Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

A single copy of this

Concrete Society

publication is licensed to

emakinson
on
09/05/2012

This is an uncontrolled copy - not for contract use

Terry Farrell & Partners

This is an uncontrolled copy. Ensure use of the most current version of this document
by searching the Construction Information Service at http://uk.ihs.com
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

CO-CONSTRUCT

Screeds with
Underfloor Heating

Guidance for a defect-free interface

Edited by Roderic Bunn and Dick Roberts
 What is Co-Construct?
Co-Construct is a network of five leading construction research and information
organisations - Concrete Society, BSRIA, CIRIA,TRADA and SCI - who are
working together to produce a single point of communication for construction
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

professionals.

BSRIA covers all aspects of mechanical and electrical services in buildings,

including heating, air conditioning, and ventilation. Its services to industry include
information, collaborative research, consultancy, testing and certification. It also has
a worldwide market research and intelligence group, and offers hire calibration and
sale of instruments to the industry.

The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA)

works with the construction industry to develop and implement best practice,
leading to better performance. CIRIA's independence and wide membership base
makes it uniquely placed to bring together all parties with an interest in improving
performance.

The Concrete Society is renowned for providing impartial information and

technical reports on concrete specification and best practice. The Society operates
an independent advisory service and offers networking through its regions and
clubs.

The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) is an independent, international, member-

based organisation with a mission to develop and promote the effective use of steel
in construction. SCI specialises in providing advanced internet-based solutions for
the construction industry.

TRADA provides timber information, research and consultancy for the

construction industry. The fully confidential range of expert services extends from
strategic planning and market analysis through to product development, technical
advice, training and publications.

For more information on Co-Construct visit www.construction.co.uk.

Screeds with Underfloor Heating

Copyright of all material is this publication rests with the Concrete Society and
BSRIA. Guidance appearing in the green text boxes is copyright Concrete Society
Ltd, while all guidance in blue text boxes is copyright BSRIA.

All photographs and illustrations in this publication were provided by BSRIA and
The Concrete Society.

Authors: Dick Roberts is with The Concrete Society, and Roderic Bunn is with
BSRIA.

Cover Illustration:Jason Harris.

This publication was part-funded by the Department of Trade and Industry under
the Partners In Innovation (P II) collaborative research programme. The views
expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the DTI) . Final editorial
control and publishing responsibility of this publication rested with BSRIA.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical including photocopying,
recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the publisher.
©BSRIA/The Concrete Society IEPI 1/2003 August 2003 ISBN 0 80622 627 I Printed by The Chameleon Press Ltd
 In this guide
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Introduction
Underfloor heating is an established technology. However, while the design and
operating principles are well known to building services engineers, the finer
points of design and installation may not be known by other specialists such as
structural engineers, concrete contractors, installers and facilities managers.

Disputes commonly occur on-site where particular items of work were assumed
to have been carried out by another party, and as a consequence the work was
not completed. With water-based underfloor heating, a common interface
problem is between the heating element installation and the screed. If these
interface problems are not understood, failures in system performance and/or
failure of the screed may occur.

This publication, the first in a series of similar guidance notes called Interface
Engineering Publications, has been compiled by BSRIA and The Concrete
Society. The objective of this publication is to provide building services
engineers and screed specialists with consistent, interlocking advice on how
water-based underfloor heating systems and screeds fit together technically, and
in relation to the work programme.

This guide largely contains material repackaged from existing BSRIA and
Concrete Society guidance. Where possible this has been done word-for-word
to avoid giving conflicting or ambiguous guidance. Details of the original
publications, relevant European and British standards and other references for
further reading are provided at the end of this publication.

All reputable underfloor heating suppliers will provide detailed guidance on

the application of their products, and the correct ways to interface those
products with screeds and floor coverings. This interface publication should
therefore be considered as providing the minimum requirements, with the
detailed requirements for the installation being provided by the underfloor
heating supplier.

Finally, the design of a floor should be considered a top-down activity, not a

bottom-up activity. The choice of floor type will affect the position of joints in
the screed and therefore the positioning of the pipework. Flooring type is
therefore very much a client briefing issue - not just for reasons of aesthetics,
but also for reasons of system performance.

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Key mechanical watchpoints

How to use this guide
Essential mechanical engineering
messages from the guide
Advice about the mechanical engineering
requirements of underfloor heating systems
will be found in blue-tinted boxes. Key screeding watchpoints
Comments marked by link to screeding
sections listed under also see. Comments Essential screeding messages from
marked by denote a link common to both the guide
specialisms.

Also see

Links to m&e sections

Advice about the screeding requirements of Links to screeding sections
underfloor heating systems will be found in Links to common sections
green-tinted boxes. Comments marked by
link to mechanical engineering sections Standards for screeds and m&e design
listed under also see. Comments marked by
denote a link common to both Further reading to support this guide
specialisms.
Glossary for terms and definitions

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

 Contents
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Introduction I

Client briefing 4
Client briefing advice: services
Client briefing advice: screeds

Outline design 6
Services design information needed
Design inputs
Warranty and guarantees
Screed information needed
Design inputs

Detailed design: services 8

Mechanical information needed
Design inputs
Design outputs
Design checks
Design information for contractors
Insulation details

Detailed design: screeds 10

Screeds design information needed
Design inputs
Design outputs
Screed materials
Sand/cement screeds
Calcium sulfate and anhydrite screeds
Pumpable screeds
Drying the screed
Floor construction
Finishes
Screeds: services design issues
Pre-installation issues

Installation 16
Services installation issues
Pipework fixing
Screed installation issues
Pressure testing and drying

Commissioning 18
Services commissioning issues
Screed finishing issues

Cost model 20

Standards and further reading 21

Glossary 22

SCREEDSWITH U N D E R F L O O R HEATING
 Client briefing
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Full client briefing is crucial if an underfloor heating system is to meet users' needs. Issues that
must be addressed include seemingly prosaic but vital topics such as flooring type and anticipated hours of
occupation. The response time of underfloor heating will be different for a thick carpet than for clay tiles.
Irregular and/or transient occupancy may mean that a radiator-based heating system is more suitable, as
faster response may be more important than higher comfort conditions.

Client briefing advice: services

Water-based underfloor heating and cooling installation, though copper pipes have the best
systems became common in the early 1980s. thermal characteristics.
They use the e n tire floor area of a room or a Designers should advise clients that spaces
zone, such as a reception or atrium, as the heat heated by underfloor systems have certain
emitter (figure 1). constraints. For example, if the space is going
The large floor area means that the mean to be used as a library, the client must ensure
water temperature can be reduced below that that the library bookshelves are not fixed to
in a radiator-based system, thus providing the the floor using shot-fired fixings. For
required heat output for less energy. The warehouses, underfloor heating can be a very
technique gives the beneficial comfort effective method of providing background
conditions of warm feet and a cool head, an heating. However, it would be inappropriate to
even distribution of heat in the room, and no store foodstuffs such as sugar or grain close to
radiators to impinge on floor area. the floor as the heat may damage the goods.
Underfloor heating can also be used in a Designers should make clear to the client
cooling mode in summer. In heating mode, that an underfloor heating system has a slow
the maximum heating output is around response time, and that it requires a different
100 W/n 2 which generally provides adequate control strategy to conventional heating.
space heating for buildings meeting the
current Building Regulations.
Most underfloor heating systems use cross-
linked polyethelene (PE-X) pipework. Other
Client briefing advice: screeds
materials used include Polybutelene (PB),
polypropylene and copper. A metal/plastics Underfloor heating pipework is generally laid
multi-layer composite pipe is also available. on top of insulation to prevent downward
Plastic pipes are used because of their ease of thermal losses. In turn the insulation is laid on
the upper surface of the structural concrete
base slab. To protect the pipes in which hot
Rail/clip Flooring, such as
fixing. thin sheet or tiles
and cold water is circulated, the underfloor
heating system is embedded in a sand and
Pipework cement (fine aggregate) or proprietary
cementitious-based levelling or wearing
Screed screed (figure 1). A final surface such as a floor
covering of thin pvc sheet or tiles must be laid
on a levelling screed. Alternatively, a wearing
screed can be used without a flooring.
The three most common types of floor
Insulation Base slab
construction are:
o a solid ground floor (figure 1)
o a floating floor (figure 2), which should not
Figure 1: Use this image in briefing documentation to show a be confused with a floating screed.
typical underfloor heating construction. © BSRIA.

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Key m&e watchpoints

Mechanical engineering issues
Ensure all briefing documents
include clear and well annotated
Screeding issues diagrams showing the specific
nature of the basic system

Ensure the client is made fully

aware of the specific
Flooring, such as commissioning and maintenance
wood laminate requirements of all options

Discuss how different floor

coverings can affect thermal
output

Ensure guidance is available that

Screed
testifies to the reliability of the
pipework, and of the controls

Insulation Pipework
panel

Figure 2: A underfloor heating system using screed over pre-

Key screeding watchpoints
formed insulation panels. © BSRIA.
Ensure all briefing documents
include diagrams showing how a
o a timber suspended/intermediate floor basic underfloor heating system
(this type has a sand/cement infill as opposed relates to the screed and floor
coverings
to a screed — figure 3, page 9).
The installation approach is the same for all Ensure that the client briefing
solid floor types. A layer of insulation on documents cover the choice of
which the pipework is placed is laid on top of flooring, that the screed type is
the concrete slab to reduce heat loss and to appropriate to the flooring, and
the movement joints are required
satisfy the Building Regulations. A layer of
screed is then laid on top of the pipework to Discuss how different floor
act as the heat transfer medium, and to level coverings can affect thermal
and strengthen the floor ready for the output and the joint layout

flooring, such as carpet, tiles or stone. Ensure the client is made fully
Alternatively, the structural slab, with aware of the specific
underfloor heating pipework cast within it, commissioning and maintenance
requirements of all the options
can be laid directly onto the insulation. This
does away with the need for a screed.
Floating floor installations are generally
constructed by laying a pre-formed high- Also see
density polystyrene profiled panel on top of
Figure 8, page 16
the floor slab. Pipework is laid into the
Screeding installation, page 17
preformed profile, the screed placed, and
Figure 3, page 9
floor decking — chipboard or finished timber Screeding advice, page 10
or laminate — is laid on top (figure 2).
Note that the decision to opt for an Standards on page 21
underfloor heating system may force a change
in the height of the building to accommodate Further read ing on page 21
the additional depth of the screed.
Glossary on page 22

SCREEDSWITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

 Outline design
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

The outline design stage is the point at which the main strategic decisions will be made. The
architect will be liasing with the client over a wide range of issues - such as floor layouts, space plans and
finishes - that will directly affect the design and construction of the underfloor heating scheme.The services
designers, system supplier and specialist contractors need to get access to (and influence) this information.
This is also the time where all engineers can make a valuable contribution to a discussion on floor finishes.

Services design information needed

At the outline design stage the building o transient occupancy details
services engineer needs to get access to the o desired internal design condition
following information. The list is not definitive o target building air leakage rate (in
(read BSRIA AC. 1/2002 Design Checks for accordance with Building Regulations Part L2).
HVAC for the full range of design checks), but Note that all materials based on cement
gives the specific information required to shrink as they dry; this is aggravated by
ensure a satisfactory interface with the underfloor heating systems. It is important to
screeding specialist. design for this movement with the added
complication that expansion and contraction
Design inputs movement is associated with heated screeds.
o Architectural drawings for all zones In terms of coverings, carpet tends to be a
o details of the structural frame poor choice of floor covering as it can act as
o space plan and layout an insulant. Its structure can also be adversely
o f l o o r to ceiling heights affected by heat over time.
o position of partitions, glazing and doors Parquet flooring may be used, but many
o details of desired floor finishes people advise against it, due to the need for
o space uses an insulating felt underlay. When an
o hours of occupancy underfloor heating system is run in cooling
mode, there is also the risk of condensation
forming under the floor covering.
Linoleum (or similar) is considered a good
floor covering, as are the various types of
rigid and non-rigid floor tile.

Warranty and guarantees

Warranty and guarantees need to be looked
at very closely at the outline design stage, as
all sorts of claims can be made. The designer
needs to look very closely at exactly what is
being guaranteed. For example, if a 20 year
guarantee is being claimed for the pipe, the
engineer needs to know whether that would
include the cost of breaking out the floor and
reinstating it, as well as the costs for any
damage caused by pipework failure.
Where the underfloor heating specialist has
designed the complete system, any guarantees
Above: An example of timber flooring used to cover an
should include the complete system, although
underfloor heating and cooling installation. The nature of
expected pedestrian traffic will directly influence the choice of plant such as pumps and boilers will
screed. The heavier the traffic, the stronger the screed. normally have a shorter guarantee period.

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Key m&e watchpoints

Mechanical engineering issues
ReadBSRIAAG 1/2002 Design
Screeding issues Checks for HVAC for the full range
of design checks

Read BSRIA 30/2003 Standard

Calculations for Building Services for
Screed information needed guidance on calculating thermal
requirements
At the outline design stage the underfloor
heating supplier and screeding specialist need Design for the movement of
access to the following information. No drying cementitious materials, and
decision should be taken on the type or account for expansion and
contraction during system use
thickness of the screed until this information
has been gathered and shared with the other Gather product information from
partners in the design process. underfloor heating suppliers and
cross-check their system design
requirements
Design inputs
o Architectural drawings for all zones
o details of the structural frame Key screeding watchpoints
o s pace plan and layout
o position of partitions, glazing and doors Gather a full set of architectural
documentation before deciding on
o details of desired floor finishes; for example
the type or thickness of screed
timber, tiles (stone, ceramic or clay), carpet
tiles (and their flexibility) Design for the movement of
o space uses drying cementitious materials, and
that required by the flooring, and
o nature of pedestrian traffic (heavy or light)
account for expansion and
o the desired internal design conditions. contraction during system use
Note that all materials based on cement
shrink as they dry; this is aggravated by Cross-check with the mechanical
design engineer on the screeding
underfloor heating systems as heated screeds requirements for all the
will dry more than non-heated screeds, and proposed underfloor heating
will therefore shrink and crack more. It is suppliers
important to design for this movement and
Advise on a flooring system that
ensure that the drying process is very carefully
will be able to cope with
planned and tightly controlled. expansion and contraction of the
Cracks and joints in heated screeds will be heated screed
live owing to expansion and contraction
during system operation.
Flooring choice depends on the context. A
thick flooring material (high thermal inertia)
Detailed screed design, page 10
is recommended for buildings where there
Figure 7, page 14
will be no abrupt changes in latent loads.
Commissioning of screeds, page 18
A thin flooring (low inertia) allows a faster
response time, which is advantageous in
houses, for example, where there can be Standards on page 21
abrupt changes in loads from people entering
and leaving rooms, or from changes in solar Further reading on page 21
loads.
Glossary on page 22

SCREEDSWITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

The detailed design stage is where all the building services, structural and screeding
information must come together in a coherent manner. The building services engineer must share
the operational requirements of the underfloor heating system - either wholly or partially supplied by the
underfloor heating supplier — with all the specialists involved on the project. Full communication of all system
requirements is the key to a successful interface between the building services and the structure.

Mechanical engineering information

The following mechanical design information Design information for contractors

is required at the detailed design stage (in All the contractors involved in an underfloor
accordance with BSRIA AG1/2002 Design heating installation need to understand the
Checks for HVAC) basic principles of the technology in order to
integrate it properly and efficiently into the
Design inputs overall construction process.
Zone heating loads The main contractor needs to avoid damage
design flow and return temperatures to the pipework by arranging for the screed to
the internal design condition. be laid as soon as possible after the pipework
is installed and commissioned.
Design outputs The main contractor should also be
A schedule of zones giving output informed that the heating must not be used to
requirements, flow rates, maximum floor dry out the structure. A lengthy running up
temperatures, and connection and valves period will be needed to bring the system
a statement of a commissioning strategy into use. This needs to be accommodated in
relevant specification clauses. the programme and explained in the detailed
design documents. It should also be clearly
Design checks expressed in the instructions to the contractor.
Check that the floor surface temperature is The respective responsibilities of the
satisfactory for the space relevant contractors and the underfloor
specify adequate insulation under the entire heating specialist also need to be made clear at
system to reduce casual heat loss to the floor the tender stage, and written into all tender
below documentation to ensure that tenders can be
specify an insulating strip around the evaluated on the same value and cost basis.
perimeter of concrete floors to reduce cold
bridging, as per the supplier's instructions Insulation details
check that the depth of floor screed is Insulation is generally applied beneath the
sufficient to accommodate pipework and that circuit pipework to stop downward heat loss
it meets the requirements of the relevant in excess of the maximum permitted loss of
British Standard. BS 8402 recommends not 10% as stated in BS EN 1264-2.
less than 75 mm for a cement/sand screed and Three insulating materials are available:
50 mm for a pumpable screed expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene,
check that the system suppliers' materials, and polyurethane. Polyurethane and
such as plastic or multilayer pipe, will not be polystyrene are available in a number of
adversely affected by the concrete density grades, each providing different levels
check that the chosen flooring is suitable of mechanical strength and resistance to
for underfloor heating, such as carpets pressure. For commercial and industrial
typically with an insulation value less than situations, the heavier grades may be required.
0-15 m2K/W, adhesives suitable for up to 40°C, This should be discussed with the architect.
and timber with moisture content below 10%. Most manufacturers propose expanded

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Key m&e watchpoints

polystyrene as the insulating material, even
though polyurethane has a lower thermal Check that the temperature of the
conductivity (0-021 W/mK for polyurethane floor surface is satisfactory
and 0-033 W/mK for expanded polystyrene).
Specify adequate insulation under
Expanded polystyrene is cheaper and has the entire system to reduce casual
better acoustic properties. The thickness of the heat loss to the floor below
insulating layer is generally 20-40 mm. A
Specify an insulating strip around
barrier should be provided over the insulation
the perimeter of concrete floors
to prevent moisture and fresh screed materials to reduce cold bridging
penetrating the joints between the insulation.
This can also act as a secondary vapour barrier. Check that the depth of floor
screed is sufficient to
Insulation can be supplied with pre-formed accommodate pipework
profiles to hold the pipework. This is
generally used for floating-floor installations Check that the heating materials
(figure 2). Pipework is laid into the pre- are not adversely affected by the
screed
formed profile and the floor decking —
chipboard or finished timber or laminate — is Check the type of flooring to see
laid on top. if it requires movement joints as
this will affect the layout of the
Alternatively, flat sheets are used and the
pipework. Reflective cracking in
pipework secured to the insulation by a clip the flooring may otherwise occur
system. A sand/cement screed is laid over the
pipework to a depth of about 75 mm to form
a solid floor on which flooring can be placed. Key screeding watchpoints
Intermediate/suspended floor construction
also uses flat insulation sheeting on which the The main contractor needs to avoid
pipework is secured. Either a sand/cement damage to the pipework by ensuring
the screed is laid as soon as
infill is placed around the pipework or the possible after the pipework is
space between the flooring (timber product installed and commissioned
supported on floor joists) and insulation left as
an air gap. While this provides a degree of All persons involved in the contract
should be informed that the heating
thermal mass similar to a solid floor and raises must not be used to dry out the
the floor's heat transfer, the implications of the structure
extra weight must be considered (figure 3).
A lengthy running up period will be
needed to bring the system into use
Flooring, such as
Subfloor wood laminate

Also see

Pipework Commissioning, page 18

Finishes, page 19
Screed installation, page 17
Commissioning, page 19
Sand cement Figure 2, page 5
infill or air gap
Standards on page 21
Insulation Floor joists
Further reading on page 21
Figure 3: A sand/cement infill, in this case within an intermediate/
suspended floor construction. ©BSRIA. Glossary on page 22

SCREEDSWITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

The detailed design stage is where all the building services, structural and screeding
information must come together in a coherent manner. The screeding contractor must share the
installation requirements of the screed with the services consultant and the underfloor heating supplier. Full
communication of all system requirements is the key to a successful interface - and zero defects - between
the structure and the building services.

Screeding design information needed

The following screeding design information is Screed materials
required at the detailed design stage. It is vital A screed is defined as a layer of well-
to agree the consistent use of terminology compacted material applied to a structural
(such as levelling or wearing screed) with the base or other substrate, finished to a
m&e design engineer and underfloor heating designated level.
supplier/contractor (Table 1). There are differences in screed terminology
that are commonly used both within the UK
Design inputs and abroad. It is therefore important that any
The designer should provide and describe the information generated by the design team
type of flooring, whether it is flexible, or relating to screeds fully conveys the intended
made of tiles, carpet tiles, stone or clay tiles. end use.
The locations of protrusions through the BS 8204-1: 2002 defines the following
slab and the location of any columns and screed types:
insets should be identified and described to o Levelling screed: screed suitably finished to
help define the location of joints. This obtain a defined level and to receive the final
information should be transferred onto the flooring and
drawings used by the underfloor heating owearing screed: screed that serves as a
supplier/sub-contractor, and the m&e flooring.
consulting engineer. In this guide the term screed relates to a
The screeding specialist should obtain levelling screed. Additionally, as the majority
information from the m&e designer about the of heated screeds are laid on an insulating
pipework fixing details - whether it is to the layer, the term floating screed is used, which
insulation or to the concrete base. The is a screed laid on an acoustic and/or
screeding specialist should also obtain insulating layer and completely separated
information about services access points, such from other building elements, such as walls
as required for pipework manifolds. and pipework.
Other definitions relate to the material
Design outputs itself. Fine concrete screeds consist of sand/
In addition to the m&e design outputs, the cement material that contains a proportion of
following design outputs should be provided aggregate of nominally 10 mm single size,
by the architect/specifier to all partners: while a sand/cement screed contains a sand
Floor construction, thicknesses, joint of up to a nominal 5 mm in size.
location and shrinkage characteristics The use of proprietary products may now
details of the proposed (or choices of) reduce the risk of cracking, curling, and
screed material, such as cementitious, calcium hollowness.
sulfate or other proprietary screed
the proposed flooring material Sand/cement screeds
the screed surface finish in relation to the The majority of heated screeds are made
flooring with cement and sand mix. A semi-dry
relevant standards and codes of practice. consistency is necessary to enable the screed

SCREEDSWITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Key screeding watchpoints

Mechanical engineering issues
Agree the consistent use of
terminology (such as levelling or
Screeding issues wearing screed) with the m&e
design engineer and underfloor
heating contractor

Define the location of joints. This

to be finished to a degree of accuracy. A semi- information should be transferred
onto the drawings used by the
dry consistency of screed demands good underfloor heating supplier/sub-
compaction and high levels of workmanship contractor
to ensure soundness. However, a high surface
Provide details of the proposed
accuracy may be difficult to achieve, and a
screed material to the heating
further levelling or smoothing compound may designers
be required.
For floating screeds a minimum thickness of Specify whether a levelling or
smoothing compound may be
75 mm is required for commercial installations
required
(65 mm for domestic installations), with a
minimum thickness of 25 mm over the pipes
. . Minimum Cover over _
(BS 8204-1). Material ...
thickness
. .
pipework
Standard

Fine concretes are commonly used in mm mm

screeds thicker than 50 mm. They can ease
Traditional
compaction effort and potentially reduce cementitious 75 (65) 25 BS 8204-/
shrinkage. For floating screeds a minimum sand/cement

thickness of 75 mm (for commercial

Traditional calcium 40 35 CIRIA
applications) is required (table l).The
sulfate Report 184
proportion of aggregate incorporated in the
screed is necessarily low. Pumpable
Although the thermal insulating properties self-smoothing 40(35) 25 BS 8204-7
calcium sulfate
of no-fines screeds are three to four times
better than a cement/sand screed, it is not Pumpable
sufficient to use a no-fines screed as an self-smoothing 40(35) 15 BS 8204-7
cementitous
insulation layer without the use of additional
insulation. Its thermal efficiency is not Table I: The properties of different screed
materials used with underfloor heating
sufficient to replace polystyrene insulation in a
systems. Domestic measurements are in
heated floor. brackets. ©The Concrete Society.

Calcium sulfate and anhydrite screeds

Calcium sulfate (anhydrite and semi-hydrite) Also see
screeds are traditional hand-laid screeds.
Synthetic anhydrite is a by-product of the Glossary, page 22;Table I above
Mechanical information, page 6
chemical industry. When processed it forms a
Glossary page 22
binder similar to gypsum that can be used
Figure 5, page 13
with aggregates and admixtures to form a
dense screed material. Its advantages are: Standards on page 21
A low drying shrinkage
the free water content is chemically Further reading on page 21
combined and therefore the drying time is less
Glossary on page 22

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

than sand/cement screeds Drying the screed

• good density and low coefficient of thermal Heating should only be applied according
movement. the instructions supplied by the underfloor
A major disadvantage of synthetic anhydrite heating system. For a cement-based screed
is its intolerance to moisture. However, the this should be after it has cured and dried;
ability to lay large areas with little risk of for calcium sulfate, heating should only be
cracking or curling, and with relatively low applied seven days after laying.
thermal expansion, makes synthetic anhydrite In all cases the screed should be heated
a suitable material for heated screeds. very slowly to their operating temperature
For floating screeds the minimum thickness and maintained for several days before
is 40 mm. Ferrous reinforcement should not cooling to room temperature, but not below
be used due to the risk of corrosion. 15°C, before installing flooring.
Note that the usual operating surface
Pumpable self-smoothing screeds temperature is 27-29°C but can be as high as
Pumpable screeds are covered in BS 8204-7: 35°C. Higher temperatures can adversely
2003. As these are proprietary systems, it is affect the floor covering and the stability of
essential that the advice of the manufacturer or calcium sulfate screeds.
supplier is sought. Pumpable screeds are based
on special cementitious or anhydrite/semi- Floor construction
hydrite binders with selected aggregates, While the design of a floor should be a top-
additives, polymers and admixtures which, down process, rather than bottom up (figure
when mixed with water, produce a workable 5), it is vital that the concrete base is not
flowing material which has self-levelling or uneven. If it is uneven, the insulation may
self-smoothing properties. The consistency collapse causing cracking of the screed
allows the materials to be pumped. (figure 6).
Cement-based pumpable screeds tend to All materials based on cement shrink as
have a restriction on thickness due to the heat they dry - a characteristic that is aggravated
of hydration emitted and are generally not by underfloor heating systems. Materials also
used for floating screeds. The minimum tend to expand and contract with changes in
thickness of a calcium sulfate-based screed temperature, and this is also aggravated by
material is 40 mm for commercial use, and 35 underfloor heating systems. This drying,
mm for domestic applications (see table 1). shrinkage and thermal movement causes the
Heating pipes should be secured firmly to screed to crack. The specifier must think of
prevent flotation in the wet screed. The this at the design stage.
flowing material must also be prevented from Due to this shrinkage and movement,
getting between the insulation boards. The wearing screeds are generally specified with
minimum thickness above the pipes should be movement joints at set positions. The
35 mm for calcium sulfate screeds, 25 mm for specifier should detail these joints at the start
pumpable calcium sulfate screeds, and 15 mm of the contract.
for cement-based pumpable screed (table 1). The type of flooring will affect the

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Key screeding watchpoints

Mechanical engineering issues
Be familiar with the properties
Screeding issues of the screed and understand
their limitations

For pumpable screeds, be aware

of the minimum screed cover to
pipework - 40 mm for
positioning of joints in the screed and commercial, and 35 mm for
therefore the positioning of the pipework. domestic premises
Guidance for the installation, positioning and
Scheduling should take account
spacing of joints in screeds is specified in of the timing for pipework
BS 8204-2. commissioning, screed curing,
screed drying and flooring
Finishes requirements

Levelling screeds, which are specified to BS

8204-1 are either jointed or unjointed
depending upon the flooring to be laid on
them. Thin flexible floorings such as vinyl Screed Insulation Void Base slab concrete
sheet, tiles or carpet are usually laid on screeds
without joints.
With some floorings such as natural stone
and clay tiles, the flooring itself requires
movement joints. These movement joints,
detailed in BS 5385, must be to a depth one
third the screed thickness and must also pass
through the levelling screed. In such cases the
position of the movement joints in the Figure 6: If the concrete base is uneven,
flooring and levelling screed will affect the the insulation may bridge undulations.
When the screed load is applied the
layout of the underfloor heating system. insulation may collapse causing cracking
Where the flooring itself does not normally of the screed. The revision to 8S 8204
will require the level to be better than
require joints, such as vinyl sheet, problems 3 mm under a 2 m straight edge.
Tamped bases may need levelling or a
regulating layer prior to the insulation
being placed. ©The Concrete Society.

D49 or D98 reinforcing mesh Minimum 75 mm

at mid-depth of screed screed (65 mm
permitted for
domestic)
Also see

Separating layer Services installation, page 16

Services commissioning, page 18
Insulation layer Services design, page 8

Base slab concrete

Standards on page 21
with floated finish

Further reading on page 21

Figure 5: Cement/sand or fine concrete construction. ©The Concrete Society. Glossary on page 22

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

 Detailed design: screeding 3
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Screeds: services design issues

arise due to the cracks which occur within The choice of flooring depends on the
the screed being live cracks (in other words underfloor heating application.
opening and closing) due to the imposed A thick flooring (high thermal inertia) is
thermal movement. recommended in buildings where there are
The movement in the cracks created by no abrupt changes in latent loads. A thin
thermal expansion and contraction can cause flooring (low inertia) allows a faster response
distress and usually stretching and rippling of time, which is useful in houses, for example,
the flooring over the cracks (figure 7). where there can be abrupt changes in loads
To prevent such disturbance to the flooring from people entering and leaving the rooms,
system, movement joints must be detailed in or from changes in solar loads.
the levelling screed. Again, these joints, the The generally recommended sand/cement
flooring joints and the layout of the panels of screed cover over pipework is 25 mm. This
underfloor heating must coincide. assumes an overall screed depth of 65 mm for
domestic use and 75 mm for commercial use.
This will vary depending on the size of
pipework, but should meet the relevant British
Standards for screed thickness (see Table 1).
Screed
The following measures are needed to
control expansion:
A peripheral joint of expanded polystyrene
all around the slab
reinforcement can help to reduce the width
of cracks and prevents lipping. It should be
placed across pipework within the 25 mm
cover thickness and extend at least 150 mm
either side (figures 5 and 7).
movement joints - definitive guidance on
location of joints (whether expansion,
contraction or induced) is difficult as it
depends on the structural layout of the
building, the flooring joint pattern, and the
heating circuit layout. BS 1264-4 recommends
joints in stone and ceramic finished screeds
every 40 m2, of a maximum length of 8 m and
an aspect ratio of 2:1.
Base slab Insulation To avoid fractures, a specific joint must be
placed every 8 m across the floor, but this joint
Figure 7: Cracks caused by drying shrinkage may be live due to need only be cut into the screed to a depth
imposed thermal movement, and may cause ripples in thin
flooring. This could be exacerbated by heat concentrating locally one third its thickness. It should therefore not
through the crack, softening the sheet flooring. ©The Concrete affect the pipe circuit. Regarding the circuit
Society.

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Key m&e watchpoints

Mechanical engineering issues
Ensure that the chosen floor
covering is suitable for the
Screeding issues desired response time of the
underfloor heating system

Check that the edge insulation is

of the correct specification to act
pipes, only the supply and return pipes as an expansion element

should pass through movement joints. Provide design details (movement-

The position of all joints must be defined absorbing materials and joints)
at the project stage and shown in the that control expansion
drawings. The planner can therefore design
Ensure the client is aware that any
the pipe circuits in a way that only involves major building alterations late in
supply pipes crossing movement joints. the project may compromise the
BS EN 1264 Floor heating - systems and effectiveness of the underfloor
heating system
components, Part 4: Installation states:
In the case of heating screeds of type A and C,
movement joints and perimeter joints shall only be
crossed by connecting pipes and only in one level.
In this case, the connecting pipes shall be covered
with a flexible tube of some 0-3 m in length.
In other words, the pipe is debonded for
300 mm on either side of the joint. Key screeding watchpoints

Pre-installation issues The position of all joints must be

defined at the project stage and
It is easier and cheaper to resolve as many shown on the drawings. This
issues as possible at the design stage rather planning should involve the
than on site. For example, the entire floor mechanical planner and screeding
contractor as well as the architect
area must be free of operatives from all other to ensure continuity. Note that it
trades while the pipework is installed. is not possible to provide
The building should also be wind and water- definitive guidelines for joint
tight before installation of the underfloor frequency

heating begins. The contract administrator or

architect will have to develop a programme
that allows other trades to work in other areas
during pipework installation, but this may
require the programme to be extended.
It needs to be impressed upon the client Also see
that there will come a point in the design
Pumpable screeds, page 12
process — earlier than they are used to on
Table I, page I I
more conventional projects — when no more Figure 5, page 13
changes to the general structure and floor
plan layout can be accommodated with the
underfloor system design. Once the floor Standards on page 21
screed is laid, it is difficult and expensive to
make major changes and still expect the Further reading on page 21
underfloor heating system to work effectively.
Glossary on page 22

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

 Installation
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

The quality of the installation will ultimately determine the performance of the system.
It is very important for all the contractors involved in an underfloor heating installation to understand the
principles of the technology, so it can be integrated properly and efficiently into the construction process.
The m&e and screeding contractors will need to give extra thought to the sequencing of other works on-
site to avoid delays and lost production while the pipework is being laid.

Services installation issues

Careful thought is needed as to who will be Incorrect: Correct:
risk of poor mid-depth of screed
responsible for issuing instructions to the compaction over conduit/pipe
underfloor heating specialist. It is in everyone's around allows good screed
conduit/pipe compaction
interest to make sure that this is clearly
understood before any work starts on site, as
instructions from the wrong source can be
expensive and lead to delays.
Once the order has been placed, the
underfloor heating specialist should provide a
detailed programme covering the entire Slab base Insulation
underfloor heating installation works,
Figure 8: Incorrect and correct ways to apply mesh
including adequate notice periods for testing, reinforcement. Note that the mesh is not used to anchor the
witnessing, inspection and commissioning. pipework. ©The Concrete Society.
The main contractor will need to give extra
thought to the sequencing of other works on- over the pipe into the insulation. A third
site to avoid delays and lost production while method is to fix the pipe to a steel mesh. This
the pipework is being laid. provides flexibility, but can take longer to
Before the works begin, the tenderer/ install. The screed may be specified as needing
contractor should provide full sets of working reinforcement by means of steel mesh. This
drawings for approval by the client, architect, would not be a pipe-fixing steel mesh (figure 8).
project manager, quantity surveyor or A layer of screed is then laid on top of the
engineer, and no works should begin until pipework to act as the transfer medium, and to
approval for such drawings has been obtained. level and strengthen the floor ready for the
The entire floor area must be free of final flooring of carpets, tiles or stone.
operatives from other trades while the Note that pipework fixings must be carefully
pipework is installed. The building should be selected to ensure that they do not endanger
both wind and watertight before installation of the integrity of the insulation or other
the underfloor heating pipework begins. materials. The contractor will also need to be
The main contractor needs to avoid damage told that the heating must not be used to dry
to the pipework once it is installed, by out structure as a lengthy running up period is
arranging for the screed to be laid as soon as required to bring the system into use. This
possible after installation of the pipework. needs to be allowed for in the programme.
After the underfloor heating pipe has been
Pipework fixing laid, it should be subjected to a pressure test at
The pipework can be fixed by a number of twice the working pressure (BS EN 1264-4).
methods, such as the use of a rail onto the While BS EN 1264-4 requires testing at a
insulation, with securing clips at set distances minimum of 6 bar, underfloor heating
into which the pipework is laid out. suppliers recommend testing up to 6 kg/cm2,
Another method is to lay the pipework out maintained for 24 h. This pressure should also
in the desired pattern and simply push a clip be maintained during laying of the screed.

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Key m&e watchpoints

Mechanical engineering issues
Ensure the underfloor heating
Screeding issues system supplier provides a
detailed programme covering the
underfloor heating installation,
including testing, witnessing,
Screeding installation issues inspection and commissioning,
including screed drying time.
Any irregularities in the base must also be
Ensure the contractor provides
levelled as necessary in order to ensure that full sets of working drawings for
the insulating panels sit flat. This will prevent approval
the insulation bridging a depression and the
Ensure that the building is wind
floor collapsing under load (page 12, figure 6).
and watertight before installation
If reinforcing mesh is required, it should be of the underfloor heating
installed as shown in figure 8 opposite. pipework begins
However, it is very unlikely that reinforcement
Ensure that pipework fixings do
will be necessary.
not endanger the integrity of the
A screed is generally finished with a wood vapour barrier
float, with the level assessed under a straight
edge (3 mm in 2 m as in BS EN 8204
amended in 2003).
The surface finish required of a screed is
dependant on the flooring to be applied.
Many floor coverings are fixed with adhesive Key screeding watchpoints
or primer. These must be compatible with the
screed especially calcium sulfate or proprietary Level the base to ensure that the
insulating panels sit flat. This will
types of screed. prevent the insulation bridging a
Pumpable screeds tend to find their own depression
level, but are sometimes agitated with a special
tool to assist the smoothing. Ensure the screed is protected
from rapid drying by curing for at
The internal partition walls and any least seven days.
drainage system must be completed. The zone
under the distribution manifolds must be
finished. It is also advisable for the exterior
doors and windows to be installed if the work
is being done during a season where there is a
risk of frost.

Pressure testing and drying Also see

After the underfloor heating pipe has been BS 1264-4; timings, page 19
laid, it should be subjected to a pressure test at Figure 6, page 12
twice the working pressure. This pressure Screed finishing, page 19
should be maintained during the laying of the Services commissioning
screed.
The screed should be protected from rapid Standards on page 21

drying by curing for at least ten days. It should

Further reading on page 21
also be protected from draughts and direct
sunlight. Glossary on page 22

SCREEDSWITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

 Commissioning
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

The commissioning period is a critical to the success of an underfloor heating system.

Commissioning not only involves testing the heating system, pipework and the connections, but is
also the process by which the screed is dried and cured. Timing, temperature and measurement are
very important to the process. It is not simply a case of switching the system on and walking away.

Services commissioning issues

With a screeded floor system it is essential that practicable after curing to reduce the risk of
the screed is allowed time to dry out curling. Accelerated drying must not be used.
thoroughly, and that such time is allowed Waiting for the screed to dry out depends
within the construction process. Failure of on the ambient conditions. For sand/cement
screeds due to insufficient moisture control screeds to BS 8204-1, it is suggested as one
can result in very expensive and disruptive day for each millimetre of thickness of the first
remedial works. The amount of time required 50 mm, followed by an increasing time for
for screed to dry out thoroughly will depend each millimetre above this thickness.
on the type and thickness of screed to be used. BS EN 1264-4: 2001 suggests that sand/
After the underfloor heating pipe has been cement screeds should not be heated for at
laid, it should be subjected to a pressure test at least 21 days after laying. Although Anhydrite
twice the working pressure. Underfloor screeds should not be heated for at least seven
heating suppliers usually recommend testing days after laying, the screed manufacturer may
to a minimum of 6 kg/cm2, maintained for 24 h. indicate otherwise. The temperature of the
The screed should be protected from rapid water entering the circuits should be not more
drying (it must be cured) for at least three than 25°C (or 15°C above the temperature of
days. It should also be protected from the unheated floor screed) for at least three
draughts and direct sunlight. After this period, days, and then raised to the maximum design
there are several drying-out options given in temperature and maintained for a further four
the current guidance. days.
BS 8204-1 recommends that the screed Once the screed has dried and the heating
should be allowed to dry out as slowly as has been tested, the flooring system may be
laid. Floorings need to be acclimatised to site
conditions prior to laying, and such treatment
depends on the material. Manufacturers'
instructions should always be followed.
The possibility of damage to the flooring
over joints and cracks, such as the rippling of
thin sheet, can be caused by the reversal of
curling as the moisture redistributes once the
flooring is laid. This can be reduced by
covering the screed with impermeable
sheeting for seven days before laying flooring.
The services contractor should resist any
attempts by other contractors to subject the
screed to integrity testing, such as crushing
resistance as laid down in BS 8204-1: 2002.
The integrity test could cause damage to
Above: An effective way of checking the quality of the installation underfloor heating pipework if the test is
is to carry out a thermographic survey. Thermographic surveys carried out on a very poor screed.
are available from BSRIA. © BSRIA.

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Key m&e watchpoints

Mechanical engineering issues
The specialist contractor/
Screeding issues commissioning contractor should
provide one complete and accurate
set of as fitted drawings. For the
screed interface, these should
cover:
Screed finishing issues the position of all items of plant
and equipment that are associated
A screed needs to be cured for at least three with the installation
days to prevent it drying out rapidly as the the routes and sizes of all
moisture within the screed is required for the pipework, including that buried
within the floor
hydration of the cement to ensure that the
the position of all items of
screed reaches its full strength. BS 8204-1 equipment including thermostats,
recommends that the screed should be manifolds, valves and controls, and
allowed to dry out as slowly as practicable detailed diagrams of each manifold
clearly identifying each circuit, and
after curing to reduce the risk of curling.
which areas are served by each
Accelerated drying must not be used.
Clause 6.1 in BS 8204-1 suggests an The temperature of the water
approximate drying time, as drying is entering the circuits should be
raised slowly to between 20°C and
influenced by ambient conditions, screed 25°C for three days, and then raised
quality, thickness and surface finish. This slowly to the maximum design
period for sand/cement screeds is suggested temperature and maintained for a
as one day for each millimetre of thickness further four days

for the first 50 mm, followed by an increasing

time for each millimetre above this thickness.
A screed of about 50 mm could be expected
to dry under good conditions in about two Key screeding watchpoints
months. A 75 mm thick screed would
Calculate the required drying time
probably take around three months. for sand/cement screeds based on
It has been suggested that when a screed is one day for each millimetre of
first heated it drives off water in the top of the thickness for the first 50 mm,
followed by an increasing time for
screed, but moisture remains trapped below
each millimetre above this thickness
the pipes. The screed must be allowed to cool
to room temperature (not below 15°C) Proprietary screeds dry at different
before flooring is laid. rates - see manufacturers'
instructions
During this period of lower temperature,
the moisture migrates to the drier regions.
Consequently when the heating is next
switched on, this residual moisture is driven Also see
off, possibly disrupting the flooring. This is 6S EN 1264-4 cl. 4.3 (see Standards)
especially true if the flooring is impermeable 8S 8204-/ cl. 6./(see Standards)
such as vinyl flooring. This could result in
bubbling of the flooring. It is recommended
that further cycles of heating and cooling are
carried out before laying the flooring. Standards on page 21
Before a flooring can be laid, the screed
Further reading on page 21
must be at a moisture level compatible with
the chosen floor covering and its adhesive.
Glossary on page 22

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

 Cost model
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

The actual costs associated with an underfloor heating system and screed
depends on the context. However, the fixed costs of the heating system and the
installation works are relatively straightforward. The following cost model has been prepared
by the cost research departments of Mott Green & Wall and Davis Langdon & Everest,
specialists in the cost planning and cost management of building services installations.

Costs provided by underfloor heating The following mechanical and electrical

companies need to be carefully examined to underfloor heating system data are presented
find out exactly what is included. In some per square metre area of screed.
cases insulation will be provided by the
underfloor heating contractor, whereas in Mechanical and electrical cost data
other installations it may be provided by the Underfloor pipework installation: £19.50/m 2
builder. Pump control unit with local
The following costs are indicative current controls (manifold): £8.50/m 2
costs for underfloor heating and screeds Electrical involvement from
based upon medium sized projects with an local power supply: £3.50/m 2
underfloor heated area of between 300 m2 Sub-total underfloor
and 2000 m2. heating cost £31.50/m 2
The rates shown are applicable to Main contractor preliminary cost
competitively tendered commercial contracts on m&e underfloor heating (12%): £3.80/m 2
in Outer London in July 2003.
The underfloor pipework installation rates Screeding cost data
include for the mechanical and electrical The following screeding cost data are
contactor's preliminaries. Main contractor's presented per square metre area of screed.
preliminaries are also included at 12%.
Cement sand screed (cement/sand
Excluded costs ratio 1:3) 75 mm thick: £17.00/m 2
The cost rates for the underfloor heating and Reinforcement (D49/98): £3.00/m 2
screed cost model exclude the following Underfloor insulation deck
elements: (80 mm thick): £12.50/m 2
Final flooring finish or wearing screed Separating layer (500 g polythene
acoustic or rubber sound absorption sheet): £0.50/m 2
matting Tamped finish to concrete base: £0.7 0/m 2
any allowance for above average floor Sub-total for cement and
loadings sand screed £33.70/m 2
part-load charges for small quantities of
pumpable screed Total system cost (inclusive of above
main items of mechanical and electrical m&e and screeding costs) £69.00/m 2
plant and primary distribution
any interface with a computerised Alternative screed rates
building management system Fine concrete screed (75 mm thick): cost as
builder's work in connection with the cement sand screed.
underfloor heating system (for example, Pumpable screed, anhydrite or
cutting holes and cupboards for pump hemihydrite (75 mm thick, reinforcement
control units) not required): £32.70/m 2
contingencies
VAT. Total using pumpable screed £68/m 2

SCREEDS WITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

 Standards
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Designers and contractors should always follow the guidance laid down in prevailing standards.
The standards governing screeding and underfloor heating are generally compatible, but variations in advice
exist, especially where the timing of operations are laid down. Such discrepancies should be identified and
resolved in discussion between the screeding specialist and the underfloor heating supplier.

Concrete screeding standards Mechanical engineering standards

BS EN 1264-4: 2001 Floor heating. Systems and components. BS 7291 - 1 : 2001. Thermoplastic pipes and associated fittings for
Installation. hot and cold water for domestic purposes and heating installations
in buildings. General requirements.
BS 5385-3: 1989 Wall and floor tiling. Code of practice for the
design and installation of ceramic floor tiles and mosaics. BS 7291 -2: 2001. Thermoplastic pipes and associated fittings for
hot and cold water for domestic purposes and heating installations
BS 5385-4: 1992 Wall and floor tiling. Code of practice for tiling in buildings. Specification for polybutylene (PB) pipes and associated
and mosaics in specific conditions. fittings.

BS 5385-5: 1994 Wall and floor tiling. Code of practice for the BS 7291-3: 2001. Thermoplastic pipes and associated fittings for
design and installation of terrazzo tile and slab, natural stone and hot and cold water for domestic purposes and heating installations
composition block floorings. in buildings. Specification for cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipes
and associated fittings.
BS 8203:2001 Code of practice for installation of resilient floor
coverings. BS EN 1264-1:1998. Floor heating - Systems and components.
Definitions and symbols.
BS 8204-1: 2002 Screeds, bases and in situ floorings - Part I:
Concrete bases and cement sand levelling screeds to receive BS EN 1264-2: 1998. Floor heating - Systems and components.
floorings - code of practice. Determination of the thermal output.

BS 8204-2: 2002 Screeds, bases and in situ floorings - Part 2: BS EN 1264-3: 1998. Floor heating - Systems and components.
Concrete wearing surfaces - code of practice. Dimensioning.

BS 8204-3: 1993 Screeds, bases and in situ floorings - Part 3: BS EN 1264-4: 2001. floor heating - Systems and components.
Code of practice for polymer modified cementitious wearing Installation.
surfaces.
BS EN 1264-4: 2001. Floor heating - Systems and components.
BS 8204-4: 1993 Screeds, bases and in-situ floorings. Code of Installation.
practice for terrazzo wearing surfaces.
DIN 4725-4. Hot water Poor heating systems - Design and
BS 8204-6: 2001 Screeds, bases and in-situ floorings. Synthetic construction (plus Amendment A I).
resin floorings. Code of practice.

BS 8204-7: 2003 Screeds, bases and in-situ floorings. Pumpable

self-smoothing screeds. Code of practice.

Further reading
Gatfield M J, Screeds, flooring and finishes - selection, construction SANDS J. Underfloor heating systems, the designers' guide AG
and maintenance Construction Industry Research and 12/2001 BSRIA 2001. ISBN 086022 5288.
Information Association (CIRIA) 1998, ISBN 0 86017 496 4.
SANDS J. Underfloor heating systems, an assessment standard for
Pye P & Harrison H W, Building Elements: Floors and flooring - installations AG 13/2001 BSRIA 2001. ISBN 086022 5836.
performance, diagnosis, maintenance, repair and the avoidance of
defects BRE 1997, ISBN 186081 1736. Energie Guide: Floor heating and cooling systems, applications of
low temperature heating and height temaperature cooling.
Chaplin R G, floor levelling screeds, British Cement Association Thermie project DIS/I522/97/FR. BSRIA 2002.
(BCA) 1997, ISBN 0 7210 1506 9.

SCREEDSWITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

 Glossary
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

Building services terms

Underfloor heating A system of metail or plastic pipes laid in circuits, in a floor screed or
below a timber floor system, through which hot water is passed. Some
underfloor heating systems use electric elements.

Cross-linked polyethelene Cross-linked polyethelene (PE-X) comes in three forms, each using a
different method of manufacture for the cross linking.Three types are
PEX-a (peroxide cross-linked polyethylene), PEX-b (silane cross-
linked polyethylene) and PEX-c (radiation cross-linked polyethylene).

Polybutelene Polybutelene (PB) is typically a multi-layer co-extrusion, with the

oxygen barrier enclosed between the Polybutelene inner and outer
layers to minimise the ingress of oxygen into the pipework system.

Insulation Insulation is generally positioned beneath the circuit pipework to

prevent downward heat loss. Insulation around the perimeter of an
underfloor heating system also accommodates a certain amount of
slab expansion when the underfloor heating is in use.

Screeding terms

Screed Layer of material laid in-situ directly onto a base or intermediate layer
for one or more of the following purposes
to obtain a defined level (levelling screed)
to provide a wearing surface (wearing screed)
to carry the final flooring.

Floating screed Screed laid on an acoustic and/or separating layer and completely
separated from other building elements (not a floating floor).

Pumpable, self-smoothing Proprietary screed that is mixed into a fluid consistency, that can be
screed transported by pump and will flow sufficiently (with or without some
agitation of the wet material) to give the required accuracy of level
and surface regularity.

Curing The process of preventing the loss of moisture from the young screed
while maintaining a satisfactory temperature regime, so that the
cement hydration process can be maximised.

Curling Vertical distortion at the edges of a two-dimensional flooring due to

differences in temperature or moisture content throughout its
thickness.

Drying The process of losing excess moisture from a screed, after a

sufficient curing period, through evaporation.

SCREEDSWITH UNDERFLOOR HEATING

 An Interface Engineering Publication
Licensed copy: emakinson, Terry Farrell & Partners, 09/05/2012, Uncontrolled Copy, © Concrete Society

What are Interface Engineering Publications?

Interface Engineering Publications (IEP) are a series of guides that aim to
bridge the gaps in technical knowledge at the interfaces between
construction packages.The publications involve reformating existing
professional knowledge, developed independently by Co-Construct
members, into a single source of guidance.

The objective of IEPs are to reduce failures on site, to create greater

understanding of shared processes by clients, designers and contractors, and
to improve the construction quality and in-use performance of underfloor
heating systems.

Screeds and Underfloor Heating has been jointly researched, edited and
produced by BSR1A and The Concrete Society in order to provide
comprehensive guidance in a single publication. All the information has
been drawn from current research and existing publications, and cross-
referenced with the latest regulatory requirements.

For more information on Co-Construct visit www.construction.co.uk.

CO-CONSTRUCT
Co-Construct
c/o BSRIA. Old Bracknell Lane West. Bracknell. Berkshire, RG12 7AH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1344 426511
www.construction.co.uk