead BS EN 12588 Code 4 (1„8mm) May corrode in the

presence of mortar.

Both surfaces to be

coated with bituminous

paint. Workable for

application to cavity

trays, etc.

Copper BS EN 1172 0„25 mm Can cause staining to

adjacent masonry.

Resistant to corrosion.

Bitumen BS 6398

in various

bases:

Hessian 3„8 kg/m^2

Fibre 3„3 .. ..

Hessian or fibre may

decay with age, but this

will not affect efficiency.

Tearable if not

protected. Lead bases

are suited where there

may be a high degree of

movement in the wall.

Asbestos is now prohibited.

Asbestos 3„8 .. ..

Hessian & lead 4„4 .. ..

Fibre & lead 4„4 .. ..

LDPE BS 6515 0„46 mm

(polyethylene)

No deterioration likely,

but may be difficult to

bond, hence the profiled

surface finish. Not

suited under light loads.

Bitumen polymer

and pitch polymer 1„10 mm

Absorbs movement well.

Joints and angles

made with product

manufacturer's adhesive

tape.

Polypropylene BS 5139

1.5 to 2.0 mm

Preformed dpc for cavity

trays, cloaks, direction

changes and over lintels.

Note: All the above dpcs to be lapped at least 100 mm at joints and

adhesive sealed. Dpcs should be continuous with any dpm in the floor.

Materials for Damp-Proof Courses (1)