©KEBS 2016 — All rights reserved 1 `                                                                                                                                                                                     
KENYA STANDARD                                                                                                                                                                                                        DKS 2706-2:2016         
                    
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fibreboards — Specifications — Part 2: 
Requirements for dry process boards (MDF) 
   
 
 
     COMMITTEE DRAFT 2016  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
© KEBS 201 6                                                                                                              First Edition 2016  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 DKS 2706 - 2: 2016      
  
 
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION 
 
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee: 
1. Elle Interior Designers Ltd 2. Kenya Industrial Research And Development Institute (KIRDI)   
3. University of Nairobi 
4. Consumer information network 5. Global Hardware limited  
6. PG Bison  
7. Timsales Limited  
8. University of Eldoret  9. KEFRI 
10. Kenya Wood Preservation Association  
11. Alogo Enterprises  12. Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat 
 
  
 
  
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS 
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestions for improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, are 
welcome. 
 
 
  
 
 
  
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2016  
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 12 of 2001  of the Laws of 
Kenya, copyright subsists in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 26 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bureau of Standards may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in 
any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the Managing Director. 
 
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©KEBS 2016 — All rights reserved 3  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
Fibreboards — Specifications — Part 2: 
Requirements for dry process boards (MDF) 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF ST ANDARDS (KEBS) 
 
Head Office:  P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi-00200, Tel.: (+254  020) 605490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020)  604031 
E-Mail: info@kebs.org,  Web:http://www.kebs.org  
 
Coast Region                                                                                                                                                      L a k e  R e g i o n                                                                                                                                                                      R i f t  V a l l e y  R e g i o n  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa-80100                                            P.O. Box 2949, Kisumu-40100                                                                              P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru-20100 
T e l . :  ( + 2 5 4   0 4 1 )  2 2 9 5 6 3 ,  2 3 0 9 3 9 / 4 0                                 T e l . :  ( + 2 5 4  0 5 7 )  2 3 5 4 9 ,  2 2 3 9 6                                                                 T e l . :  ( + 2 5 4  0 5 1 )  2 1 0 5 5 3 ,  2 1 0 5 5 5  
F a x :  ( + 2 5 4   0 4 1 )  2 2 9 4 4 8                                                                                                            Fax: (+254 057) 21814  DKS 2706 - 2: 2016      
 Foreword 
 
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the Plywood and Boards Technical Committee under the guidance of the Standards Projects Committee and it is in accordance with the procedures of the Kenya Bureau of 
Standards. 
 This Kenyan Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an 
identical text or by endorsement and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn  
This standard is one of a series specifying requirements for fibreboards. 
 
   
©KEBS 2016 — All rights reserved 5  
 
 
1. Scope 
This Kenyan Standard specifies the requirements for dry process boards (MDF)  
The values listed in this standard relate to product properties but they are not characteristic values to be used 
in design calculations1). 
2. Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document 
(including any amendments) applies. Information on currently valid national and international standards can be 
obtained from the Kenya Bureau of Standards.   
EN 310, Wood-based panels  Determination of modulus of elasticity in bending and of bending strength 
EN 311, Wood-based panels  Surface soundness  Test method 
EN 317, Particleboards and fibreboards  Determination of swelling in thic kness after immersion in water 
EN 318, Wood based panels  Determination of dimensional changes associated with changes in relative 
humidity 
EN 319, Particleboards and fibreboards  Determination of tensile strength perpendicular to the plane of the 
board EN 320, Fibreboards  Determination of resistance to axial withdrawal of screws 
EN 321, Wood-based panels  Determination of moisture resistance under cyclic test conditions 
EN 326-1, Wood-based panels  Sampling, cutting and inspection  Part 1: Sampling and cutting of test 
pieces and expression of test results 
EN 326-2, Wood-based panels  Sampling, cutting and inspection  Part 2: Quality control in the factory 
EN 326-3, Wood-based panels  Sampling, cutting and inspection  Part 3: Inspection of an isolated lot of 
panels 
EN 382-1, Fibreboards  Determination of surface absorption  Part 1: Test method for dry process 
fibreboards EN 622-1, Fibreboards  Specifications  Part 1: General requirements 
EN 1087-1:1995, Particleboards  Determination of moisture resistance  Part 1: Boil test 
EN 12871, Wood-based panels  Performance specifications and requirements for load bearing boards for use 
in floors, walls and roofs 
EN 13271, Timber fasteners  Characteristic load-carrying capacities and slip-moduli for connector joints 
EN 13446, Wood-based panels  Determination of withdrawal capacity of fasteners 
EN 13986:2004, Wood-based panels for use in construction  Characteristics, evaluation of conformity and 
marking ISO 3340, Fibre building boards  Determination of sand content  
3. Terms and definitions 
For the purposes of this Kenyan Standard, the following terms and definitions apply.  
3.1.   
dry conditions 
conditions corresponding to service class 1 of EN 1995-1-1 which is characterized by a moisture content in 
the material corresponding to a temperature of 20 °C and a relative humidity of the surrounding air only 
exceeding 65 % for a few weeks per year 
 
NOTE Boards of this type are suitable for use only in hazard class 1 of EN 335-3.  
humid conditions 
conditions corresponding to service class 2 of EN 1995-1-1 which is characterized by a moisture content in 
the material corresponding to a temperature of 20 °C and a relative humidity of the surrounding air only 
exceeding 85 % for a few weeks per year 
 NOTE Boards of this type are suitable for use in hazard classes 1 and 2 of EN 335-3. 
3.2.  
general purpose use 
conditions corresponding to service class 3 of ENV 1995-1-1:1993 which is characterised by climatic 
conditions leading to higher moisture contents than in service class 2 [EN 13986:2002] 
3.3.  KENYA STANDARD  DKS 2706 - 2: 2016      
 general purpose use 
use in non load-bearing applications not otherwise specified 
3.4.  
non load-bearing use 
use in non load-bearing conditions, e.g. as part of a building or construction 
3.5.  
load-bearing use structural use  
use in a load-bearing construction, i.e. an organized assembly of connected parts designed to provide 
mechanical resistance and stability to the works 
3.6.  
load duration class  
class characterized by the effect of a constant load acting for a certain period of time in the life of the 
structure 
 
NOTE 1 The load duration classes are defined in EN 1995-1-1, see Table 1. 
 
NOTE 2 Examples of load-duration assignment are given in Table 2. Since climatic loads (snow, wind) vary between 
countries, the assignment of load-duration classes may be specified in the national annex. 
 
4.  Requirements 
4.1. General  
Medium density (MDF) shall be of density in the range of 621 kg/m3 to 780 kg/m3. Dry process boards 
shall comply with the general requirements of KS xxxx-1 together with the relevant requirements set out in 
4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6 of this Kenyan Standard. Some supplementary properties and their appropriate 
test methods are given in Clause 6. 
The requirements in Tables 3 to 9 shall be met by 5 percentile values (95 percentile values in the case of 
swelling in thickness), based on the mean test values for individual panels and calculated in accordance with EN 326-1. In the case of swelling in thickness, they shall be equal to or le ss than the values in the 
tables, and in the case of all other properties, they shall be equal to or greater than the values in Tables 3 
to 9. 
   
©KEBS 2016 — All rights reserved 7 The values in Tables 3 to 9 for both bending strength and modulus of elasticity shall apply to test results 
obtained in the weakest direction in the plane of the panel. Properties not required for specific thickness ranges are marked "—". 
With the exception of swelling in thickness and internal  bond after boil test (see Tables 4, 6, 8 and 11), the 
values given in the tables are characterised by a mo isture content in the material corresponding to a 
temperature of 20 °C and a relative humidity of 65 %. The values given for swelling in thickness and internal bond after boil test are characterised by a moisture content in the material corresponding to a temperature of 20 °C and a relative humidity of 65 % before the treatment (immersion in water or boil 
treatment). 
 
The moisture resistance of dry process boards for use in humid conditions (see Tables 4, 6, 8 and 9) is 
assessed by showing compliance with either one of two options: 
 Option 1: Swelling in thickness and internal bond after cyclic test (according to EN 321); 
 Option 2: Internal bond after immersion in bo iling water (according to EN 1087-1:1995), with the 
modified procedure given in Annex A. 
 When verifying compliance by external control, on ly the test option performed and notified by the 
manufacturer shall be carried out. If the option is unkn own, it will be necessary to carry out both sets of 
procedures, even though compliance with only one set of specifications is required. 
 
4.2.  Requirements for non load-bearing boards , including boards for general purpose use 
4.2.1. Requirements for boards for use in dry conditions 
Table 3 specifies the requirements for general purpose boards for use in dry conditions, particularly interior 
fitments including furniture.  
 
 
4.2.2.  Requirements for boards for use in humid conditions  
 Table 4 specifies the requirements for general purpose boards for use in humid conditions DKS 2706 - 2: 2016      
  
 
 
4.3. Requirements for load-bearing boards 
4.3.1. Requirements for load-bearing boards for use in dry conditions 
Table 5 specifies the requirements for load-bearing boards for use in dry conditions for all load duration 
classes. 
 
 
4.3.2. Requirements for load-bearing boards for use in humid conditions 
Table 6 specifies the requirements for load-bearing boards for use in humid conditions for instantaneous or short-term load duration only. 
   
©KEBS 2016 — All rights reserved 9  
4.4. Requirements for boards for use in rigid underlays in roofing and walls 
Table 7 specifies the requirements for boards for use in rigid underlays in roofing and walls. 
This board type may also be used for instantaneous (e.g. wind) or short-term (e.g. snow) load duration only in 
application as a rigid underlay in roofing and walls. 
 
NOTE 1 These boards are referred to in EN 14964 with additional requirements. 
 
 
NOTE 2 In deviation from EN 319 hardwood and hardwood plywood blocks should not be used. 
   
5. Verification of compliance 
DKS 2706 - 2: 2016      
 5.1. General  
Verification of compliance with this European Standard shall be carried out using the test methods listed in EN 
622-1 and in Tables 3 to 11 as appropriate. For boards for use in construction applications EN 13986 applies. 
 
5.2. External control 
External control of the factory, if any, shall be carried out according to EN 326-2. The inspection of an isolated lot of panels shall be carried out according to EN 326-3. 
 
5.3. Factory production control 
Factory production control shall be carried out according to  EN 326-2. The properties listed in Tables 3, 4, 5, 
6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and in EN 622-1 shall be controlled, using intervals between tests not exceeding the intervals given in Table 12. Sampling shall be carried out at random. Alternative test methods and/or 
unconditioned test pieces may be used if a valid correlation to the specified test methods can be proven. The 
intervals between tests given in Table 12 are related to a production under statistical control. 
 
Table 8— Maximum interval between test  
 
 
 
Table 8 specifies the requirements for heavy-duty load-bearing boards for use in humid conditions for 
instantaneous or short-term load duration only. 
 
 
6. Supplementary properties 
For certain applications, information on some of the prop erties listed in Table 13 may be required. On request, 
this information shall be supplied by the board manufacturer, in which case it shall have been derived using the 
test methods in Table 9. 
 Table 9 — Supplementary properties 
 
   
©KEBS 2016 — All rights reserved 11  
 
7. Marking 
7.1. Boards marketed within the European Economic Area for construction applications 
Boards produced in conformity with this European Standard and marketed in any of the territories of the 
European Economic Area for use in construction applications as defined in the Construction Products 
Directive (89/106/EEC) shall be marked according to the requirements of EN 13986. 
 
NOTE In certain countries only products of formaldehyde class E1 are allowed. 
 
7.2. Other boards 
In the case of other boards produced in conformity with this standard each panel or package shall be clearly marked by the manufacturer by indelible direct printing wi th at least the following information in this sequence: 
a) manufacturer's name, trade mark, or identification mark; 
b) number of this European Standard, i.e. EN 622-5; 
c) panel type e.g. MDF, or MDF.HLS; d) nominal thickness; 
e) formaldehyde class according to EN 622-1; 
f) batch number, or the production week and year. 
NOTE In case of cut-to-size panels, where the first purchaser is the user of the product and where he agrees 
that marking (other than on the package) is unnecessary, the marking of such individual panels in the package 
need not be undertaken.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Annex A 
(Normative) 
Boil test according to EN 1087-1 - Modified procedure  
EN 1087-1:1995 shall be used with the following modifications in the clauses: 
Add the following sub clause: 
 
4.5 Air circulating oven – capable of maintaining an internal temperature of (70 2) °C. 
Add the following sentence in 5.5: 
 
5.5 The bonding of the test pieces to the testing blocks shall only be carried out after the boil and subsequent 
treatments have been completed. 
All other aspects of this subclause apply. 
 
6 Procedure – replace with the following subclause: 
 
6.2 After (120 5) min remove the test pieces and immerse them in water at (20 5) °C for (60 5) min. The 
test pieces shall have their faces vertical and be se parated from each other and from the sides and the bottom 
of the water bath by at least 15 mm. 
Remove the test pieces from the water, dry them with a paper towel and place them, with their faces horizontal, 
in the drying oven at (70 2) °C for (960 15) min. Remove the test pieces from the oven, allow them to cool to 
approximately room temperature and bond  the loading blocks to the faces. 
 
NOTE If the surfaces of the test pieces are rough or uneven, they may be smoothed before bonding to the blocks by rubbing on a piece of 
abrasive paper which is held on a flat surface. DKS 2706 - 2: 2016