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What Does it Mean To Be BBA-Approved?

Last modified: 21.11.2024

Did you know that, here at EWI Store, we stock a range of BBA-approved products? If so, then you know that we are guaranteed to offer high-quality, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing solutions to cater to your render and external wall insulation needs. If not, you might be wondering: what does BBA-approved mean? Well, you’re in the right place; BBA approval is a huge deal, and that’s why we’re so proud to hold such and share what it means with you here!

The British Board of Agrément (BBA) is a certification body within the construction industry that assesses the quality of a company’s products, services and systems through extensive research, auditing, inspection and testing. Throughout the industry, a BBA status is highly regarded by building control, government departments, architects, local authorities, specifiers and industry insurers like the NHB and used by manufacturers as a symbol of authority, validating that any product that gains BBA approval can be trusted. At EWI Store, we stock the entire EWI Pro range, many of which have gained BBA approval.

The BBA testing process can take several weeks to 18 months, depending on the kinds and number of assessments needed. Nonetheless, once a manufacturer has been awarded their certificate, it doesn’t end there; the BBA requires that all manufacturers are reviewed and subject to organised surveillance. To gain their BBA approval, EWI Pro’s render and external wall insulation products that comprise their most common external wall insulation systems – Mineral Wool and EPS – underwent rigorous laboratory tests, on-site evaluations, product inspections and quality management checks. As a result, EWI Pro has long gained marketplace acceptance with their BBA approval, which is why we are so proud to offer their products and be trusted by homeowners and installers. While assessing EWI Pro products, the BBA checked for the following factors:

  • Durability - This includes performance after hygrothermal cycling and colour change measurements after UV exposure.
  • Energy efficiency and thermal performance - This includes thermal transmittance/U-value (guarded hot box) and thermal conductivity and resistance (heat flow metre).
  • Hygrothermal testing - This includes heat/rain and heat/cold cycling (ETAG 004 environmental chamber) and heat/spray and freeze/thaw cycling (MOAT 22).
  • Mechanical testing - This includes resistance to soft body impact, resistance to hard body impact, perforation test, resistance to pull through of fixings, flexural strength, compressive strength and bond strength.
  • Water penetration and water vapour permeability - This includes water vapour permeability and water absorption (capillarity).
  • Wind Loading - This includes wind uplift.
EWI Pro currently holds two BBA Certifications: Agrément Certificate 18/5503 for EPS/Mineral Wool EWI systems and Agrément Certificate 22/6324 for EWI Pro Render Systems Applied To Knauf Aquapanel Exterior Cement Board.
This Agrément Certificate Product Sheet relates to EWI PRO EPS External Wall Insulation Systems, comprising mechanically fixed white or grey expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation with supplementary adhesive, reinforced basecoat and render finishes. They are suitable for use, with height restriction, on the outside of external walls in new and existing domestic and non-domestic buildings.
  • Thermal performance — the systems can be used to improve the thermal performance of external walls and can contribute to satisfying the requirements of the national Building Regulations.
  • Strength and stability — the systems can adequately resist wind loads and have sufficient resistance to impact damage. The impact resistance depends on the finish chosen.
  • Behaviour in relation to fire — the systems have a reaction to fire classification of B-s2, d0 in accordance with BS EN 13501-1: 2007 and their use is restricted.
  • Risk of condensation — the systems can contribute to limiting the risk of interstitial and surface condensation.
  • Durability — when installed and maintained in accordance with the Certificate holder’s recommendations and the terms of the Certificate, the systems will remain effective for at least 30 years
This Agrément Certificate Product Sheet relates to EWI PRO EPS External Wall Insulation Systems applied to Knauf Aquapanel Exterior Cement Board, comprising thin coat external renders with a range of finishes, for use as ventilated and drained exterior wall cladding systems on timber and steel-frame buildings.
  • Strength and stability - the systems can adequately resist the wind loads and impact damage likely to be met in service.
  • Behaviour in relation to fire - the systems have an A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire classification depending on the finish coat chosen and may be restricted.
  • Weather resistance - the systems tend to shed water and will considerably reduce the amount of water penetrating through the substrate.
  • Durability - under normal service conditions, the systems will have a service life in excess of 30 years.

As the leading UK render specialists who strive to offer the best possible choice of materials from trusted manufacturers and established brand names, the BBA approval on EWI Pro’s products validates that we only offer high-quality, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing solutions for your next render project.

All the products that comprise a Mineral Wool and EPS external wall insulation system are BBA-approved. EWI Pro Mineral Wool and EPS external wall insulation systems consist of grey and white EPS insulation boards which mechanically fixed to the substrate wall with a supplementary adhesive, fibreglass reinforced basecoat and a render finish. After the boards have been secured to the wall with adhesive and the required number of mechanical fixings, the basecoat is applied using a trowel over the boards to the required thickness, followed by the reinforcing mesh fully embedded within the basecoat. After the basecoat has fully cured, a primer (depending on the finishing coat) is applied, followed by the render finish. You can shop the full range of EWI Products in our store here.