BS 648 1964

BRITISH STANDARD BS 648:1964
Incorporating
Amendment Nos. 1
and 2
Schedule of
Weights of building
materials
Licensed copy:HALCROW GROUP LTD, 31/01/2011, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI
UDC 691:624.045
BS 648:1964
Co-operating organizations
The committee responsible for the preparation of this British Standard

includes representatives from the following organizations:
Association of Municipal Corporations

D.S.I.R. — Building Research Station
District Surveyors Association
Institution of Municipal Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
National Federation of Building Trades Employers
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
This British Standard, having

been approved by the Building
Divisional Council, was
published under the authority
of the General Council on
31 December, 1964
Amendments issued since publication
© BSI 10-1999 Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
105 October 1968

The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard: 344 October 1969 Indicated by a sideline in the margin
Committee reference B/19
Draft for comment D63/9318
ISBN 0 580 00808 8

BS 648:1964
Contents
Page
Co-operating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword ii
Schedule 1
Appendix A Wire and sheet gauges 33
Index 36
© BSI 10-1999 i
BS 648:1964
Foreword
The title of this standard should not be taken to imply that all of the materials
quoted are necessarily used solely or even principally in building.
This schedule was first published in 1935 as an attempt to provide a solution to
the problems which had arisen through structural and other calculations being
based on different data for the weights of materials concerned. The 1949 revision
was undertaken with a view to making the information more complete by the
inclusion of certain extra materials, together with such changes in the data as
had been found to be necessary.
The present revision continues this process of improvement and development. It
contains additional new materials which have since come into use for building
purposes and amends the weights of many other materials in the light of
up-to-date information. Some materials have been introduced into the standard
which will not be present as such in a completed building but a knowledge of
whose weights is important for calculations both prior to and during the course of
execution of the works. Weights of blockwork, brickwork and stonework have,
however, been given in preference to weights of blocks, bricks and stone, as likely
to be more helpful to users in view of the main purpose of this standard. At the
same time the opportunity has been taken of including in the schedule much of
the supplementary information previously given in an appendix.

It has not been found possible to include weights for the many different forms of
composite construction coming into use, many of which are still in process of
development and capable of many variations and combinations; weights of as
many individual component materials as were feasible have, however, been
given, from which it is hoped that users will be able to derive any composite
weights required. The committee was aware, nevertheless, of certain integrally
composite materials, which are difficult to describe generically, mainly
specialized products of individual manufacturers and which it was felt to be
inadvisable to attempt to cover in a standard schedule.
The data has been recast under each alphabetically arranged main heading,
through subsidiary headings of diminishing order. The main headings generally
denote materials; however, some denote functions, where it is felt that these will
be more helpful to the reader. The alphabetical arrangement of main headings
has been perpetuated; but it has not been found possible to favour one system
universally for the sub-headings where commonness of useage has in many
instances been felt likely to be more useful; whilst dimensional criteria have been
applied to headings of lesser orders. The former column headings and rulings
have been eliminated as superflous.
The object of the schedule is to standardize the data employed in calculations
rather than to provide more exact data for this purpose. The “standard” weight of
a material, as given in the schedule, is not necessarily the mean between the
extreme weights, but a fair average value and may be regarded as sufficiently
accurate for general purposes in calculating dead loads in building work. In cases
where extreme accuracy is required the actual material to be employed should be
weighed and the most adverse conditions of use taken into account.
Wherever possible, a standard weight has been quoted, but in many instances it
has been necessary to include tolerances on each side of this figure. There were
some cases where, owing to many different densities being produced, often for as
many different purposes of equal importance, it was not possible to choose a
single notional figure of any particular significance to which tolerances might be
applied, and here a range has been given instead.
The committee having in mind the foregoing practical considerations, no weight
has been given to more than one decimal place. The use of decimals has been
standardized in preference to fractions, for dimensions as well as for weights.
ii © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Where maximum and minimum weights are given in this schedule they represent
the extremes of the samples investigated and afford some indication of the
variations in weights which may be encountered. They should not be taken as the
absolute maximum or minimum weights of the material in question.
In preparing this schedule every care has been exercised to ensure that the
standard weights represent average materials of normal composition or structure
and, where described as “as laid”, fixed in the usual manner. In general, weights
of appropriate materials relate to a moisture content state of the material when
in approximate equilibrium with the exterior atmosphere.
The references to other British Standards given in brackets in the schedule are
intended for identification only and are not to be taken to imply that the weights
have been derived from the British Standard quoted. Where the standard for the
material specifies weights, however, the figures in the schedule have in general
been based upon them.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Fifth Edition of the Standard Method of
Measurement of Building Works, which was published during the preparation of
the present schedule specifies the yard rather than the foot as the unit of
measurement in most Sections, this present schedule standardizes the use of the
foot as being most generally useful. The quotation of a 1-inch unit of thickness
has, however, been adhered to in general except where a material is normally
made principally in much lesser thicknesses.
To help overcome confusion arising from the custom of different industries using
different series of thickness gauges (i.e. Birmingham, English Zinc, and Standard
Wire) and for the sake of uniformity, the thicknesses in decimals of an inch have
been given first in the schedule followed in parentheses by the customary gauge
appropriate to the particular material. Only a few typical thicknesses used in
building have been given for each material, but the weights of other gauges may
be derived by proportional calculations using the decimal inch equivalents from
the tables given in Appendix A.
Where thicknesses of material greater than 1 in are customarily employed but the
weights are non-proportional, then the weights of a selection of representative
thicknesses have been given.
Some materials are produced in a wide range of sizes, often not solely for building
purposes and here, in order to keep the amount of space occupied within
reasonable bounds, an attempt has been made to limit the information to
representative sizes and, wherever possible, to those most commonly used in
building. The space formerly occupied by listing many sizes of some materials has
been reduced and information on other entirely different materials substituted to
take its place and so increase the general usefulness of the standard.
NOTE 1 This standard was prepared in imperial units from which the metric values were derived.
Both sets of values are of the same order of accuracy.
NOTE 2 The data given in the standard are in units of mass either per unit length, or per unit area,
or per unit volume. For most purposes of structural calculation in SI units the forces in newtons
imposed by the dead loads of the materials may be obtained by multiplying by 10 (strictly 9.80665) the
values given in kilogrammes in the schedule. The degree of approximation implied by this is
commensurate with that already indicated in the data given in the schedule, for the reasons explained
in the Foreword.
© BSI 10-1999 iii

BS 648:1964
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.
Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,
pages 1 to 43 and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.
iv © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Schedule
Aggregates
Coarse
Normal weight, e.g. natural
aggregates 90 ± 10 lb/ft3 (1 442 ± 160 kg/m3)
Lightweight, e.g. clinker,
foamed slag, expanded
clay and sintered
pulverized-fuel ash 20 – 50 lb/ft3 (320.4 – 800.9 kg/m3)
Heavyweight, e.g. barytes,
magnetite and ilmenite 145 ± 5 lb/ft3 (2 323 ± 80 kg/m3)
Steel shot 260 ± 10 lb/ft3 (4 245 ± 80 kg/m3)
Fine
Normal weight, e.g. sand 100 ± 10 lb/ft3 (1 602 ± 160 kg/m3)

Lightweight, e.g. clinker,
foamed slag, expanded
clay and sintered
pulverized-fuel ash 35 – 65 lb/ft3 (560.6 – 1 041 kg/m3)
Heavyweight, e.g. barytes,
magnetite and ilmenite 155 ± 5 lb/ft3 (2 483 ± 80 kg/m3)
Combined (“all-in” ballast) 125 ± 5 lb/ft3 (2 002 ± 80 kg/m3)
Aluminium
Cast 173 lb/ft3 (2 771 kg/m3)
Wrought forms
Sheet
Flat 0.048 in (18 SWG) 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
0.036 in (20 SWG) 0.5 lb/ft2 (2.4 kg/m2)
0.028 in (22 SWG) 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
0.022 in (24 SWG) 0.3 lb/ft2 (1.5 kg/m2)
Corrugated (BS 2855)
(including 20 per cent added
weight for laps “as laid”)
0.048 in (18 SWG) 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
0.028 in (22 SWG) 0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
0.022 in (24 SWG) 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
Other wrought forms 173 lb/ft3 (2 771 kg/m3)
Asbestos
Felt per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 0.8 lb/ft2 (3.9 kg/m2)
Fibres, sprayed (including binder) 5–15 lb/ft3 (80–240 kg/m3)
NOTE For structural calculation in SI units, attention is drawn to NOTE 2 of the Foreword.
© BSI 10-1999 1
BS 648:1964
Asbestos cement
Sheeting
Flat 0.25 in (6.4 mm)
Wallboard 1.4 lb/ft2 (6.8 kg/m2)
Semi-compressed 2.3 lb/ft2 (11.2 kg/m2)
Fully-compressed 2.5 lb/ft2 (12.2 kg/m2)
Corrugated
(including 10 per cent added weight for laps)
Corrugations 2.875 in (73.0 mm)
pitch (BS 690) 3.4 lb/ft2 (16.6 kg/m2)
Corrugations 5.75 in (146.1 mm)
pitch (BS 690) 3.4 lb/ft2 (16.6 kg/m2)
3.5 in (88.9 mm) corrugations,
15 in (381.0 mm) pitch
(BS 690) 4.5 lb/ft2 (21.9 kg/m2)
Asphalt
Roofing 2 layers, 0.75 in
(19.1 mm) (BS 988 and BS 1162) 8.6 lb/ft2 (41.9 kg/m2)
Damp-proofing (BS 1097 and BS 1418)
0.75 in (19.1 mm) 8.3 lb/ft2 (40.5 kg/m2)
1.0 in (25.4 mm) 11.0 lb/ft2 (53.7 kg/m2)
1.125 in (28.6 mm) 12.4 lb/ft2 (60.5 kg/m2)
Flooring (BS 1076, BS 1410 and BS 1451)
1 in (25.4 mm) thick 11 ± 1 lb/ft2 (53.7 ± 4.9 kg/m2)
Road and footpaths (BS 594 and BS 1446)
0.5 in (12.7 mm) 6.0 lb/ft2 (29.3 kg/m2)
0.75 in (19.1 mm) 9.0 lb/ft2 (43.9 kg/m2)
Battens
Slating and tiling, 1.5 in × 0.75 in
(38.1 mm × 19.1 mm) softwood
4 in (101.6 mm) gauge 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
Bitumen damp-proof courses (BS 743)

Hessian base (Type 5A) 0.8 lb/ft2 (3.9 kg/m2)
Fibre felt (Type 5B) 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
Asbestos based (Type 5C) 0.8 lb/ft2 (3.9 kg/m2)
Hessian base and lead (Type 5D) 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
Fibre felt and lead (Type 5E) 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
Asbestos base and lead (Type 5F) 1.0 lb/ft2 (4.9 kg/m2)
Bitumen roofing felts (BS 747)

Bitumen felts (fibre base)
Saturated bitumen (Type 1A) 0.1 lb/ft2 (0.5 kg/m2)
0.2 lb/ft2 (1.0 kg/m2)
Sanded bitumen (Type 1B) 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
0.5 lb/ft2 (2.4 kg/m2)
0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
2 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Bitumen roofing felts (cont)

Bitumen felts (fibre base) (cont)
Self-finished bitumen (Type 1C) 0.2a lb/ft2 (1.0 kg/m2)
0.3a lb/ft2 (1.5 kg/m2)
0.4a lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
0.5a lb/ft2 (2.4 kg/m2)
0.6a lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
Coated and sanded bitumen felt
(Type 1D) 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
0.5 lb/ft2 (2.4 kg/m2)
0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
Mineral surfaced bitumen (Type 1E) 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
Reinforced bitumen felt (Type 1F) 0.2 lb/ft2 (1.0 kg/m2)
Bitumen felts (asbestos base)
Saturated bitumen asbestos
(Type 2A) 0.1 lb/ft2 (0.5 kg/m2)
0.2 lb/ft2 (1.0 kg/m2)

Self-finished asbestos (Type 2B) 0.3a lb/ft2 (1.5 kg/m2)
0.4a lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
0.5a lb/ft2 (2.4 kg/m2)
Mineral surfaced bitumen
asbestos (Type 2C) 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
Fluxed pitch felts (fibre base)
Saturated fluxed pitch (Type 3A) 0.1 lb/ft2 (0.5 kg/m2)
0.2 lb/ft2 (1.0 kg/m2)
Sanded fluxed pitch (Type 3B) 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
Impregnated flax felts and hair felts
Impregnated flax (Type 4A)
Black
Roofing 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
Sarking 0.3 lb/ft2 (1.5 kg/m2)
Black sheathing 0.2 lb/ft2 (1.0 kg/m2)
Brown
No. I Inodorous 0.3 lb/ft2 (1.5 kg/m2)
No. 2 Inodorous 0.2 lb/ft2 (1.0 kg/m2)
Brown sheathing 0.2 lb/ft2 (1.0 kg/m2)
Impregnated hair (Type 4B)
Black
Black hair sheathing 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
Brown
Brown bituminous hair 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
Bitumen felts (glass fibre base)
Bitumen glass fibre (Type 5A) 0.3 lb/ft2 (1.5 kg/m2)
0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
Mineral surfaced bitumen glass
fibre (Type 5B) 0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
Blockwork, walling
Clay
Hollow, per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 5.3 lb/ft2 (25.9 kg/m2)
a When fine sand is used in lieu of talc this weight is increased by approximately 0.1 lb. (0.5 kg/m2)
© BSI 10-1999 3
BS 648:1964
Blockwork, walling (cont)

Clay (cont)
Perforated (approximately 50 per cent
perforated)
Medium density, per 1 in
(25.4 mm) thick 5.8 lb/ft2 (28.3 kg/m2)
High density, per 1 in
(25.4 mm) thick 6.7 lb/ft2 (32.7 kg/m2)
Concrete
Ballast and stone aggregate
Cellular per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 8.3 lb/ft2 (40.5 kg/m2)
Hollow per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 7.1 lb/ft2 (34.7 kg/m2)
Solid per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick
Stone aggregate 11.2 lb/ft2 (54.7 kg/m2)
Slate aggregate 10.0 lb/ft2 (48.8 kg/m2)
Lightweight aggregate
Cellular per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 5.9 lb/ft2 (28.8 kg/m2)

Hollow per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 5.3 lb/ft2 (25.9 kg/m2)
Solid per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 6.6 lb/ft2 (32.2 kg/m2)
Aerated
Based on 35 lb/ft3 (560.6 kg/m3)
density
Per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 3.0 lb/ft2 (14.6 kg/m2)
Organic aggregates e.g. sawdust,
peat, etc.
density
Per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 7 lb/ft2 (34.2 kg/m2)
Diatomaceous earth
2 in (50.8 mm) thick 6.8 lb/ft2 (33.2 kg/m2)
2½ in (63.5 mm) thick 7.9 lb/ft2 (38.6 kg/m2)
4½ in (114.3 mm) thick 11.6 lb/ft2 (56.6 kg/m2)
Board, laminated (i.e. battenboard,

blockboard and laminboard)
Per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 2.3 ± 0.2 lb/ft2 (11.2 ± 1.0 kg/m2)
Brass
Copper 60 per cent, zinc 40 per cent
(CZ 123 of BS 2870) 526 lb/ft3 (8 426 kg/m3)
Copper 70 per cent, zinc 30 per cent
(CZ 106 of BS 2870) 532 lb/ft3 (8 522 kg/m3)
4 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Brickwork
Clay
Solid, per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick
Low density 10.4 lb/ft2 (50.8 kg/m2)
Medium density 11.2 lb/ft2 (54.7 kg/m2)
High density 12.1 lb/ft2 (59.1 kg/m2)
Perforated, per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick
 25 per cent voids 7.9 lb/ft2 (38.6 kg/m2)
Low density  15 per cent voids
 8.8 lb/ft2 (43.0 kg/m2)

Medium density  15 per cent voids
 9.6 lb/ft2 (46.9 kg/m2)

High density  15 per cent voids
 10.0 lb/ft2 (48.8 kg/m2)
Concrete, per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 12 lb/ft2 (58.6 kg/m2)

Lightweight/Flue
Diatomaceous earth, per 1 in
(25.4 mm) thick 3.4 lb/ft2 (16.6 kg/m2)
Calcium silicate (sand lime and
flint lime)
Bronze, phosphor, wrought

(BS 369 and BS 407) 558 lb/ft3 (8 938 kg/m3)
Carpet
0.6 +0.1
2
(2.9 +0.5
– 1.0 kg/m )
2
– 0.2 lb/ft
Cast stone 140 lb/ft3 (2 243 kg/m3)
Cement 90 lb/ft3 (1 442 kg/m3)
Concrete
Aerated
40 +60 lb/ft  641 +961 kg/m3 
3
– 10  – 160 
Brick aggregate 125 ± 10 lb/ft3 (2 002 ± 160 kg/m3)
Natural aggregates 144 lb/ft3 (2 307 kg/m3)
Lightweight aggregates
Normal 70 ± 30 lb/ft3 (1 121 ± 481 kg/m3)
Structural
110 +15 lb/ft
3  1 762 +240 kg/m3 
–10  – 160 
© BSI 10-1999 5
BS 648:1964
Concrete (cont)
Heavy weight aggregates
e.g. barytes, ilmenite,
magnetite, etc. 200 ± 10 lb/ft3 (3 204 ± 160 kg/m3)
No-fines 110 ± 5 lb/ft3 (1 762 ± 80 kg/m3)
Organic aggregate 80 ± 35 lb/ft3 (1 281 ± 561 kg/m3)
Diatomaceous earth 3
80 +7 lb/ft  1 281 +112 kg/m3 
–4  – 64 
Copper
Cast 545 lb/ft3 (8 730 kg/m3)
Wrought
Sheet and strip
0.048 in (18 SWG) 2.2 lb/ft2 (10.8 kg/m2)
0.036 in (20 SWG) 1.7 lb/ft2 (8.3 kg/m2)

0.028 in (22 SWG) 1.3 lb/ft2 (6.3 kg/m2)
0.022 in (24 SWG) 1.0 lb/ft2 (4.9 kg/m2)
Cork
Granular, 0.188 in (4.8 mm) size,
loosely packed 7.5 lb/ft3 (120 kg/m3)
Board
Normal per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
Semi-compressed per 1 in
(25.4 mm) thick 1.0 lb/ft2 (4.9 kg/m2)
Compressed per 1 in (25.4 mm)
thick 1.5 lb/ft2 (7.3 kg/m2)
Flooring per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 2.0 lb/ft2 (9.8 kg/m2)
Expanded metal, steel

For concrete reinforcement (BS 1221)
References (BS 1221)
327 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
331 0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
332 0.5 lb/ft2 (2.4 kg/m2)
348 1.3 lb/ft2 (6.3 kg/m2)
351 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
352 0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
6 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Expanded metal, steel (cont)

For plastering (BS 1369 and BS 405)
References
24 gauge (BS 1369) 0.3 lb/ft2 (1.5 kg/m2)
XM 104 (BS 405) 0.5 lb/ft2 (2.4 kg/m2)
XM 125 (BS 405) 0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
For general purposes (BS 405)
References (BS 405)
XM 46 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
XM 51 0.3 lb/ft2 (1.5 kg/m2)
XM 75 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
XM 79 0.2 lb/ft2 (1.0 kg/m2)
XM 104 0.5 lb/ft2 (2.4 kg/m2)
XM 125 0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
Felt
Insulating per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 1.0 lb/ft2 (4.9 kg/m2)
Fibre building board

Insulating boards 0.5 in (12.7 mm) 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
Hardboard
Normal 0.125 in (3.2 mm) 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
Tempered 0.125 in (3.2 mm) 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
Laminated 0.188 in (4.8 mm) 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
Acoustic (unfaced) 0.5 in (12.7 mm) 0.7–1.0 lb/ft2 (3.4–4.9 kg/m2)
0.75 in (19.1 mm) 0.9–1.4 lb/ft2 (4.4–6.8 kg/m2)
Flagstones
Concrete
2 in (50.8 mm) thick 24 lb/ft2 (117 kg/m2)
2.5 in (63.5 mm) thick 30 lb/ft2 (146 kg/m2)
Natural stone
2 in (50.8 mm) thick 28 lb/ft2 (137 kg/m2)
2.5 in (63.5 mm) thick 35 lb/ft2 (171 kg/m2)
Floors
Hollow clay blocks
Without ribs (including reinforcement and mortar jointing between blocks
but excluding any concrete topping)
4 in (101.6 mm) 30 lb/ft2 (146 kg/m2)
5 in (127.0 mm) 35 lb/ft2 (171 kg/m2)
6 in (152.4 mm) 39 lb/ft2 (190 kg/m2)
7 in (177.8 mm) 47 lb/ft2 (229 kg/m2)
8 in (203.2 mm) 53 lb/ft2 (259 kg/m2)
NOTE These weights are based on the use of hollow blocks of varying size and depth. For each 1 inch (25.4 mm) of thickness of
concrete topping add 12 lb/ft2 (58.6 kg/m2).
NOTE For structural calculation in SI units, attention is drawn to NOTE 2 of the Foreword
© BSI 10-1999 7
BS 648:1964
Floors (cont)
Hollow clay blocks (cont)
With concrete ribs between blocks (including reinforcement but excluding
any concrete topping)
3 in (76.2 mm) 19 lb/ft2 (92.8 kg/m2)
3.5 in (88.9 mm) 22 lb/ft2 (107 kg/m2)
4 in (101.6 mm) 25 lb/ft2 (122 kg/m2)
4.5 in (114.3 mm) 27 lb/ft2 (132 kg/m2)
5 in (127.0 mm) 29 lb/ft2 (142 kg/m2)
5.5 in (139.7 mm) 31 lb/ft2 (151 kg/m2)
6 in (152.4 mm) 33 lb/ft2 (161 kg/m2)
7 in (177.8 mm) 37 lb/ft2 (181 kg/m2)
8 in (203.2 mm) 41 lb/ft2 (200 kg/m2)
NOTE These weights are based on the use of blocks of varying size and depth and of lesser density than those used without concrete
ribs between the blocks.
For each 1 in (25.4 mm) thickness of concrete topping add 12 lb/ ft2 (58.6 kg/m2).
Hollow concrete units (including any concrete topping necessary for

constructional purposes)
4 in (101.6 mm) 35 lb/ft2 (171 kg/m2)
5 in (127.0 mm) 40 lb/ft2 (195 kg/m2)
6 in (152.4 mm) 45 lb/ft2 (220 kg/m2)
7 in (177.8 mm) 50 lb/ft2 (244 kg/m2)
8 in (203.2 mm) 55 lb/ft2 (269 kg/m2)
9 in (228.6 mm) 65 lb/ft2 (317 kg/m2)
Glass
Sheet
24 oz (680.4 g) 0.11 in (2.8 mm)
32 oz (907.2 g) 0.156 in (4.0 mm)
thick 2 lb/ft2 (9.8 kg/m2)
Cast, clear plate and armoured plate
0.125 in (3.2 mm) thick 1.8 lb/ft2 (8.8 kg/m2)
Wired cast
Glass blocks
Hollow
(BS 1207) 3.875 in (98.4 mm) thick
8 in (203.2 mm) (20¼ blocks per yd2) 17 lb/ft2 (83.0 kg/m2)
6 in (152.4 mm) (36 blocks per yd2) 20 lb/ft2 (97.6 kg/m2)
8 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Glass fibre
Thermal insulation of roofs and walls
Acoustic insulation of floating floors
Per 1 in (25.4 mm) 0.2 lb/ft2 (0.1 kg/m2)
thick
Slab
Per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 0.4–1.0 lb/ft2 (2.0–4.9 kg/m2)
Formboard
Roof board
Glazing, patent
[Bars at 2 ft (0.6 m) centres and wired cast glass 0.25 in (6.4 mm) thick]
Lead-covered steel bars
Spans up to 6 ft (1.8 m) 5.3 lb/ft2 (25.9 kg/m2)
Spans 6 ft to 11 ft (1.8–3.4 m) 6.0 lb/ft2 (29.3 kg/m2)
Aluminium bars
Spans up to 11 ft (3.4 m) 4.0 lb/ft2 (19.5 kg/m2)
Gunmetal 553 lb/ft3 (8 858 kg/m3)

Gutters
Cast iron (BS 1205)
Half-round 3 in (76.2 mm) 1.8 lb/ft (2.7 kg/m)
of effective length
4 in (101.6 mm) 2.1 lb/ft (3.1 kg/m)
4.5 in (114.3 mm) 2.4 lb/ft (3.6 kg/m)
5 in (127.0 mm) 2.7 lb/ft (4.0 kg/m)
6 in (152.4 mm) 3.2 lb/ft (4.8 kg/m)
Ogee 4 in (101.6 mm) 2.4 lb/ft (3.6 kg/m)

4.5 in (114.3 mm) 2.8 lb/ft (4.2 kg/m)
5 in (127.0 mm) 3.1 lb/ft (4.6 kg/m)
Asbestos cement
Half-round 3 in (76.2 mm) 1.4 lb/ft (2.1 kg/m)
of effective length
4 in (101.6 mm) 2.0 lb/ft (3.0 kg/m)
4.5 in (114.3 mm) 2.4 lb/ft (3.6 kg/m)
5 in (127.0 mm) 2.6 lb/ft (3.9 kg/m)
6 in (152.4 mm) 2.9 lb/ft (4.3 kg/m)
8 in (203.2 mm) 3.9 lb/ft (5.8 kg/m)
© BSI 10-1999 9
BS 648:1964
Gutters (cont)
Asbestose cement (cont)
Ogee 4 in (101.6 mm) 2.5 lb/ft (3.7 kg/m)
4.5 in (114.3 mm) 3.0 lb/ft (4.5 kg/m)
5 in (127.0 mm) 3.0 lb/ft (4.5 kg/m)
6 in (152.4 mm) 3.5 lb/ft (5.2 kg/m)
8 in (203.2 mm) 5.1 lb/ft (7.6 kg/m)
Plastics
PVC 4 in (101.6 mm) 0.4 lb/ft (0.6 kg/m)
Aluminium
Half-round, 6 ft (1.8 m) lengths
4 in (101.6 mm)
Cast 0.8 lb/ft (1.2 kg/m)

Wrought 0.08 in (14 SWG) 0.6 lb/ft (0.9 kg/m)
4.5 in (114.3 mm)
5 in (127.0 mm)
6 in (152.4)
Ogee, 6 ft (1.8 m) lengths
4 in (101.6 mm)
4.5 in (114.3 mm)
5 in (127.0 mm)
Rectangular, 6 ft (1.8 m) lengths
4 in × 2 in (101.6 mm × 50.8 mm)
Wrought 0.8 lb/ft (1.2 kg/m)
4 in × 3 in (101.6 mm × 76.2 mm)
5 in × 2½ in (127.0 mm × 63.5 mm)
5 in × 4 in (127.0 mm × 101.6 mm)
10 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Gutters (cont)
Aluminium (cont)
6 in × 3 in (152.4 mm × 76.2 mm)
Precast concrete
22 in (558.8 mm) on bed and
7 in (177.8 mm) high 62 ± 2 lb/ft (92 ± 3 kg/m)
Gypsum panels and partitions

Building panels
3 in thick (76.2 mm) 9 lb/ft2 (43.9 kg/m2)
Dry partition
Iron
Cast 450 lb/ft3 (7 208 kg/m3)
Wrought 480 lb/ft3 (7 689 kg/m3)
Lathing
Wood 1.3 lb/ft2 (6.3 kg/m2)
Expanded metal, steel
For plastering (BS 1369 and BS 405)
References
24 gauge (BS 1369) 0.3 lb/ft2 (1.5 kg/m2)
XM 104 (BS 405) 0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
XM 125 (BS 405) 0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
Ribbed perforated metal sheet
0.015 in (28 BG) 0.8 lb/ft2 (3.9 kg/m2)
0.019 in (26 BG) 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
0.024 in (24 BG) 1.1 lb/ft2 (5.4 kg/m2)
Clay 1 lb/ft2 (4.9 kg/m2)
Lead
Sheet (BS 1178)
0.067 in (1.7 mm) 4.0 lb/ft2 (19.5 kg/m2)
0.084 in (2.1 mm) 5.0 lb/ft2 (24.4 kg/m2)
0.101 in (2.6 mm) 6.0 lb/ft2 (29.3 kg/m2)
0.118 in (3.0 mm) 7.0 lb/ft2 (34.2 kg/m2)
Cast 707 lb/ft3 (11 325 kg/m3)
© BSI 10-1999 11
BS 648:1964
Linoleum
(BS 810)
3.2 mm 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
4.5 mm 1.2 lb/ft2 (5.9 kg/m2)
6.7 mm 2.0 lb/ft2 (9.8 kg/m2)
Magnesium alloys
Cast 108 lb/ft3 (1 730 kg/m3)
Wrought
Sheet, flat
3 SWG 2.4 lb/ft2 (11.8 kg/m2)
10 SWG 1.2 lb/ft2 (5.9 kg/m2)
16 SWG 0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
20 SWG 0.3 lb/ft2 (1.5 kg/m2)
Magnesium oxychloride
Normal type (sawdust filler)
1 in (25.4 mm) thick 7.2 ± 0.6 lb/ft2 (35.2 ± 2.9 kg/m2)
Heavy duty type (mineral filler)
1 in (25.4 mm) thick 11 ± 0.6 lb/ft2 (53.7 ± 2.9 kg/m2)
Metal faced plywood

Aluminium
0.188 in (4.8 mm) thick
Faced 1 side 0.8 lb/ft2 (3.9 kg/m2)
Faced 2 sides 1.1 lb/ft2 (5.4 kg/m2)
0.25 in (6.4 mm) thick
0.375 in (9.5 mm) thick
0.75 in (19.1 mm) thick
12 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Metal faced plywood (cont)

Galvanized steel
0.188 in (4.8 mm) thick
0.375 in (9.5 mm) thick
0.75 in (19.1 mm) thick

Pavement lights, glazed

Cast iron or reinforced concrete 25 ± 5 lb/ft2 (122.1 ± 24.4 kg/m2)
Pipes
Cast iron
Rainwater (BS 460)
2.5 in (63.5 mm) nominal size 3.3 lb/ft (4.9 kg/m)
Flue or smoke (BS 41)
Soil, waste and ventilating (BS 416)

Medium
3.0 in (76.2 mm) nominal size
(min. int. dia.) 6.2 lb/ft (9.2 kg/m)
© BSI 10-1999 13
BS 648:1964
Pipes (cont)
Cast iron (cont)
Soil, waste and ventilating (BS 416) (cont)
Heavy
Extra heavy
Drain (BS 437)

4 in (101.6 mm) nominal size
Asbestos cement
Rainwater ((BS 569)
(int. dia.) 3 lb/ft (4.5 kg/m)
Soil, waste and ventilating (BS 582)
Drainage and sewerage (BS 3656)

Class 3 6.1 ± 0.3 lb/ft (9.1 ± 0.4 kg/m)
Class 3 9.9 ± 0.5 lb/ft (14.7 ± 0.7 kg/m)
Class 2 14.8 ± 0.7 lb/ft (22.0 ± 1.0 kg/m)
Class 3 17.1 ± 0.9 lb/ft (25.4 ± 1.3 kg/m)
Class 1 22.4 ± 1.1 lb/ft (33.3 ± 1.6 kg/m)
Class 2 25.8 ± 1.3 lb/ft (38.4 ± 1.9 kg/m)
Class 3 29.9 ± 1.5 lb/ft (44.5 ± 2.2 kg/m)
14 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Pipes (cont)
Asbestos cement (cont)
Pressure (BS 486)
Classes A and B 6.7 ± 0.3 lb/ft (10.0 ± 0.4 kg/m)
Classes C and D 7.1 ± 0.4 lb/ft (10.6 ± 0.6 kg/m)
Classes A and B 9.6 ± 0.5 lb/ft (14.3 ± 0.7 kg/m)
Class C 12.7 ± 0.6 lb/ft (18.9 ± 0.9 kg/m)
Class D 14.4 ± 0.7 lb/ft (21.4 ± 1.0 kg/m)
Class A 15.2 ± 0.8 lb/ft (22.6 ± 1.2 kg/m)
Class B 18.1 ± 0.9 lb/ft (26.9 ± 1.3 kg/m)
Class C 23.2 ± 1.2 lb/ft (34.5 ± 1.8 kg/m)

Class D 28.2 ± 1.4 lb/ft (42.0 ± 2.1 kg/m)
Class A 22.4 ± 1.1 lb/ft (33.3 ± 1.6 kg/m)
Class B 26.5 ± 1.3 lb/ft (39.4 ± 1.9 kg/m)
Class C 39.3 ± 2.0 lb/ft (58.5 ± 3.0 kg/m)
Class D 50.0 ± 2.7 lb/ft (74.4 ± 4.0 kg/m)
Copper
Water supply
(average weights of tube, fittings
and clips)
1 in (25.4 mm) nominal size 0.8 lb/ft (1.2 kg/m)
Rainwater, soil, waste and

ventilating (BS 659)
(int. dia.) 2.1 lb/ft (3.1 kg/m)
© BSI 10-1999 15
BS 648:1964
Pipes (cont)
Steel
Screwed and socketed (BS 1387)
Light
1.25 in (31.8 mm) nom. bore 1.8 lb/ft (2.7 kg/m)
2 in (50.8 mm) nom. bore 2.8 lb/ft (4.2 kg/m)
Medium
Heavy
Add 5 per cent extra if galvanized.
Soil waste and ventilating

3 in (76.2 mm) nom. int. dia. 2.0 lb/ft (3.0 kg/m)
Plastics
Polythene
General purposes
Light
0.5 in (12.7 mm)
nom. int. dia. 0.04 lb/ft (0.06 kg/m)
1.0 in (25.4 mm)
2.0 in (50.8 mm)
Medium
0.438 in (11.1 mm)
0.875 in (22.2 mm)
2.25 in (57.2 mm)
16 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Pipes (cont)
Plastics (cont)
Polythene (cont)
General purposes (cont)
Heavy
0.5 in (12.7 mm)
1.0 in (25.4 mm)
2.0 in (50.8 mm)
High density
Class B
0.5 in (12.7 mm)
1.0 in (25.4 mm)
2.0 in (50.8 mm)
Class C
0.5 in (12.7 mm)
1.0 in (25.4 mm)
2.0 in (50.8 mm)
Class D
0.5 in (12.7 mm)
1.0 in (25.4 mm)
2.0 in (50.8 mm)
Cold water
Normal
© BSI 10-1999 17
BS 648:1964
Pipes (cont)
Plastics (cont)
Polythene (cont)
High density (cont)
Heavy
Rainwater
2.5 in (63.5 mm) nom. size 0.4 lb/ft (0.6 kg/m)
Soil
4 in (101.6 mm) nom. size 0.9 lb/ft (1.3 kg/m)
PVC
Cold water supply (BS 3505)
Class AA
Class B
Class C
Class D
0.5 in (12.7 mm) nom. size 0.1 lb/ft (0.1 kg/m)
Lead (BS 602)

Pressure
Service pipes above ground
0.5 in (12.7 mm)
nom. int. dia. 1.7 +1.3 lb/ft  2.5 +1.9 kg/m

– 0.3  – 0.4 
0.75 in (19.1 mm)
nom. int. dia. 3.7 + 1.3 lb/ft  5.5 +1.9 kg/m

– 2.0  – 3.0 
18 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Pipes (cont)
Lead (BS 602) (cont)
Pressure (cont)
Service pipes above ground (cont)
1 in (25.4 mm)
nom. int. dia.
5.3 +1.7 lb/ft  7.9 +2.5 kg/m
– 2.7  – 4.0 
1.25 in (31.8 mm)

nom. int. dia.
9.3 +0 lb/ft  13.8 +0 kg ⁄ m
– 4.7  – 7.0 
Cold water distributing pipes

above ground
0.5 in (12.7 mm)

0.75 in (19.1 mm)
1 in (25.4 mm)
nom. int. dia. 2.3–2.7 lb/ft (3.4–4.0 kg/m)
1.25 in (31.8 mm)
Hot water distributing pipes
above ground
0.5 in (12.7 mm)
0.75 in (19.1 mm)
1 in (25.4 mm)
1.25 in (31.8 mm)
© BSI 10-1999 19
BS 648:1964
Pipes (cont)
Lead (cont)
Pressure (cont)
Gas pipes
0.375 in (9.5 mm)
0.5 in (12.7 mm)
0.625 (15.9 mm)
0.75 in (19.1 mm)
1 in (25.4 mm)
1.25 in (31.8 mm)

1.5 in (38.1 mm)
2 in (50.8 mm)
Non–pressure
Rainwater, soil, waste and
soil-and-waste ventilating pipes
1.25 in (31.8 mm) nom. int. dia. 2.0 lb/ft (3.0 kg/m)
1.5 in (38.1 mm) nom. int. dia. 2.3 lb/ft (3.4 kg/m)
Pitch fibre
(complete with couplings)
2 in (50.8 mm) nom. size
20 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Pipes (cont)
Clay, salt-glazed (BS 65 and BS 540)
3 in (76.2 mm) int. dia. 8 lb/ft (11.9 kg/m)
4 in (101.6 mm) int. dia 11 lb/ft (16.4 kg/m)
Concrete
Unreinforced or reinforced (BS 556)
Spigot and socket
4 in (101.6 mm)
nom. int. dia. 21–22 lb/ft (31.3–32.7 kg/m)

6 in (152.4 mm)
nom. int. dia 28–32 lb/ft (41.7–47.6 kg/m)
9 in (228.6 mm)
12 in (304.8 mm)
15 in (381.0 mm)
18 in (457.2 mm)
24 in (609.6 mm)
30 in (762.0 mm)
36 in (914.4 mm)
48 in (1 219 mm)
54 in (1 372 mm)
nom. int. dia. 785–905 lb/ft (1 168–1 347 kg/m)
60 in (1 524 mm)
nom. int. dia. 925–975 lb/ft (1 377–1 451 kg/m)
72 in (1 829 mm)
nom. int. dia. 1 296 lb/ft (1 929 kg/m)
NOTE For pipes with ogee joints, i.e. without a collar, deduct 10 per cent from the above weights.
© BSI 10-1999 21
BS 648:1964
Pipes (cont)
Aluminium
Rainwater, with ears (BS 2997)
2 in (50.8 mm) nom. int. dia.
Wrought
Heavy, 0.048 in (18 SWG)
min. thickness 0.5 lb/ft (0.7 kg/m)
Light, 0.028 in (22 SWG)
2.5 in (63.5 mm) nom. int. dia.
Wrought

Wrought
Wrought
Brass
0.5 in (12.7 mm) outs. dia.
0.064 in (16 SWG) 0.3 lb/ft (0.4 kg/m)
0.036 in (20 SWG) 0.2 lb/ft (0.3 kg/m)
0.022 in (24 SWG) 0.1 lb/ft (0.1 kg/m)
0.75 in (19.1 mm) outs. dia.
0.064 in (16 SWG) 0.5 lb/ft (0.7 kg/m)
0.036 in (20 SWG) 0.3 lb/ft (0.4 kg/m)
0.022 in (24 SWG) 0.2 lb/ft (0.3 kg/m)
1 in (25.4 mm) outs. dia.
0.064 in (16 SWG) 0.7 lb/ft (1.0 kg/m)
0.036 in (20 SWG) 0.4 lb/ft (0.6 kg/m)
0.022 in (24 SWG) 0.3 lb/ft (0.4 kg/m)
22 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Pipes (cont)
Brass (cont)
1.25 in (31.8 mm) outs. dia.
0.064 in (16 SWG) 0.9 lb/ft (1.3 kg/m)
0.036 in (20 SWG) 0.5 lb/ft (0.7 kg/m)
0.022 in (24 SWG) 0.3 lb/ft (0.4 kg/m)
1.5 in (38.1 mm) outs. dia.
0.064 in (16 SWG) 1.1 lb/ft (1.6 kg/m)
0.036 in (20 SWG) 0.6 lb/ft (0.9 kg/m)
0.022 in (24 SWG) 0.4 lb/ft (0.6 kg/m)
0.064 in (16 SWG) 1.4 lb/ft (2.1 kg/m)
0.036 in (20 SWG) 0.8 lb/ft (1.2 kg/m)
0.022 in (24 SWG) 0.5 lb/ft (0.7 kg/m)

0.064 in (16 SWG) 2.2 lb/ft (3.3 kg/m)
0.036 in (20 SWG) 1.2 lb/ft (1.8 kg/m)
0.022 in (24 SWG) 0.8 lb/ft (1.2 kg/m)
0.064 in (16 SWG) 2.9 lb/ft (4.3 kg/m)
0.036 in (20 SWG) 1.7 lb/ft (2.5 kg/m)
0.022 in (24 SWG) 1.0 lb/ft (1.5 kg/m)
Pitchmastic
Flooring
1 in (25.4 mm) thick 11.1 ± 1.1 lb/ft (16.5 ± 1.6 kg/m)
Plaster
Gypsum
Two coat, 0.5 in (12.7 mm) thick
Normal sanded undercoat and
neat finishing 4.5 lb/ft2 (22.0 kg/m2)
One coat, 0.2 in (5.1 mm) thick,
neat gypsum 1.4 lb/ft2 (6.8 kg/m2)
Lime (non-hydraulic and hydraulic)
Barium sulphate 0.5 in (12.7 mm) thick 8.0 lb/ft2 (39.1 kg/m2)
Lightweight
Perlite aggregate, 2 coat, 0.5 in
(12.7 mm) thick 2.0 lb/ft2 (9.8 kg/m2)
Vermiculite aggregate, 2 coat, 0.5 in
(12.7 mm) thick 2.2 lb/ft2 (10.7 kg/m2)
© BSI 10-1999 23
BS 648:1964
Plasterboard, gypsum
Solid core
0.375 in (9.5 mm) 1.7 lb/ft2 (8.3 kg/m2)
0.5 in (12.7 mm) 2.3 lb/ft2 (11.2 kg/m2)
0.75 in (19.1 mm) 3.5 lb/ft2 (17.1 kg/m2)
Perforated lath
0.375 in (9.5 mm) 1.6 lb/ft2 (7.8 kg/m2)
0.5 in (12.7 mm) 2.2 lb/ft2 (10.7 kg/m2)
Plastics
Flooring
Flexible PVC
0.062 in (1.6 mm) 0.5 lb/ft2 (2.4 kg/m2)
0.080 in (2.0 mm) 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
0.100 in (2.5 mm) 0.8 lb/ft2 (3.9 kg/m2)

0.125 in (3.2 mm) 1.0 lb/ft2 (4.9 kg/m2)
PVC (Vinyl) asbestos tiles
0.062 in (1.6 mm) 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
0.080 in (2.0 mm) 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
0.100 in (2.5 mm) 1.2 lb/ft2 (5.9 kg/m2)
0.125 in (3.2 mm) 1.4 lb/ft2 (6.8 kg/m2)
0.188 in (4.8 mm) 2.1 lb/ft2 (10.3 kg/m2)
Flat sheet
Acrylic
0.125 in (3.2 mm) 0.8 lb/ft2 (3.9 kg/m2)
0.25 in (6.4 mm) 1.5 lb/ft2 (7.3 kg/m2)
Cellulose acetate
0.063 in (1.6 mm) 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
0.125 in (3.2 mm) 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
Synthetic resin bonded paper
Melamine faced 0.063 in
(1.6 mm) thick 0.4–0.5 lb/ft2 (2.0–2.4 kg/m2)
Corrugated (including
Allowance for laps)
Acrylic 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
Glass-fibre reinforced polyester 0.8 lb/ft2 (3.9 kg/m2)
PVC 0.8 lb/ft2 (3.9 kg/m2)
Expanded and foamed
Expanded PVC per 1 in
(25.4 mm) thick 0.3 ± 0.2 lb/ft2 (1.5 ± 1.0 kg/m2)
Expanded polystyrene per
24 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Plastics (cont)
Expanded and foamed (cont)
Foamed polystyrene per
Foamed polyurethane per
Foamed phenolic resin per
Domelights
Acrylic
0.188 in (4.8 mm) 1.1 lb/ft2 (5.4 kg/m2)
0.25 in (6.4 mm) 1.5 lb/ft2 (7.3 kg/m2)
Damp-proof course
Polythene 0.02 in (0.5 mm) nom.
thickness 0.1 lb/ft2 (0.5 kg/m2)
Plywood
Per mm thick 0.125 ± 0.025 lb/ft2 (0.6 ± 0.1 kg/m2)
Quilt
Eelgrass per 1 in (25.4 mm)
thick 0.3–0.4 lb/ft2 (1.5–2.0 kg/m2)
Glass fibre per 1 in (25.4 mm)
Hair per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 1 ± 0.1 lb/ft2 (4.9 ± 0.5 kg/m2)
Kapok per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 0.1 lb/ft2 (0.5 kg/m2)
Mineral wool per 1 in
(25.4 mm) thick 0.7 ± 0.3 lb/ft2 (3.4 ± 1.5 kg/m2)
Reinforced concrete 150 lb/ft3 (2 403 kg/m3)
Rendering
Portland cement : sand (1 : 3)
Rubber
Flooring
Sheet or tiles
0.125 in (3.2 mm) 1.1 lb/ft2 (5.4 kg/m2)
0.188 in (4.8 mm) 1.7 lb/ft2 (8.3 kg/m2)
0.25 in (6.4 mm) 2.2 lb/ft2 (10.7 kg/m2)
0.375 in (9.5 mm) 3.3 lb/ft2 (16.1 kg/m2)
Latex-hydraulic cement
0.25 in (6.4 mm) thick 2.6 ± 0.3 lb/ft2 (12.7 ± 1.5 kg/m2)
© BSI 10-1999 25
BS 648:1964
Rubber (cont)
Cellular
Expanded
Light density [max. static load
1.5 lbf/in2 (0.10 kgf/cm2)]
per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 1.1 lb/ft2 (5.4 kg/m2)
Standard density [max. static
load 2 lbf/in2 (0.14 kgf/cm2)]
Heavy density [max. static load
7.5 lbf/in2 (0.53 kgf/cm2)]
Expanded ebonite per 1 in
(25.4 mm) thick 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
Sand 100 ± 5 lb/ft3 (1 602 ± 80 kg/m3)
Screeding
Portland cement : sand (1 : 3) 0.5 in
(12.7 mm) thick 6 lb/ft2 (29.3 kg/m2)
Shingles
Cedar wood 1.5 lb/ft2 (7.3 kg/m2)
Slate
Slab (Westmorland, etc.) 1 in
(25.4 mm) thick 15 lb/ft2 (73.2 kg/m2)
Slating (including 3 in (76.2 mm)

laps and nails)
Welsh
Thin 5 lb/ft2 (24.4 kg/m2
Thick 10 lb/ft2 (48.8 kg/m2)
Westmorland
Thin 10 lb/ft2 (48.8 kg/m2)
Cornish
Thin 6 lb/ft2 (29.3 kg/m2)
Soils
Non-cohesive (or granular)
i.e. sands and gravels
Loose 115 ± 10 lb/ft3 (1 842 ± 160 kg/m3)
Dense 130 ± 10 lb/ft3 (2 082 ± 160 kg/m3)
26 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Soils (cont)
Cohesive, i.e. silts and clays
Soft 100 ± 15 lb/ft3 (1 602 ± 240 kg/m3)
Firm 110 ± 10 lb/ft3 (1 762 ± 160 kg/m3)
Stiff 125 ± 10 lb/ft3 (2 002 ± 160 kg/m3)
Steel
Mild
Solid 490 lb/ft3 (7 849 kg/m3)
Sheet
Corrugated (including 20 per
cent for laps “as laid”)
0.05 in (18 BG) 2.8 lb/ft2 (13.7 kg/m2)
Flat 0.05 in (18 BG) 2.0 lb/ft2 (9.8 kg/m2)
Protected
Corrugated (including 20 per
cent for laps “as laid”)
0.039 in (20 BG) 3.2 lb/ft2 (15.6 kg/m2)
Flat 0.039 in (20 BG) 2.2 lb/ft2 (10.7 kg/m2)
Cast 490 lb/ft3 (7 849 kg/m3)
Fabric
(BS 1221, Table 1, Table 2 or Table 4)
Oblong Mesh
101, 201 and 401 1.8 lb/ft2 (8.8 kg/m2)
103, 203 and 403 1.4 lb/ft2 (6.8 kg/m2)
106, 206 and 406 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
108, 208 and 408 0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
109, 209 and 409 0.5 lb/ft2 (2.4 kg/m2)
113 0.2 lb/ft2 (9.8 kg/m2)
Square mesh
121, 221 and 421 1.0 lb/ft2 (4.9 kg/m2)
123, 223 and 423 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
124, 224 and 424 0.6 lb/ft2 (2.9 kg/m2)
125, 225 and 425 0.5 lb/ft2 (2.4 kg/m2)
Stonework, natural
Limestone
Light, e.g. Bathstone 130 lb/ft3 (2 082 kg/m3)
4 in (101.6 mm) thick 43 lb/ft2 (209.9 kg/m2)
© BSI 10-1999 27
BS 648:1964
Stonework, natural (cont)

Limestone (cont)
Medium, e.g. Portland stone 140 lb/ft3 (2 243 kg/m3)
Heavy, e.g. marble 170 lb/ft3 (2 723 kg/m3)
1.5 in (38.1 mm) thick 21 lb/ft2 (102.5 kg/m2)
Sandstone
Light, e.g. Woolton 137 lb/ft3 (2 195 kg/m3)
Medium, e.g. Darley Dale 145 lb/ft3 (2 323 kg/m3)

Heavy, e.g. Mansfield Red 150 lb/ft3 (2 403 kg/m3)
Granite
Light, e.g. Peterhead 162 lb/ft3 (2 595 kg/m3)
Medium, e.g. Cornish 165 lb/ft3 (2 643 kg/m3)
Heavy, e.g. Guernsey 183 lb/ft3 (2 931 kg/m3)
3 in (76.2 mm) 46 lb/ft2 (224.6 kg/m2)
NOTE For cramps add 5 lb/ft3 (80.1 kg/m3)
Straw slab, compressed

Per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 2.0 ± 0.2 lb/ft2 (9.8 ± 1.0 kg/m2)
Tarmacadam
Roads and footpaths 1 in (25.4 mm)
thick 12 lb/ft2 (58.6 kg/m2)
Terra cotta, solid 132 lb/ft3 (2 114 kg/m3)
Terrazzo
Paving 0.625 in (15.9 mm) 6.7 ± 0.7 lb/ft2 (32.7 ± 3.4 kg/m2)
Tiles
1 in (25.4 mm) 10 ± 1.0 lb/ft2 (48.8 ± 4.9 kg/m2)
Partitions
1.5 in (38.1 mm) 16.7 ± 1.7 lb/ft2 (81.5 ± 8.3 kg/m2)
28 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Thatching
Reed (including battens) 1 ft
(304.8 mm) thick 8.5 lb/ft2 (41.5 kg/m2)
Thermal capacity roof coverings

Shingle and felspar
Tiling, floor
Asphalt 0.125 in (3.2 mm) thick 1.3 lb/ft2 (6.3 kg/m2)
Clay
Cork compressed
Hardboard faced, bitumen based

PVC flexible
PVC (vinyl) asbestos
Concrete 0.625 in (15.9 mm) thick 7.8 lb/ft2 (38.1 kg/m2)
Tiling, roof
Clay
Plain
Machine made, 4 in
(101.6 mm) gauge 13.0 lb/ft2 (63.5 kg/m2)
Hand made, 4 in
(101.6 mm) gauge 14.5 lb/ft2 (70.8 kg/m2)
Single lap (interlocking) 8 ± 1 lb/ft2 (39.1 ± 4.9 kg/m2)
Concrete
Slate aggregate 12 in
(304.8 mm) gauge 9.0 lb/ft2 (43.9 kg/m2)
© BSI 10-1999 29
BS 648:1964
Tiling, roof (cont)

Concrete (cont)
Stone aggregate
Plain, 3 in (76.2 mm) gauge 19.0 lb/ft2 (92.8 kg/m2)
4 in (101.6 mm) gauge 14.0 lb/ft2 (68.4 kg/m2)
4.5 in (114.3 mm) gauge 12.5 lb/ft2 (61.0 kg/m2)
Interlocking (single lap) 10 ± 1.5 lb/ft2 (48.8 ± 7.3 kg/m2)
Tiling, wall
Clay 0.375 in (9.5 mm) thick 4.0 lb/ft2 (19.5 kg/m2)
Fibre, acoustic 0.75 in
(19.1 mm) thick 1.1 lb/ft2 (5.4 kg/m2)
Plastics
Polystyrene
Dense 0.070 in (1.8 mm)

(BS 2552) 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
Expanded 0.188 in (4.8 mm) 0.4 lb/ft2 (2.0 kg/m2)
PVC 0.060 in (1.5 mm) 0.7 lb/ft2 (3.4 kg/m2)
Timber
Softwoods, e.g. pine, spruce,
Douglas fir +7 3  480.6 +112.1 kg/m 3 
30 – 2 lb/ft  
– 32.0
Pitchpine, longleaf dense 42 lb/ft3 (672.8 kg/m3)
Hardwoods, e.g. Burma teak,
oak, maple 45 +33 lb/ft
3  720.8 +528.6 kg/m 3 
– 38  – 608.7 
Vermiculite
Exfoliated
Fine aggregate for plaster 8–10 lb/ft3 (128.1–160.2 kg/m3)
Coarse aggregate for plaster 5.5–7 lb/ft3 (88.1–112.1 kg/m3)
Fine aggregate for concrete 4.5–5.5 lb/ft3 (72.1–88.1 kg/m3)
Coarse aggregate for concrete
and loose fill 4–5 lb/ft3 (64.1–80.1 kg/m3)
Crude 36–55 lb/ft3 (576.7–881.0 kg/m3)
Water
1 in (25.4 mm) deep (e.g. for ponding 5.2 lb/ft2 (25.4 kg/m2)
on roofs, etc.)
(e.g. for concrete mix calculations
and weights in tanks, etc.) 62.4 lb/ft3 (1 000 kg/m3)
NOTE For structural calculation in SI units, attention is drawn to NOTE 2 of the Foreword
30 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Water (cont)
1 in2 (645 mm2) cross-sectional area
(e.g. for calculations on weights
in service pipes, etc.) 0.43 lb/ft (0.64 kg/m)
Weather boarding
0.75 in (19.1 mm) 1.5 lb/ft2 (7.3 kg/m2)
1 in (25.4 mm) 1.8 lb/ft2 (8.8 kg/m2)
Wood floors, strip

Softwood
0.875 in (22.2 mm) 2.3 lb/ft2 (11.2 kg/m2)
1.125 in (28.6 mm) 2.8 lb/ft2 (13.7 kg/m2)
Pitchpine
0.875 in (22.2 mm) 3.1 lb/ft2 (15.1 kg/m2)

1.125 in (28.6 mm) 3.9 lb/ft2 (19.0 kg/m2)
Hardwood
0.875 in (22.2 mm) 3.3 lb/ft2 (16.1 kg/m2)
1.125 in (28.6 mm) 4.3 lb/ft2 (21.0 kg/m2)
NOTE All thicknesses are “finished thicknesses”.
Wood floors, block

(including mastic)
Softwood
0.875 in (22.2 mm) 2.6 lb/ft2 (12.7 kg/m2)
1.125 in (28.6 mm) 3.1 lb/ft2 (15.1 kg/m2)
Pitchpine
0.875 in (22.2 mm) 3.4 lb/ft2 (16.6 kg/m2)
1.125 in (28.6 mm) 4.2 lb/ft2 (20.5 kg/m2)
Hardwood
0.875 in (22.2 mm) 3.6 lb/ft2 (17.6 kg/m2)
1.125 in (28.6 mm) 4.6 lb/ft2 (22.5 kg/m2)
Wood chipboard
Uniform
0.5 in (12.7 mm) 2 lb/ft2 (9.8 kg/m2)
0.75 in (19.1 mm) 3 lb/ft2 (14.6 kg/m2)
Three-layer boards
Light
0.5 in (12.7 mm) 1.5 lb/ft2 (7.3 kg/m2)
0.75 in (19.1 mm) 2 lb/ft2 (9.8 kg/m2)
Heavy
0.5 in (12.7 mm) 2 lb/ft2 (9.8 kg/m2)
0.75 in (19.1 mm) 3 lb/ft2 (14.6 kg/m2)
© BSI 10-1999 31
BS 648:1964
Wood wool
Slabs, 36 lb/ft3 (576.7 kg/m3) per
Zinc
Solid 446 lb/ft3 (7 144 kg/m3)
Sheet (BS 849)
0.025 in (No. 12 zinc gauge) 0.9 lb/ft2 (4.4 kg/m2)
32 © BSI 10-1999
Appendix A Wire and sheet gauges

© BSI 10-1999
Standard wire gauges (SWG)
No. 7/0 6/0 5/0 4 /0 3/0 2/0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

in 0.500 0.464 0.432 0.400 0.372 0.348 0.324 0.300 0.276 0.252 0.232 0.212 0.192
mm 12.700 11.786 10.973 10.160 9.449 8.839 8.230 7.620 7.010 6.401 5.893 5.385 4.877
No. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
in 0.176 0.160 0.144 0.128 0.116 0.104 0.092 0.080 0.072 0.064 0.056 0.048 0.040
mm 4.470 4.064 3.658 3.251 2.946 2.642 2.337 2.032 1.829 1.626 1.422 1.219 1.016
No. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
in 0.036 0.032 0.028 0.024 0.022 0.020 0.018 0.0164 0.0148 0.0136 0.0124 0.0116 0.0108
mm 0.914 0.813 0.711 0.610 0.559 0.508 0.457 0.4166 0.3759 0.3454 0.3150 0.2946 0.2743
No. 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
in 0.0100 0.0092 0.0084 0.0076 0.0068 0.0060 0.0052 0.0048 0.0044 0.0040 0.0036 0.0032 0.0028
mm 0.2540 0.2337 0.2134 0.1930 0.1727 0.1524 0.1321 0.1219 0.1118 0.1016 0.0914 0.0813 0.0711
No. 46 47 48 49 50
in 0.0024 0.0020 0.0016 0.0012 0.0010 — — — — — — — —
mm 0.0610 0.0508 0.0406 0.0305 0.0254 — — — — — — — —
BS 648:1964
33
Birmingham gauges for hoops and sheets (BG)
34
BS 648:1964
No. 15/0 14/0 13/0 12/0 11/0 10/0 9/0 8/0 7/0 6/0
in 1.0 0.958 3 0.916 7 0.875 0 0.833 3 0.791 7 0.750 0.708 3 0.666 6 0.625
mm 25.40 24.34 23.28 22.22 21.17 20.11 19.05 17.99 16.93 15.875
No. 5/0 4/0 3/0 2/0 0 1 2 3 4 5
in 0.588 3 0.541 6 0.500 0.445 2 0.396 4 0.353 2 0.314 7 0.280 4 0.250 0.222 5
mm 14.943 13.757 12.700 11.308 10.068 8.971 7.993 7.122 6.35 5.651
No. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
in 0.198 1 0.176 4 0.157 0 0.139 8 0.125 0 0.111 3 0.099 1 0.088 2 0.078 5 0.069 9
mm 5.032 4.48 3.988 3.55 3.175 2.827 2.517 2.24 1.994 1.775
No. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
in 0.062 5 0.055 6 0.049 5 0.044 0 0.039 2 0.034 9 0.031 25 0.027 82 0.024 76 0.022 04
mm 1.588 1.412 1.257 1.118 0.996 0.886 0.794 0.707 0.629 0.560
No. 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
in 0.019 61 0.017 45 0.015 62 0.013 9 0.012 3 0.011 0 0.009 8 0.008 7 0.007 7 0.006 9
mm 0.498 0.443 2 0.396 9 0.353 1 0.312 4 0.279 4 0.248 9 0.221 0 0.195 6 0.175 3
No. 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
in 0.006 1 0.005 4 0.004 8 0.004 3 0.003 86 0.003 43 0.003 06 0.002 72 0.002 42 0.002 15
mm 0.154 9 0.137 0.122 0.109 0.098 0.087 0.078 0.069 0.061 5 0.054 6
No. 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55
in 0.001 92 0.001 70 0.001 52 0.001 35 0.001 20 0.001 07 0.000 95 — — —

mm 0.048 8 0.043 2 0.038 6 0.034 3 0.030 5 0.027 2 0.024 1 — — —
© BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Zinc gauges for zinc sheets

Zinc gauge Thickness Zinc gauge Thickness
No. in mm No. in mm
1 0.004 0.1016 13 0.028 0.7112

2 0.006 0.1524 14 0.031 0.7874
3 0.007 0.1778 15 0.036 0.9144
4 0.008 0.2032 16 0.041 1.0414

5 0.010 0.2540 17 0.046 1.1684
6 0.011 0.2794 18 0.051 1.2954
7 0.013 0.3302 19 0.057 1.4478

8 0.015 0.3810 20 0.063 1.6002

9 0.017 0.4318 21 0.070 1.7780
10 0.019 0.4826
11 0.022 0.5588
12 0.025 0.6350
© BSI 10-1999 35
BS 648:1964
Index
Page Page
Acoustic, fibre building board 7 Asphalt
Acoustic, fibre, wall tiling 30 damp-proofing 2
Acoustic insulation, glass fibre 9 flooring 2
Acrylic domelights 25 footpaths 2
Acrylic sheet, corrugated 24 roads 2
Acrylic sheet, flat 24 roofing 2
Aerated concrete 5 Asphalt floor tiling 29
Aerated concrete blockwork, walling 3
Aggregates Ballast, “all-in” aggregate 1
all-in 1 Ballast and stone aggregate concrete
ballast 1 blockwork 4
barytes 1 Barium sulphate plaster 23
clinker 1 Barytes, aggregate 1
coarse 1 Barytes, concrete 6
combined 1 Bath stonework 27
expanded clay 1 Battenboard 4

fine 1 Battens, slating and tiling 2
foamed slag 1 Birmingham gauges 33
heavyweight 1 Bitumen based, hardboard faced, floor
ilmenite 1 tiling 29
lightweight 1 Bitumen damp-proof courses
magnetite 1 asbestos based 2
natural 1 asbestos base and lead 2
normal weight 1 fibre felt 2
sand 1 fibre felt and lead 2
sintered pulverized-fuel ash 1 hessian base 2
steel shot 1 hessian base and lead 2
“All-in” ballast aggregates 1 Bitumen roofing felts, asbestos base
Aluminium mineral surfaced 3
cast 1 saturated 2
wrought forms 1 self-finished 3
sheet, corrugated 1 Bitumen roofing felts, fibre base
sheet, flat 1 coated and sanded bitumen 3
Aluminium faced plywood 12 mineral surfaced bitumen 3
Aluminium gutters 8, 9 reinforced bitumen 3
Aluminium pipes, rainwater 22 sanded bitumen 2
Armoured plate glass 8 sanded fluxed pitch 3
Asbestos saturated bitumen 2
felt 1 saturated fluxed pitch 3
fibres, sprayed 1 self-finished bitumen 3
Asbestos based bitumen damp-proof Bitumen roofing felts, glass fibre base
courses 2 mineral surfaced 3
Asbestos base and lead bitumen damp-proof courses 2 Bitumen roofing felts, impregnated
Asbestos base, bitumen, roofing felts flax, black
mineral surfaced 3 sarking 3
saturated 3 sheathing 3
self-finished 3 Bitumen roofing felt, impregnated flax,
Asbestos cement brown
sheeting, corrugated 2 inodorous 3
sheeting, flat 2 sheathing 3
wallboard 2 Bitumen roofing felt, impregnated hair
Asbestos cement gutters 9 black sheathing 3
Asbestos cement pipes 14, 15 brown bituminous 3
36 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Page Page
Black sarking, impregnated flax, Cast lead 11
bitumen roofing felt 3 Cast magnesium alloys 12
Black sheathing, impregnated flax, Cast steel 27
bitumen roofing felt 3 Cast stone 5
Black sheathing, impregnated hair, Cedar wood shingles 26
bitumen roofing felt 3 Cellulose acetate, flat sheet 24
Blockboard 4 Cellular blockwork, walling, concrete 4
Blocks, glass, hollow 8 Cellular rubber 26
Blockwork, walling, clay Cellulose acetate sheet 24
hollow 3 Cement 5
perforated 4 Cement, Portland, rendering 25
Blockwork, walling, concrete Cement, Portland, screeding 26
aerated 4 Chipboard, wood
ballast and stone aggregate 4 three-layer 31
cellular 4 uniform 31
diatomaceous earth 4 Clay blocks, hollow, floors 7
hollow 4 Clay, blockwork, walling
lightweight aggregate 4 hollow 3

organic aggregate 4 perforated 4
solid 4 Clay brickwork 5
Board, cork 6 Clay, expanded, aggregates 1
Board, laminated 4 Clay lathing 11
Boards, fibre, building Clay, pipes, salt-glazed 21
acoustic 7 Clay tiling, roof 29
hardboard 7 Clay tiling, wall 30
insulating 7 Clay tiling, floor 29
laminated 7 Clinker aggregates 1
Boarding, weather 31 Coarse aggregates 1
Brass 4 Coated and sanded, fibre base, bitumen roofing felt 3
Brass pipes 22, 23 Combined aggregates 1
Brick aggregate concrete 5 Compressed cork floor tiling 29
Brickwork, clay Compressed straw slab 28
perforated 5 Concrete
solid 5 aerated 5
Brickwork, concrete 5 barytes 6
Brickwork, lightweight/flue, diatomaceous earth 5 brick aggregate 5
Brickwork, calcium silicate (sandlime and flintlime) 5 diatomaceous earth 6
Bronze, phosphor, wrought 5 heavyweight aggregates 6
Brown bituminous, impregnated hair, bitumen ilmenite 6
roofing felt 3 lightweight aggregates 5
Building board, fibre magnetite 6
acoustic 7 natural aggregates 5
hardboard 7 no-fines 6
insulating 7 organic aggregate 6
laminated 7 steel shot 6
Burma teak 30 Concrete, blockwork, walling
aerated 4
Calcium silicate (sandlime and flintlime) brickwork 5 ballast and stone aggregate 4
Carpet 5 cellular 4
Cast aluminium 1 diatomaceous earth 4
Cast copper 6 hollow 4
Cast glass 8 lightweight aggregate 4
Cast iron 11 organic aggregate 4
Cast iron gutters 9 solid 4
Cast iron pavement lights, glazed 13 Concrete, brickwork 5
Cast iron pipes 13, 14 Concrete flagstones 7
© BSI 10-1999 37
BS 648:1964
Page Page
Concrete floor tiling 29 Fabric, steel 27
Concrete gutters, precast 11 Felspar, thermal capacity roof covering 29
Concrete pipes 21 Felt, asbestos 1
Concrete, reinforced 25 Felt, roofing, bitumen, asbestos base
Concrete, reinforced, pavement lights, glazed 13 mineral surfaced 3
Concrete reinforcement, expanded saturated 3
metal, steel 6 self-finished 3
Concrete tiling, floor 29 Felt, roofing, bitumen, fibre base
Concrete tiling, roof 29, 30 coated and sanded 3
Concrete units, hollow, floors 8 mineral surfaced 3
Copper sanded 2
cast 6 sanded fluxed pitch 3
sheet and strip 6 saturated 2
wrought 6 saturated fluxed pitch 3
Copper pipes 15 self-finished 3
Cork reinforced 3
board 6 Felt, roofing, bitumen, glass fibre base, mineral surfaced 3
flooring 6 Felt, roofing, bitumen, impregnated

granular 6 flax, black
Cork, compressed, floor tiling 29 sarking 3
Cornish granite stonework 28 sheating 3
Cornish slating 26 Felt, roofing, bitumen, impregnated
Corrugated aluminium sheet 1 flax, brown
Corrugated asbestos cement sheeting 2 inodorous 3
Corrugated plastics sheet sheathing 3
acrylic 24 Felt, roofing, bitumen, impregnated
glass-fibre reinforced polyester 24 hair
PVC 24 black sheathing 3
Corrugated steel sheet 27 brown bituminous 3
Crude vermiculite 30 Felt, insulating 7
Fibre, acoustic, wall tiling 36
Damp-proof course, plastics, polythene 25 Fibre, building board
Damp-proof courses, bitumen 2 acoustic 7
Damp-proofing, asphalt 2 hardboard 7
Darley Dale stonework 34 laminated 7
Diatomaceous earth concrete 6 insulating 7
Diatomaceous earth concrete Fibre felt and lead, bitumen damp-proof course 2
blockwork, lightweight/flue brickwork 5 Fibre felt, bitumen damp-proof course 2
Domelights, plastics 25 Fibre, glass
Douglas fir 30 acoustic insulation 9
Drain pipes 14, 20, 21 formboard 9
roof board 9
Ebonite, expanded 26 slab 9
Eelgrass quilt 25 thermal insulation 9
Exfoliated vermiculite 30 Fibre, glass, reinforced polyester sheet, corrugated 24
Expanded clay aggregates 1 Fibre, glass, quilt 25
Expanded ebonite 26 Fibres, sprayed, asbestos 1
Expanded metal, steel Fine aggregates 1
concrete reinforcement 6 Fir, Douglas 30
general purposes 7 Flagstones
lathing 11 concrete 7
plastering 7 natural stone 7
Expanded plastics Flexible PVC flooring 24
polystyrene 24 Flintlime brickwork 5
PVC 24
Expanded rubber 26
38 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Page Page
Floors roof board 9
hollow clay blocks 7 slab 9
hollow concrete units 8 thermal insulation 9
Floors, wood Glass fibre base, bitumen roofing felts,
block 31 mineral surfaced 3
hardwood 31 Glass fibre quilt 25
pitchpine 31 Glass fibre reinforced polyester sheet,
softwood 31 corrugated 24
strip 31 Glazed pavement lights 13
Floor tiling Glazing, patent
asphalt 29 aluminium bars 9
clay 29 lead covered steel bars 9
concrete 29 Granite stonework 28
cork, compressed 29 Granular cork 12
hardboard faced, bitumen based 29 Gravels 26
PVC, flexible 29 Guernsey granite stonework 28
PVC (Vinyl) asbestos 29 Gunmetal 9
Flooring, asphalt 1, 29 Gutters

Flooring, cork 6, 29 aluminium 10, 11
Flooring, pitchmastic 23 asbestos cement 9
Flooring, plastics 24 cast iron 9
flexible PVC 24 plastics 10
PVC (Vinyl) asbestos tiles 24 precast concrete 11
Flooring, rubber Gypsum panels and partitions 11
latex-hydraulic cement sheet tiles 25 Gypsum plaster 23
sheet 25 Gypsum plasterboard 24
tiles 25
Flue lightweight, brickwork diatomaceous earth 5 Hair, impregnated, bitumen roofing
Flue pipes 14 felt
Fluxed pitch roofing felts, fibre base black sheathing 3
saturated 3 brown bitumen 3
sanded 3 Hair quilt 25
Foamed plastics Hardboard faced, bitumen based floor
phenolic resin 25 tiling 29
polystyrene 25 Hardboard, fibre building 7
polyurethane 25 Hardwood floors
Foamed slag aggregates 1 block 31
Footpaths, asphalt 2 strip 31
Footpaths, tarmacadam 28 Hardwoods 30
Formboard, glass fibre 9 Heavyweight aggregates 1
Heavyweight aggregate concrete 6
Galvanized steel faced plywood 13 Hessian base and lead bitumen damp-proof course 2
Gauges Hessian base bitumen damp-proof course 2
Birmingham 38 Hollow blockwork
Standard wire 33 clay 4
Zinc 34 concrete 5
Glass 8 Hollow clay block floors 7
armoured plate 8 Hollow concrete unit floors 8
cast 8 Hollow glass blocks 8
plate 8 Hydraulic lime plaster 29
sheet 8
wired cast 8 Ilmenite aggregates 1
Glass blocks, hollow 8 Ilmenite concrete 6
Glass fibre Impregnated flax, bitumen roofing felts
acoustic insulation 9 black roofing 3
formboard 9 black sheathing 3
© BSI 10-1999 39
BS 648:1964
Page Page
brown inodorous 3 Mineral surfaced, asbestos base, bitumen roofing felt 3
brown sheathing 3 Mineral surfaced, fibre base, bitumen roofing felt 3
sarking 3 Mineral surfaced, glass fibre base, bitumen roofing felt 3
Impregnated hair, bitumen roofing felt Mineral wool quilt 25
black sheathing 3
brown bituminous 3 Natural aggregates 1
Inodorous, brown, impregnated flax, bitumen roofing felt 3 Natural aggregates concrete 5
Insulating boards, fibre building 7 No-fines concrete 6
Insulating felt 7 Normal weight aggregates 1
Iron
cast 11 Oak 30
wrought 11 Organic aggregates concrete 6
Organic aggregates concrete block-work 4
Kapok quilt 25 Oxychloride, magnesium 12
Laminated board 4 Panels, gypsum 11

Laminated, fibre building 7 Partitions, gypsum 11
Laminboard 4 Partitions, terrazzo 25

Lath, perforated, gypsum plasterboard 24 Pavement lights, glazed 13
Lathing Paving, terrazzo 28
clay 11 Patent glazing
expanded metal, steel 11 aluminium bars 9
ribbed perforated metal sheet 11 lead-covered steel bars 9
wood 11 Peat organic aggregate concrete block-work, walling 4
Latex hydraulic cement flooring 25 Perforated blockwork, clay 4
Lead, cast 11 Perforated brickwork, clay 5
Lead pipes 18, 20 Perforated lath, gypsum plasterboard 24
Lead, sheet 11 Perlite aggregate plaster 23
Lightweight aggregates 1 Peterhead granite stonework 28
Lightweight aggregates concrete 5 Phenolic resin, foamed 25
Lightweight aggregates concrete block-work 4 Phosphor bronze, wrought 5
Lightweight flue, diatomaceous earth, brickwork 5 Pine 30
Lightweight plaster 29 Pipes
Lime plaster 23 asbestos cement 14
Limestone, stonework 27, 28 aluminium 22
Linoleum 12 brass 22, 23
cast iron 13, 14
Magnesium alloys clay, salt-glazed 21
cast 12 concrete 21
sheet 12 copper 15
wrought 12 drain 14, 14, 20, 21
Magnesium oxychloride 12 flue 14
Magnetite aggregates 1 gas 15, 20
Magnetite concrete 6 lead 20
Mansfield red stonework 28 pitch fibre 20
Maple 30 plastics 16, 17, 18
Marble stonework 28 polythene 16, 17, 18
Metal, expanded, steel pressure 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23
concrete reinforcement 6 PVC 18
general purposes 7 rainwater 13, 14, 18, 20, 22
plastering 7 sewer 14, 20, 21
Metal faced plywood 12 smoke 13
Mild steel 27 soil 13, 14, 15, 20
Mild steel sheet steel 16
corrugated 27 ventilating 13, 14, 15, 20
flat 27
40 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Page Page
waste 13, 14, 16, 20 Quilt
water 15, 16, 17, 19 eelgrass 25
Pitch fibre pipes 20 glass fibre 9
Pitchmastic flooring 23 hair 25
Pitchpine, longleaf dense 30 kapok 25
Pitchpine floors mineral wool 25
block 31
strip 31 Rainwater pipes 12, 13, 17, 20, 22
Plaster Reed thatching 29
barium sulphate 23 Reinforced concrete 25
gypsum 23 Reinforced concrete pavement lights, glazed 13
lightweight 23 Reinforced concrete pipes 21
lime 23 Reinforced, fibre based, bitumen roofing felt 3
perlite aggregate 23 Reinforcement, concrete, expanded metal, steel 6
vermiculite aggregate 23 Rendering, Portland cement 25
Plasterboard, gypsum 24 Ribbed perforated metal sheet lathing 11
Plastics Roads, asphalt 2
corrugated 24 Roads, tarmacadam 28

damp-proof course 25 Roof board, glass fibre 9
domelights 25 Roof tiling
expanded 24 clay 29
flooring 24 concrete 29, 30
foamed 25 Roofing, asphalt 2
sheet, flat 24 Roofing felt, bitumen, asbestos base
tiles 24 mineral surfaced 3
Plastics gutters 10 saturated 2
Plastics pipes 16, 17, 18 self-finished 3
Plastics, tiling, floor Roofing felt, bitumen, fibre base
PVC flexible 29 coated and sanded 3
PVC (Vinyl) asbestos 29 mineral surfaced 3
Plastics, tiling, wall reinforces 3
polystyrene 30 sanded 3
PVC 30 sanded fluxed pitch 3
Plate glass 8 saturated 3
Plywood 25 saturated fluxed pitch 2
metal faced, aluminium 12 self-finished 3
metal faced, steel, galvanized 13 Roofing felt, bitumen, glass fibre base 3
Polystyrene Roofing felt, bitumen, impregnated
expanded 24 flax, black
foamed 25 sarking 3
Polystyrene tiling, wall 30 sheathing 3
Polythene pipes 16, 17 Roofing felt, bitumen, impregnated
Polyurethane foamed 25 flax, brown
Portland cement rendering 25 inodorous 3
Portland cement screeding 26 sheathing 3
Portland stonework 28 Roofing felt, bitumen, impregnated
Precast concrete gutters 11 hair 3
Protected steel black sheathing 3
corrugated 27 brown bituminous 3
flat 27 Rubber
PVC expanded 26 cellular 26
PVC flooring, flexible 26 expanded 26
PVC flooring (vinyl), asbestos tiles 26 Rubber flooring
PVC pipes 18 latex-hydraulic cement 25
PVC (Vinyl) asbestos tiles 26 sheet 25
PVC tiling, wall 30 tiles 25
© BSI 10-1999 41
BS 648:1964
Page Page
Salt-glazed clay pipes 21 Softwood floors 31
Sand 1 block 31
Sands 26 strip 31
Sand lime brickwork 5 Softwoods 30
Sanded, fibre base, bitumen roofing felt 2 Soil and waste ventilating pipes 13, 14, 16, 20
Sanded fluxed pitch, fibre base, bitumen roofing felt 3 Soil pipes 13, 14, 20
Sandstone work 28 Soils 26, 27
Sarking, black, impregnated flax, bitumen roofing felt Sprayed asbestos fibres 1
bitumen roofing felt 3 Spruce 30
Saturated, asbestos base, bitumen roofing felt 3 Standard wire gauges 33
Saturated, fibre base, bitumen roofing felt 2 Steel
Saturated fluxed pitch, fibre base, bitumen roofing felt 3 cast 27
Sawdust organic aggregate, concrete mild 27
blockwork, walling 4 protected, corrugated 27
Screeding, Portland cement 26 protected, flat 27
Self-finished, asbestos base, bitumen roofing felt 3 sheet, corrugated 27
Self-finished, fibre base, bitumen roofing felt 3 sheet, flat 27
Sewer pipes 14, 20, 21 Steel, expanded metal 6

Sheathing, black, impregnated flax, bitumen concrete reinforcement 6
roofing felt 3 general purposes 7
Sheathing, brown, impregnated flax, bitumen plastering 7
roofing felt 3 Steel fabric 27
Sheet, aluminium, corrugated 1 Steel faced plywood 13
Sheet, aluminium, flat 1 Steel pipes 16
Sheet copper 6 Steel shot aggregates 1
Sheet, glass 8 Steel shot, concrete 6
Sheet gauges Stone aggregate concrete blockwork, walling 4
Birmingham 33 Stone, cast 5
Standard wire 33 Stonework
Zinc 34 Bath 27
Sheet, lead 11 Cornish granite 28
Sheet, magnesium alloys 12 Darley Dale 28
Sheet, rubber, flooring 25 granite 28
Sheet steel Guernsey granite 28
corrugated 27 limestone 28
flat 27 Mansfield red 28
Sheeting, asbestos cement, corrugated 2 marble 28
Sheeting, asbestos cement, flat 2 Peterhead granite 28
Shingle, thermal capacity roof covering 29 Portland 28
Shingles, ceder wood 26 sandstone 28
Shot, steel, aggregates 1 Woolton 28
Shot, steel, concrete 6 Straw slab, compressed 28
Silts 27 Strip copper 6
Sintered pulverized-fuel ash aggregates 1 Synthetic resin bonded paper, sheet 24
Slab, glass fibre 9
Slab, slate 26 Tarmacadam, roads and footpaths 28
Slab, straw, compressed 28 Teak, Burma 30
Slabs, wood wool 32 Terracotta 28
Slag, foamed, aggregates 1 Terrazzo
Slate aggregate concrete blockwork, walling 4 partitions 28
Slate slab 26 paving 28
Slating tiles 28
Cornish 26 Thatching, reed 29
Welsh 26 Thermal capacity roof coverings, shingle and felspar 29
Westmorland 26 Thermal insulation, glass fibre 9
Slating battens 2 Tiles, PVC (Vinyl) asbestos 29
42 © BSI 10-1999
BS 648:1964
Page Page
Tiles, rubber, flooring 25 plastics 30
Tiles, terrazzo 28 polystyrene 30
Tiling battens 2 PVC 30
Tiling, floor Wallboard, asbestos cement 2
asphalt 29 Waste pipes 13, 14, 16, 20
clay 29 Water 30, 31
concrete 29 Weather boarding 31
cork, compressed 29 Welsh slating 26
hardboard faced, bitumen based 29 Westmorland slating 26
PVC, flexible 29 Wire and sheet gauges
PVC (Vinyl) asbestos 29 Birmingham 33
Tiling, roof Standard 33
clay 29 Zinc 34
concrete 29, 30 Wired cast glass 8
Tiling, wall Wood chipboard
clay 30 three-layer 31
fibre, acoustic 30 uniform 31
plastics 30 Wood floors, block

polystyrene 30 hardwood 31
PVC 30 pitchpine 31
Timber softwood 31
Burma teak 30 Wood floors, strip
Douglas fir 30 hardwood 31
fir, Douglas 30 pitchpine 31
hardwoods 30 softwood 31
maple 30 Wood lathing 11
oak 30 Wood shingles, cedar 26
pine 30 Wood wool slabs 32
pitchpine, longleaf dense 30 Woolton stonework 28
softwoods 30 Wrought aluminium 1
spruce 30 Wrought copper 6
teak, Burma 30 Wrought iron 11
Wrought magnesium alloys 12
Unreinforced concrete pipes 21 Wrought phosphor bronze 5
Ventilating pipes 13, 14, 16, 20 Zinc

Vermiculite gauges 34
crude 30 sheet 32
exfoliated 30 solid 32
Vermiculite aggregate plaster 23
Wall tiling
clay 30
fibre, acoustic 30
© BSI 10-1999 43
BS 648:1964
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BRITISH STANDARD BS 648:1964

The committee responsible for the preparation of this British Standard

Association of Municipal Corporations

This British Standard, having

© BSI 10-1999 Amd. No. Date of issue Comments

105 October 1968

ISBN 0 580 00808 8

the supplementary information previously given in an appendix.

© BSI 10-1999 iii

Normal weight, e.g. sand 100 ± 10 lb/ft3 (1 602 ± 160 kg/m3)

Bitumen damp-proof courses (BS 743)

Bitumen roofing felts (BS 747)

Bitumen roofing felts (cont)

0.2 lb/ft2 (1.0 kg/m2)

Blockwork, walling (cont)

Cellular per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 5.9 lb/ft2 (28.8 kg/m2)

Board, laminated (i.e. battenboard,

 25 per cent voids 8.3 lb/ft2 (40.5 kg/m2)

 25 per cent voids 9.2 lb/ft2 (44.9 kg/m2)

Concrete, per 1 in (25.4 mm) thick 12 lb/ft2 (58.6 kg/m2)

Bronze, phosphor, wrought

0.036 in (20 SWG) 1.7 lb/ft2 (8.3 kg/m2)

Expanded metal, steel

Expanded metal, steel (cont)

Fibre building board

Hollow concrete units (including any concrete topping necessary for

Gunmetal 553 lb/ft3 (8 858 kg/m3)

Ogee 4 in (101.6 mm) 2.4 lb/ft (3.6 kg/m)

Cast 0.8 lb/ft (1.2 kg/m)

Gypsum panels and partitions

Other wrought forms 108 lb/ft3 (1 730 kg/m3)

Metal faced plywood

Metal faced plywood (cont)

0.75 in (19.1 mm) thick

Pavement lights, glazed

Soil, waste and ventilating (BS 416)

Drain (BS 437)

Drainage and sewerage (BS 3656)

Class C 23.2 ± 1.2 lb/ft (34.5 ± 1.8 kg/m)

Rainwater, soil, waste and

6 in (152.4 mm) nom. bore 13.3 lb/ft (19.8 kg/m)

Soil waste and ventilating

Lead (BS 602)

nom. int. dia. 1.7 +1.3 lb/ft  2.5 +1.9 kg/m

nom. int. dia. 3.7 + 1.3 lb/ft  5.5 +1.9 kg/m

1.25 in (31.8 mm)

Cold water distributing pipes

nom. int. dia. 1.3 lb/ft (1.9 kg/m)

1.25 in (31.8 mm)

nom. int. dia. 21–22 lb/ft (31.3–32.7 kg/m)

min. thickness 0.6 lb/ft (0.9 kg/m)

3 in (76.2 mm) outs. dia.

0.100 in (2.5 mm) 0.8 lb/ft2 (3.9 kg/m2)

thickness 0.1 lb/ft2 (0.5 kg/m2)

Reinforced concrete 150 lb/ft3 (2 403 kg/m3)

Sand 100 ± 5 lb/ft3 (1 602 ± 80 kg/m3)

Slating (including 3 in (76.2 mm)

Stonework, natural (cont)

6 in (152.4 mm) thick 73 lb/ft2 (356.4 kg/m2)