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IS 3308 : 1981Specification for wood wool building slabs

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EN 13168
CurrentSpecializedSpecificationMaterials Science · Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Products
PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ3Related

IS 3308:1981 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for wood wool building slabs. This standard specifies the dimensions, manufacturing requirements, and physical properties of wood wool building slabs bonded with inorganic binders (like cement). It covers testing methods and requirements for weight, deflection, and suitability for thermal and acoustic insulation.

Specification for wood wool building slabs

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Products
Type
Specification
International equivalents
EN 13168:2012+A1:2015 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
Typically used with
IS 269IS 1489IS 2380IS 8112
Also on InfraLens for IS 3308
5Key values2Tables3FAQs
Practical Notes
! Wood wool slabs are primarily used for acoustic treatment, thermal insulation, and lightweight non-load-bearing partitions.
! These slabs are susceptible to moisture; ensure proper weather protection during storage and installation.
! Do not use these slabs for structural load-bearing applications.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3Dimensions and TolerancesCl. 4MaterialsCl. 5ManufactureCl. 6Physical RequirementsCl. 8Sampling and Criteria for Conformity
Pulled from IS 3308:1981. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
wood woolcementlignocellulosic materialinsulation board

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 13168:2012+A1:2015CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Thermal insulation products for buildings - Factory made wood wool (WW) products - Specification
Specifies requirements for factory-made wood wool slabs for building thermal and acoustic insulation, which directly aligns with IS 3308.
BS 1105:1981BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighWithdrawn
Specification for wood wool cement slabs up to 125 mm thick
A direct contemporary, covering wood wool slabs made with cement binder, identical in scope to the main product type in IS 3308.
DIN 1101:1992-06DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung), Germany
HighWithdrawn
Lightweight wood-wool panels and composite panels as thermal insulating material for building construction; requirements, testing
Historically significant German standard for wood wool panels ('Heraklith') for thermal insulation, a direct product equivalent.
Key Differences
≠The current European standard (EN 13168) uses a detailed designation code system for products based on declared performance levels (e.g., thermal resistance, bending strength, fire class). IS 3308 uses a simpler classification (Type A, B, C) based on end-use application (e.g., for roofing, partitions).
≠Fire performance in EN 13168 is classified using the comprehensive Euroclass system (A2 to F). IS 3308 refers to IS 1642 for fire resistance tests, which provides a time-based rating (e.g., 1/2 hour, 1 hour) and is a less nuanced system for reaction to fire.
≠IS 3308 is prescriptive, specifying maximum thermal conductivity values for given density ranges. EN 13168 is performance-based, requiring manufacturers to declare a design lambda value (λD) determined through statistical analysis (90/90 principle) and aging procedures.
≠EN 13168 includes requirements for CE marking, which involves Factory Production Control (FPC) and declaration of performance (DoP), a mandatory regulatory framework for products sold in the EU. IS 3308 specifies its own certification marking scheme under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Key Similarities
≈All standards define the fundamental product composition as wood wool (excelsior) bonded with a mineral binder, primarily cement.
≈The primary intended uses are consistent across all standards: thermal insulation, acoustic absorption, and providing a base for plaster or other finishes in walls, roofs, and partitions.
≈Core physical properties such as bending strength (modulus of rupture), density, and dimensional stability are mandatory tests in both IS 3308 and its international counterparts.
≈All standards contain requirements for the general appearance of the slabs, specifying they should be sound, free from large cracks, and have reasonably true edges and corners.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Bending Strength (Modulus of Rupture) for 25mm thick slab≥ 0.6 N/mm² (600 kPa)Typically declared as level BS(5) ≥ 500 kPa or BS(6) ≥ 600 kPa. BS 1105:1981 required ~0.5 N/mm².EN 13168:2012 / BS 1105:1981
Density350 to 500 kg/m³No mandatory range; density is an informative value. Typical products range from 360 to 550 kg/m³.EN 13168:2012
Thermal Conductivity (k-value) at ~400 kg/m³ density≤ 0.087 W/(m·K)Declared lambda (λD) is typically 0.070 - 0.090 W/(m·K) for this density.EN 13168:2012
Thickness Tolerance (for 25mm slab)± 1.5 mmClass T2: ±2 mm; Class T1: -3/+3 mm or -5%/+5% (whichever is greater).EN 13168:2012
Length Tolerance± 5 mmClass L1: ±5 mmEN 13168:2012
Width Tolerance± 3 mmClass W1: ±5 mmEN 13168:2012
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Standard length2000 mm
Standard width500 mm
Standard thicknesses15, 20, 25, 40, 50, 75 mm
Tolerance on length and width± 5 mm
Tolerance on thickness± 2 mm

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Nominal Dimensions of Wood Wool Slabs
Table 2 - Physical Requirements of Wood Wool Building Slabs
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Dimensions and Tolerances
Clause 4 - Materials
Clause 5 - Manufacture
Clause 6 - Physical Requirements
Clause 8 - Sampling and Criteria for Conformity

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 269:2015Ordinary Portland Cement - Specification
→
IS 1489:2015Portland-Pozzolana Cement - Specification - P...
→
IS 2380:2000Methods of Test for Wood Particle Boards and ...
→
IS 8112:1989Ordinary Portland Cement, 43 Grade - Specific...
→

Frequently Asked Questions3

What is the standard size of a wood wool slab according to this code?+
The standard size is 2000 mm in length and 500 mm in width.
Can wood wool slabs be used as structural elements?+
No, they are specified strictly for non-load bearing applications such as partitions, ceilings, and cladding.
What type of binder is used in the manufacture of these slabs?+
Inorganic binders are used, predominantly ordinary Portland cement or Portland pozzolana cement.

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