Aggregate
Industries’ concrete division is making it easier for housebuilders to specify
compliant structural topping products by unveiling a consolidated range of
reinforcement solutions suitable for any beam and block flooring system.
The introduction of
the range follows the implementation of the National
House Building Council’s (NHBC) Technical Note 20 guidelines in January
this year.
The standard defined
technical considerations around installing a beam and block flooring system;
particularly that the use of micro fibres, as an alternative to steel mesh
reinforcement, is now no longer acceptable to the NHBC.
Instead, structural
toppings requiring approval by the NHBC must use one of the following
reinforcement options; macro ‘structural’ synthetic fibres, steel fibres or
steel mesh reinforcement.
Aggregate Industries’
range of NHBC-compliant structural topping products includes: Agilia H
(Housing) – a self-compacting structural topping containing 4kg of
polypropylene macro ‘structural’ fibres; Highpave (Housing) – a concrete
available in a range of consistencies and strengths containing macro structural
fibre reinforcement with 4kg of polypropylene macro fibres and Agilia H – a
self-compacting structural topping option that can be used in conjunction with
steel mesh reinforcement.
Neil Cochrane,
specification manager at Aggregate Industries, explained: “Beam and block
floors remain the most popular solution for housebuilders when building a
ground floor; however the introduction of the latest NHBC guidelines have
changed the parameters of what is deemed an acceptable reinforcement
solution.
“As a market leader
and a major supplier to the housing sector, our focus is not only on providing
the best quality solutions but also adding value; in this case by simplifying
the specification process. Providing a clearly-defined range of NHBC-compliant
options will save our customers valuable time, as well as provide them with
confidence that whatever their approach, the product selected will be
acceptable to the NHBC.”
The introduction of
the NHBC-compliant concrete structural toppings range forms part of Aggregate
Industries’ complete structural flooring system offer, which includes a bespoke
beam and block solution from Charcon Construction Solutions.
