New HomeSpec Guide from British Gypsum

"There are about half a dozen pieces of technical literature that form the backbone of any technical library, and the British Gypsum HomeSpec Guide is one of them" Technical Director, top ten UK housebuilder.

To coincide with the introduction of new Part L thermal regulations on April 6th, British Gypsum has published an updated and much expanded version of its market leading HomeSpec guide, designed to help house designers and builders meet the very latest regulatory standards for all types of residential building.

HomeSpec 4 incorporates more than 160 pages of explanation and advice, construction details and product information. It has been designed as a one-stop guide, leading users through the key detail and requirements of the latest Part L and Part E regulations, to a comprehensive range of practical solutions.

In a simple-to-understand format HomeSpec 4 outlines the new Part L regulations, and provides construction and performance details for a range of combined cavity fill/dry lining options that will meet or exceed the new ADL minimum design U-values, and contribute to the SAP 2005 rating for most common masonry external wall constructions. The guide also addresses the new air tightness regulations, with details of the new compulsory testing requirements and useful guidance on meeting the standards.

The largest section of the guide addresses the arguably more complex Part E regulations, with several new Robust Detail and Pre-Completion Testing constructions added since the previous July 2004 update, and many existing constructions re-engineered to provide more competitive solutions for the housebuilder.

As well as many ease-of–use enhancements, designed to provide the house builder or designer with a simpler route to final specification, HomeSpec 4 includes, for the first time, BRE Green Guide ratings for most internal separating wall and floor constructions, enabling the user to choose more environmentally sustainable solutions, and achieve maximum credits under the BRE-approved EcoHomes scheme.

Product and system information, good practice detailing and clear presentation of key system criteria such as maximum heights and sound performance, combine with the widest range of wall, floor and ceiling solutions, to make HomeSpec 4 the most comprehensive single specification tool available, and an essential part of every housebuilder’s technical library.

Ends

Notes for editors:

In research carried out amongst top UK housebuilders during 2005, the following comments were received on the previous (Version 3) HomeSpec Guide:

" Well drafted, clear and easy to navigate." (Linden Homes)

"An excellent publication, which has proved an invaluable asset for our design teams getting to grips with Part E…. I can’t think of another document to equal its informative content." (Taylor Woodrow Homes)

"There are probably about half a dozen pieces of technical literature that form the backbone of any technical library, this is one of them." (David Wilson Homes).