Jargon Busting
| What is Pre-Completion Testing? Part E puts the onus on the builder to demonstrate that the stated acoustic rating has been achieved. The requirement of the Part E document is, therefore, that 10% of all new dwellings should be Pre-Completion Tested on-site. Testing applies to separating elements between dwellings only and is not required between living spaces within dwellings, nor for corridors, stairwells or hallways. Testing needs to be carried out by a test body with appropriate third party accreditation. What are Robust Standard Details? To avoid the need for Pre-Completion Testing the industry and, in particular, the housebuilders led by the HBF, have sought approval of a series of performance tested solutions which will be deemed to satisfy Part E. This is in relation to separating walls and floors using existing construction products and systems. These solutions are called Robust Standard Details (RSD’s) What are Proprietary Systems? Proprietary Systems are those developed and tested by manufacturers using specified components that achieve a certain level of performance. Board Selection Within the suggested constructions in Part E, a 10kg wallboard is mentioned. Do I need to use one? Within the New Build market the introduction of Robust Standard Details means that standard 12.5mm wallboard with a minimum mass of 8kg/m2, where used as part of an approved system, will be satisfactory for separating walls and floors. For separating elements in a Material Change of Use suggested solutions may not be applicable to the existing construction being worked on. It is therefore recommended that advice should be sought from Local Authority Building Control to determine an acceptable construction method prior to commencement of work. For internal partitions and floors, where the Proprietary Systems approach is accepted by Local Authority Building Control, systems are available using current standard 12.5mm wallboard that would satisfy the requirements for both New Builds and Material Change of Use. If I need to use a board with a minimum weight of 10kg what boards can I use? If you choose to build under the Part E construction suggestions and use a 10kg board, Knauf Drywall offer a range of boards to meet this requirement. Table 0.3 indicates the appropriate boards and properties. |
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Table 0.3 |
| Part E Explained |
| New Build Dwellings and Extensions |
| Dwellings Created by a Material Change of Use |