The objective of this Standard is to classify membranes based on elastic properties which can then be used to give guidance on the type of detailing for a specific membrane referred to in AS 3740, Waterproofing of wet areas within residential buildings. This detailing, in relating to the elastic properties of the membrane being used, will assist an installation in meeting the performance requirements of AS 3740.

The test methods referenced herein are derived from documents published from either Standards Australia or ASTM, with the acceptance criteria being listed in this publication.
These criteria were not previously given in an Australian Standard.

Bond failures can occur through the full tiling system to the substrate, which includes the waterproofing membrane where it forms part of the system. This failure can be a result of bond and/or shear failure between components or within a single component of the overall tiling system. The BD-038 committee considered the best way to address a comprehensive test to determine satisfactory performance against this type of failure was to propose the formation of a joint working party between BD-038 and BD-044 committees as both the properties of membranes and the tiling adhesives contribute to the overall performance of the whole tiling system against this type of failure. As the development of such a test will
take some time, BD-038 considered that this Standard should be published in its current state rather than wait for the development of test methods by the working party. The BD-038 committee will consider the findings of the proposed working party in the ongoing review of the standard.

The terms ‘normative’ and ‘informative’ have been used in this Standard to define the application of the appendix to which they apply. A ‘normative’ appendix is an integral part of a Standard, whereas an ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and guidance.

First published as AS/NZS 4858:2004.
Reconfirmed: 2020-08-14