Growing Interest in MMC Helps Shape New NHBC Standards

AN UPSURGE in interest in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) from the UK’s house building industry has played a key role in determining the NHBC Standards 2019, set to come into force on 1 January, says the NHBC.

A renewed emphasis, particularly from the offsite sector, coupled in advancements made by the light steel frame industry, has focused attention on areas where helpful and informative guidance for the appropriate use of this building form is needed.

As such, Standards 2019 will introduce the first major update to ‘Light Steel Framing’ (LSF) since it was first published in 2005.

New NHBC Standards

Given the increase in modular systems using LSF, Standards 2019 has added points of revision to the stage 1 certification which should be considered in the manufacturer’s system manual.

Chapter 6.2, which focuses on ‘External timber framed walls’ and Chapter 8.1 ‘Internal Services’ in relation to boiler flow rates, has also been updated, along with a number of additional minor changes on a range of issues.

Commenting on the new guidelines, which will come into force for new homes where the foundations are started on or after January 1 2019, NHBC Standards & Technical Manager Paul Cribbens said: “NHBC’s dedicated team have spent the past year developing technical content and updates to form the new Standards, working with partners and organisations from across the industry.

“The increased interest in MMC has contributed to these changes and we hope that these revisions will continue to help in raising standards of new home quality for the benefit of homeowners.”

>> Read more about NHBC in the news