BYTNAR - TALKS
EPISODE: 037 - APPROVED DOCUMENT 7 - MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP
This episode is for people who want to know more about Approved Document 7
You should like this episode if you ask yourself questions like:
What are the obligations for materials used in construction under the Building Regulations?
What does CE marking indicate for construction products that comply with European standards?
How can a material’s suitability for construction use be established in the UK?
What are the key regulations surrounding the use of combustible materials in tall residential buildings?
What is the significance of British Standards (BS) and European Technical Assessments in construction compliance?
How do local authorities enforce material suitability under UK Building Regulations?
What are the testing requirements for building workmanship under Building Regulations?
How does the BS 8000 series guide workmanship on construction sites?
What provisions exist for materials that are short-lived or subject to property changes in construction?
This is Bytnar Talks the Engineer Takes on Construction Episode 37 hi I'm Piotr Bytnar each day I help my clients plan and design building projects through Bytnar limited a Consulting Chartered Structural Engineers practice my biggest passion and the cornerstone on which I've built my business is finding clever solutions for construction projects I am a chartered structural engineer and a budding software developer so you can rest assured that I will strive to talk about the best practices and the use of new technologies in the industry and if you're embarking on a construction project or are involved in planning designing and building the world around us you'll find this podcast useful approv document 7 materials and workmanship hi guys and welcome to Bytner talks your favorite podcast on all matters of architecture engineering and construction it is Thursday the 28th of November 2024 and I'm here back with you with the 37th episode and information on approved document 7 materials and workmanship I must admit I'm not the greatest fun of the period heading towards the 24th of December with every passing day the nights get longer and the days get shorter so try to make some of that occasional sunshine and put your headphones on with me and go for a walk pal that bit bit of a sun going through your retina will make a massive difference for the rest of your day however if you listen at a time of the day or at a different season or in a different season I'm glad you are spending this time with me today I'll be finalizing a long series of episodes on the approved documents so I hope you'll find it more refreshing hearing about other things too but before we will get there let's recap the last episode in the last episode I talked about the approved document T toilet accommodation where in section zero that covers introduction and scope we were told that the document establishes minimum standards for unisex and Single Sex ambulance toilets excluding wheelchair accessible toilets and baby changing facilities which are addressed in approved document M Volume 2 it applies to new and altered buildings ensuring compliance with current standards guidance prioritizes Single Sex toilets with shared handwashing facilities offering fully enclosed unisex toilets as an alternative where space is limited section one covers application guidance and performance of the toilets where the regulations applies to non-dwelling buildings except schools custodial accommodations and workplaces with reference to workplace regulation 1992 act and Bs 6465 for toilet provision calculations performance standards called over four toilet types which are spread in between of a b c and d all of the standards emphasize privacy safety and compliance with approved document M for wheelchair accessibility layouts focus on user dignity and privacy with specific spatial requirements section two gives common design Provisions for applicable to across all toilets which must ensure privacy safety and accessibility including privacy screens for uranos dual High hooks should be provided within the cubicles outward opening doors ideally with emergency mechanisms if otherwise additional features include neuro diverse friendly design clear signage appropriate lighting and separate baby changing facilities unless absolutely unavoidable section three goes on to the first type type A of the toilet fully enclosed utal [Music] ambut Universal un ambulance Universal toilet wow oh that's that morning in recording that it just twists my tongue these toilets require a Min minimum size of 985 mm by 2 m and 25 mm with 750 mm wide outward opening doors ideally features include grab rails a disposable bin two hooks and a 600 by 800 activity space in front of the water closet pan ensuring functionality and privacy section four covers type B toilets fully enclosed Universal toilets which are slightly smaller at 1,50 MM by 1685 mm these toilets include a 650 mm wide door wash basin hand drying facilities and two hooks they offer similar activity space as clearance of two type A and can be integrated into Single Sex facilities section five covers type c toilets which are ambulance Single Sex toilet cubicles this non self-contained cubicle measured 920 by 100 1465 mm with again 750 mm wide clear door opening and communal hand washing facilities features within the cubicle include grab rails two hooks a disposable bin and a defined activity space for comfort and accessibility section six covers type D single SE toilet sex toilet cubicle at 90 mm by 1740 mm this cubicle includes 650 mm mm Wide Doors and communal wash basins and drying facilities similar to type c they provide two hooks spin the Shelf with optional urino in male toilets per BS 6465 appendix D of the document outlines dimensions and fitting requirements to Aid in the design compliant facilities in this episode I will move to the approved document 7 materials and workmanship so without further Ado let's dive straight into this all right guys starting with the text of the legislation first materials and workmanship regulation 7 paragraph 1 building work shall be carried out a with adequate and proper materials which I are appropriate for the circumstances in which they are used double ey are adequately mixed or prepared and triple ey are applied used or fixed so as adequately to perform the functions for which they are designed and be in a workmanlike manner paragraph 1 a building work shall be carried out so that relevant metal comp opposite material does not become part of an external wall or specified attachment of any building paragraph two subject to a paragraph three building work shall be carried out so that materials which become part of an external wall or specified attachment of a relevant building are of European classification A2 S1 d0 or A1 classified in accordance with the reaction to fire classif ification paragraph three paragraph 2 does not apply to a cavity Trace when used between two leaves of masonry B any part of a roof other than any part of a roof which Falls within paragraph 4 IV of Regulation 2 paragraph 6 if that part is connected to an external wall C door frames and doors D electrical installation s da Fiber Optic Cables e insulation and waterproofing materials used below ground level or up to 300 mm above that level F intermittent and fire stopping materials where the inclusion of the materials is necessary to meet the requirement of Part B of schedule one G membranes H seals gaskets fixing sealant and backed roads ha components associated with a solar shading device excluding components whose primary function is to provide shade or deflex sunlight such as the oing curtain or slots I thermal brake materials where the inclusion of the material is necessary to meet the thermal bridging requirement of part L of schedule one J window frames and glass okay materials which form the top horizontal floor layer of a balcony which are of your European classification A1 floor or A2 floor S1 classified in accordance with the reaction to fire classification provided that the entire layer has an imperforate subrate under it point four in this regulation a a relevant building means a building with a story not including rooftop plant areas or any story consisting exclusively of plant rooms at least 18 m above ground level and which I contains one or more dwellings double eye contains an institution or triple I contains a room for residential purposes and B above ground level in relation to a story means above ground level when measured from the lowest ground level are joining the outside of a building to the top of the floor surface of the story so this is it simple simple really simple stuff as it was back in the day plus an extra bit due to the changes made by the building safety act interestingly in this document there are no Provisions for the control over the materials P the completion of work in the building regulations however such obligation can be made under Section 20 of the building act 1984 even if the specification conforms to the building regulations it should also be noted that the products used in construction that are covered by European product standards or conformed to Europe European technical assessment should normal normally have C marking in the gist secretary of state is satisfied when the materials are suitable in nature and quality to the proposed use and condition and where relevant materials have to be adequately mixed prepared used fixed and applied to perform the intended function it all does not need to be any better than to meet the requirements of schedule one as laid down in regulation 8 though but all buildings Works fall under this regulation so starting with section one which deals with materials as just mentioned we need to meet the building R's functional or performance requirements and we will usually do so by following approved documents and standards mentioned Within These but as long as we are using materials fit for purpose we we are fine in this regard and we do have a freedom to select this as appropriate the document recognizes several ways of establishing if the material is suitable for use things like assuring they are C marked under the Construction Products regulation which basically means if the product is on the list for the use of the EU Market covered by the harmonized standard it should have the Markin however if the product does not fall under the consideration but is us in the construction it can undergo a technical assessment to be C marked also C marking should refer reference product standard and the level of classes of performance being declared against that standard the product should also be accompanied by a declaration of performance containing further technical details it should be verify that the information contained within the technical documentation is sufficient and appropriate for the product to be used in the building but the secretary of state is is of the opinion that otherwise such declaration can be relied upon there are also C markings under the regulations and such marking shows suitability for should should show suitability for the particular use meeting British standards is another way to show compliance and as is still the case most of the British standards are based on the European standards however if they are not harmonized standards they will not have C marking associated with meeting its requirements ISO and other count count standards could also be app applicable here and may well be suitable to show compliance with the regulation but that will need to be demonstrated by translation of the standard and justification the product can also be certified by an independent body or CER ification scheme the scheme or testing facility will need to in turn be approved by ukus in the UK and EA in Europe it becomes a bit tricky here as the certification may be only valid particularly partially due to the actual certification of the testing institution so you need to check the accreditation of the testing place as well as the material used all that is good good but we can also rely on past experience with the material behavior in the existing building local authorities have the power to take samples of materials to establish suitability and that happens under regulation 46 but should the work pertain to the notified work the inspector can do the same under regulation 8 8 if the building approved inspectors Etc regulations short lived material may be used provided that they are readily accessible for inspection maintenance and replacement and will not lead to harm of people if they deteriorate think of a living wool as an example that said the local Authority can impose condition on the use of such materials materials susceptible to change in their properties can also be used provided it can be ascertained that they will remain suitable in the changed State the document also goes on to remind us about tall buildings with residential units and the Restriction of combustible materials used in the external envelope of the building section two covers workmanship and guess what it should be good and proper for purpose simple typically if the material has a c marking the workmanship may be specified within the assessment and product standard after after all if we do not use it for the Assumption made for the way it has been tested what is the point right there is also a plethora of standards and Industry specific guides and in Britain the BS 8,000 series of Standards is a good first point of contact I will list them all at the end so you have a quick reference if what you do is covered by the standard in general if you are a main contractor all of them Falls underneath your remit and you should get yourself well acquainted with them using independent certification schemes may help in assuring an appropriate level of workmanship as is the case with the self-certification schemes of users of prop proprietary materials let's say Roofing weather proofing we can refer to management systems or the Lov to further a certain individual or company attention to the workmanship and pass experience of the level of workmanship on existing buildings test can be used to show adequacy of the workmanship and you will see this actually actually required by the regulation things like sound insulation Tex testing reg regulation 41 the airflow rate of mechanical ventilation regulation 42 pressure testing regulation 43 generally speaking building control bodies can require testing under regulation 40 five of building reg regulations and regulation 8 of approve inspector's regulations and section 33 of the building act 1984 we are also left to act voluntarily to test and assure compliance with the workmanship requirement as promise let us see what is in the BS 8000 suit of documents all of the deal with all of them deal with workmanship on building sites please mind that any of them may be withdrawn at any point but I would say anyhow it will be a good point to start at part zero covers introduction and general principles part one excavation and feeling part two in two parts covers mixing and transportation and sidew work with Inu or pre-cast concrete part three deals with masonry part four waterproofing part five carpentry Joiner and general fixing part six slating and tiling of roofs and claddings part seven glazing part eight plaster board partitions and dry lining part nine cement tious leveling streets and wearing streets part 10 is now withdrawn it covered Plastering and rendering part 11 internal and external wall and floor tiling Part 12 decorative wall covering and painting part 13 above ground drainage and sanitary appliances part 14 below ground drainage part 15 hot and cold water services and part 16 seiling joints in buildings using sealant [Music] so this is it folks the approved document 7 materials and workmanship let's sum it up section by section the updated document reflects the Simplicity of the El verion while incorporating Provisions introduced by the building safety act although building regulations lack explicit controls over materials after project completion obligations can arise under Section 20 of the building act 1984 materials used must meet European product standards C marking or align with a European technical assessment the secretary of state is happy if materials are appropriate and applied correctly to meet schedule one requirements under regulation 8 ensuring all works comply with this foundational regulations Section one covers materials and building regulation emphasizes that using materials fit for purpose is crucial allowing flexibility in material section selection as long as performance and functional requirements are met compliance can be demonstrated through C marking British standards other standards certification and proving past performance authorities May inspect materials under regulation 46 or impose condition on using short lift or property change ing materials ensuring safety and accessibility for maintenance and replacement restrictions also apply to combustible materials in tall residential buildings section two deals with workmanship which obviously must be good and proper standards to ensure safety and functionality guidance include adhering to product specific C marking standards or the BS 8,000 series which covers site workmanship across various building tasks leveraging independent certification schemes or propri proprietary self-certification for Assurance evaluating management system or P project performance to ensure quality and conducting tests such as sound insulation ventilation pressure is required by regulation or volunt voluntarily for additional compliance verification I have also covered the overview of BS 8000 series which references site workmanship across disciplines starting with part zero that covers general principles then going through part one to6 that covers excavation concrete masonry waterproofing carpentry Roofing glazing partitioning screet styling painting drainage water services and sealants each part provides specific standards for respective areas ensuring comprehensive coverage for Onsite construction practices in the next episode I'll move to approve document Z whole life carbon don't worry it's not there yet but the industry is getting ready for it so I thought I'll I end up the series on all the approved documents with the likely another approved document that is coming to us soon [Music] I hope you enjoyed this episode and that the considerations of the approved document 7 material and workmanship are a bit clearer for you now no doubt I will cover every part of the BS 8000 series in the podcast coming next year so stay tuned if you want to know more if you have any questions reach out to me on link in or send me an email I'm more than happy to help you out in BNA we deal with planning designing and managing of your projects and we are always glad to facilitate a free initial consultation to steer you in the right direction visit www.bnar.org non obligatory advice at bitna we help our clients design and execute their dream homes or Investments if your building is falling apart we can also help investigate the reasons behind it and to provide you with an appropriate strategy design and specifications for the repair thank you again for listening please voice up your opinions. I'm waiting for you on LinkedIn and I want to hear from you see you next week Bytnar Designs The World Around You, Toodloo!
Piotr Bytnar BEng (Hons) MSc CEng MIStructE
Chartered Structural Engineer who deals with the Architecture of buildings. His Master's Studies led him to an in-depth understanding of risk and contract arrangements in construction as well as specialist knowledge in soil mechanics.
He and his team help homeowners and property developers to design and deliver construction projects reducing waste in time and the cost. He believes that the construction project is an iterative process that can be well managed and it is best managed if all the aspects of the project definition and management are dealt with in-house or coordinated by one organisation. His team works to all stages of RIBA and ISTRUCTE stages of work and enables contractors to deliver projects on-site providing risk evaluations, methodologies for execution of works and temporary works designs.
Commentaires