🛣️ Determination of the dimensions of masonry units — length, width and height (procedures a–e depending on material, unit size and irregular surfaces), thickness of shells and webs (instrument jaw at least 10 mm), combined thickness of shells and webs, depth of holes and plane parallelism of bed faces; maximum instrument error 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm or 0.5 mm depending on the tolerance of the dimension (0.1 mm when the tolerance is unknown); at least 6 specimens (3 for combined thickness and plane parallelism), PN-EN 772-16

Construction PN-EN 772-16

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. We read the text of the standard in the iTeh sample of SIST EN 772-16:2011 (text of EN 772-16:2011, English): from the title page through the contents, foreword and Clauses 1–6 up to and including 7.1 (length, width, height, with Figures 1 a–c of measuring positions). Outside the sample remain Figures 1 d–e, 7.2–7.5 (thickness of shells and webs, depth of holes, plane parallelism, combined thickness of shells and webs), Clauses 8–9 (calculation and test report) and the informative Annexes A (example paths for measuring combined thickness) and B (significant technical changes compared with the previous edition).

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF EN 772-16:2011 (foreword, Clauses 1–6, 7.1). The standard was prepared by CEN/TC 125 “Masonry” (secretariat BSI); CEN approved it on 25.12.2010; it supersedes EN 772-16:2000, and the significant technical changes are listed in Annex B (outside the sample). Scope (1): a method for determining the overall dimensions, thickness and combined thickness of shells and webs, depth of voids and plane parallelism of the bed faces of masonry units. Normative references (2): EN 771-1 to 771-6 (clay, calcium silicate, aggregate concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete, manufactured stone and natural stone masonry units). Principle (3): after preparation, length, width and height, thickness of shells and webs, depth of holes and plane parallelism of bed faces are measured with an appropriate device. Symbols (4): length, width and height of the unit defined by its intended orientation in use (mm). Apparatus (5, Table 1): a device or devices whose maximum measuring error is 0.1 mm for a dimension tolerance below 1 mm, 0.2 mm for a tolerance of 1 mm and 0.5 mm for a tolerance above 1 mm; if the tolerance class is not known — error not more than 0.1 mm; the device for the thickness of shells and webs has a jaw at least 10 mm long. Sampling (6.1): according to the relevant part of EN 771; at least 6 specimens, and for combined thickness and plane parallelism — 3, unless the product specification requires more. Surface treatment (6.2): remove material adhering from manufacture; before measuring the thickness of shells and webs, the bed face should be ground. Length, width, height (7.1): for clay, aggregate concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete, manufactured stone and natural stone units — procedure a) two measurements near the edges of each specimen (Figure 1 a); if two of the three conditions are met: length ≤ 250 mm, width ≤ 125 mm, height ≤ 100 mm — procedure b) one measurement at the mid point of the unit with a calliper with overlapping jaws (Figure 1 b); procedure c) for irregular surfaces (tongues and grooves, grip holes, rendering keyways) — measurements at the positions of Figure 1 c); for calcium silicate units — procedure d) one measurement approximately at the centre of each specimen or e) for irregular surfaces.

STATUS (as of 03.10.2026). In the PKN search (term “PN-EN 772-16”, 03.10.2026) PN-EN 772-16:2011 appears in Polish, English and German versions (“Methods of test for masonry units — Part 16: Determination of dimensions”, “Introduces: EN 772-16:2011 [IDT]”), without a withdrawal note; PN-EN 772-16:2006 (Polish version, introduced EN 772-16:2000 with amendments A1:2004 and A2:2005) — “Withdrawn and replaced by PN-EN 772-16:2011 — English version”. In the iTeh catalogue (read on 03.10.2026) SIST EN 772-16:2011 has the status “Published” and replaces SIST EN 772-16:2002 with amendments A1 and A2. What changed for the result between the editions is listed in Annex B, which we did not read. The net and gross density of masonry units, calculated among others from dimensions according to this standard, is described in a separate entry on PN-EN 772-13.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, load up to 17.09.2026, read on 03.10.2026). The number 772-16 appears in 16 records at 7 laboratories: AB 011, AB 054, AB 251, AB 535, AB 619, AB 687, AB 1669. In the current PCA documents (read on 03.10.2026, issues from 16.07.2025 to 13.08.2026) the number appears in 17 rows of 8 laboratories — seven from the database copy (AB 251 — 5, AB 054 — 5, AB 687 — 2, the others 1 each; the PDF file of the AB 251 scope contains the same document twice — we count it once) and AB 023 (1 row, “PN-EN 772-16” without year, in the flexible scope “E”: dimensions of masonry units, range up to 2 m, linear measurements), whose item is neither in the database copy nor on the tab. The form “PN-EN 772-16:2011”, without year at AB 011 (flexible scope “E”); at AB 251 and AB 687 for ventilation blocks together with PN-B-12013:2024-05 or PN-B-12014:2023-07 (at AB 251 with clauses 5.1–5.3; at AB 251 once written “PN-B 12014” without hyphen). None of these items is suspended. The “Laboratories” tab (“PN-EN 772-16”) shows the 7 laboratories from the database copy (without AB 023) — checked with the tab query on the production server labcoda.pl on 03.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (items in PCA). “Dimensions” of masonry units: clay (AB 054, AB 251, AB 687), calcium silicate (AB 054, AB 251), aggregate concrete (AB 054, AB 251), without closer specification (AB 011, AB 023 — range up to 2 m, linear measurements, AB 535, AB 619, AB 1669), and ventilation blocks of clay and calcium silicate (AB 251, AB 687). AB 535 and AB 687 list dimensions and “shape and construction” (thickness of shells and webs, perforations, depth of holes); AB 054 has length, width, height and a separate item “Parallelism of surfaces” for prefabricated autoclaved aerated concrete elements.

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. With the instrument: its maximum error must match the tolerance of the dimension (Table 1) — 0.1 mm when the tolerance is unknown (5); for shell and web thickness a jaw of at least 10 mm. With preparation: material adhering from manufacture increases the dimensions, and the bed face must be ground before measuring shell and web thickness (6.2). With the position of measuring points: the procedure depends on the material (calcium silicate — separate procedures d and e) and on the size of the unit (procedure b for small units) (7.1) — measuring at other points gives a different result for distorted units. With the number of specimens: 6, and for combined thickness and plane parallelism 3 (6.1).

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We did not read 7.2–7.5, Clauses 8–9 or the annexes, so we do not give the method of measuring shell and web thickness, depth of holes, plane parallelism and combined thickness, or the way results are expressed. Nor do we give dimensional tolerances from the EN 771 product standards or from PN-B-12013 and PN-B-12014.

Method principle

After removing material adhering from manufacture (and grinding the bed face before measuring shells and webs), the length, width and height of the unit are measured with an instrument whose accuracy matches the tolerance of the dimension, at positions defined for the given material and size, together with the thickness of shells and webs, combined thickness of shells and webs, depth of holes and plane parallelism of bed faces.

Applications

• Clay, calcium silicate, aggregate concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete, manufactured stone and natural stone masonry units (EN 771-1 to 771-6) — dimensions and shape (1, 2)
• Overall dimensions, thickness of shells and webs, combined thickness, depth of voids, plane parallelism of bed faces (1)
• Masonry units, ventilation blocks and prefabricated aerated concrete elements — dimensions, shape and construction in the accreditation scopes of 8 laboratories in PCA

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 772-16:2011

Title (PL)

Metody badań elementów murowych — Część 16: Określenie wymiarów

Title (EN)

Methods of test for masonry units — Part 16: Determination of dimensions

Step-by-step procedure

1. Specimens

   At least 6 (3 for combined thickness and plane parallelism) according to EN 771. PN-EN 772-16:2011 current (PKN search, 03.10.2026).

2. Preparation

   Remove material adhering from manufacture; grind the bed face before measuring shell and web thickness.

3. Length, width, height

   Procedure a), b) or c) for clay, concrete and stone units; d) or e) for calcium silicate units.

4. Shells, holes, plane parallelism

   According to 7.2–7.5 — we do not give the details.

5. Result

   Dimensions in mm; expression (Clause 8) — outside the sample.

Required equipment and apparatus

Health and safety (OHS)

• Grinding bed faces — protect eyes and respiratory tract against dust
• Masonry units may be heavy — lifting according to the rules for heavy loads

Frequently asked questions