Overview
ISO 5327:1978 defines the general characteristics of solid wood paving blocks used for both covered (indoor) and open (outdoor) spaces. The standard specifies manufacturing shapes, dimensional ranges and tolerances, moisture limits, protection (impregnation) methods, sampling and inspection procedures, delivery conditions and marking requirements. Figures and tables in the standard illustrate common and special block shapes and the dimensional requirements.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Shapes and types: common and special shapes (rectangular, square, cylindrical, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal) are illustrated in the standard.
- Dimensional ranges (nominal values given in ISO 5327 tables):
- Indoor (covered): widths/faces ~50–100 mm, lengths ~60–200 mm, heights 60–120 mm, diameters 60–150 mm.
- Outdoor (open): widths/faces ~60–120 mm, lengths ~80–250 mm, heights 80–120 mm, diameters 80–160 mm. Tolerances are specified in clause 4.2/tables.
- Moisture content: maximum before impregnation - 16% for indoor blocks and 20% for outdoor blocks (clause 4.3). Moisture is normally determined electrometrically, with gravimetric (ISO 3130) used in disputes.
- Protection (impregnation): blocks must be treated with antiseptic, fire‑retardant and/or water‑repellent substances appropriate to the intended use. Approved methods include vacuum‑pressure, hot or cold steeping, and hot‑and‑cold open tanks; certified treatment by specialized plants is recommended (clause 5).
- Sampling & inspection: batch sampling and acceptance/rejection criteria are defined (clause 6, table 4). Inspections cover species identification, appearance, measurable defects, dimensions and moisture content (clause 7).
- Designation, delivery & marking: required information includes product name, species symbol (per ISO 2036), type/variant, nominal dimensions (mm) and the ISO reference. Deliveries are typically in bulk with an accompanying delivery note detailing treatment and substances used (clauses 8–9).
Applications and who uses this standard
ISO 5327 is directly useful for:
- Wood paving manufacturers and sawmills (production and quality control)
- Timber treatment plants (process and certification)
- Specifiers, architects and landscape designers (product selection for indoor/outdoor paving)
- Construction contractors and pavement installers (acceptance criteria and inspection)
- Procurement officers and testing laboratories (sampling and compliance checks)
Related standards
Referenced documents include:
Keywords: ISO 5327, solid wood paving blocks, wood paving, dimensions, tolerances, impregnation, moisture content, sampling, inspection, marking.
