Further to the publication of the new BSi PAS 670 in the summer of 2021, MOBBTA has felt it would be of interest to the market to explain more about the process and the research involved.
We have now published an update in our PAS section of this website (see banner above) which also directs readers to some of the detailed research papers published by some of those involved in the critical assessment of the PAS as it was developed, and other acedmics and experts in the wider world.
The paper also outlines the ongoing processes for 3rd party assessment and insurers approvals.
Further to recent announcements on the progress of the new PAS standard being developed over the past year with BSi , Mobbta are very pleased to announce that the review process has now been completed and the new Magnesium Oxide board PAS670:2021 has now been completed and published, and is available for sale on the BSI Shop:
https://shop.bsigroup.com/products/magnesium-oxide-based-boards-for-use-in-buildings-specification-1
PAS is a process whereby (in our case) a trade association can sponsor the development of a quality and testing standard for a new product where there might not be an EN or UK BS in place.
Working with the British Standards Institute (BSi) , experts in the field from academia, industry, insurers and building warranty providers and 3rd party verifiers work as a steering group and review panel to develop an appropriate quality standard.
With the formal publication of the PAS, Mobbta members are now engaged in the testing process of their own individual boards in accordance with the new PAS:670 standard.
Dialogue is continuing with the testing labs, 3rd party accreditation agencies and building warranty providers to gain universal acceptance of the board for specific uses in UK construction. It is intended to develop the PAS further to cover multiple uses of this versatile product. For those interested, the BSI have also a page on the history and background.
Below is a hyperlink to the BSi website to learn more about the reason for the creation of this standard
BSi PAS 670
(Product Assurance Standard)
A new MOBBTA update with progress of Publicly available standard (BSI sponsored standard) is now available to read and download here.
BSi PAS 670
(Product Assurance Standard)
The PAS Steering Group has now signed off the Draft Standard, to move on the next stage which is public consulation.
You are recommended to read the Draft PAS (For more information please refer to the PAS section of this website) and follow the guidance as to how you would make your comments to BSi
The PAS process continues to move forward with intentions to see the final PAS coming into effect during the course of Summer 2021.
For more information please refer to the PAS section of this website
The ongoing PAS process for Magnesium Oxide building board standards has continued to move forward.
It has been given the reference number PAS 670 by British Standards Institute.
The sponsors are pleased to report that the 5-stage process has now reached the Steering Group stage, and the initiative remains on programme. Final publication anticipated Summer 2021.
Base Document Draft
Base Document BSI-TA Review
Steering Group Review
Public Consultation & Review Panel
Publication
The Steering Group comprises Academics, Insurers, Verifiers and UKAS-approved Inspection bodies, with particular expertise in MgO and other building boards.
The Review Panel includes local authorities, system-builders, users, MMC experts, other Trade Associations and specialist consultants who have relevant experience in both relevant BS EN ISO standards, or the boards in use.
Mobbta are very pleased to announce that Magply and Greenspan have joined the Trade Association, and have also joined the BSI PAS Certification process team. Both companies are well-known names in the UK and Ireland construction sector, supplying extensive ranges of products for the residential and commercial sectors, including MgO-based building boards.
MAGPLY
(t) +44 (0) 1621 776 252
(e) refer to website enquiry link
(w) www.magply.co.uk
GREENSPAN
Greenspan System Sales Ireland
(t) +35 (0) 3698 2222
(e) sales@greenspan.ie
Greenspan System Sales UK
(t) +44 (0) 121 781 7309
(e) sales@greenspan.co.uk
(w) www.greenspan.ie
MOBBTA Associate Membership.
As a result of enquiries from the sector, The Mobbta Board are publishing details of Mobbta Associate Member status, whereby interested parties outwith the MgO board-producers (such as system-build manufacturers, contractors or specifiers) who may not wish to become full members of Mobbta but see benefits in being connected to the Association and having a voice and link to information. An Application form template will be posted on the www.mobbta.com website.
Update regarding Office Holders within Mobbta.
Following Mobbta's AGM in early April 2020, the following executive positions have been agreed.
Chairman- Mr Leo Bagnall (Resistant)
Technical Director- Mr John Taylor (Euroform)
Treasurer- Mr Dave Cleverly (IWS)
Secretary- Mr Colin MacKenzie (Duncryne Econic)
IT Director- Mr Colin MacKenzie (Duncryne Econic)
Major initiatives being continued or developed, currently include:
Dialogue with the main building warranty providers
Dialogue with the Agrement (3rd Party Verifiers) Certification bodies
Dialogue with associated Construction Trades Associations such as STA
Long-term testing MgO board programme with Bangor University -Bio-Composites Centre
Development of a BSI PAS standard
Encouraging new members to join Mobbta
Possible Membership classes
-Full Membership: MgO board Producers
-Associated member status: System builders, contractors, re-sellers
The Board wish to express their appreciation to John Taylor of Euroform the immediate past-Chairman, who has carried out the role for the past three and a half years with total dedication and exemplary leadership.We are pleased to note that John is continuing his service to Mobbta in the senior management role of Technical Director.
Update regarding MgO boards
MOBBTA is in receipt of statements from NHBC and LABC/Premier guarantee announced in the past 14 days.
MOBBTA were both shocked and surprised to learn of this latest change to policy regarding MgO boards.
MOBBTA and its members are not aware of any failures or significant performance issues that have triggered these actions.
Given the reliance on MgO boards to various sectors of industry along with the situation that the world currently finds itself we feel that deadlines stated are completely unworkable. It allows very little consideration to stockists, contractors and building owners that are involved with the supply chain of certain MgO boards to new and ongoing construction projects.
MOBBTA is gravely concerned that fear and knee-jerk reaction is being allowed to prevail over scientific logic, evidence and tried and tested UK certification bodies and that the consequence will be to halt development and deployment of MMC building systems that offer substantial advantages in performance, cost, speed of construction and environmental benefits.
MOBBTA places its trust in UKAS approved test bodies that are then assessed by leading recognised Agrément certification bodies.
All MOBBTA members either carry or are working towards third party accreditation (also known as agrement certificates) provided by BBA or Kiwa BDA. These agrements require that approved products carry an extensive list of onerous durability tests plus frequent audit of factory & quality control measures undertaken by the certificate owner.
MOBBTA members have collectively supplied in excess of 12,000,000m2 of MgO boards into the UK market in semi-exposed/exterior conditions (defined as service class 2 & 3 conditions according to Eurocode 5 – design for timber structures).
MOBBTA remain committed in working towards the creation of an industry standard in addition to its own standards and wish to involve the NHBC and LABC among leading construction insurance companies as part of the process. In previous meeting between MOBBTA and key industry stakeholders both insurers had stated that they wished to be part of this body of work.
8th April 2020
With recent reports published in Denmark and Australia sating doubt over the use of Magnesium Oxide (MgO) boards in exterior building applications, John Taylor, Chairman of the Magnesium Oxide Building Board Trade Association (MOBBTA) explains why MgO remains a robust specification.
The Danish and Australian reports have not surprisingly caused some unrest with regard to the use of magnesium oxide building boards in exterior building applications. While there is clearly evidence in other countries of these boards failing a few years post-installation, the subsequent investigation which was undertaken to establish the cause of failure has several shortcomings – most notably in relation to moisture.
Moisture myths
Firstly, the Danish report observes that magnesium oxide boards absorb moisture at higher levels of humidity. The reality is that magnesium oxide boards are no different from other porous boards in this respect and the same would be the case with all common exterior boards such as Portland cement or wood-based boards. Secondly, the report also states that boards break down after exposure to moisture or high levels of relative humidity. Given that many of MOBBTA members’ boards have undergone testing according to the fibre cement boards manufacturing and testing standards – EN 12467 and achieved category A or B performance, this is clearly not the case. This testing protocol means the boards have undergone a minimum of 25 cycles of soak/dry exposure without breaking down. Moreover, while not mentioned in the report, it would be prudent to note that there have been several other instances in Denmark where magnesium oxide based boards were used successfully in the same application. It is therefore proposed that other boards in Denmark were not subject to moisture ingress, which brings into question the importance of quality control within manufacture.
Quality control
– from manufacture to installation Having undertaken a detailed review of the test data and protocol available from the Danish report, it became apparent that the Danish boards had a much higher organic content than MOBBTA members’ boards which would support the high levels of moisture gain which was measured. In contrast, MOBBTA members’ boards contain around 5% wood chip content and when subjected to the same testing protocol as used in the Danish report, were found to exhibit far lower moisture absorption. Moreover, MOBBTA members’ boards showed no mould growth as compared with extensive mould which appeared on the Danish boards.
Moving on to address the concerns raised in the Australian report, the focus shifts away from moisture to corrosion. Crucially, under these circumstances the boards were used as permanent shuttering or formwork elements. While MOBBTA members do not promote the use of magnesium oxide boards in this application, it is important to examine why corrosion may have occurred. Quite simply, corrosion will occur when the boards have not been correctly cured, which leads to the conclusion that quality control during manufacture, both in relation to organic content and curing process, are of utmost importance – and why MOBBTA has been formed to help raise and maintain standards in the industry.
Setting a Quality Mark Standard
In the absence of a harmonised ISO EN or British standard, there is no limit as to how much organic content can be used to produce boards claiming to be magnesium oxide. Striving to introduce a quality standard, MOBBTA members’ boards must contain around 5%, a level which is known not to fail due to moisture ingress.
Further quality assurance with MOBBTA member boards is also being developed through the introduction of manufacturing inspections which will help to ensure curing processes are accurately followed.
Finally, it is known that breather membranes were not used in the Danish installations. MOBBTA members will always advise that a breather membrane should be applied when magnesium oxide boards are used in exterior building applications and that the boards are not approved for permanent shuttering or formwork elements.
As a trade organisation, MOBBTA is focused on creating and maintaining best practice standards in the manufacture and installation of magnesium oxide based building boards. This is crucial in ensuring the industry can continue to benefit from the far-reaching advantages of magnesium oxide boards over other common building board types.
In conclusion, when reviewing the suitability of magnesium oxide based boards for building applications, the market should not be misled by moisture myths. When the technical data behind the Danish and Australian reports is examined in objective detail, the truth becomes very clear. Providing they are manufactured and installed in accordance with MOBBTA guidelines, magnesium oxide based boards remain one of the most robust and highest performing specifications on the market.