VIEWPOINT: Meeting requirements
The relationship between building Regulations and performance testing is a topical issue in the drylining market. Chris Woollard, from CCF, discusses the impact this has on specifiers’ requirements and product performance claims.
Building regulations provide a constantly changing environment, which diversifies depending on the market applications. Be it commercial, residential, education or healthcare, the regulation requirements for each are all unique and have different design characteristics that must be complied with. This means that manufacturers must take a thorough and tailored approach to product testing and assessment in order to deliver the right drylining solutions to meet the market’s specification requirements. This will ensure British regulations are upheld and provides complete peace of mind and assurance for specifiers and installers.
Cohesive communication surrounding regulations and design requirements is also needed across the board, as whilst it is the responsibility of drywall manufacturers to comply with Building Regulations and provide proof of adequate and regulated testing performance, it is equally important that a specifier is aware of any safety conditions that internal partitions need to meet. For example, the latest developments in thermal, fire and, increasingly, acoustic performances of internal partitions are all graded, and a specifier must be able to choose wisely to ensure that any product they select is absolutely fit for purpose.
Likewise, with the introduction of newer initiatives such as the Code for Sustainable Homes for the residential market, it can also be the case that the performance required of certain products occasionally needs to be better than the minimum standard. This means specifiers need to be thoroughly sure requirements are met, as it is often a prerequisite for
planning approval.
Manufacturers go through vigorous testing to achieve the requirements dictated by UK Building Regulations, normally giving independently accredited laboratories, such as UKAS, the permission to complete assessments on their behalf. It is imperative that these tests are carried out by accredited laboratories in order to give weight to the validity of any claim, so that
the specifier can be confident that the chosen solution meets the requirement.
The process for testing drylining products involves a series of checks to ensure the six essential annexes of BS 5234-2 are met, as well as fire performance tests, which are carried out to meet Part B regulations – all of which must meet British Standards.
By choosing a reputable brand, such as CCF’s ‘Tradeline’ drywall solutions, specifiers and installers are supported with technical handbooks that highlight its UKAS accredited testing, and specifiers can rest assured that they are selecting engineered solutions that are fully compliant with their requirements. In a busy marketplace with many different drylining solutions available, and a plethora of regulations to be met, opting for a reputable brand is a good option for those wanting accredited performance together with peace of mind.
Chris Woolard
Interiors category manager
CCF
