Robust detail solutions
What are they?
Robust details are construction solutions which provide an alternative to pre-completion sound testing as a method of complying with Part E (resistance to the passage of sound) of the Building Regulations (England and Wales).
Robust detail, for Part E of the Building Regulations, is a separating wall or floor construction which has been assessed and approved by Robust Details Limited. In order to be approved, each robust detail must:
- Be capable of consistently exceeding the performance standards given in Approved Document E to the Building Regulations for England and Wales
- Be practical to construct on site
- Be reasonably tolerant to workmanship.
Buildings built using robust details, won't need pre-completion sound testing.
Construction of concrete separating floors (Robust Details):
- Precast concrete planks should be butted tightly together and all joints between planks grouted. All voids between walls and floor should be filled.
- Floating floor and ceiling treatments should be suitable and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
- Flanking strips around the perimeter of the flooring board should be installed to isolate the floor from the walls and skirtings.
- Concrete floor slab density should match the Robust Detail requirements.
- Ceiling should not be in direct contact with any steel beams/columns.
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Construction of solid separating walls (Robust Details):
Topcrete RD blocks have been developed for the construction of solid separating walls in dwellings conforming to Robust Detail E-WM-9. They satisfy the requirements specified in the Robust Detail and therefore comply with Part E1 to the Building Regulations.
Topcrete RD blocks include grooves in each end so that it is possible to check the constructed wall to ensure that the correct block has been used; a requirement of this particular Robust Detail. The wall should be finished with plasterboard (12.5kg/m2) on 13mm render with a scratch finish.
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Authority - Topcrete RD blocks conform to BS EN 771-3 and are manufactured under a Quality System complying with BS EN ISO 9001.
- Size - The dimensions of Topcrete RD are 440mm x 215mm x 100mm. They should be used laid flat to construct a 215mm width wall.
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Appearance - Topcrete RD blocks are standard grade blocks with a textured surface suitable for applied finishes. Grooves in the end of the blocks aid site identification.
- Application - Topcrete RD blocks are suitable for the construction of 215mm width solid separating walls in houses taken from raft foundations, conforming to Robust Detail E-WM-9. They may also be suitable for use in other solid separating wall conditions, but will be subject to pre-completion testing in accordance with Approved Document E.
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Material Properties -
Mean compressive strength to EN 771-3
Material dry density 1,900 to 2,000kg/m3
Typical block weight (3% moisture content)
- Design - The design of loadbearing walls should be in accordance with Approved Document A of the Building Regulations. When required the characteristic compressive strength of Topcrete RD (blocks laid flat) can be obtained from Table 2 (h) of BS 5628-1.
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Installation - Blockwork should be constructed strictly in accordance with the requirements of Robust Detail E-WM-9 published by Robust Details Limited. A checklist is provided to aid correct installation. Further information on good site practice may be found in the blocks Site work Guide.
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Specifying the blocks:
To be described as:
‘Topcrete RD dense blocks to EN 771-3, 440mm long x 215mm width x 100mm height, with a mean compressive strength of 7.3N/mm2 obtainable from Tarmac Building Products Ltd. The product is to be used in solid separating walls of 215mm width’.
- Quantities
The product is sold as a 215mm block on a square metre basis (m2).
There are 20 blocks supplied per m2 of wall.
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More information on Robust Details is available from the Robust Details Ltd website
