FAQ's

Every effort is made by RDL to ensure that Robust Details are compatible with other Parts of the Building Regulations and other building standards. However, due to the number and complexity of all the potential design solutions, it is not possible to guarantee this. Your designer should consider all relevant Regulations and standards when selecting and using a Robust Detail.

We would notify the Building Control Body and they would then take reasonable steps to ensure compliance with Part E. This could involve remedial work and pre-completion sound testing. If this was a relatively isolated failure, local action may be sufficient. However, in the unlikely event that RDL discovered that a specific Robust Detail was consistently performing badly, we would take corrective action which could include enhancing the design or withdrawing it altogether.

Alternative forms of construction, such as an E-FC-2 in-situ concrete floor within a reinforced concrete frame construction or E-FS-1 steel/concrete composite floors for use in steel frames, can also achieve compliance with A3 and be registered with RDL.

We would confirm that it is a matter for those designers, developers and builders who intend to use Part E Robust Details to ensure that their dwelling
designs also satisfies all other relevant statutory or regulatory requirements.

Where necessary guidance should also be sort from your suppliers with regard to any additional measures required to accommodate your proposals, for example the inclusion of straps where a resilient layer is used directly above a precast concrete plank separating floor.

In adopting the use of Robust Details to avoid the need for pre-completion sound testing, builders are required to register each plot with RDL, indicating which Robust Details will be used in each case. Please refer to the Plot Registration section for more details.

We do not maintain a list of materials, suppliers or manufacturers related to the acoustic materials to be used in the construction of the Robust Details. We do however have a list of useful websites that you may find of assistance. Please contact us for further information.

The construction of separating walls to stairwells and PC stairs and stairwell landings does not fall within the remit of Robust Details. Accordingly, it is necessary to construct these elements in accordance with the Approved Document E, which indicates that sound testing of such areas would not be required (ADE, paragraph 1.8 - page 12).

No, you are only able to register Robust Details for new build purpose built dwelling-houses and flats.

No, you are only able to register Robust Details where all elements of the Robust Detail are constructed as new build as the wall / floor including any flanking details given in the current Robust Details Part E Handbook must be strictly followed.

It is acceptable to construct a timber frame dwelling above an insitu concrete transfer slab provided the junction between the timber frame separating walls are constructed following the requirements of detail 7 of E-WT-1 or 2 as appropriate. It will not be acceptable to construct a timber frame off a continuous precast concrete plank separating floor.

There are currently no robust separating walls and floors available for use between living rooms and the common parts of a building such as stairwells. However, these walls and floors would not normally be subject to precompletion testing in any case and should be acceptable if they are constructed in accordance with Approved Document E.

No, the cavity masonry separating walls must have a clear cavity and must only be connected by suitable wall ties and at the foundation, in accordance with the ground floor junction detail as shown in the relevant separating wall detail in the Robust Details Part E Handbook.

No, the cavity masonry separating walls must have a clear cavity and must only be connected by suitable wall ties and at the foundation, in accordance with the ground floor junction detail as shown in the relevant separating wall detail in the Robust Details Part E Handbook.

No, the cavity masonry separating walls must have a clear cavity and must only be connected by suitable wall ties and at the foundation, in accordance with the ground floor junction detail as shown in the relevant separating wall detail in the Robust Details Part E Handbook.

No, the cavity masonry separating walls must have a clear cavity and must only be connected by suitable wall ties and at the foundation, in accordance with the ground floor junction detail as shown in the relevant separating wall detail in the Robust Details Part E Handbook. However, it may be possible, depending on the design, to use Robust Details for parts of the block, although specialist advice should be sought and the Building Control Body consulted.

It is acceptable to adopt a screed finish that follows the principals of the floating screeds indicated in E-FC-3 and E-FC-4 separating floor details.

No, it is not currently possible to register a timber frame separating wall with a room-in-roof construction.

The round recess indicated in the concrete raft foundation shown in detail 7 of E-WT-1 and E-WT-2 is provided to enable moisture to be drained from the cavity of the separating wall to the outside of the building. The recess is shown for illustrative purposes and is not related to the required acoustic performance of the Part E Robust Detail, for the purposes of Building Regulations Part E Requirement E1. Accordingly, other Building Regulations or standards, which are outside our remit, would need to be considered in relation to this issue.

A new candidate Robust Detail (CRD) application for room-in-roof junctions of cavity masonry separating walls, using an insulated board attached to the underside of the rafters and with further rigid insulation between all rafters is currently being assessed. In light of recent test evidence from sites towards this application RDL is content, in the interim, to allow the following detail at room-in-roof wall and ceiling junctions.

This is providing that:

• 100mm (min) mineral wool insulation (min. 10kg/m3) is installed in the last full rafter bay immediately adjacent each side of the separating wall;
• Athermal laminate gypsum-based board layer, used as part of the required ceiling lining, or a layer of rigid insulation, used in addition to the required ceiling lining, is mounted to the underside of the rafters to isolate the ceiling lining from the rafters;
• The junction between the top of the separating wall and the underside of the roof is fully filled with a mineral wool flexible closer such that no gaps or voids remain.
  

Builders proposing to incorporate such a detail should forward a section drawing to RDL Technical (technical@robustdetails.com or call 0870 240 8203) for assessment prior to installation on site.

It is acceptable to do this provided the acoustic integrity is maintained as detailed in Appendix A of the Robust Details Handbook.

Yes, all floating floor treatments must have been benchmark tested in accordance with the appropriate Appendix to confirm that they meet the required acoustic performance.

We do not maintain a list of downlighters that have been tested, we recommend that you request confirmation from your supplier or the manufacturer, possibly through a copy of the acoustic report undertaken to confirm compliance with the appendix F test.

Provided the downlighters have been tested in accordance with the requirements of Appendix F of the Robust Details Handbook we can confirm that the density used in a successful test can be used.

No, the full ceiling treatment including void, as indicated in the relevant section of the separating floor in the Robust Details Part E Handbook, must be followed.

It is permissible to have kitchen units and appliances along with bathroom sanitary fittings installed directly onto the sub floor construction. In all cases we would always recommend that you contact the manufacturer directly to seek their advice relating to the specific FFT.

The floor of the flat / apartment above garages owned by third parties is a separating floor and consequently should comply with Building Regulations Approved Document E. However, the requirement for pre-completion sound testing of this element should be clarified with the relevant Building Control Body, since the details of Approved Document E (2003) are not explicit on this issue.

The floor could be constructed as a Robust Detail separating floor provided all the relevant requirements of the current Robust Details Part E Handbook are followed. This would include the flanking construction and the required ceiling treatments in each garage.

If the flat / apartment with garages is attached to other dwellings consideration would be required for the separating walls to each side, if they are to be Robust Details. This would be acceptable provided all the relevant requirements of the Robust Details Part E Handbook are followed. This would include the flanking construction and the required finishes to the separating wall in each garage.

The floor of the flat / apartment above the driveway is an external element rather than a separating element and consequently is not required to comply with either Building Regulations Approved Document E or Robust Details Part E.

However, consideration would be required for any walls to each side of the driveway, which become separating walls from first floor level, if they are to be Robust Details. This would be acceptable provided:

• The walls are constructed as cavity walls for their full height
• There are no steel beams used at the wall/floor junction to support the floor structures, other than steel beams at right angles to the wall with only the end of the beam built in accordance with the detail on page 3 of Appendix A of the Handbook
• The details of Robust Details Part E Handbook are adopted from the levelof the first floor structure upwards, in particular the requirement for a clear cavity for cavity separating walls must be followed.

The floor between flats / apartments above a car park may be subject to pre-completion sound testing regardless of the use of Robust Details because it is an element separating different uses. This should be clarified with the relevant Building Control Body / Planning Authority.

The floor could be constructed in accordance with the principles of a Robust Detail separating floor provided all the relevant requirements of the current Robust Details Part E Handbook are followed. This would include the flanking construction and the required ceiling treatment in the car park. However, this would not avoid any requirement for pre-completion sound testing indicated above.

Cavity masonry separating walls constructed off this floor for the flats / apartments immediately above the car park would not achieve the requirements of Robust Details due to the floor creating a flanking path beneath the wall. This would be the case even if each leaf of the masonry separating wall were individually supported on steel beams. Consequently, these walls would be subject to pre-completion sound testing.

The separating walls and floors of any higher storey flats / apartments on floors above the flats / apartments immediately above the car park could comply with Robust Details and avoid pre-completion sound testing. In order to achieve this the construction of all the flats / apartments would need to follow all the relevant requirements of the current Robust Details Part E Handbook.

It is acceptable, to achieve the required acoustic performance of E-FC-3, to use 25mm (min) expanded polystyrene that is the same or of a higher density than the SD grade indicated in E-FC-3. This is provided all relevant requirements of the Robust Details Part E Handbook are strictly followed.

1. Install internal metal stud partitions either up to the ceiling lining or through the ceiling lining, provided the head channel of the metal stud partitions fully seals the void between the wall linings, such that there are no air paths from the ceiling void to the partition void.

2. Install loadbearing masonry internal partition walls up to the underside of the floor, provided the floor is continuous over the wall and the wall must have a minimum mass per unit area of 120kg/m2 (including the finish).

3. Construct the internal wall directly off core floor with the floating floor treatment installed around the internal walls, provided:

• The 5mm (min) resilient flanking strip is correctly installed to all perimeters of the floating floor treatment to isolate the floor from all the walls and skirtings
• All other relevant parts of the Robust Details Part E Handbookare strictly followed.

4. Construct the internal wall off the floating floor treatment flooring board, provided:

• The floating floor treatment is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, including the provision of additional battens to support the internal walls if necessary
• All other relevant parts of the Robust Details Part E Handbook are strictly followed.

We are planning to introduce online plot registrations and payment in a forthcoming phase of our website development. At the moment it is necessary to print out a copy of the plot registration form and fax or post it back to us.

Robust Details only applies to new build attached dwellings. Extensions to and renovations of existing dwellings cannot be registered with the RDL Scheme.

These do not need to be returned to RDL. You will need to retain these documents and make them available to your Building Control Body.

We are happy to print replacement documents, an administration fee of £11.75 (inc. VAT) will apply.

You will need to notify RDL of any cancellations or amendments so we can update our records and issue new documents. There is an administration fee for amending the registration. You must also notify the designated Building Control Body of any change. Click here for amendment / cancellation form.

At present the Robust Details Part E Handbook is only available as a loose-leaf folder. This is to allow updates to be easily added to the folder.

It is preferable that you register your site before building commences. You may still register your plots providing your Building Control Body will accept the late registration. When submitting your application, you will need to provide confirmation of your Building Control Body's acceptance of late registration.

The Building Control Body will not ask for routine pre-completion sound testing provided the separating walls and / or floors are built strictly in accordance with the Robust Detail specifications.

Subject to a final announcement by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, we anticipate that all new attached dwellings in England and Wales which are started on or after 1 July 2004 will require the use of registered Robust Details or pre-completion testing. Please confirm this with your Building Control Body.

Firstly, access is needed to the Robust Details Part E Resistance to the passage of sound Handbook. This cost £65 and you can download the order form here. We process Handbook orders on the day they arrive and you should receive your copy within 4-5 working days. The Handbook provides detailed information on the wall and / or floor constructions required for completing the Plot Registration Form to register your site.

Registration costs £30+VAT per dwelling. Click here to find out more about fees.

Once we have processed your Plot Registration application form we will send you a covering letter and two copies of the Purchase Statement, one of which must be given to your Building Control Body upon receipt. This informs them that you are building to Robust Details and they can monitor the site accordingly.

You will also receive a Compliance Certificate for each dwelling that you have registered. Once building has been completed, these should be authorised by The Builder, filed and made available to the Building Control Body. You will also receive a Receipted Invoice and Checklist(s) for the Robust Detail walls and/or floors that you have registered. The Checklists help the Builder to complete each stage of the construction process correctly.

You need to complete an Amendment / Cancellation Form and return the original Purchase Statement and original Compliance Certificate(s) for the plot(s you are amending. An administration fee will apply.

If the original paperwork is no longer available, you must write to your Building Control Body and advise them that you are amending the site details, tell them what you are amending the details to and send us a copy of that letter with your Amendment / Cancellation Form.

The administration fees are determined by the number of plots you are amending and are charged per site. Click here for details of the current fees.

Tables 3a, b and c in the introduction of the Robust Details Handbook provide information about compatible Robust Details.

The Building Control Applicant is the person whose name is on the Building Control Submission made to the Local Authority or Approved Inspector.

This field only needs to be completed if you have a purchase order number you wish us to quote on the receipted invoice.

We endeavour to process all Plot Registration applications within five working days of receipt.

We process Robust Details Handbook orders on the day they arrive and you should receive your copy within 4-5 working days.

Unfortunately, we are not able to take telephone orders. However, all of our forms are available to download on the website and each has the facility for you to pay by credit card. Plot Registraton Form / Robust Details Handbook Order Form / Plot Amendment & Cancellation Form / Robust Details Handbook Updates Order Form.

No, although you can if you wish to. Our technical department will review the drawings prior to us processing the application, although it may delay the turn-around of the paperwork by a few days. Please note that RDL does not offer a plan approval service, any application is assumed to be made in compliance with the current published details.

Our Subscription Service runs from September August each year. Every August we send out a reminder letter, together with a Subscription Order Form, to all those who have purchased a Robust Details Handbook in the current year or subscribed previously to remind them that their Subscription is due for renewal. Anyone who purchases a Robust Details Handbook will receive complimentary updates for the remainder of that subscription year.

You will need a copy of the Robust Details Handbook in order to enter the Robust Detail(s) you require on the Plot Registration Form.