BS 5234-1:1992

Committees responsible
Foreword
Code of practice
Section 1. General
1.1 Scope
1.2 References
1.3 Definitions
1.4 Exchange of information
1.5 Time schedule
Section 2. Design
2.1 Function
2.2 Compatibility with adjoining elements
2.2.1 General
2.2.2 Floors and beams
2.2.3 Walls and columns
2.2.4 Soffits and other structural ceilings
2.2.5 Suspended ceilings
2.2.6 Storey height door assemblies
2.2.7 Integral components
2.3 Dimensions and setting out
2.3.1 Dimensions
2.3.2 Setting out
2.4 Structural
2.4.1 Loading imposed by the partition
2.4.2 Loads imposed by adjacent structures
2.4.3 Structural support and functional areas
2.4.4 Wind loads and air pressure
2.4.5 Strength, robustness and grades by categories
         of duty
2.4.6 Crowd pressure
2.4.7 Fixtures and fittings
2.5 Fire protection
2.5.1 General
2.5.2 Fire resistance
2.5.3 Non-combustibility
2.5.4 Wind loads and air pressure
2.5.5 Heat emission
2.5.6 Cavity barriers and closures
2.5.7 Fire stopping
2.5.8 Smoke control
2.6 Acoustics
2.6.1 Sound insulation
2.6.2 Sound absorption of surface material
2.7 Visibility, privacy and lighting (glazing)
2.8 Hygrothermal performance (moisture/vapour
         resistance)
2.8.1 General
2.8.2 Normal conditions of use
2.8.3 Humid conditions of use
2.8.4 Wet conditions
2.8.5 Water vapour control
2.9 Health and resistance to biological attack
2.10 Thermal
2.10.1 Thermal transmittance
2.10.2 Thermal mass
2.11 Services
2.12 Finishes
2.12.1 General
2.12.2 Components and their assembly
2.12.3 Moisture resistance
2.12.4 Water vapour resistance
2.12.5 Cleaning
2.12.6 Maintenance
2.12.7 Sound correction
2.12.8 Colours
2.12.9 Surface appearance
2.12.10 Jointless finishes
2.12.11 Ceramic tiling
2.12.12 Compatibility of finish with the environment
2.12.13 Applied trims
2.13 Protection against mechanical damage
2.13.1 General
2.13.2 Vandalism
2.14 Durability
2.14.1 General
2.14.2 Predictions of durability
2.15 Maintenance and repairability
Section 3. Site works
3.1 General
3.2 Preparatory steps prior to commencing site work
3.3 Lighting
3.4 Storage and handling
3.5 Setting out
3.6 Construction of the partition
3.6.1 Supervision
3.6.2 Standard of workmanship and quality of
         materials
3.6.3 Setting out: deviations
3.6.4 Services
3.6.5 Cavity barriers
3.6.6 Fire stopping
3.6.7 Seals, other than fire stopping
3.6.8 Partition fixings
3.6.9 Provision of supports for fittings
3.7 Accuracy of finished partition and openings
3.7.1 Finished surfaces
3.7.2 Prepared openings and stop ends
3.7.3 Local undulations
3.8 Protection during construction
Section 4. Handover
4.1 Maintenance manual
Annexes
A (informative) Design checklist
B (normative) Strength and robustness performance
C (normative) Wind loads and air pressures
D (informative) Suggested minimum sound
         insulation values of partitions
E (informative) Lighting for partitioning
Tables
1 Primary functions and properties of a partition
2 Partition grades by categories of duty
3 Hygrothermal conditions
4 Partition grades: summary of requirements and
         principal test performance levels
5 Summary of tests for crowd pressure,
         lightweight anchorages and heavyweight
         anchorages
6 Suggested minimum sound insulation values of
         partitions
Figures
1 Dimensional terms for partitions
2 Types of partition construction
3 Tracked, movable partitions
4 Structural support and extent of functional
         areas
5 Setting out
6 Deviation band for finished surface
List of references

Types of partition are defined and the functions and properties to be considered are given regardless of the material from which they are made. Grades of partition are given related to their strength and robustness. Recommendations for ensuring that the design is realized on site and maintained after completion are given.

This Part of BS 5234 gives recommendations for the design and installation of partitions. Types of partition are defined and the functions and properties of partitions to be considered are given. Recommendations for ensuring that the design is realized on site and maintained after completion are given.

Partitions are graded by their categories of duty, assessed against performance criteria when sample partitions are tested for strength and robustness by the methods given in BS 5234-2:1992. The performance requirements are for partitions complete with their surface finishes where these are part of the partition specification.

Performance requirements specific to special purpose partitions are not included. Examples of excluded properties are:

structural stability of screens;

thermal insulation to cold store partitions;

sound absorption of partitions to large auditoria;

bullet-resistance of glazed high security partitions (see BS 5051-1);

X-ray resistance of partitions (see HTM56¹⁾) [1];

all properties of patent glazing partitions (see BS 5516).