The builders experience – mere compliance to enhanced performance Sustainable new homes and sound insulation conference Dave Poole.

The builder’s experience – “mere compliance to enhanced

performance”

Sustainable new homes and sound insulation conference

Dave Poole

Safety first

So you think you have problems!

Pre 2003: Case Study 1Houses

ADE “Deemed to satisfy constructions” – The cost of failure!

Post occupation remedial costs

Pre 2003: Case Study 2Apartments

Fencing / skips / protection to common areas + labour

Post occupation remedial costs

Removal / storage / return of furniture & soft coverings

Hotel accommodation for occupiers – 12 weeks

Remove & replace wall coverings / kitchens / electrics & bathrooms

New ceilings and flanking wall treatments + cleaning & redecoration

Pre-completion Testing (PCT)

Requires PERSON CARRYING OUT THE WORK to ensure:

Appropriate sound testing is carried out

Give results to BCB no later than 5 days after completion

ADE Guidance constructions

Built correctly example constructions achieve sound insulation requirements

PCT - Proof of performance “as built”

Testing raises standards!

Assured customer satisfaction?

“if” built correctly “should” meet the requirements

Failed tests

Remedial works

Delay in legal completions

Additional testing

Costs and litigation

robustdetails

• Register each plot with RDL

• Build in accordance with the

relevant RD specification

• Give registration document

to the BCB [before work starts]

robustdetails approach

Robust Detail Status

Familiar construction

Meets thermal performance

Cost effective

Poor visibility

Continuity of batts

Blockwork joints

Checklists not completed

No Check sheets filled out as

yet!

Site Manager unaware of need

to use Check sheets!

Site Manager unable to confirm

density of blocks used in Party

or Flanking walls!

Parge coat was smooth!

Wall ties to Party Wall are not

the correct type!

Cavity width varied – in places

less than 75mm!

Post 2003: Case Study 3Houses

Constructions outside the Guidance and robust details

Range 52 – 58D +Cntw tr

Beyond Compliance

A commitment to carry out a programme of PCT based on frequency and performance

1 credit = 50% of walls / floors ADE pass

2 credits = 75% of walls / floors ADE pass

3 credits = 75% of walls / floors ADE + / - 3dB

4 credits = 75% of walls / floors ADE + / - 5dB

(Based on 6No dwellings of the same type)

PCT sample data

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

Separating walls

dB

PCT sample data

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

Separating floors Impact

dB

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

Separating floors Airborne

dB

Industry wide training needed!

www.bryant.co.uk