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Latest NewsNew BBA Service for Robust Details (10 May 2007)
The Robust Details (RD) alternative to pre-completion testing of the acoustic performance of new-build dwellings has been adopted enthusiastically by builders and suppliers of building products in England and Wales.
The specifications set out in the RD Handbook require independent laboratory test reports for certain products, such as resilient ceiling bars, downlighters and floating floor treatments. However, recent research has revealed the difficulty manufacturers face in differentiating their products, with certificated acoustic performance, from those products on the market, with unsubstantiated performance claims.
As such, the BBA has agreed with RDL to operate a voluntary verification service. For a small charge, the BBA will verify manufacturers’ claims against the benchmark performance criteria and publish a list of all verified products on a dedicated RD page on its website, for the benefit of RD customers.
Where the data is from an accredited laboratory or an equivalent source, the BBA verification process will be mainly a desktop activity. Where additional testing or assessment is required, this will be discussed with the manufacturer and quoted for accordingly.
The BBA also proposes to offer a voluntary listing service on the same web page outlining proprietary products that are specified in the RD Handbook. These must not be substituted by any other products. Examples include proprietary products, which were built into the original candidate RD structures or which have subsequently been assessed by RDL and added to the relevant RD specifications.
As a result of this service, interested parties including builders, designers, suppliers and building merchants will all be able to use the new BBA web page to identify, at a glance, products which are certain to be acceptable for use with stated Robust Details.
‘The new BBA service will be of benefit to all those involved in the RD programme – builders, designers and material suppliers,’ says RDL Chief Executive Dave Baker. ‘I have used BBA Certificates for many years in my earlier role in Building Control and I am delighted to see the BBA providing its expertise in support of the exciting area of Robust Details.’
(10 May 2007)
Canadian insulated concrete formwork producer Nudura Corporation has obtained a European Technical Approval (ETA) for its permanent formwork system from the BBA – number 07/0034.
After researching the European market Nudura selected the BBA as the organisation it wished to undertake the approval work with and the ETA has been issued on the basis of the European Technical Approval Guideline (ETAG) 009.
At present the Nudura system is being offered only in the UK and Ireland but European Sales Representative Jean-Marc Bouvier has other European countries in his sights and the CE Marking which will follow shortly will be an asset in that sector.
‘The ETA process went relatively smoothly’, commented Jean-Marc. ‘Nudura works with code and regulation bodies across the world and we found the BBA team helpful and constructive and we achieved the ETA within the anticipated timescale’. (10 May 2007)
As BBA News readers will have seen, a number of window companies have sought energy ratings for their windows via the BBA.
The scheme is accelerating, and the number of companies applying to the BBA has increased dramatically in recent weeks.
Most of these companies have had computer simulation of their window energy ratings undertaken by approved simulators, of which there are a number in the UK, but these simulations have to be verified by a BFRC-registered Independent Agency, such as the BBA. The BBA also has three approved simulators on its payroll.
Over 120 BFRC ratings Certificates have been issued on the basis of verification by the BBA.
Information on the BFRC Scheme, including listings of all rated systems is available on the BFRC website http://www.bfrc.org.
RECENT CERTIFICATE CHANGES.
New Certificates added between 17 April 2007 and 07 May 2007
07/4419 SIKAMUR-INJECTOCREAM - Sika Services AG
Amendments to Existing Certificates between 17 April 2007 and 07 May 2007
00/3761 SIKA WATERPROOFING SYSTEMS - SIKA LTD
Detail Sheets added between 17 April 2007 and 07 May 2007
Certificate Reinstatements between 17 April 2007 and 07 May 2007
None.
Certificates withdrawn between 17 April 2007 and 07 May 2007
01/3819 FORST ROOF LINING SYSTEMS - Griltex SA
Detail Sheet withdrawals between 17 April 2007 and 07 May 2007
None.
Lapsed Certificates between 17 April 2007 and 07 May 2007
00/H041 RMC READYRAISE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR MANHOLE COVERS AND FRAMES - RMC Surfacing Ltd
Suspended Certificates between 17 April 2007 and 07 May 2007
None.
Detail Sheet Suspensions between 17 April 2007 and 07 May 2007
None.
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