S.R.

21 - Annex E: 2016

May 2016: V.1

 Introduction

In March of 2016 the NSAI published the updated version of Standard Recommendation 21 (S.R. 21.)

The Standard Recommendation’s full title is,

S.R.21: Guidance on the use of I.S. EN 13242:2002 +A1 :2016 – Aggregates for unbound and hydraulically
bound materials for use in civil engineering work and road construction

As you will be aware this includes,

Annex E: Aggregates for use under (and adjacent to) concrete floors and footpaths.

S.R. 21 also covers a wide range of products which are as follows,

Annex A Aggregates for pipe bedding, haunching and surrounding material.

Annex B Aggregates for backfilling of filter drains
Annex C Aggregates for general fill material
Annex D Aggregates for unbound sub-bases for road pavements
Annex F Aggregates for cement bound materials

With the exception of Annex E, each of these Annexes will refer you to the NRA Specification
for Roadworks which will give more detailed information on the specified requirements for each material.

The NSAI have also published I.S 888:2016:Code of Practice for the procurement and use of unbound granular
fill hardcore material for use under concrete floors.

It specifies requirements for post manufacturing operations of unbound granular fill (hardcore) for use under
concrete floors and footpaths such as procurement, haulage, delivery and receipt, storage and handling,
placing, traceability and record management, with an aim of improving the chain of custody within the supply
chain and ensuring the complete traceability of hardcore suitable for this particular end-use, from the original
manufacture and source of the location where it is incorporated into the works.

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ANNEX E BACKGROUND TO CHANGES:
In 2007, Annex E was added to SR21 in response to Further additions were made in 2016 to incorporate
concerns about deleterious materials containing an optional structural unbound granular fill
excessive pyrite having entered the supply chain from (hardcore) material, for use at depths greater than
a small number of suppliers and resulting in structural 900mm depending on site conditions, settlement
damage to a significant number of houses mainly in potential and other engineering factors and the new
the Greater Dublin region. Building Regulation requirements for a Radon Sump
to be included in the sub-floor of all occupied new
The 2014 revision is substantially on foot of the build projects, i.e. anywhere a person might be for
Pyrite Panel Report 2012 issued by DECLG following work, leisure or residence.
an enquiry into the matter. It had been revised by
request of the Minister for the Environment to ensure
granular fill used under concrete floors and footpaths
will not cause an issue due to pyritic heave.

The Unbound Granular Fills now covered by SR 21

Annex E are described as follows,

T.0 Structural T.2 Permeable

Suitability graded structural unbound granular Suitably graded unbound granular fill material
fill material (0/125mm), for use at depths greater (4/40mm) to facilitate the free movement of radon
than 900mm below the radon barrier/damp proof gas within the hardcore area.
membrane
T.3 Blinding
T.1 Structural
Fine aggregate (0/4mm) GF 80, for blinding the top
Structural unbound granular fill material is an all surface of the T2 Permeable material.
in graded aggregate (0-32mm) or gravel (0/40mm)
to facilitate placing and compactability. (Current
material)

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GRANULAR FILL UNDER CONCRETE FLOOR:

T.3 Blinding:
0/4mm blinding layer for T.2
- Max depth 50mm max

T.2 Permeable:
4/40mm
Gas Permeable layer
(Radon) Min depth 200mm

T.1 Structural:
0/31.5mm crushed rock
(0/40mm for crushed gravel)
for use in depths of <900mm

T.0 Structural:
0/125mm -for use in depths
of > 900mm

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1. Application of T.0 Struc 0/125mm

T.0 Struc Unbound Granular Fill material is recommended for use

where; a) the fill material will be subject to substantial loading
and /or dynamic loading, or b) the depth of fill is greater than
900 mm to the top of the subsoil.

2. Application of T.1 Struc 0/31.5 Unbound

B.1 MATERIAL PROPERTIES
Granular Fill (Crushed Rock) or 0/40mm B1.1 Grading
Gravel T.0 STRUCTURAL LAYER (SR 21 Table E.3)

T.1 Struc Unbound Granular Fill material is recommended for use

where; a) the overall depth of fill to subsoil is less than 900mm.
CRUSHED ROCK OR GRAVEL (0/125MM)
(Most rising walls are 3 blocks high in the domestic/office
scenario) and b) the loading would be normal domestic/office Overall Grading Range
loading. ISO Sieve Size Percentage passing
by mass
2.1 Advantages of the use of T.1 Struc material exclusively
include a) Most dwelling sites would only need one type of 200mm 100

material, b) Less confusion in ordering and placing of material,

c) Current construction methods are maintained, d) Designer/ 125mm 98-100
assigned certifier makes the decision on the material to be
specified based on the site/loading conditions.
100mm 75-99

3. Application of T.2 Perm 4/40mm Gas

Permeable Layer 40mm 55-85

T.2 Perm 4/40mm Gas Permeable Layer: Any building where a

Radon Sump is to be operational in the sub-floor including all 10mm 15-45
occupied new build projects, i.e. anywhere a person might be for
work, leisure or residence.
6.3mm 10-35

4. Application of T.3 Blind 0/4mm Blinding

1mm 5-20
Layer

T.3 Blind 0/4mm Blinding Layer: For blinding the top surface .063mm f9
of the T.2 Permeable material to ensure the radon barrier is not
punctured and there is a level surface upon which to place the
insulation and pour the concrete.

5. Combination of T0/1 and T2&3 materials

T 0/1 and T 2&3 materials where the site /loading conditions

requires T.0 or T.1 Struc materials but also requires a gas
permeable layer, (Type T.2 &T.3 material), the installation should
incorporate a hybrid of the materials. This would involve the
placing of a layer of the T.2 Perm material above the compacted
T.0 or T.1 layer and below the blinding, where the radon
extraction method can be placed. The layer should be in the
order of 200mm depth.

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 T.1 STRUCTURAL LAYER (SR 21 TABLE E.2)

Crushed Rock 0/31,5 Gravel 0/40

ISO Sieve Percentage passing by mass Percentage passing by mass

Size
mm Supplier Tolerance on Supplier Tolerance on
Overall grading Declared Value the Supplier Overall grading Declared Value the Supplier
range Grading Range Declared Value range Grading Range Declared
(SDV) (SDV) (SDV) Value(SDV)

80 100

63 100

40 80-100

31.5 80-100

20 55-85 63-77 +8

16 55-85 63-77 +8

10 35-65 43-57 +8

8 35-65 43-57 +8

4 22-50 30-42 +8 22-50 30-42 +8

2 15-40 22-33 +7 15-40 22-33 +7

1 10-35 15-30 +5 10-35 15-30 +5

0,5 0-20 5-15 +5 0-20 5-15 +5

0,063(f ) 0-7(f7) 0-7(f7)

NOTE 1 Test results should fall within the overall grading range.
NOTE 2 The supplier should additionally declare the typical grading of the product - this supplier declared value (SDV)
should lie within the SDV grading range. However, the SDV together with the relevant tolerances, is used solely
for the purpose of the suppliers internal factory production control.

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T.1 STRUCTURAL LAYER (SR 21 TABLE E.2)

Sieve
80mm 63mm 40mm 8mm 6.3mm 4mm 2mm
Size
4/40mm
GTNR Gc80/2 100% 98-100% 80-99%* -NR -NR 0-20% 0-5%

Supplier Tolerance on
Overall Declared the Supplier
100% 98-100% 80-99%* NR
grading range Value Grading Declared
Range (SDV) Value (SDV)

* The inclusion of 99 % instead of 100 % is to ensure consistency and to prevent smaller size aggregates being classified as D size
aggregate. However, I.S. EN 13242:2002+A1:2007, Table 2 , footnote d specifies that the percentage passing D may be greater than
99 % by mass but in such cases the producer is required to document and declare the typical grading including the sieves D, d, d/2
and sieves in the basic set plus set 2 intermediate between d and D.

B1.2 Durability B1.4 Geological and Petrographic Assessment

LA value now required to be a maximum of LA30 More explicit guidance is given on the geological and
Sedimentary Mudrock content of the material shall not exceed petrographic assessment to limit the risk of swelling or sulfur
10% attack on concrete, due to the presence of a reactive form of
Magnesium Sulphate Soundness value shall comply with MS25. pyrite.
Note: Where all of the unbound granular fill materials are derived
B1.3 Chemical Requirements from the same source, the geological, chemical and petrographic
Total Sulfur; assessment from that source applies for both material Types.
If <0.1% no Thin Section Petrography necessary
If between 0.1% and 1% Thin Section Petrography necessary C.1.1 Factory Production Control
If Pyrrhotite present 0.4% Total Sulfur max The minimum test frequencies as specified in I.S. EN 16236:2013
If the pyrite content is considered by the competent person for some properties have been increased in order to improve
(professional Geologist) to be excessive in relation to the rock confidence within the supply chain.
type and likely to give rise to a swelling risk the material will be Previous specifications generally called for chemical and physical
deemed unsuitable. testing of materials on a yearly or bi-yearly basis. This has been
If Total Sulfur is > 1% material is unsuitable. increased to the levels contained in Table E.1

Acid Soluble Sulphate

A.S.S.Max 0.2%

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 TABLE E.1— Recommended properties, test methods and test
frequencies for unbound granular fill for use under concrete floors
and footpaths

Minimum test frequency

Test
Properties Test Method Category/Size Factory
Description Initial Type
production
Testing
control

Grading 0/31,5 
I.S. EN 933-1
(crushed rock) See Table E.2

Grading 0/40
I.S. EN 933-1 Yes 1 per week
(gravel ) See Table E.2

Fines content I.S. EN 933-1 f7

Geometrical Grading
0/125
crushed rock or I.S. EN 933-1 Yes 1 per week
See Table E.3
(gravel)

Fines content I.S. EN 933-1 f9

% Crushed or
broken particles I.S. EN 933-5 C50/10 Yes Monthly
(gravel only)

Los Angeles
Physical I.S. EN 1097-2 LA30 Yes 2 per year
coefficient

Water I.S. EN 1097-6

WA242 Yes 2 per year
Absorption Clause 8
Durability Magnesium
sulfate I.S. EN 1367-2 MS25 Yes 1 per year
soundness

Acid soluble
I.S. EN 1744-1 AS0,2 Yes Quarterly
sulfate
Chemical
See E.2.4.4,
Total sulfur I.S. EN 1744-1 Yes Quarterly
(SR 21)

I.S. EN 932-3 and

Geological See E.2.4.3
E2.4.3, Yes Quarterly
examination (SR 21)
(SR 21)
Geological Yes
Yes. For total
Classification Petrographic For total sulfur
See E2.4.5, See E.2.4.5, sulfur values
assessment values between
(SR 21) (SR 21) between 0,1 %
(Thin section) 0,1 % and 1 %
and 1 %
See E.2.4.5
NOTE 1 Test frequencies may be revised based on the advice of the Professional Geologist.
NOTE 2 See 3.5.5 for guidance on frequency of sampling and testing.
NOTE 3 Due account should be taken of the repeatability and reproducibility of the relevant test methods when
declaring categories for properties. aSee Clause 4 Note 4 EN 13242:2002+A1:2007
Please note that these test frequencies only apply during times of production. A period of production is
8 defined as a full week, month or year. These test frequencies may be reviewed based on the advice of a
Professional Geologist
D.1.1 System of Attestation and Verification -
The system of assessment and verification of constancy of performance has changed from system 4, to system
2+ for this particular end-use aggregate. Under the EU Construction Products Regulation this means that the
quarry and the factory production control system, is subject to initial inspection and to continuous
surveillance, assessment and approval by a notified factory production control Certification Body. The
manufacturer is responsible for carrying out the initial type testing and the factory production control

E.1.1 Documentation
The following information shall appear on your Roadstone delivery docket:
i) Supply Location ii) Product description and size iii) Date of dispatch iv) Docket serial number v) Product code

Product Description Product Code

S.R 21 Annex E, T.0 Structural (0/125mm) 1152112
S.R 21 Annex E, T.1 Structural (0/31.5mm) 1152017
S.R 21 Annex E, T.1 Structural (0/40mm) 1465030
S.R 21 Annex E, T.2 Permeable (4/40mm) 1152111
S.R 21 Annex E, T.3.Blinding (0/4mm) 1570040

It is the responsibility of the material purchaser/user to enure an adequate system of traceability is in operation
on site from the point of delivery to the location within the works where the material is incorporated.

Roadstone Ltd have a long and successful history of supplying a wide range of building materials to the Irish
construction industry with no issues relating to pyritic heave or swelling.

We are happy to confirm that all relevant Roadstone Ltd locations have been tested and inspected by
independent geologists at a frequency set out in Annex E of SR 21.2016 and found to be in full compliance
with S.R 21, and all other S.R’s such as:
S.R 16 Aggregates for Concrete (including blocks)
S.R 17 Aggregates for Bituminous Mixtures and Surface Treatments
S.R 18 Aggregates for Mortar

Declarations of Performance are available to download for the relevant locations from the Support &
Certification section of the Roadstone website.

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 QUARRY LOCATIONS

Cork Laois
Quarry Locations
1. Ballygarvan 26. Ballyadams Retail Outlet Locations
2. Carrigtwohill
Limerick
3. Castlemore 12
27. Creeves Quarry
4. Classis
28. Joseph Hogan’s
5. Keim
6. Mallow Longford
7. Midleton 29. Moyne

Clare Mayo
8. Ballyquinn 30. Castlebar 13
11
9. Bunratty Meath
10. Ryan’s of Ennis 31. Barley Hill
Donegal 32. Duleek
11. Ballintra 33. Mullaghcrone 36
12. Carndonagh 34. Slane 30 9
31
13. Laghey Offaly
29

38
Dublin 35. Tullamore
34
14. Belgard Central Roscommon 37 32 33
Dispatch / Belgard 36. Boyle
Weighbridge 37. Cam 5
18 17
15. Huntstown Finglas 38. Castlemine
6 15
19 35
16. Head Office, 4 14 16
Tallaght Tipperary 23
45 46
17. Swords, Feltrim 39. Ballyknockane
10 3 10
40. Killough
8
26
Galway Waterford
9
8
18. Two-Mile-Ditch 41. Cappagh 28
26 44
27 40 24
19. Kilchreest
Wexford
Kerry 42. Brownswood,
20 39 42
20. Ballyegan Enniscorthy. 43

21. Killarney 43. Kilmuckridge

25
6 7
22. Killorglin 22 21
Wicklow 5 41
Kildare 44. Arklow 2
23. Allen, Naas 45. Dorans Pit 3 4
2 7
1
1
Kilkenny 46. Fassaroe, Bray
24. Bennettsbridge
25. Kilmacow

RETAIL OUTLET LOCATIONS

Cork Kilkenny
1 Ballygarvan 7 Kilmacow
2 Classis
Limerick
Clare 8 Gooig
3 Ryan’s of Ennis
Mayo
Dublin 9 Castlebar
4 Belgard
Wicklow
5 Feltrim, Swords
10 Fassaroe, Bray
Galway
6 Two-Mile-Ditch

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11
What do I do if I
want more information
on Granular Fill to
Annex E of S.R. 21?
Contact [email protected] or check
Frequently Asked Questions at www.
roadstone.ie

www.roadstone.ie
Phone: 01 4041200 - Fortunestown, Tallaght, Dublin 24. ENVIRONMENT ENERGY QUALITY

Email: [email protected]
I.S. EN ISO 14001:2004 ISO 50001:2011 I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008

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12
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