AS 2049—2002

(Incorporating Amendment No. 1)

AS 2049—2002

Australian Standard™

Roof tiles
Primary referenced Standard
Building Code of Australia
This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee BD-008, Roof Tiles. It was
approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on 28 August 2002.
This Standard was published on 30 October 2002.

The following are represented on Committee BD-008:

Australian Building Codes Board

Australian Council of Trade Unions
CSIRO Manufacturing & Infrastructure Technology
Housing Industry Association
Master Builders Australia
Master Roof Tilers and Slaters Association of NSW
Monash University
National Roof Tiling Industry Training Committee
Queensland Master Roof Tilers Association
Roofing Tile Association of Australia
Victorian Roofing Tile Association

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This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 02038.

 AS 2049—2002
(Incorporating Amendment No. 1)

Australian Standard™

Roof tiles

Originated as part of AS A13—1933, AS A14—1933

and Int 310—1949.
Previous edition AS 2049—1992.
Fourth edition 2002.
Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 1 (November 2005).

COPYRIGHT
© Standards Australia
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written
permission of the publisher.
Published by Standards Australia, GPO Box 476, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia
ISBN 0 7337 4828 7
AS 2049—2002 2

PREFACE
This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee BD-008, Roof Tiles, to
supersede AS 2049—1992.
This Standard incorporates Amendment No. 1 (November 2005). The changes required by
the Amendment are indicated in the text by a marginal bar and amendment number against
the clause, note, table, figure or part thereof affected.
The objective of this Standard is to provide manufacturers of roof tiles with design
specifications and the performance requirements of non-metallic interlocking roof tiles for
use in domestic, commercial or light industrial applications.
The term ‘informative’ has been used in this Standard to define the application of the
appendix to which it applies. An ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and
guidance.
The use of Notes in this Standard is of an advisory nature only, to give explanation or
guidance to the user on recommended design considerations or technical procedures, or to
provide an informative cross-reference to other documents or publications. Notes to clauses
in this Standard do not form a mandatory part for compliance with this Standard.
 3 AS 2049—2002

CONTENTS

Page
1 SCOPE........................................................................................................................ 4
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS.................................................................................. 4
3 DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................ 5
4 MATERIALS.............................................................................................................. 5
5 DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS ................................................................................... 6
6 WORKMANSHIP AND FINISH................................................................................ 7
7 PROVISION FOR FIXING ........................................................................................ 7
8 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................... 7
9 MARKING ................................................................................................................ 9

APPENDICES
A TERMS USED—GENERAL..................................................................................... 10
B GENERAL TILE TYPES .......................................................................................... 11
C TERMS USED—ACCESSORIES............................................................................. 13
 AS 2049—2002 4

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
Roof tiles

1 SCOPE
This Standard sets out requirements for concrete, terracotta and other composite roof tiles,
and for the associated accessories. It establishes standards for —
(a) performance, fit and finish;
(b) quality of materials; and
(c) the finished product.
The following types of roof tile are considered:
(i) Shingle (plain) tiles.
(ii) Side locking tiles
(iii) Side and head–locking tiles.
NOTES:
1 Other types of roof tiles are not precluded.
2 The various terms used in this Standard are illustrated in Appendices A, B and C.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
The following documents are referred to in this Standard:
AS
1170 Structural design actions
1170.2 Part 2: Wind actions
1379 Specification and supply of concrete
1478 Chemical admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout
1478.1 Part 1: Admixtures for concrete
2050 Installation of roof tiles
2758 Aggregates and rock for engineering purposes
2758.1 Part 1: Concrete aggregates
3582 Supplementary cementitious materials for use with portland and blended cement
A1 3582.1 Part 1: Fly ash
3972 Portland and blended cements
4046 Methods of testing roof tiles
4046.1 Method 1: Determination of distortion
4046.2 Method 2: Determination of batten lugs and squareness
4046.3 Method 3: Determination of transverse strength
4046.4 Method 4: Determination of water absorption
4046.5 Method 5: Determination of permeability
4046.6 Method 6: Determination of resistance to freeze/thaw
4046.7 Method 7: Determination of resistance to salt attack
4046.9 Method 9 Determination of dynamic weather resistance
4055 Wind loads for housing
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 5 AS 2049—2002

BS
EN 12878 Pigments for the colouring of building materials based on cement and/or lime.
Specifications and methods of test
6920 Suitability of non-metallic products for use in contact with water intended for
human consumption with regard to their effect on the quality of the water
6920-1 Part 1: Specification
6920-2.1 Method 2.1: Methods of test–Samples for testing
6920-2.2.1 Method 2.2.1: Methods of test—Odour and flavour of water—General
method of test
6920-2.2.2 Method 2.2.2: Method of test—Odour and flavour of water—Method of
testing odours and flavours imparted to water by
6920-2.2.3 Method 2.2.3: Methods of test—Odour and flavour of water. Method of
testing odours and flavours imparted to water by
6920-2.3 Method 2.3: Methods of test—Appearance of water
6920-2.4 Method 2.4: Methods of test—Growth of aquatic micro-organisms test
6920-2.5 Method 2.5: Methods of test—The extraction of substances that may be of
concern to public health.
6920-2.6 Method 2.6: Methods of test—The extraction of metals
6920-3 Part 3: High temperature tests
6920-4 Part 4: Method for the GCMS identification of water leachable
organic substances
Guidelines on the collection, care and control of rainwater in tanks

3 DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions below apply.
3.1 Ancillary
A moulded non-metallic product used to finish the roof; includes apex, ridge, and barge
tiles
NOTE: See Appendix C for illustration.
3.2 Roof tile
A moulded interlocking non-metallic product used to form the field of the roof.
NOTE: See Appendices A and B for illustration.
3.3 Identifiable lot
A batch of tiles or accessories of the same type, profile and colour, produced in a single
shift, on a particular date, and at essentially the same time.
3.4 Terracotta
A mixture of clay materials fired to a temperature necessary to form a ceramic bond, which
will ensure the tile is fit for service and, where necessary, achieve resistance to salt attack.

4 MATERIALS
4.1 Admixtures
Any chemical admixtures used in the concrete shall comply with AS 1478, and shall be
used in accordance with AS 1379.
4.2 Aggregate
Aggregate or the components of the aggregate shall comply with AS 2758.1.

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AS 2049—2002 6

4.3 Cement
Cement shall comply with AS 3972.
4.4 Fly ash
Fly ash shall comply with AS 3582.1.
4.5 Pigments
Pigments shall comply with BS EN 12878.
4.6 Surface treatment
Materials used for the surface treatment of tiles shall not impart to rainwater, which may be
collected from the roof, any objectionable taste, colour or odour of any element or chemical
in a concentration known to be hazardous to health.
NOTES:
1 Guidelines are provided in ‘Guidelines on the collection, care and control of rainwater in
tanks’.
2 A method of assessing compliance with Clause 4.6 is provided by BS 6920.

5 DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS

5.1 General
Roof tiles shall be designed and manufactured to ensure that, when fixed in accordance with
AS 2050, the requirements of the dynamic weather resistance test, detailed in AS 4046.9,
are satisfied.
Sarking requirements relating to wind classification and pitch/rafter length specified in
AS 2050 shall be satisfied.
5.2 Dimensional tolerances
5.2.1 General
For the purposes of this Clause (5.2), the dimensions of the tile shall be the mean of
measurements taken at the following locations, rounded to the nearest millimetre
(a) Exposed width: head, nose and across the mid-point of the tile (see Figure 1).
(b) Length: each side and along the centre of the tile.
(c) Thickness: the centre of the tile at the mid-point (excluding lugs or brand imprints)
and at the head and nose.
5.2.2 Tolerances
A sample of 12 units shall be tested. The dimensional tolerances for roof tiles shall be
determined in accordance with AS 4046.2. The mean of the individual results shall be as
follows:
(a) Exposed width: manufacturer’s nominated width ±2%.
(b) Length: manufacturer’s nominated length ±2%.

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 7 AS 2049—2002

FIGURE 1 TILE WIDTHS

5.3 Permitted distortion

The permitted distortion of any roof tile shall be such that when tested in accordance with
AS 4046.1, the maximum gap shall not exceed —
(a) 3 mm for plain tiles;
(b) 5 mm for side-locking tiles; or
(c) 8 mm for head-and-side-locking tiles.
5.4 Batten lugs and squareness
Where the design of the tile requires batten lugs, one or more shall be provided on the
underside of each tile such that they engage over the upper edge of the tiling battens to
provide for the horizontal alignment and vertical restraint of tiles when fixed.
When tiles are tested in accordance with AS 4046.2, the shape and position of the batten
lugs, where fitted, shall be such that where required, each of the 12 test specimens is self-
supporting.
NOTE: Some single profile tile designs cannot be supported by the batten lugs without additional
restraint, e.g., multiple nailing. In this case, to test for squareness, the apparatus should be used
horizontally.

6 WORKMANSHIP AND FINISH

The surface of the tile shall be free from defects, irregularities or excrescences that would
detract from the function of the completed roof, as specified in Clause 5.1
NOTES:
1 Some minor surface marks and blemishes are inherent in the manufacturing process.
2 Surface rectification for minor marks and blemishes is an acceptable form of rectification as
long as such rectification does not impair the performance of the products.
3 Because of possible variations in decorative features such as colour, gloss level and texture, it
is recommended that a note be included in the manufacturer’s literature advising the
consumer accordingly, and recommending that agreement be reached on acceptable variations
in these features at the time of purchase.

7 PROVISION FOR FIXING

All concrete and terracotta roofing tiles and accessories shall be capable of being fixed in
accordance with AS 2050 and have a fixing system designed to meet the appropriate
loading requirements of AS 1170.2 or AS 4055.

8 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
8.1 General
In addition to the design and dimensional requirements set out in Clause 5, roof tiles shall
comply with the performance criteria set out in this Clause (8).

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AS 2049—2002 8

8.2 Transverse breaking load

8.2.1 Requirement
When tiles are tested in accordance with AS 4046.3, the average transverse breaking load
for the six test specimens shall be not less than 4 N per millimetre of exposed width for all
tiles. Additionally, the transverse breaking load for each of the individual test specimens
shall be not less than 3.325 N per millimetre of exposed width for all tiles.
NOTE: For exposed width refer to Clause 5.2.2(a) and Figure 1.
8.2.2 Retest
A retest shall be permitted in the event that the group average transverse breaking load is
less than the required minimum, or only one of the test specimens fails to comply with the
individual minimum. In the event of such retest, the test results of the specimens originally
tested shall be discarded, and the test shall be repeated on 12 further specimens selected at
random from the same identifiable lot as that from which the original test specimens were
sampled.
If the group average breaking load for the 12 retest specimens is less than the required
minimum, or if any one of the retest specimens has a breaking load less than the required
individual minimum, the lot shall be deemed not to comply with the transverse load
requirements of this Standard.
8.3 Water absorption
When roof tiles or accessories are tested in accordance with AS 4046.4, the percentage of
water absorption of any test pieces shall be not more than 10% for tiles graded as ‘general
purpose’.
For terracotta roof tiles that are not kiln fresh and which have been dipped or sealed with a
water repellent, they shall be tested after being brought to 500°C, held there for a minimum
2 h, soaked and then cooled.
8.4 Permeability
8.4.1 Requirement
When tiles are tested in accordance with AS 4046.5, the permeability of each of the three
test specimens shall be such that, at the end of 2 h, no drop of water shall have formed on
the underside of any of the specimens.
NOTE: Care should be taken to ensure that any drops of water formed are not caused by
condensation.
8.4.2 Retest
A retest shall be permitted in the event that only one of the specimens tested fails to comply
with the permeability requirement. In the event of such retest, the test shall be repeated on
six further specimens selected at random from the same identifiable lot as that from which
the original test specimens were taken.
If any one of the six retest specimens fails to comply with the permeability requirement, the
lot shall be deemed not to comply with the permeability requirements of this Standard.
8.5 Freeze/thaw
8.5.1 Requirement
When tiles are tested in accordance with AS 4046.6, each tile shall endure a minimum of
five complete freeze/thaw cycles without significant loss of particles (see AS 4046.6).

 Standards Australia www.standards.com.au

 9 AS 2049—2002

8.5.2 Retest
A retest shall be permitted in the event that only one of the specimens fails to comply with
the freeze/thaw requirement. In the event of such retest, the test shall be repeated on six
further specimens, selected at random from the same identifiable lot as that from which the
original test specimens were taken.
If any one on the six retest specimens fails to comply with the freeze/thaw requirement, the
lot shall be deemed not to comply with the freeze/thaw requirements of this Standard.
A1
8.6 Resistance to salt attack
The ability of roof tile units to resist salt attack shall be categorized (see Table 1) by testing
in accordance with AS 4046.7. When a subsection of a tile is tested in accordance with
AS 4046.7, it shall have a minimum dimension of 50 mm × 25 mm × the nominal thickness.
Roof tiles manufactured in accordance with this Standard, categorized as ‘exposure’ grade
shall be deemed suitable for use in all exposure environments, including severe marine
environments (see Note 1).
Resistance to airborne salt is to be differentiated from the accumulation of salt from other
sources, such as salt arising from evaporative air coolers, and heating devices, etc., which
are fixed above roof tiles (see Note 2).
NOTES:
1 Up to 100 m from a non-surf coast and up to 1 km from a surf coast are both regarded as
severe marine environments. The distances specified are from the mean high watermark.
2 Consideration should be given to effects of salt in such circumstances.

TABLE 1
SALT ATTACK RESISTANCE CATEGORIES
Cateogry Requirement/description
Exposure grade <0.4 g loss in 40 cycles in AS 4046.7 for roof tiles (non-metallic).
General purpose Supplier’s experience, according to which it is possible to demonstrate
that the product has a history of surviving under environmental
conditions similar to those existing at the site considered. Products that
fit this category are not expected to meet the mass loss criterion for
‘exposure’ grade when tested in accordance with AS 4046.7.

9 MARKING
Each tile shall be clearly and permanently marked with the manufacturer’s name, trade
name or brand.
NOTE: Manufacturers making a statement of compliance with this Australian Standard on a
product, packaging, or promotional material related to that product are advised to ensure that such
compliance is capable of being verified.

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AS 2049—2002 10

APPENDIX A
TERMS USED—GENERAL
(Informative)

FIGURE A1 GENERAL TERMS

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 11 AS 2049—2002

APPENDIX B
GENERAL TILE TYPES
(Informative)

FIGURE B1 PLAIN TILES

FIGURE B2 PROFILED TILES

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AS 2049—2002 12

FIGURE B3 SIDE AND HEAD-LOCK TILES

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 13 AS 2049—2002

APPENDIX C
TERMS USED—ACCESSORIES
(Informative)

FIGURE C1 TERMS USED FOR ACCESSORIES

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AS 2049—2002 14

AMENDMENT CONTROL SHEET

AS 2049—2002

Amendment No. 1 (2005)

REVISED TEXT
SUMMARY: This Amendment applies to Clauses 2 and 8.6.
Published on 26 November 2005.
 15 AS 2049—2002

NOTES
AS 2049—2002 16

NOTES
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