Assessment methods for ‘termite barriers’

04.022026

Anti-termite barrier, Preservative product, Signs, Termite, Wood and biosourced, Wood protection

Biological tests

Biology - Construction

2de transfo & Construction

CTBA-BIO-E-008 methods, FCBA-BIO-E-045, NF X 41-542, NF X41 550, NF X41-551

The various standards/methods aim to test the effectiveness of products or materials that act as barriers to termites in the laboratory and in the field.

As part of the marketing authorisation process for European biocidal products, these tests, cited in the ‘Guidance on the BPR: Vol II parts B+C, version 4.1’, may be required.

Standard XP X41-542 describes a method of artificial ageing in the laboratory applicable to mortar test specimens or soil samples previously treated with an anti-termite preservative for floors, walls, foundations and masonry. It aims to achieve accelerated artificial ageing by water percolation before exposure to biological agents.

The purpose of standard NF X41-550 is to test the ability of termites to cross barriers put in place against them. The material being tested is placed between two compartments (one containing termites and the other containing damp sand and bait wood). The test lasts four weeks, with termite pressure varying according to the type of material being tested. The effectiveness of the product/material is assessed according to several criteria (termite survival, crossing or degradation of the barrier, attack on the wood bait).

The NF X 41-551 specification standard specifies the performance criteria to be met for products and materials tested by the NF X 41-550 standard.

Methods CTBA-BIO-E-008 and FCBA-BIO-E-045 describe field tests. The test devices reproduce different construction systems to assess the effectiveness of protective barriers against termites in outdoor environments. These barriers are installed at the soil/building interface, in accordance with each manufacturer’s installation instructions. Our test sites are representative of two climates (tropical and temperate), which allows us to test products/materials against several species of termites (subterranean termites in mainland France and other species in overseas territories).

It should be noted that, according to Decree No. 2006-591 of 23 May 2006 on the protection of buildings against termites and other wood-eating insects and amending the Building and Housing Code, new buildings must be equipped with physical or physico-chemical barriers at the interface between the ground and the building.