G u i d a n c e

Department of Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012

Finance and
Personnel
www.dfpni.gov.uk

Te c h n i c a l
Booklet B
Materials and workmanship

July 2013

Blank

 Contents

page

Introduction 2

Technical Booklets 2

This Technical Booklet 2

Part B Regulations 4

Guidance – Performance and introduction to provisions 6

Fitness of materials and workmanship (regulation 23 in Part B) 6

Urea formaldehyde foam (regulation 24 in Part B) 7

Section 1 General 8

Definitions 8

Glossary of terms 8

Section 2 Fitness of materials and workmanship 10

Ways of establishing the fitness of materials 10

Suitability of certain materials 12

Ways of establishing the adequacy of workmanship 13

Section 3 Urea formaldehyde foam 15

General provisions 15

Appendix Publications referred to 16

Technical Booklet B: 2013 Materials and workmanship 1

 Introduction

Technical Booklets
This Technical Booklet, which takes effect on 1st July 2013, is one of a
series that has been prepared by the Department of Finance and Personnel
(the Department) for the purpose of providing practical guidance with
respect to the technical requirements of the Building Regulations (Northern
Ireland) 2012 (the Building Regulations).

At the back of each Technical Booklet is a list of all the Technical Booklets
that have been prepared and published by the Department for this purpose.

The guidance given in a Technical Booklet includes performance standards

and design provisions relating to compliance with specific aspects of the
Building Regulations for the more common (normal) building situations.

If the guidance in a Technical Booklet is followed there will be a presumption

of compliance with the requirements of those Building Regulations covered
by that guidance. However, this presumption can be overturned, so simply
following the guidance does not guarantee compliance. For example, if a
particular circumstance is not one of the more common building situations
the design provisions given in the Technical Booklet may not be appropriate.

There are likely to be alternative ways of demonstrating compliance

with the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations other than
by following a design provision given in a Technical Booklet. There is
therefore no obligation to adopt any particular provision set out in a
Technical Booklet, should you decide to comply in some other way.
However, you will have to demonstrate that your alternative solution
meets the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations by those
other means.

This Technical Booklet

The guidance contained in this Technical Booklet relates only to the
requirements of regulations 23 and 24(2) in Part B. The work will also have
to comply with all other requirements of the relevant Building Regulations.

The Building Regulations are made for specific purposes, primarily securing
the health, safety, welfare and convenience of people and for the
conservation of fuel and power. Standards and technical specifications are
relevant guidance to the extent that they relate to these purposes. However,
they may also address other aspects of performance such as serviceability,
or aspects which although they relate to health and safety are not covered
by the Building Regulations.

Where this Technical Booklet makes reference to a named standard, the

relevant version of the standard is the one listed in the Appendix. However, if
this version has been replaced or updated by the issuing standards body,
the new version may be used as a source of guidance provided that it
continues to address the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations.

2 Materials and workmanship Technical Booklet B: 2013

 Other legislation
The Construction Products Regulation (EU 305/2011) requires that
construction products that are covered by a harmonised European product
standard or conform to a European Technical Assessment should normally
have CE marking.

Technical Booklet B: 2013 Materials and workmanship 3

 Part B Regulations

Part B (comprising regulations 22 to 24) of the Building Regulations, which sets out the
requirements for materials and workmanship, has been replicated below for the
convenience of the user of this Technical Booklet and is taken directly from the Building
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, in operation at the date of publication of this
Technical Booklet.
Any person who intends to demonstrate compliance with the Building Regulations by
following the guidance given in this Technical Booklet is advised to ensure that the
regulations below, are current on the date when plans are deposited or notices given to
the district council.
As Part A (comprising regulations 1 to 21) of the Building Regulations sets out the
interpretation along with the procedural requirements relating to the application of the
regulations, the Department advises that all Parts of the Building Regulations are read
in conjunction with Part A of those regulations.
The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and any subsequent amendment
may be viewed by following the links from the Department’s website at
“www.buildingregulationsni.gov.uk.”

PART B
Materials and workmanship

Interpretation
22. In this Part—
“Harmful substances” includes fumes and vapours; and
“Relevant work” means—
(a) the erection of a building;
(b) the structural alteration or extension of a building;
(c) the provision of any service or fitting; or
(d) the backfilling of any excavation carried out in connection with (a), (b) or (c).

Fitness of materials and workmanship

23. In any relevant work—
(a) the materials used shall—
(i) be of a suitable nature and quality in relation to the purposes for and the conditions
in which they are used;
(ii) be adequately mixed and prepared;
(iii) be applied, used or fixed so as adequately to perform the functions for which they
are designed; and
(iv) not continue to emit any harmful substance longer than is reasonable in the
circumstances; and
(b) the standards of materials and workmanship need be no more than are necessary to—
(i) secure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of persons in or about the
building; and
(ii) further the conservation of fuel and power.

4 Materials and workmanship Technical Booklet B: 2013

 Urea formaldehyde foam
24.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), in­situ foamed Urea formaldehyde shall not be used in the
erection, structural alteration or extension of a building.
(2) In­situ foamed Urea formaldehyde may be used for filling the cavity of a cavity wall
having an inner leaf constructed of bricks or blocks, provided that it is—
(a) suitable for such an application; and
(b) satisfactorily installed.

Technical Booklet B: 2013 Materials and workmanship 5

 Guidance – Performance and introduction to provisions

Fitness of materials and workmanship (regulation 23 in Part B)

Performance
0.1 It is the view of the Department that the requirements of regulation 23 in
Part B will be met where –
(a) materials are of a suitable nature and quality in relation to the
purposes and conditions of their use; and
(b) the workmanship is such that –
(i) where relevant, materials are adequately mixed or prepared; and
(ii) materials are applied, used or fixed so as to perform adequately
the functions for which they are intended; and
(c) materials do not continue to emit any harmful substance longer than is
reasonable in the circumstances.

0.2 To be of a suitable nature and quality, materials –

(a) for use as the weather resisting part of an external wall or roof should
not rely on being painted, or coated, surfaced or rendered with any
other material which when used, does not in itself constitute effective
resistance against weather; or
(b) which depend on periodic maintenance, replacement or renewal
should be readily accessible or positioned so that such maintenance,
replacement or renewal is practicable.

Limitations
0.3 Regulation 23 in Part B applies across all of the substantive Parts of the
Building Regulations.

Regulation 23(b) in Part B limits the standards of materials and

workmanship to be no more than necessary to –
(a) secure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of persons in or
about the building; and
(b) further the conservation of fuel and power.

Introduction to provisions in Section 2

0.4 The guidance in Section 2 is to provide aids which –
(a) may be used for establishing the suitability of a material for use for a
specific purpose; and
(b) may be used to establish the adequacy of workmanship.

The guidance also addresses the suitability of certain materials such as

short lived materials and materials susceptible to changes in their
properties. Specific provisions are given regarding materials likely to be
adversely affected by moisture or by harmful substances in the sub­soil.

6 Materials and workmanship Technical Booklet B: 2013

 Urea formaldehyde foam (regulation 24 in Part B)

Performance
0.5 Regulation 24(1) in Part B prohibits the use of Urea formaldehyde foam
subject to the provisions of regulation 24(2) in Part B.

It is the view of the Department that the requirements of regulation 24(2) in

Part B will be met if the risks to the health of persons in buildings are
eliminated or reduced to an extent whereby any formaldehyde fumes given
off by Urea formaldehyde foam filling the cavity of a cavity wall does not give
rise to an irritant concentration. This can be achieved by ensuring that the
inner leaf of the cavity wall provides a suitable barrier to the passage of
formaldehyde fumes.

Introduction to provisions in Section 3

0.6 The guidance in this Section is to ensure reasonable precautions are taken
to eliminate or reduce to an acceptable level, the permeation of toxic fumes
into a building when Urea formaldehyde foam has been inserted into the
cavity of a cavity wall.

Technical Booklet B: 2013 Materials and workmanship 7

 Section 1 General

1.1 In this Technical Booklet the following definitions and glossary of

terms apply –

Definitions
1.2 Harmful substances – has the meaning assigned to it by regulation 22 in
Part B of the Building Regulations.

Materials – has the meaning assigned to it by regulation 2 in Part A of the

Building Regulations.

Glossary of terms
1.3 BSI – The British Standards Institution, is the UK national standards body.
BSI publishes European standards in the UK as BS EN. Further information
is available at www.bsigroup.co.uk

CEN – The Comité Européen de Normalisation, is the European standards

body that prepares harmonised European product standards. Declarations
of Performance against such standards should provide sufficient information
for any Member State to allow the product onto its market and for specifiers
and users to be able to assess whether the product is suitable for its
intended use.

CEN also prepares non­harmonised European standards such as test or

calculation standards and standards for products or services that have not
been mandated under a CE Marking Directive. It does not issue standards
directly, only through national standards bodies; BSI is the designated
standards body for the UK.

Further information is available at: www.cen.eu

EA – European co­operation on Accreditation, is the umbrella organisation

for all national accreditation bodies in Europe. Product certification bodies,
inspection bodies and test laboratories approved by national accreditation
bodies belonging to the EA are equivalent to those approved by UKAS. For
further information see: www.european­accreditation.org

European Technical Assessments – A favourable technical assessment

issued under the European Construction Products Regulation 2011 that
allows a manufacturer to affix CE markings on its products. Further
information is available at www.eota.eu

ISO – International Organisation for Standardisation, is the worldwide

federation of national standards institutions. Standards are identified by ‘ISO’
and a number. ISO standards may be published separately or transposed
into the UK as BS ISO or BS EN ISO. Further information is available at
www.iso.org

8 Materials and workmanship Technical Booklet B: 2013

 NANDO – New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations is an
information system produced by the European Commission. It lists the
harmonised European standards and the bodies notified by member states
states to carry out conformity assessment tasks for CE marking. Further
information is available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando

UKAS – the United Kingdom Accreditation Service is the sole national

accreditation body recognised by the UK government to assess, against
internationally agreed standards, organisations that provide certification,
testing, inspection and calibration services. Accreditation by UKAS
demonstrates the competence, impartiality and performance capability of
these organisations. Further information is available at: www.ukas.com

Technical Booklet B: 2013 Materials and workmanship 9

 Section 2 Fitness of materials and workmanship

Materials

General
2.1 Technical Booklets contain references to materials covered by harmonised
European product standards, British Standards and other technical
specifications. However, as there is no obligation to adopt any particular
solution contained in a Technical Booklet in order to meet a functional
requirement, the references are not exclusive and other materials may be
suitable in the particular circumstances.

Ways of establishing the fitness of materials

2.2 There are a number of ways in which the suitability of a material for use for a
specific purpose may be assessed. The following are examples of ways
which may be used for establishing this (see paragraphs 2.3 to 2.10).

CE marking under the Construction Products Regulation

2.3 Many materials are construction products that have CE marking under the
Construction Products Regulation (EU 305/2011).

The Construction Products Regulation requires that construction products

on the EU market covered by a harmonised European product standard
should normally have CE marking. In addition, manufacturers of products
not covered by a harmonised standard can choose to affix CE marking to
their products by obtaining a European Technical Assessment.

(You can find a list of the harmonised product standards under the
Construction Products Regulation on the NANDO information system
website at:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=cp
d.hs)

The CE marking includes the reference of the product standard and levels or
classes of performance being declared against some or all of the
characteristics covered by the standard. The CE marking should be on the
product, its label, the packaging or accompanying documents. The CE
symbol by itself does not necessarily indicate that the material is suitable for
the building work.

In addition to CE marking, the product will have a Declaration of

Performance containing more detailed information on the product. This may
be a paper or electronic document, or it may be on a website.

It is essential to check that the declared performance is suitable for the

building work.

In the absence of indications to the contrary, for those verifying compliance

with the Building Regulations, it is reasonable to assume that the information
in the CE marking and Declaration of Performance is accurate and reliable,
and that the product meets the declared performance.

10 Materials and workmanship Technical Booklet B: 2013

 If the declared performance of a product is suitable for its intended use, then
such use should not be prohibited or impeded.

CE marking under other EU Directives and Regulations

2.4 Products may also be CE marked under European legislation, such as the
Gas Appliances Directive or the Pressure Equipment Directive. Such CE
marking shows that the product meets the essential requirements set out in
the relevant legislation – for example, minimum safety requirements – and
can be placed on the EU market .

Some products will have CE marking in accordance with both the

Construction Products Regulation and other legislation. The CE marking
shows that the product complies with the requirements in all relevant EU
legislation.

British Standards
2.5 Nearly all British Standards for construction products are the British versions
of the harmonised European standards (ENs) used for CE marking. The BSI
numbering policy is to adopt the CEN numbering, prefaced with BS e.g. BS
EN 197­1.

Some British Standards are the British versions of non­harmonised

European standards; these also adopt the CEN numbering, prefaced with
BS. These do not contain an Annex ZA, so CE marking cannot be affixed to
products made to these standards.

Some British Standards for products not covered by a European standard

will continue to exist.

Where a construction product has been made and assessed in accordance

with one or more British Standard described in the two preceeding
paragraphs, may show whether or not the product is suitable for its intended
use.

Other national and international technical specifications

2.6 An international technical specification, including those prepared by ISO, or
a national technical specification of a country other than the UK, may be
used to demonstrate that a product not covered by a harmonised European
standard meets the performance requirements of the Building Regulations.

Where necessary, the person intending to carry out the work should obtain
translations of specifications and demonstrate to the district council how the
material meets the requirements of regulation 23 in Part B.

It should be noted that the national technical specifications of EU Member

States (and non­EU countries that are full members of CEN) are being
progressively replaced by harmonised European standards, as is the case
with British Standards.

Technical Booklet B: 2013 Materials and workmanship 11

 Independent certification schemes
2.7 The material has certified compliance under an independent certification
scheme. There are many independent certification schemes in the UK and
elsewhere that may provide information on the performance of a material.
Such schemes certify that a material complies with the requirements of a
recognised document and is suitable for its intended purpose and use.
These may be in addition to, but not conflict with, CE marking.

It should be noted that materials which are not certified by an independent

scheme may still conform to a relevant standard.

Accreditation of a certification body by a national accreditation body

belonging to the European co­operation for Accreditation (EA) provides a
means of demonstrating that their certification scheme can be relied upon.
In the UK, most independent certification bodies are accredited by the
United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), who belong to the EA.

It is important to check the scope of the accreditation of certification bodies

as accreditation may cover only part of the certification body’s testing or
certification business.

Tests and calculations

2.8 Where there is no relevant harmonised European standard, tests,
calculation or other means may be used to demonstrate that the material
can perform the function for which it is intended. UKAS or an equivalent
national accreditation body belonging to the EA may accredit the testing
laboratories; this accreditation provides a means of showing that the tests
can be relied on.

Past experience
2.9 Past experience, such as in a building in use, may show that the material is
capable of performing the function for which it is intended.

Sampling
2.10 Regulation 16 in Part A allows a district council to take, as it considers
necessary, samples of materials either used or to be used in building work,
to establish if that material complies with the provisions of the Building
Regulations.

Suitability of certain materials

Short­lived materials
2.11 Some materials, in the absence of special care, may be considered
unsuitable because of their rapid deterioration in relation to the expected life
of the building.

A short­lived material which is readily accessible for inspection,

maintenance and replacement may meet the requirements of the Building
Regulations provided that the consequences of failure are not likely to be
serious in regard to the health or safety of persons in and around the
building.

12 Materials and workmanship Technical Booklet B: 2013

 Where a short­lived material is not readily accessible for inspection and
maintenance or replacement and the consequences of failure are likely to be
serious with regard to health or safety, it is unlikely that the material will meet
the requirements of the Building Regulations.

(Paragraph 0.2 describes circumstances in which materials may be

considered to be of a suitable nature and quality.)

Materials susceptible to changes in their properties

2.12 Some materials may undergo changes to their properties when they are
exposed to certain environmental conditions which may affect their
performance over time.

Materials that are susceptible to changes in their properties may be used in

building work where these changes do not adversely affect their
performance. Such material will meet the requirements of the Building
Regulations provided that their final residual properties, including their
structural properties, meet both of the following conditions –
(a) residual properties can be estimated at the time of their incorporation
in the work; and
(b) residual properties are shown to be adequate for the building to
perform the function for which it is intended for the expected life of the
building.

Resistance to moisture
2.13 Any material which is likely to be adversely affected by moisture from the
ground, weather or condensation will be suitable if –
(a) the construction will resist the passage of moisture to the material; or
(b) the material is treated or otherwise protected from moisture.

Resistance to substances in the subsoil

2.14 Any material in contact with the ground or in the foundations will be suitable
if it is capable of resisting attacks by deleterious material in the subsoil such
as sulfates.

Workmanship

Ways of establishing the adequacy of workmanship

2.15 The following are examples of ways which may be used to establish the
adequacy of workmanship (see paragraphs 2.16 to 2.22).

CE marking
2.16 If a material has CE marking, workmanship may be specified in the relevant
European Technical Assessment or harmonised product standard.

Technical Booklet B: 2013 Materials and workmanship 13

 Standards
2.17 Methods of carrying out different types of work are also given in British
Standards or other appropriate technical specifications. (Note: the BS 8000
series of standards on Workmanship on building sites combines guidance
from other BSI Codes and Standards. See Appendix.)

Independent certification schemes

2.18 Some independent certification schemes specify how workmanship will
deliver a declared level of performance. The person carrying out the work
should show that the workmanship will provide the appropriate level of
protection and performance.

Management systems
2.19 The quality of workmanship is covered by a quality management scheme
such as one that complies with the relevant recommendations of
BS EN ISO 9000, and related series of standards. There are a number of
such UKAS accredited schemes.

Past experience
2.20 Past experience of workmanship, such as in a building in use, may show
that the method of workmanship is capable of performing the function for
which it is intended.

Tests
2.21 Tests can be used to show that workmanship is appropriate.

In the following two instances, the Building Regulations require those

carrying out building work to have testing carried out to demonstrate
compliance ­
(a) sound insulation testing as required by regulation 53 in Part G of the
Building Regulations; and
(b) testing of fixed mechanical ventilation systems and any associated
controls as required by regulation 65 in Part K of the Building
Regulations.

Pressure testing may be used to demonstrate compliance with regulation

40(2) in Part F. However, it should be noted that such pressure testing is not
a requirement of the Building Regulations; the circumstances of the building
and its design parameters may allow the designer/builder to demonstrate
compliance by means other than testing.

2.22 A district council has the power to require tests as prescribed in

regulation 15 in Part A of the Building Regulations, to be carried out in
relation to drains and private sewers as necessary, to establish compliance
with Part N of the Building Regulations. These prescribed tests may also be
carried out by that district council.

2.23 Regulation 16 in Part A allows a district council to take, as it considers

necessary, samples of materials to be used in building work, to establish if
the adequacy of workmanship relating to the use of that material complies
with the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations.

14 Materials and workmanship Technical Booklet B: 2013

 Section 3 Urea formaldehyde foam

General provisions
3.1 Other than the circumstances outlined in 3.2 urea formaldehyde foam
should not be used in the erection, structural alteration or extension of a
building.

3.2 Foam insulating materials which give off formaldehyde fumes either when
used or later in normal use, may be used to insulate the cavity in a cavity
wall where there is a continuous barrier which will minimise, as far as
practicable, the passage of fumes into the building. BS 8208­1 gives
guidance on factors to be considered when assessing the suitability of
existing masonry external cavity walls for filling with thermal insulants.

3.3 A cavity wall which has been determined to be suitable for foam filling may
be insulated with urea formaldehyde foam where –
(a) the inner leaf of the wall is built of masonry (bricks or blocks);
(b) the person carrying out the work holds (or operates under) a current
Certificate of Registration of Assessed Capability for the work to be
undertaken;
(c) the in­situ foamed urea formaldehyde is manufactured in accordance
with the relevant recommendations of BS 5617; and
(d) the installation is in accordance with BS 5618.

Technical Booklet B: 2013 Materials and workmanship 15

 Appendix Publications referred to

BS EN ISO 9000: 2005 Quality management systems. Fundamentals and

vocabulary.

BS EN ISO 9001: 2008 Quality management systems. Requirements.

BS 5617: 1985 Specification for Urea­formaldehyde (UF) foam

systems suitable for thermal insulation of cavity
walls with masonry or concrete inner and outer
leaves.

BS 5618: 1985 Code of practice for thermal insulation of cavity

walls (with masonry or concrete inner and outer
leaves) by filling with Urea­formaldehyde (UF) foam
systems.
AMD 6262 1990, AMD 7114 1992.

BS 8000­1: 1989 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

excavation and filling.

BS 8000­2­1: 1990 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

concrete work. Mixing and transporting concrete.
AMD 9324 1997.

BS 8000­2­2: 1990 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice

for concrete work. Sitework with in situ and precast
concrete.

BS 8000­3: 2001 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

masonry.

BS 8000­4: 1989 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

waterproofing.

BS 8000­5: 1990 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

carpentry, joinery and general fixings.

BS 8000­6: 1990 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

slating and tiling of roofs and claddings.

BS 8000­7: 1990 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

glazing.

BS 8000­8: 1994 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

plasterboard partitions and dry linings.

BS 8000­9: 2003 Workmanship on building sites. Cementitious

levelling screeds and wearing screeds. Code of
practice.

BS 8000­11: 2011 Workmanship on building sites. Internal and

external wall and floor tiling. Ceramic and
agglomerated stone tiles, natural stone and terrazzo
tiles and slabs, and mosaics. Code of practice.

16 Materials and workmanship Technical Booklet B: 2013

 BS 8000­12: 1989 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for
decorative wallcoverings and painting.

BS 8000­13: 1989 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

above ground drainage and sanitary appliances.

BS 8000­14: 1989 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

below ground drainage.

BS 8000­15: 1990 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

hot and cold water services (domestic scale).

BS 8000­16: 1997+A1:2010 Workmanship on building sites. Code of practice for

sealing joints in buildings using sealants.

BS 8208­1: 1985 Guide to assessment of suitability of external cavity

walls for filling with thermal insulants. Existing
traditional cavity construction.
AMD 4996 1985.

Technical Booklet B: 2013 Materials and workmanship 17

 Technical Booklets

The following list comprises the series of Technical Booklets prepared by the
Department for the purpose of providing practical guidance with respect to
the technical requirements of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland)
2012.

Technical Booklet B Materials and workmanship

Technical Booklet C Preparation of site and resistance to

contaminants and moisture

Technical Booklet D Structure

Technical Booklet E Fire safety

Technical Booklet F1 Conservation of fuel and power in

dwellings

Technical Booklet F2 Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other

than dwellings

Technical Booklet G Resistance to the passage of sound

Technical Booklet H Stairs, ramps, guarding and protection from

impact

Technical Booklet J Solid waste in buildings

Technical Booklet K Ventilation

Technical Booklet L Combustion appliances and fuel storage

systems

Technical Booklet N Drainage

Technical Booklet P Sanitary appliances, unvented hot water storage

systems and reducing the risk of scalding

Technical Booklet R Access to and use of buildings

Technical Booklet V Glazing

Any person who intends to demonstrate compliance with the Building

Regulations by following the guidance given in a Technical Booklet is
advised to ensure that the guidance is current on the date when plans are
deposited or notice given to the district council.

18 Materials and workmanship Technical Booklet B: 2013