NHBC has launched its Technical Standards for 2024.

The Standards, published at the start of each year, define the technical requirements and performance standards for the design and construction of new homes registered with NHBC, the new homes warranty and insurance provider. The Standards also provide guidance on how the requirements can be achieved.

There have been several notable changes and updates across Parts 3 to 8 of the Technical Standards. They include:

• A new chapter 4.6 – “Engineered fill” in Part 4, covering NHBC guidance on meeting the Technical Requirements and recommendations for using engineered fill to support residential developments, external works and infrastructures
• Extensive revisions to Chapter 6.1, including the provision of cavity trays to complicated junctions and additional insight on the design and specification of windposts
• Updates to chapter 6.3 on internal masonry walls and fire-stopping details
• Improvements to chapter 7.2, providing more information on durability, ventilation strategies, integration of roof solar technologies and roof cassette systems
• A revision to Part 8 (Chapters 8.1 – 8.6) to improve the usability of the sections and improve guidance on heat pumps and solar photovoltaics, ensuring alignment with the Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition), and weep hole locations relating to gas meter boxes.

NHBC said its Standards were “rigorously reviewed to drive incremental improvement and ensure that they continue to support builders and developers to deliver high-quality new homes”.

It added that it kept its technical content under review, keeping pace with the needs of the industry, the regulatory environment and, where possible, anticipating changing customer expectations.

Mark Russell, NHBC’s standards and policy manager, said: “Our standards team is committed to continuous improvement and revising the Standards annually to ensure they remain current and relevant.

"I am proud to be part of such a robust process that continues to support the ongoing advancement of build quality and helps builders and developers to keep raising standards in housebuilding.”