2007 Technical standards
What's new in 2007?
Major change:
- Chapter 7.1 'Flat roofs and balconies' has been completely revised. It now includes guidance on green roofs, both 'intensive' and 'extensive'. The opportunity has also been taken to improve specifications for reinforced bitumen membranes (formerly known as 'felts').
Minor changes:
- Chapter 4.2 'Building near trees' has been revised following publication of BS 5837 : 2005 'Trees in relation to construction - Recommendations'. This BS provides guidance on how existing trees, shrubs, hedges and hedgerows can be protected from construction work.
- Chapter 7.2 'Pitched roofs' has been revised to take account of amendments to BS 5250 'Code of practice for the control of condensation in buildings' where modern underlay materials are used.
The 2007 Standards come into effect for every NHBC registered home whose foundations are concreted on or after 1 September 2007.
Technical Standards
NHBC Standards are the 'bible' for the registered house builder and provide the benchmark for acceptable levels of design, material specification and workmanship for newly-built homes registered with NHBC. They are an essential part of NHBC's risk management.
For example, having correct Standards for foundations should keep foundation-related problems to a minimum, benefiting both homeowners and house builders.
NHBC Standards are published in one volume and have a section dealing with each part of the building process, from foundations all the way through to painting and decorating. They include detailed guidance and sketches, showing key parts of the construction. This guidance is based on experience from our Inspection and Claims services.
Copies of NHBC Standards are issued to all registered builders and updated annually. They are available to purchase online in NHBC's shop.
Setting standards
NHBC has always issued Standards, but they have been subject to much change over the years as methods of construction have changed. For instance, in the past couple of decades there has been significant growth in the use of thermal insulation materials and greater use of factory made components such as roof trusses. It is important that the Standards are amended to give guidance on methods of construction currently being used.
Changes to the Standards are highly significant for NHBC's registered builders as they potentially affect the construction of 180,000 homes built every year. For this reason all changes need to be very carefully considered; this is the job of NHBC's Standards Board Committee. This committee includes a range of interested groups, including consumers, the Housing Corporation, professional institutions and house builders.
Once the Standards Committee has approved a new Standard, the industry is advised of the forthcoming change and the relevant information is mailed to every registered builder. Builders are then given a lead-in period to adjust their working practices, before NHBC's building inspectors begin to check the new requirements on site.
Standards Extra
Standards Extra is NHBC's technical newsletter. Three issues are mailed each year to NHBC registered builders and to professionals who have subscribed to receive copies.
