C2 - Factory Produced Mortars
This Topic page covers the routine use of aggregates and cement in factory produced mortars.
There are two main types of factory produced mortar:
- Ready to use mortars
- Lime:sand mortars.
Factory produced mortars are specified in:
- BS EN 998 Specification for mortar for masonry
This BS EN Standard is published as two Parts:
- BS EN 998-1 Part 1: Rendering and plastering mortar
- BS EN 998-2 Part 2: Masonry mortar
Guidance on the use of BS EN 998-2 is published by BSI as:
- PD 6678 Guide to the selection and specification of masonry mortar
The BS EN Standards for mortar are written in terms of performance. This is a departure from traditional UK practice based on recipes – generally based on the relative ratios of sand, lime and cement.
BS EN 998 replaced the established British (BS) Standard:
- BS 4721 Specification for ready-mixed building mortar
Mortars used in floor screeds are specified in a separate Standard:
- BS EN 13813 Screed material and floor screeds – properties and requirements
The trade association for the factory mixed mortar industry is the Mortar Industry Association (MIA). MIA is a Product association within the Quarry Products Association (QPA). A series of data sheets about factory produced mortar is published on the MIA website: www.mortar.org.uk
