QCS 2014 Section 24: Finishes to Building Page 1

Part 05: Tiles

5 TILES ...................................................................................................................... 2
5.1 GENERAL ............................................................................................................... 2
5.1.1 Scope 2
5.1.2 References 2
5.2 TILE ADHESIVES AND GROUTS ........................................................................... 3
5.2.1 Adhesive Types 3
5.2.2 PREPARATION 3
5.2.3 INSTALLATION, GENERAL 4
5.3 CERAMIC TILES ..................................................................................................... 5
5.3.1 General 5
5.3.2 Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles 5
5.3.3 Fixing Internal Ceramic Wall Tiles 5
5.3.4 Fixing External Ceramic Tiles 6

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5.3.5 Floor Tiles 7
5.3.6 Laying Ceramic Floor Tiles by the Semi-Dry Mix Method 7
5.3.7 Laying Ceramic Floor Tiles by the Direct Mortar Bedding Method 8

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QCS 2014 Section 24: Finishes to Building Page 2
Part 05: Tiles

5 TILES
5.1 GENERAL
5.1.1 Scope
1 This Part specifies the requirements for use of ceramic tile products and the installation of
such for wall and floor surfaces.
2 Related Parts and Sections are as follows:
This Section
Part 1 ............... General
Part 2 ............... Lath and Plaster
Part 3 ............... Dry Lining (Wallboard)
Part 4 ............... Special Wall Surfaces
Part 6 ............... Terrazzo

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Part 7 ............... Stone Flooring
Part 8 ............... Unit Masonry Flooring
Part 9 ............... Floor Screeds and Treatments

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Part 10 ............. Joints, Caulking and Sealants

Section 13 ....... Masonry

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5.1.2 References
1 The following standards are approved and/ or referred to in this Part:
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BS 8000 .....................Workmanship on building sites

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BS 8000-11 ...............Workmanship on building sites. Internal and external wall and floor
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tiling. Ceramic and agglomerated stone tiles, natural stone and

terrazzo tiles and slabs, and mosaics. Code of practice
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BS 8298-1 ..................Code of practice for the design and installation of natural stone
cladding and lining. General
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BS 7956 .....................Specification for primers for woodwork

BS EN 12057 .............Natural stone products. Modular tiles. Requirements
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BS EN 12058 .............Natural stone products. Slabs for floors and stairs. Requirements
BS EN 15285 .............Agglomerated stone. Modular tiles for flooring and stairs (internal and
external)
BS EN 12440 .............Natural stone. Denomination criteria
BS EN 14411 ............Ceramic tiles. Definitions, classification, characteristics, evaluation of
conformity and marking
BS EN 12004 .............Adhesives for tiles. Requirements, evaluation of conformity,
classification and designation

GSO ISO 13006 ........Ceramic tiles. Definitions, classification, characteristics and marking
GSO ISO 10545-16 (BS EN ISO 10545-16) Ceramic tiles: Determination of small colour differences
GSO ISO 10545-15 (BS EN ISO 10545-15). Ceramic tiles: Determination of lead and cadmium given
off by glazed tiles
GSO ISO 10545-14 (BS EN ISO 10545-14). Ceramic tiles: Determination of resistance to stains
GSO ISO 10545-13 (BS EN ISO 10545-13). Ceramic tiles: Determination of chemical resistance
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Part 05: Tiles

GSO ISO 10545-12 (BS EN ISO 10545-12). Ceramic tiles: Determination of frost resistance
GSO ISO 10545-11 (BS EN ISO 10545-11). Ceramic tiles: Determination of crazing resistance for
glazed tiles
GSO ISO 10545-10 (BS EN ISO 10545-10). Ceramic tiles: Determination of moisture expansion
GSO ISO 10545-9 (BS EN ISO 10545-9) Ceramic tiles: Determination of resistance to thermal shock
GSO ISO 10545-8 (BS EN ISO 10545-8). Ceramic tiles: Determination of linear thermal expansion
GSO ISO 10545-7 (BS EN ISO 10545-7). Ceramic tiles: Determination of resistance to surface
abrasion for glazed tiles
GSO ISO 10545-6 (BS EN ISO 10545-6). Ceramic tiles: Determination of resistance to deep abrasion
for unglazed tiles
GSO ISO 10545-5 (BS EN ISO 10545-5). Ceramic tiles: Determination of impact resistance by
measurement of coefficient of restitution
GSO ISO 10545-4 (BS EN ISO 10545-4). Ceramic tiles: Determination of modulus of rupture and
breaking strength
GSO ISO 10545-3 (BS EN ISO 10545-3). Ceramic tiles: Determination of water absorption, apparent

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porosity, apparent relative density and bulk density
GSO ISO 10545-2 (BS EN ISO 10545-2). Ceramic tiles: Determination of dimensions and surface

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quality
GSO ISO 10545-1 (BS EN ISO 10545-1) Ceramic tiles: Sampling and basis for acceptance
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GSO ISO 13007-4 (BS ISO 13007-4) Ceramic tiles. Grouts and adhesives: Test methods for grouts
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GSO ISO 13007-3 (BS ISO 13007-3)_ Ceramic tiles. Grouts and adhesives: Terms, definitions and
specifications for grouts
GSO ISO 13007-2 (BS ISO 13007-2) Ceramic tiles. Grouts and adhesives: Test methods for adhesives
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GSO ISO 13007-1 (BS ISO 13007-1) Ceramic tiles. Grouts and adhesives: Terms,
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definitions and specifications for adhesives

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ISO 15165 .................Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics) --

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Classification system
ISO 14574 .................Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics).
Mechanical properties
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ISO 14544 .................Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics) --

Mechanical properties of ceramic composites at high temperature --
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Determination of compression properties

ANSI A108 / A118 / A136.1 American National Specifications for the Installation of
Ceramic Tile
The Tile Council of America TCA Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation (The Tile Council of
North America TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation)

5.2 TILE ADHESIVES AND GROUTS

5.2.1 Adhesive Types
1 Adhesives used for fixing ceramic tiles to comply with. GSO ISO 13007-1 or BS EN 12004
5.2.2 PREPARATION
1 Remove coatings that are incompatible with tile-setting materials from substrates, including
curing compounds and other substances that contain soap, wax, oil, or silicone.
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Part 05: Tiles

2 For concrete substrates for tile floors installed with adhesives or thin-set mortar, correct
conditions that do not comply with flatness tolerances specified in referenced ANSI A108
Series of tile installation standards.
(a) Fill cracks, holes, and depressions with trowel able leveling and patching compound
according to tile-setting material manufacturer's written instructions. Use product
specifically recommended by tile-setting material manufacturer.
(b) Remove protrusions, bumps, and ridges by sanding or grinding.
3 Apply primer-sealer to wood and plywood subfloors when recommended by tile-setting
material manufacturer.
4 Lay out tile patterns by marking joint lines on substrates to verify joint placement at edges,
corners, doors, and other critical elements.
(a) Notify Architect seven days in advance of dates and times when layout will be done.
(b) Obtain Architect's approval of layout before starting tile installation.

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5.2.3 INSTALLATION, GENERAL
1 Installation standards shall comply with requirements of ANSI A108 or TCNA or BS 8000-11.

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2 ANSI Tile Installation Standards: Comply with requirements of ANSI A108 that apply to types
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of setting and grouting materials and to methods indicated.
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(a) For stone tile floors, follow procedures in ANSI A108 for providing 95 percent mortar
coverage.
(b) For stone tile walls, follow procedures in ANSI A108 series for the materials being
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used.
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(c) For stone threshold, follow procedures in ANSI A108 series for the materials being
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used
(d) For stone countertops, follow procedures in ANSI A108 series for the materials being
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used
3 TCA Installation Guidelines or TCNA Handbook : Comply with TCA's "Handbook for
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Ceramic Tile Installation" and TCA installation methods indicated.

4 Wipe backs of tiles with a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust before units are installed.
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5 Extend tile work into recesses and under or behind equipment and fixtures to form complete
covering without interruptions, unless otherwise indicated. Terminate work neatly at
obstructions, edges, and corners without disrupting pattern or joint alignments.
6 Accurately form intersections and returns. Perform cutting and drilling of tile without marring
visible surfaces. Fit tile closely to electrical outlets, piping, fixtures, and other penetrations so
plates, collars, or covers overlap tile.
7 Finish cut tile edges that will not be concealed by other construction by grinding and honing
cut surfaces and easing edges to match factory-fabricated edges, unless otherwise
indicated.
8 Jointing Pattern: Lay tile in grid pattern, unless otherwise indicated. Align joints when
adjoining tiles on floor, base, walls, and trim are same size. Lay out tile work and center tile
fields in both directions in each space or on each wall area. Adjust to minimize tile cutting.
9 Match tiles within each space by selecting tiles to achieve uniformity of color and pattern.
Reject or relocate tiles that do not match color and pattern of adjacent tiles.
10 Mix tiles to achieve a uniformly random distribution of color shadings and patterns.
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Part 05: Tiles

11 Pattern Orientation: For stone varieties with directional pattern, orient pattern as directed by
Architect.
12 Expansion Joints: Locate expansion joints and other sealant-filled joints, including control,
contraction, and isolation joints, where indicated during installation of setting materials,
mortar beds, and tile. Do not saw-cut joints after installing tiles.
(a) Locate joints in tile surfaces directly above joints in concrete substrates.
(b) Use single-component, non sag polyurethane for joints in walls.
(c) Use single-component, non sag polyurethane for joints in floors.

5.3 CERAMIC TILES

5.3.1 General
1 This specification includes ceramic wall tiles used in standard applications for floor and wall
surfaces.

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2 Tile products for walls and floors shall comply with BS EN 14411 or GSO ISO 10545 or ISO
15165 or ANSI A118 / A136.1 Material Specifications.

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3 Application shall comply with BS 8000, Part 11 or ANSI A108 or TCNA Handbook for
Ceramic.
5.3.2 Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles
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1 Glazed ceramic wall tiles for internal use shall comply with the approved references and for
external use must be recommended for the purpose by the manufacturer.
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2 Grout for wall tiling to be an approved proprietary grout.

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5.3.3 Fixing Internal Ceramic Wall Tiles

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1 Ceramic wall tiles shall be fixed by bedding in an approved adhesive on cement rendering.
The rendering shall be applied in accordance with Part 2 of this Section except where
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modified by the requirements of this Part.

2 All backgrounds are to receive the spatterdash treatment described in Clause 2.9.1 – 3(b) of
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Part 2 of this Section before the surfaces are rendered.

3 The rendering is to be in one coat, except where applied to metal lathing when two coats are
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to be used, and be left with a wood float finish. It is to be as uniformly thick as possible and
not less than 8 mm or more than 13 mm thick in any part.
4 Mesh reinforcement is to be incorporated in the rendering in accordance with Clause 2.8 of
Part 2 of this Section where:
(a) the structure is out of line and the thickness of render required exceeds 13 mm
(b) the rendering is to be applied over differing structural materials (See Clause 2.9 of
Part 2 of this Section)
(c) the surface of the structural wall will be subject to excessive movement.
5 Where the tiling is to be bedded in a thin-bed adhesive, the trueness of the rendering is to be
such that when tested with a 3 m straightedge, no gap exceeds 3 mm. Where the gap
exceeds 3 mm but is less than 6 mm, or if the walls are out of plumb by not more than 6 mm,
the Engineer may permit a thick-bed adhesive to be used or may direct that the defective
areas are cut back and made good. Deviations from true or plumb in the surface of the
rendering exceeding 6 mm are to be made good.
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Part 05: Tiles

6 Thin-bed adhesive should not be used for fixing tiles with backs incorporating deep keys or
frogs; for these thick-bed adhesives must be used.
7 The tiles are to be set out before the work commences so that:
(a) cut tiles are kept to a minimum and where they do occur, are as large as possible
(b) joints are horizontal and vertical, with horizontal joints aligning in walls that are
adjacent.
8 The tiles shall be neatly and accurately cut to a close fit where necessary at abutments and
around outlets, pipes and the like.
9 Movement joints not less than 6 mm wide are to be provided:
(a) at all internal vertical corners
(b) at all angles with structural walls and ceilings
(c) to give bays not greater than 3000 x 4500 mm

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(d) over all structural movement joints.
10 The joints are to be carried through the rendering to the structural wall and shall be partially

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filled with an approved joint filler and finished flush with an approved sealant recommended
by the manufacturer for the situation in which it will be used.
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Glazed edge tiles to be used where edges are exposed.
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12 The adhesive is to be prepared and applied with a trowel to dry rendering in the manner
recommended by the manufacturer. The tiles are to be pressed firmly into the adhesive with
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a twisting/sliding action, tapped firmly into position and cleaned as soon as the bedding is
complete.
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13 It is essential that the tiles are fixed in position before the surface of the adhesive dries and
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the work is to be carried out in small areas of not more than 1m at a time.
14 The finished surface of the tiles should be plumb and true such that when checked with a 3
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m straightedge no gap exceeds 3 mm.

15 The joints are to be even, approximately 2 mm wide and where tiles without spacer lugs are
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used, spacer pegs of suitable and even thickness to be inserted between the tiles as the
work proceeds.
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16 The joints are to be grouted after the adhesive has set and not less than 48 hours after
fixing. The grout should be well worked into the joints so that they are completely filled, and
finished flush. Surplus grout is to be cleaned off as the work proceeds using a damp cloth
and the joints tooled smooth.
5.3.4 Fixing External Ceramic Tiles
1 The ceramic wall tiles are to be fixed by bedding in an approved adhesive or cement
rendering. The adhesive must be suitable for external application and the Contractor is to
obtain confirmation from the manufacturer that it is suitable for the type of tile to be fixed and
in the climatic conditions prevalent in Qatar and provide the Engineer with copies of the
correspondence.
2 The tiling is to be carried out generally in accordance with Clause 5.3.3 of this Part
describing internal work except that the rendered backing is to be reinforced with galvanized
welded fabric reinforcing mesh and except where modified by this Clause.
3 Stainless steel reinforcing mesh to be used where shown on the drawings or as directed by
the Engineer.
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Part 05: Tiles

4 The mesh is to be fixed, with the horizontal wires outwards by means of 25 mm stainless
steel anchors or by drilling holes in which plastic anchors are inserted to receive 38 mm
stainless steel, slotted head, countersunk wood screws. It is essential that the fixings extend
into the structural wall by a minimum of 25 mm after passing through any dubbing etc.
5 The fixings are to be set at maximum 450 mm centers in both directions and staggered,
located so that the horizontal wires of the mesh rest on the screws. The vertical wires of the
mesh shall be spaced 3 mm from the structure by stainless steel washers placed as the
screws are inserted.
6 The mesh should be secured to the screws by stainless steel binding wire of softened quality
and 1.22 mm in diameter, twisted tightly and with its ends turned inwards.
7 The mesh is to be cut off at all movement joints leaving 40 mm free space on either side.
8 All cut edges of the mesh are to receive a coating of bitumen solution.
9 A slurry coat of neat cement is to be brushed on the background and the mesh. Whilst the

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slurry coat is still wet, the rendering is to be applied, working around and through the wires
and ensuring that it is fully bonded to the background and that the wire is covered by a
thickness of 7 mm.

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10 Joints in tiled areas are not to be less than the width of the joints in the tiling and be provided
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in positions to be agreed with the Engineer, generally:
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(a) over all structural movement joints.
(b) to give bays not greater than 3000 by 4500 mm.
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(c) at all internal and external vertical corners.

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(d) at each storey height level coinciding with the bottom of the floor slab.
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5.3.5 Floor Tiles

1 Ceramic floor tiles and clay floor quarry tiles shall comply with the approved references.
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2 Tiles designated as fully vitrified clay on the drawings shall have a water absorption below
0.5%.
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5.3.6 Laying Ceramic Floor Tiles by the Semi-Dry Mix Method

1 The areas of concrete substrata to be tiled are to be brushed clean and dampened until
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absorption ceases and the finished floor level is to be established by means of dots and
rules.
2 The mortar for bedding the tiles is to be to the thickness shown elsewhere in the Project
Documentation. It shall consist of 1 part of cement to 4 parts of sand by volume, mixed semi-
dry in a mechanical mixer with only sufficient water added to give a crumbly consistency that
retains its shape when squeezed in the hand.
3 The minimum thickness of bedding with this system of laying is to be 40 mm. Where a
bedding thickness in excess of 70 mm is required a maximum 10 mm aggregate is to be
incorporated in the proportion of 1 part cement, 1.5 parts dry sand and 3 parts dry coarse
aggregate, by weight, laid in two applications of approximately equal thickness. The lower
layer is to be roughly compacted, but not allowed to stiffen, before the final layer is placed on
top.
4 The mix is to be spread to a thickness approximately 10 mm greater than that actually
required for the bed and be thoroughly compacted by tamping and drawing off to the
required level with a screed board. Only sufficient mortar is to be mixed and spread as can
be covered with tiles before it has attained its initial set.
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Part 05: Tiles

5 A slurry of 1 part cement and 1 part sand, by volume, is to be poured over the surface of the
semi-dry mix bedding and spread with a trowel until it is approximately 2 mm thick. Dry tiles
are then to be laid on the slurry and beaten firmly into position with a wooden beater to
ensure a true surface and contact between the tiles and bedding is complete.
6 The tiles must be correctly positioned at the time they are placed and laid with joints of about
3 mm.
7 Grouting of the joints to be carried out within a period of 4 hours of the completion of the
laying of the tiles so that the grout will attach itself firmly to the bedding. Care is to be taken
to avoid disturbing the tiles and walking boards are to be used during the grouting operation.
8 The grouting mix is to either consist of 1 part cement to 1 part fine, dry sand by volume, or
an approved proprietary grout may be used.
9 The tiles are to be neatly and accurately cut to a close fit where necessary at abutments and
around outlets, pipes and the like.
Tiles are to be laid level or to 1% falls in “wet” areas, as may be required. Localised

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variations in level for a nominally flat floor are to be a maximum of ±3 mm under a 3 m
straightedge. Particular care is to be taken in “wet” areas to prevent low spots and the

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pooling of water.
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Skirtings of the same tile size as the floor are to be fixed in such a manner that their vertical
joints coincide with the horizontal joints of the floor tiles.
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5.3.7 Laying Ceramic Floor Tiles by the Direct Mortar Bedding Method
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1 The areas of concrete substrata to be tiled should be brushed clean and dampened until
absorption ceases and the finished floor level is to be established by means of dots and
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rules.
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2 The mortar for bedding the tiles is to consider of 1 part of cement to 4 parts of sand by
volume, mixed in a mechanical mixer to a stiff plastic consistency so that when tamped and
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fully compacted into place free water does not bleed to the surface.
3 The bedding mortar is to be laid on the concrete substrata 15 to 25 mm thick, except where
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tiles 10 mm thickness or less are used in which case the bedding is not to exceed 15 mm,
and shall be levelled and tamped with a straightedge board.
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4 The tiles are to be soaked in clean water for 15 to 30 minutes before fixing and allowed to
drain for 10 minutes to remove all surplus water. Fully vitrified tiles do not require soaking.
5 The bedding mortar is to be lightly dusted with dry cement sprinkled from a flour sieve and
lightly trowelled level until the surface becomes damp. The tiles are then to be laid on the
bedding and beaten firmly into position with a wooden beater to ensure a true surface and
that contact between the tiles and bedding is complete.
6 Grouting and the other requirements of the semi-dry mix method described in Clause 5.3.6
of this Part of this Section also apply to the direct mortar bedding method.

END OF PART