TS EN 13956

TS EN 13956 is the standard for definitions, characteristics, requirements and test methods for flexible sheets made of plastics and rubber used for roof waterproofing. Its focus is not only on what these materials are, but also on how the performance expected in roof applications is described and assessed; sheets made from blends and alloys, including thermoplastic rubber, are addressed within the same technical framework.

Material families used in roof waterproofing

In roof waterproofing, these sheets form a continuous barrier against rainwater ingress into the building envelope. Plastic sheets typically offer low weight, weldability and ease of handling, while rubber-based sheets are often valued for their elasticity and ability to accommodate movement. Thermoplastic rubber products made from blends and alloys aim to combine aspects of both behaviours. The standard’s terminology-and-characteristics approach gives a common language for describing the suitability of these different material families for roof use.

How requirements and conformity are addressed

The standard specifies the performance characteristics to be assessed and the corresponding test methods used to evaluate conformity with those requirements. In this type of product standard, the characteristics commonly relevant to roof waterproofing include tensile behaviour, elongation, dimensional stability, flexibility at low temperature, water tightness, seam or joint performance, ageing-related performance and reaction to fire, depending on the product and its intended application context. The aim is to show, in a comparable way, whether the properties measured in the laboratory align with the waterproofing function expected in service.

Although this record has been withdrawn, it remains a useful technical reference for understanding the terminology, performance classification and test logic applied to roof waterproofing sheets. Clear definitions and measurement principles are especially important when selecting between products that may look similar but differ significantly in polymer chemistry and behaviour.