Climatic Chamber Configurator
Discover the Climatic Chamber Configurator
Our guide to choosing the climate chamber best suited to your needs.
Building materials are among the most regulated when it comes to climate testing.
Climatic tests must be carried out to authorize the marketing and subsequent use of the materials in question.
These are compounds that are the foundation of our buildings, bridges and the roads of our cities.
Manufacturers of building materials must therefore comply with particularly stringent standards and subject the various specimens to tests under controlled temperatures and humidity.
UNI-EN-772-22: The Standard
The UNI-EN-772-22 standard includes in its wording the subtitle “Test methods for masonry units – Part 22: Determination of freeze/thaw resistance of clay masonry units”.
The standard implements the European CPR n.305/2011 for construction products, which indicates mechanical resistance (also known as compressive strength ) and stability as essential requirements for masonry materials, both structural and non-structural .
UNI-EN-772-22 replaces UNI CEN/TS 772-22:2006, which had the same intent and has been integrated with further inputs in the new version.
All materials used for masonry, from bricks to perforated ones, must meet the requirements of this regulation to obtain the CE marking.
UNI-EN-772-22 therefore indicates the type of test for the mechanical resistance of masonry materials.
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UNI-EN-772-22: The Test
The specimens to be tested must be standard 10, to be taken from samples that must not exceed 20m3 in size.
The test required by UNI-EN-772-22 falls squarely within the freeze and thaw tests, which you can learn more about here.
Freeze-thaw testing involves programming automatic temperature cycles, which bring the specimen from standard temperatures to extremely low temperatures, in a rapid, pre-set time.
The test, however, begins with the specimen being immersed in water at chamber temperature for 7 days.
Only then is it subjected to freeze-thaw cycles to determine the material's durability and resistance to moisture.
The cycles are 100 and reach a negative temperature of -15° +/- 2K for two hours.
The sample is thawed with air at a temperature of 20⁰ +/- 2K for 20 minutes, followed by a water film at a temperature of 20⁰C +/- 2K for 2 minutes.
At the end of the test the specimens are inspected.
The use of water jets as a necessary part of the UNI-EN-772-22 test requires building material manufacturers to procure a testing machine capable of guaranteeing all the above-mentioned characteristics, in a single instrument.
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Climatic Chamber for UNI-EN-772-22
The FDM with tank system are the optimal solution for tests compliant with UNI-EN-772-22.
With a basic temperature range of 0-70° but extendable according to specific customer requirements, even our standard chambers, not only the environmental ones, can reach a negative temperature of -25°.
Humidity ranges from 10% to 98% to meet any specification.
Our tank system, which you can learn more about here, consists of two containers inserted directly into the chamber and managed by a level device.
This configuration allows the test required by UNI-EN-772-22 to be completed, with water jets applied to the material sample.
Do you need to carry out tests according to the UNI-EN-772-22 standard?
Contact us for further information on FDM Climatic Chambers.
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Reference Standards
- UNI EN 772-1 — Test methods for masonry units: determination of compressive strength, dimensional reference method.
- UNI EN 772-22 — Test methods for masonry units: determination of freeze-thaw resistance of clay units for severe exposure.
- EN 1745 — Masonry and masonry products: methods for determining thermal properties, applicable to frost-tested bricks.
- UNI EN 1996-1-1 — Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures, exposure classes and durability.
- EN 12390-9 — Testing hardened concrete: Freeze-thaw resistance with de-icing salts for structural concrete.
Authoritative Sources
- UNI – Italian Standards Organization. It implements European EN standards in Italy and publishes UNI EN standards for construction products.
- CEN – European Committee for Standardization. Manages the EN 772 series for masonry elements according to Construction Products Regulation 305/2011.
- ISO – International Organization for Standardization. Publishes reference standards on durability testing for building products.
Frequently Asked Questions about the UNI EN 772-22 Standard
What exactly does UNI EN 772-22 prescribe?
The UNI EN 772-22 standard specifies the method for determining the freeze-thaw resistance of fired clay masonry units intended for use in severe exposure (class F2 according to EN 771-1). The test involves freeze-thaw cycles in a climatic chamber with specimens partially immersed in water (5-10 mm) to simulate the critical condition of masonry exposed to heavy rain followed by freezing. Cycle profile: drop from +5°C to -15°C in 100-140 min, hold at -15°C (+/- 2°C) for a minimum of 100 min, rise to +5°C with full immersion in water for thawing, hold at +5°C for at least 140 min. A complete cycle lasts approximately 6-8 hours. The standard requires 100 cycles for severe classes F1/F2. After the test, visual damage (scaling, cracking, exfoliation) is evaluated and the lost mass is measured for comparison with a non-cycled specimen.
How many cycles for the different T classes?
The frost durability classification of masonry elements includes three classes according to EN 771-1: F0 (passive exposure, protected internal) – no testing required; F1 (moderate exposure, ventilated or rendered facades in temperate climates) – 50 cycles; F2 (severe exposure, unprotected facades in alpine areas, parapets, kerbs) – 100 cycles with more stringent criteria. The UK guidelines add F2 severe with 150 cycles for applications such as chimney caps, retaining walls, portal stones. The F2 acceptance criteria include: (1) mass loss < 1% compared to the control sample; (2) no through cracks; (3) surface scaling < 2 mm in depth; (4) maintenance of compressive strength >= 80% of the initial value. The climatic zone of use determines the minimum class required: NTC 2018 Italian climatic zones E/F require F2 for exposed elements, F1 or higher for protected ones.
How does the test relate to the 50-year useful life?
The correlation between laboratory tests and real-life conditions is one of the critical questions in durable design. The basic assumption of UNI EN 772-22 is that 100 accelerated cycles are conventionally equivalent to 50-100 years of exposure in moderate European climates (M/S Zones of EN 15026). The basis is statistical: multi-decadal climate monitoring shows 30-80 real freeze-thaw cycles/year in Alpine climates, 10-30 cycles/year in the Po Valley, 0-5 cycles/year in Mediterranean areas. The test is faster than reality for two reasons: (1) constant forced water saturation, while in the field the element alternates wet/dry; (2) consecutive cycles without curing/re-equilibration pauses. Critical Saturation Method (CSM) and predictive models (Powers gel-space ratio, Fagerlund critical degree) are integrated for more accurate estimates. The product's CE qualification specifies class F and performance limits but is not a service life contract.
Which climatic chambers are needed for UNI 772-22?
The chamber must meet specific geometric and performance requirements. Typical usable volume 200-600 L to contain standard 200x100x100 mm specimens in groups of 6-12 pieces. Temperature range -20 / +20 C with controlled ramp rate 0.5-1 C/min. Uniformity +/- 2 C required throughout the usable volume to prevent specimens in different areas from receiving different cycles. Integrated tank with thermostatic water circulation pump (+5 C +/- 1 C) for the immersion phase, automatic drainage and filling system between phases. Finned, anti-galvanization evaporator exchangers for compatibility with water and steam. Redundant 4-wire Pt100 Class A sensors at 3 points in the usable volume for mapping and 1 sensor in the water tank. Software with automatic programmed cycling (100+ unsupervised cycles) and 21 CFR Part 11 data recording for product certification. Chamber qualification must be performed by ACCREDIA once a year for laboratories that issue CE declarations of conformity.
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