Introducing a new way to build confidence in the quality of mag board
What’s happened and why?
Magnesium oxide boards have been used in construction for over twenty years. However, in Denmark and Australia, a reaction between boards and water vapor in the air (humidity) led to rapid degradation that also damaged adjacent components.
Even though these boards came from sources other than those used in the UK, it has undermined confidence, and some UK insurers are unwilling to provide cover where mag boards are used.
In response, the industry has worked with BSI to produce PAS 670:2021, which sets out requirements for how boards should be tested and verified as fit for purpose in order to provide assurance about the quality of boards.
What does PAS 670:2021 cover?
It specifies requirements - from dimensions and tolerances to performance in a humid environment and product traceability - for flat sheet building boards manufactured using magnesium oxychloride or magnesium oxysulfate for the purpose of partitioning or internal and external lining of buildings.
Why use PAS 670:2021?
- It gives manufacturers and distributors a way to demonstrate that their board is fit for purpose
- It gives buyers, contractors, and architects a way to identify good quality board
- It can help manufacturers to enter new markets
- It can help manufacturers to accelerate innovative product development
- It can help increase the willingness of insurers to provide cover where mag board is used
- It can potentially help open opportunities for mag board to be used more widely
