A) INTRODUCTION – SCOPE OF DOCUMENT

1) This specification is to be read in conjunction with relevant working drawings.

2) This specification conforms to the requirements of the Building Regulations 2016 (as
amended) as follows:
Document Name Edition Amendment(s)

A Structure 2004 2004; 2010; 2013

B Fire Safety 2006 2010; 2013
C Site Preparation 2004 2010; 2013
D Toxic Substances 1992 2002; 2010; 2013
E Sound 2003 2004;2010; 2013; 2015
F Ventilation 2010 2010; 2013
G Sanitation and Hot Water 2015 2016
H Drainage and Waste Disposal 2010 2010; 2013
J Combustion Appliances 2015 N/A
K Falling, Collision and Impact 2013 N/A
L1A Conservation of Fuel and Power 2013 2016
M Access to Buildings 2015 2016
P Electrical Safety 2013 N/A
Q Security 2015 N/A
R Electronic Communication Networks 2016 N/A
Regulation 7 2013 N/A

B) FOUNDATIONS (TO BS 8004: 2015)

1) All foundation types to be designed in accordance with the requirements of a site
specific ground investigation report. Refer to Structural Engineers report to determine
precise specification for foundation sizes, minimum depths, Concrete Grade etc.

C) WALL CONSTRUCTION BELOW DAMP-PROOF COURSE

1) Load bearing bricks to have minimum crushing strength of 5 Newton per square
millimetre (N/mm2).
2) External walls: generally trench blocks/ foundation blocks in accordance with
BS European Union Standard (EN) 771 3 to be minimum 3.5N/mm2. Where depth to
top of foundation exceeds 1m (measured from damp-proof course (DPC) blockwork
(BLK) to be minimum 7N/mm2. Wall strength never to be less than strength of the wall
over.
3) Generally five no course of facing brickwork (BWK) below DPC level.
4) Internal walls: generally as external wall however in addition where 7N/mm2 blocks are
required sub walls to be a minimum 140mm.
5) Mortar mix to be 1 cement: 1 lime: 4.5 5 sand; Mortar Strength Designation Class M6
to BS EN 998-2. Sulphate resisting mortar and blocks to be used where identified as
necessary within ground investigation report.

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 6) Cavities to extend below DPC level and filled with insulation minimum 150mm below
floor construction with concrete fill below to top of foundation.
7) In some soil and ground water conditions, e.g. contaminated by industrial waste or
highly acid soils, specialist advice should be obtained as to the suitability of foundation
blocks.
8) Dry thermal conductivity of top course of BLK below DPC to be maximum of 0.19 Watts
per metre Kelvin (W/mK).
9) Lintels in external walls below DPC – pre cast concrete lintels. Refer to sub-structure
drawings for locations of drainage and incoming service positions.

D) GROUND FLOOR CONSTRUCTION

1) 175 Polypropylene Fibre reinforce Concrete Slab. On 300 micrometer (µm) polythene
damp-proof membrane (DPM) with minimum 150mm laps to be taped and sealed.
2) Where radon barriers are required BBA certificated membranes only to be used and
installed in accordance with certification. Refer Site Investigation Report.

E) DAMP-PROOF COURSES
1) Horizontal DPCs, 900 µm black polythene to BS 6515: 1991, generally 100mm (or to
suit thickness of wall skin). Inner leaf to be 600mm to allow for step between finished
floor level (FFL) and DPM level.
2) DPC to be minimum 150mm above external ground level. DPC to be stepped up as
necessary to maintain 150mm clearance above entrance ramp or level platform
adjacent to principal entrance door.
3) Horizontal DPC linked/jointed to floor DPM with minimum 300mm laps. Horizontal
DPC lapped minimum 105mm. Internal/external preformed corners and “top hat
collars” to be utilised to facilitate ease of build.
4) Floor DPM as described within ground floor construction specification.
5) External door and window openings – polythene cavity trays to be provided over
openings with exposed BWK over, cavity tray to project 150mm minimum beyond end
bearing of lintel and rise 150mm minimum across the cavity. Provide pre-formed weep
vents over external openings at every third perpendicular brick joint, 450mm maximum
CCs, 2 number minimum per opening. All vents to have BBA certificate.
6) Provide horizontal and/or stepped pre-formed cavity trays to BS EN 1996: 2006 over
wall/roof abutments with attached lead.
7) Provide 300 µm polythene DPM to rear of wall mounted meter boxes when positioned
in a cavity wall situation.
8) All ABs and meter cupboards to have a cavity tray over projecting 300mm either side.
ABs to have cavity liners.
9) Eurocell Cavalok (OSA) cavity closers to be used to jambs of all external openings.

F) LEAD FLASHING

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 1) Code 4 (1.8mm) lead sheet in lengths not exceeding 1500mm for flashings where roofs
abut external BWK, chimneys, etc. Cover flashing fixed in position with lead wedges
with minimum 25mm horizontal joint.
2) Flashings to be continuous with cavity trays, minimum 75mm upstand all to comply
with BS EN 12588: 2006.

G LINTELS AND STRUCTURAL STEELWORK

1) Lintel are to be as manufactured by Birtley Building Products in accordance with
BS EN 845-2: 2013, galvanised to BS EN International Standards Organisation
(ISO) 1461: 2009
2) Galvanised steel lintels over all openings in internal load bearing walls.
3) Lintels are to be bedded on full block wherever possible.
4) Generally lintel end bearings of 150mm although less is acceptable when proved by
structural calculation.
5) Padstones to have a minimum compressive strength of 25N/mm2 in concrete or fully
bonded Class B engineering bricks. Size of padstones as detailed on drawings.
6) All structural steelwork to be primed and pre-drilled for installation. Steels are to be as
illustrated on the individual working drawings.
7) Service penetrations (where required) to be pre-cut; refer to individual house types
(site cutting not permitted).

G) EXTERNAL CAVITY WALL CONSTRUCTION

Applicable to single storey, two storey and room in the roof house types (timber floors where
applicable).
1) FULL FILL CAVITY U VALUE ACHIEVED 0.24W/M2K
327.5mm overall structural width comprising outer leaf of 102.5mm face BWK to
BS EN 771-1: 2011, 125mm cavity filled with blown mineral fibre insulation (t/c
0.034w/mk) with an appropriate BBA agreement certificate, inner leaf of 100mm
aerated block, 3.5N/mm2 as shown on drawings.
2) MORTAR MIX
Mortar to be designated mix (M4 to BS EN 998-2).
Plasticisers added to extend working life to approximately two days.
All facing BWK to be pointed with a bucket handle finish.
3) WALL TIES

Brick/Block Cavity Wall – external and internal leaves tied together with Type 4/A
250mm (101-125 cavity), stainless steel (SS) wall ties to BS EN 845-1:2013, at
maximum 900 horizontal and 450mm vertical centres (CRS). Wall ties fixed 225mm
vertically at all reveals to BS EN 1996: 2006. Wall ties at 225mm horizontal and
300mm vertical CCs to gable walls and inset 225mm from top of wall. Ties to be
positioned centrally to provide minimum 62.5mm embedment in each leaf.
4) CLOSING CAVITIES
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 Cavities to be closed at roof eaves level utilising flexible cavity barriers. Cavities
around external window/door openings and garage abutments to be closed utilising
propriety Insulated cavity closers.
5) WIND POSTS
Ancon wind posts are to be provided at positions noted in accordance with Structural
Engineers details.
6) LOCALISED STRENGTHENING
Refer to working drawings for areas of localised strengthening as detailed within
structural assessment.
7) INTERNAL FINISH
Applicable to majority of wall types (Refer Surface Finishes schedule), inner leaf
finished with 12.5mm tapered edge British Gypsum (BG) plasterboards on adhesive
dabs (overall thickness 25mm) with Ames taped joints for direct decoration.
Continuous dab to be provided at skirting and ceiling levels, around external openings,
electrical sockets and switches, fire hearth openings (where applicable) and gas
service runs. Moisture Resistant boards are to be used within “Wet Rooms”.

H) MOVEMENT / EXPANSION JOINTS

1) Movement joints to BS EN 1996: 2006.
2) Joints to be positioned as indicated on house type working drawings generally:
3) Clay brick – 12m maximum horizontal CRS.
4) Calcium silicate – 7.5m-9m maximum horizontal CRS.
5) Concrete brick/block – 5/6m maximum horizontal CRS.
6) External Leaf: 16mm wide joint filled with UV resistant, closed cell polyethylene semi-
rigid hydrocell filler board or foam rubber recessed from face minimum 8mm. Finished
with gun applied non-hardening low viscosity poly sulphide sealant and full depth of
recess. Sealant to match colour of facing as closely as possible. Wherever possible
joints should be located behind rainwater pipes.
7) Internal Leaf: joints to be formed at locations shown on individual house type working
drawings – blocks to be butt jointed and tied across joint at 225mm vertical CRS using
proprietary flat-strip de-bonded ties. Lintels spanning joints to be bedded on slip
membrane extending to the length of bearing.
8) Additional wall ties to be installed within cavity walls maximum 225mm to each side of
the joint at 225mm vertical CRS in accordance with BS 8103 Part 2: 2013.

I) NON LOAD BEARING PARTITIONS

1) DPC to be located below all ground floor partitions.
2) Partitions comprising: 63x38mm Canadian Lumber Standard (CLS) timbers spaced at
600mm CCs, lined both sides with 12.5mm BG plasterboard and 65mm acoustic
partition roll (APR) (12kg/m3) within cavity; provide timber noggins at mid height;
14.5mm MDF skirting.
3) Partitions comprising: 122x47CLS where room height is in excess of 2550mm
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 4) Partitions other than above, generally to consist of 63x38mm CLS timbers, spaced
generally at 600mm CCs, lined both sides with 12.5mm taper edge BG plasterboard
with joints filled and taped for direct decoration.
5) Full height and half height boxings to be framed out with 38x38mm timbers.

J) WINDOWS
1) Polyvinyl chloride (unplastercized) (PVCu) windows to be white finished (generally)
and to comply with BS 6375-1: 2015/-2: 2009/-3: 2009/-A1: 2013 and
Product Approved Specification (PAS) 24: 2012 which satisfies the requirements of
Approved Document Q.
2) Styles to be in accordance with house type elevations and schedules.
3) All windows to be internally beaded & to be fitted with EASY-CLEAN EGRESS hinges
to permit cleaning of glass from inside.
4) Windows to be weather stripped and fitted with two position locking handles
(fire escape windows to be unlockable).
5) Window boards to be 25mm thick MR MDF, 225mm depth x length (varies).
6) Overframe trickle ventilators are to be provided to all windows as detailed within the
window schedule.

K GLAZING
1) All glazing to be in accordance with Approved Document K4 (England only) and
ADN Sections N1 and N2 (Wales only).
2) Generally 28mm sealed double glazed units comprising 6.4mm laminated glass,
18mm inert gas filled cavity, 4mm low emissivity (Low E) (hard coat) glass, to achieve
minimum U value of 1.3W/m2K. British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC)
certification to be provided by manufacturer.
3) Glazing below 1500mm above finished floor level (AFFL) in both doors and sidelights
within 300mm of door jamb and all other areas of glazing below 800mm AFFL must be
either:
i) toughened or laminated and break safely to BS 6262: 2005 or
ii) robust i.e. 8mm annealed glass in panes not exceeding 1.1m in both height
and width or
iii) 6mm annealed glass in small panes i.e. maximum width 250mm and area
0.5m².

L MEANS OF ESCAPE
1) Except for kitchens all habitable rooms in the ground floor storey should either open
directly onto a hall leading to the entrance or other suitable exit or comply with (below).
2) Provisions for escape with floors not more than 4.5m above ground FL (first floor):
habitable rooms (bedroom, study, etc.) to be provided with emergency egress
window(s) (or door(s) if applicable), window having an unobstructed openable area
that is at least 0.33m square and at least 450mm high and 450mm wide (the route
through the window may be at an angle rather than straight through). The bottom of

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 the openable area should be between 800mm and 1100mm above the FFL. Windows
should enable the person escaping to reach a place free from danger of fire.
3) Provisions for escape for houses with a FL more than 4.5m above ground FL (second
floor): no requirement for egress windows to the upper floor habitable rooms (unless
an inner room) (or doors, if applicable) but a protected shaft (stairway) discharging to
a final exit at ground FL or floor can be separated (by fire resisting construction) and
given its own alternative escape route discharging to a final exit at ground FL.

M DOORS
1) ENTRANCE DOORS
i) Entrance Doors manufactured to PAS 24: 2012.
ii) Aluminium Entrance Doors.
iii) Principle entrance door letter plate aperture of 240x40mm with restrictor flap.
2) INTERNAL DOORS
44mm as above. Doors installed into variable width frame x 25mm MDF frame with
1.5 pairs of 100mm steel adjustable hinges. Frame routed to allow for 10x4
intumescent and cold smoke seal. All fire doors (FDs) to be FD30 (FD60 where
needed). Certified approved and formally tested to BS 476 Part 22.

N MEANS OF VENTILATION: ROOMS

Mechanical, purge and background ventilation to comply with Approved Document F.
1) Background ventilation to be provided by means of controllable trickle ventilators
generally located in head of window. Refer to window schedule for ventilation
requirement breakdown.

2) Sanitary accommodation: wall/ceiling mounted fan to extract at a rate not less than 6L
per second

i) All Fans to be either ducted through floor void to outside wall, through roof
space to vent tile or wall mounted direct through external wall. Where ducted
through roof space duct to be insulated and incorporate condensation trap.
Rigid ducting to be used in all instances.
ii) Mechanical Extract Fans: are to have the complete housing perimeter sealed
to the wall finish. The opening through the external wall is to be made good
and sealed using silicone mastic beads. Fans and ducts must be installed in
compliance with the “Good Practice Guide” in Approved Document F1
Appendix E.
iii) All mechanical ventilation installations: are to be commissioned by competent
person. Inspection checklist and airflow measurement test sheets to be
completed and made available for site inspection by building control body.
3) Purge ventilation requires that each habitable room to provide openable area of at least
1/20th of the room floor area.

P UPPER FLOORS
1) Proprietary engineered timber joist (I-Beam) system.
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 2) I-beams and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beams will generally be 240mm deep.
3) Joists are generally spaced at 600mm CRS.
4) All floors to be overlaid with 22mm Egger Protect tongue and grove particleboard
manufactured to EN312 and installed in accordance with manufacturer’s
Advanced Flooring System.
5) Stud partitions parallel to the floor span but not located immediately over I-Beams to
be supported on minimum 38x90mm noggings at maximum. 600mm CCs between
joists - noggings to be fixed to top flange of beams using proprietary “Z clip” hangers.
6) Minimum 38x38mm noggings to be fixed with proprietary “Z clips” to top flanges of
I-Beams around all perimeters for fixing edges of floor decking.
7) Mid span strutting is only required as shown on manufacturers joist layout drawings.
8) The joist layouts prepared by the manufacturer are to be strictly followed and adhered
to in terms of setting out to ensure structural stability in all cases. Lateral restraint to
be positioned in accordance with manufacturer’s designs.
9) Under no circumstances should the top or bottom I-Beam flanges be notched or drilled.
10) LVL beams may be notched and drilled subject to manufacturer’s approval.

Q STAIRCASES
1) Stair flights to comply with Approved Document K 2013 and BS Part 1: 1989.
2) Maximum rise 220mm, minimum going 220mm, maximum pitch 42 degrees. Therefore
the normal relationship between the dimensions of the rise and going (R&G) is that
twice the rise plus the going (2R+G) should be between 550mm and 700mm.
3) Storey heights generally 2662mm, comprising thirteen risers at 204.77mm, going
230mm, pitch 41.80 degrees.
4) Generally 1500mm overall strings.

5) Minimum un-obstructed headroom over stair flight to be minimum

2m measured vertically above pitch line.

6) Handrail required to both sides of stair flight which must be continuous with minimum
25mm clearance between the rail and the adjacent wall to prevent trapping or injuring
of hand.

7) Handrails to be minimum 900mm measured vertically above pitch line.

R ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION
1) Electrical installation to comply with Approved Document P. Electrical layouts are
schematic only – completed installation must comply with IET Regulations+A3 and all
relevant Codes of Practice.
2) All sockets, switches, thermostats, controls, TV points and telephone sockets, etc, will
be positioned between 450mm and 1200mm above FL on all floors (bottom of sockets
450mm above FL, top of sockets no more than 1200mm).

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 3) Recessed low voltage down lighters to be sealed type with lens to prevent moisture
entering roof space or to have 150mm sealed BG plasterboard “box” above in roof
space. Insulation to be minimum 150mm clear of fitting to prevent overheating. Where
down lighters between floors exceed 85mm Ø OR are at less than 900mm CCs they
are to have fire resistant “top hat” shroud.
4) All lighting to be energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps or have a luminous
efficacy greater than 45 lumens per circuit watt (W).
5) All porch lights and external lights elsewhere to be photocell (dusk till dawn) manually
switched. Lamp capacity <100mm lamp W per light fitting. External lighting with
manual switching and automatic daylight control should have a minimum light
efficiency of 40 lumens.
6) Smoke alarms/detectors to be mains operated, self-contained, interconnected, and
permanently wired into a separate circuit at the distribution board and comply with
BS 5939-6: 2004
7) Smoke detectors are to be sited within circulation areas
8) Wall mounted carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in close proximity to boiler
positioned 2m to top thereof.
9) Isolators required to all extract fans positioned over door head.
10) DB boards are to be of ferrous metallic construction and labelled to
BS 7671: 2008+A3:2015 positioned at a height to U/S of 1350mm.

S DRAINAGE
1) Sanitary pipework to be in accordance with Approved Document H Section l.
2) All works are to be carried out to the satisfaction of the local Water Authority Byelaws
and NHBC requirements.
3) All Drainage materials manufactured by Osma Wavin.
4) Generally foul and surface water drainage served by 100mm and 150mm Ø pipework.
All drains surrounded in granular back filling in accordance with Approved Document H
Diagrams 8, 9 and Table 8. Where foul drains serve 10 or more dwellings 150 Ø
drainage is required.
5) Soil and ventilation pipe (SVP) discharge stacks to be 100mm Ø PVC reducing to
75mm Ø (above highest branch) applicable to dwellings up to two storeys to terminate
a minimum of 900mm above any opening within 3m and horizontally from the stack
with a plastic cage. SVP passing through all rooms wrapped in minimum 25mm
insulating material and boxed in with 38x38mm framing and two layers of 12.5mm
BG plasterboard with access panel to base.
6) Ground floor WCs and wash hand basins to discharge via floor adapters in to 100mm
via PVC pipe with long radius bend or via a stub stack with an air admittance valve
(AAV). Where SVPs positioned internally terminate the stack with a tile vent. All AAV
boxings to incorporate access panel and discrete ventilation grill (BG Profilex Handi
Access Panel OSA and Rytons Disc Vent Ref CV60FBG or similar approved (OSA)).
7) Basin wastes to be: 32mm up to 1700mm, 40mm up to 3000mm with anti-syphonic
traps. All other wastes: 40mm up to 2300mm, 50mm up to 4000mm with anti-syphonic

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 traps minimum Ø of a common branch pipe to be 50mm and a gradient of 18mm to
45mm per metre.
8) All traps to be removable or to be fitted with a cleaning eye. Where access for cleaning
discharge pipes cannot be provided by removing traps then rodding points are to be
included. All internally exposed waste pipes to be white PVC.
9) Drains passing through sub walls/foundation to be protected by concrete lintels,
100x75mm.
10) Rainwater drainage to be in accordance with Approved Document H3 Section 2 or
BS EN 752: 2008. Rainwater goods (gutters, down pipes and fixings) in accordance
with Approved Document H3 Section 1 and BS EN 12200-1: 2000.

T HEATING APPLIANCES AND WATER USAGE (PART G)

1) All installations in accordance with Approved Document J.
2) Hot and cold water supply, central heating system and plumbing layout to be designed
by specialist consultant and installed strictly in accordance with the specification and
drawings.
3) All heating schemes are to be designed to BS EN 442 based on an external
temperature of -3C.
4) All pipes in roof space to be lagged to BS 5422: 2009. Where supply pipes pass
through service holes in the joists they are to be surrounded by a layer of mineral wool.
5) Heating system to comprise of wall mounted gas-fired fan assisted condensing boiler
situated where indicated on the heating layout. Boiler to be “A” rated.
6) Heating system to be installed with programmer, boiler interlock, cylinder thermostat,
load compensator with delayed start/ stop facility and dual zoned controls.
7) All radiators (RADs) are to be fitted with a thermostatic RAD valves and one lock shield
valve except room containing room thermostat(s). Exposed pipework from the boiler
to be copper pipe in accordance with the heating design.
8) Immersion heater is to be wired back to electric distribution board to facilitate
emergency back-up in the event of boiler breakdown.
9) Where plastic pipework is in or behind wall surfaces and would otherwise not be
locatable by a metal detector or similar equipment a metallic tape is to be applied to
the pipework.
10) Gas pipework from meter to appliances to be chased into the wall surface and covered
with a continuous plaster dab. Gas pipework can be run within first floor voids.
11) Flue guard to be fitted to all flue outlets less than 2.0m above ground level.
12) Where boiler is positioned within an unheated space (garage/loft space) a frost
thermostat is to be installed.
13) Thermal conductivity of pipework insulation not to exceed 0.045W/mK.
14) Hot water storage vessels must incorporate precautions to prevent stored water
exceeding 100mm degrees C and ensure that any discharge from safety devices is
discharged safely.

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U ROOF CONSTRUCTION
1) Concrete interlocking tiles to be fixed strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations taking into account the local topography and adverse climate
features, wind speed and exposure, roof pitch, height to ridge and
BS 5534: 2014+A12015 and BS EN 1991-1-1: 2002.
2) All battens to be fully graded in accordance with BS EN 5534: 2014+A1:2015 generally
50x25mm treated s/wd battens for interlocking concrete. Tiling battens are generally
distinctive in colour and highly visible.
3) Lay breathable membrane to BS EN 13859-2:2014 (185g/m2) under battens, suitably
lapped and dressed to gutters.
4) Cold Roof: ceiling chord to be insulated with two layers (100mm and 300mm) of glass
fibre insulation laid between ceiling ties in first layer and over ceiling ties in second
layer. U value 0.10W/m2k.
5) Ensure that the full depth of insulation between and over ceiling chords abuts eaves
insulation.
6) Trussed rafters designed, installed and manufactured in accordance with
BS EN 1995-1-1: 2004+A2:2014 by approved manufacturer at maximum 600mm
CRS. Truss rafters skew nailed to wall plate using two 4.5mm Ø x 100mm long
galvanised round wire nails or nail gun equivalent.
7) All roof bracing: 100x25mm free from major strength reducing defects and distortion.
Bracings fixed with two 3.35x75mm galvanised round wire nails or nail gun equivalent.
Diagonal, longitudinal and chevron bracing (where required) as indicated on roof layout
drawing in accordance with NHBC requirements.
8) Wallplates: generally 50x100mm treated s/wd to be bedded on mortar bed.
Galvanised mild steel (MS) restraint straps with 100mm crank at maximum 2m CCs.
CRS may vary to suit openings and external appearances. Straps fixed to external
wall with minimum three 65mm No 12 screws with appropriate expanding plugs with
one fixing within 150mm of bottom of strap.
9) Access to roof space from within dwelling to be provided by the use of a pre-formed
insulated PVCu (fire rated as necessary) unit minimum opening 526mm long and
626mm wide (generally) with draught proofing and a facility to compress draught
proofing. Access hatch to have a U-value ≤ 0.35W/m2K. Where access hatches are
provide within a protected environment they are to achieve matching fire ratings.
10) All small roofs to porches, to be finished in plain tiles to BS EN 490: 2011 with baby
hip tiles as necessary.
11) Soffit eaves and verge overhang dimensions to be as roof plan.
12) Dry fix systems (ridge and valley) fixed in accordance with manufacture’s
recommendations offering equivalent 5mm2 continuous ventilation.
13) Ceilings finished with 15mm BG plasterboard with joints taped and filled.
BG plasterboards fixed at 150mm CCs with 40 self-tapping zinc plated screws with
counter sunk cross heads.
14) Where trusses run parallel to external walls they are to be restrained at ceiling and
rafter level by means of galvanised steel lateral restraint straps 1200mm long with
100mm crank at 2m CRS maximum. Blocking under the straps being 150x38mm solid.
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 Straps to be fixed to a minimum three joists/rafters. All lateral restraint is to be in
accordance with BS 5628 Part 1: 2005.

V ROOF VOID VENTILATION

1) To comply with Approved Document F 2010 Section 5 and BS 5250: 2011.
2) Roof space ventilation provided by the use of prefabricated over fascia ventilators
providing a continuous 10mm air gap as well as a prefabricated rafter tray to allow
unobstructed air flow at wall Plate junction to promote cross flow void ventilation.
3) Ridge ventilation provide equivalent to 5mm continuous length by either ventilated
ridge or vented roof tiles.

W LATERAL SUPPORT
1) Galvanised MS restraint straps are to be provided at a maximum 2m CCs with length
of strap dependent upon joist CCs – 1500mm long at 600 CCs and 1200mm long at
400 CCs.
2) In all cases restraint strap to span three joists or equivalent. Nogging or strutting
(minimum 150x38mm) to be fixed between joists and strap positions and to include a
packing piece between wall and floor joist. Restraint strap to be turned down cavity a
minimum of 100mm.

X DRAUGHT REDUCTION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

1) Draughts should be limited as far as possible by: mastic sealant to back and front of
all external door and window frames (including cavity closure), mastic sealant under
all skirting boards in all locations, mastic sealant at all BG plasterboard soffits with
external drylining and specific emphasis to be given SVP boxing’s, kitchen units, baths
and shower trays.
2) A mastic bead is to be applied (to the floor) prior to the fixing of skirting boards. A
further bead to seal top of skirting completes the install. Mastic sealant to
BS EN ISO 11600: 2003+A1:2011
3) All waste pipes/plumbing pipes carried through external walls or into stud walls
internally are to be fully finished off and sealed. All holes must be kept to the minimum
size required. All service entry positions are to be fully sealed and areas under
baths/kitchen units, etc, must be inspected before sealing up with finished panels, etc.
4) Continuous ribbon of adhesive to be applied behind all dry lining perimeters of external
walls including around door/window openings, around electrical socket and switch
outlets and vertical studs where necessary.

Y PROTECTION AGAINST POSSIBLE GAS MIGRATION FROM

LANDFILL SITES OR ABANDONED MINE WORKINGS
1) Gases generated below ground upon emerging to the surface become diluted and
change proportion of component gases. A mixture of carbon dioxide and methane can
depending upon proportions be heavier or lighter than air. Methane is lighter than air
whilst carbon dioxide is heavier. Stythe (or oxygen-depleted air) is heavier than air but
is not inflammable. Any of these gasses can build up in poorly ventilated areas
e.g. beneath floors and manholes (MHs), etc.

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 2) Where gas barriers are identified as necessary (SI Report) detail and construction
thereof to be in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendation and
NHBC Standards Chapter 4.1.
3) Ensure protection measurers cover entire building footprint.

Z INCOMING MAINS SERVICES

1) Mains electricity cable to terminate to External wall mounted meter box, an isolator
switch is to be provided within the meter cabinet.
2) Water supply to enter via insulated sleeve minimum 750mm deep and terminate in
kitchen below sink and to be fitted with stopcock in accordance with
Water Board Regulations.
3) Gas supply to terminate in external wall mounted meter box in accordance with local
Gas Board Regulations where appropriate.
4) Telecom service – provision of 15mm Ø conduit through external wall to terminate
within Plant Room.

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