Version 10 of the LABC Warranty Technical Manual is applicable to applicable sites registered from 11th June 2021
Section 1 of our technical manual summarises the LABC Warranty technical guidance on acceptable tolerances in brickwork.
Section 2 of our technical manual considers construction below ground floor level: basements. Find details on waterproofing systems and drainage.
In Section 3 of our technical manual we provide technical guidance on different types of foundations and consider sites with trees and clay.
Ground floor structures such as suspended beam and block and concrete floors are covered in Section 4 of the LABC Warranty technical manual.
Download Section 5 of the LABC Warranty technical manual for technical guidance on foul drainage and storm drainage.
Download and view Section 6 of the LABC Warranty technical manual for technical guidance on external wall construction.
Internal walls made of masonry, timber and metal stud are covered in detail in Section 7 of the LABC Warranty technical manual.
Download Section 8 of the LABC Warranty technical manual for warranty requirements and technical guidance on windows and doors.
In section 9 of the LABC Warranty technical manual you will find our warranty requirements and technical guidance for timber stairs.
Download and view Section 10 of the LABC Warranty technical manual for technical guidance on upper floor construction elements.
Section 11 of our technical manual covers pitched, flat and green roofs, concrete, slate and plain titles, and metal deck roofing.
Balconies and terraces are the building parts covered in Section 12 of the LABC Warranty technical manual, available to download here.
Section 13 of our technical manual provides technical guidance on masonry chimneys and gas flues.
Download and view Section 14 of the LABC Warranty technical manual for technical guidance on the construction of driveways and paving.
Heating services including gas boilers are covered in Section 15 of the LABC Warranty technical manual, available to download here.
Section 16 of our technical manual covers ventilation including extract fans, passive stack, continuous mechanical extract and continuous mechanical s…
Download and view Section 17 of the LABC Warranty technical manual for technical guidance on mains electrical services.
Water services, cold water supply to plumbing, boilers and appliances is covered by Section 18 of the LABC Warranty technical manual.
In section 19 of the LABC Warranty technical manual you will find our warranty requirements and technical guidance for outbuildings.
Download Section 20 of the LABC Warranty technical manual for technical guidance on assessing and working with ground conditions.
In Appendix A of the LABC Warranty technical manual we provide technical guidance on finishes, including plasterboard and ceramic tiling.
In Appendix B of the LABC Warranty technical manual we consider warranty requirements for building in coastal locations.
In Appendix C of the technical manual we cover materials handling and storage and considers modern methods of construction approaches.
In Appendix D of our technical manual we provide guidance on how to meet our warranty requirements when converting or refurbishing existing buildings
This technical article is intended to clarify what LABC Warranty's requirements are for newly built "attached" dwellings.
This Resource Hub article provides additional guidance on the use of rendering on different substrates.
This technical update provides additional guidance on insulated reveals to refurbished buildings.
This technical update provides additional guidance on wall tie replacement in existing buildings.
From September 1st 2021 LABC Warranty will only accept projects that have timber frame panels by an accredited manufacturer.
This technical update provides additional guidance on the use of cavity trays and reveal closers.
In this practical guide we have outlined technical pointers to ensure your build doesn’t suffer from defects caused by failing lintels and bearings.
Check out our 8 handy tips to help you get horizontal damp proof course right, first time.
This technical update provides guidance on risk managing single glazed windows in conversions schemes.
Download our Refurbishments Guide for guidance on how to stay warranty compliant when completing refurbs or alterations to existing structures.
This technical update provides additional guidance on the TRADA span tables.
This technical article provides additional guidance on the use of natural stone outer leaf in cavity construction.
Check out our Foundation Depth Calculator to easily determine the exact foundation depth required when building near trees.
Download our Guide to Building on Filled Ground where we outline good practice in relation to building on fill which is acceptable to LABC Warranty.
Download our Mining Guide for guidance on the requirements when building over, or in the vicinity of mine-workings, entries and features.
Find out about the structural design and installation of piled foundations with our Good Practice Guide to Piling.
Learn about what LABC Warranty recognise as good practice in relation to the design and construction of Raft Foundations
Download our guide on Vibro Stone Columns and their associated foundations, and learn the recognised good practice for design and installation.
Find out what we consider good practice in relation to the design of foundations in soluble rocks with our Solution Features in Soluble Rocks Guide.
In this article we list the 10 crucial documents required for piling construction to help reduce any delays to your build.
The following foundations checklist has been developed to support inspections and the risk management of LABC Warranty sites.
This technical update provides additional guidance on foundations, trees and clay.
This technical update provides additional guidance on Heave: time taken for the ground to recover following tree / vegetation removal.
Access our External Wall Fire Safety for Relevant Buildings: Elements Resource Tool
Access a programme of technical events and seminars hosted by our partner organisation LABC.
Download our checklist on Level Thresholds to help you comply with the requirements for Building Regulations and LABC Warranty's Technical Manual.
Check out our Brick Layers Guide to help you build walls made to last that comply with Building Regulations and LABC Warranty's Technical Manual.
Download our New Home Warranty Buyer checklist to help you choose the cover that is right for your development.
Download our Planning Process Flowchart which aims to help you successfully navigate through the planning process.
Download our latest technical newsletter update and get access to past copies too.
Discover when flashing and canopy trays are required, and the reasons why they are required with our easy to follow checklist on Canopy Roofs.
Section 1 of our Technical Manual summarises the LABC Warranty technical guidance on acceptable tolerances in brickwork. Download the chapter here.
With the help of visuals and diagrams, learn more about the acceptable tolerances for key components to the interior structure of your construction.
Extra care needs to be taken when installing glazing in higher-risk areas. Identifying those areas and taking measures to prevent injury are key.
Read our guide to understand the recognised good practice in relation to the content and provision of structural calculations when requested.
This guidance provides a solution for structural waterproofing of lift pits, on sites where there are no other structural waterproofing requirements.
Technical guidance for the design, use of materials and workmanship for podium decks to meet the functional requirements for warranty.
This Technical Update article provides additional guidance on painting over intumescent strips.
Are you using modern methods of construction to build new homes? Check out our guidance on acceptable floor levels for MMC builds.
Mock Tudor cladding is an attractive option for homes, but needs great care in its construction. In this blog we explain the pitfalls to be aware of.
Find out more about our updated position on the acceptability of MgO boards for use in conjunction with LABC Warranty projects.
How do you account for movement in concrete bricks? This article provides comprehensive answers.
Homes with LABC Warranty cover benefit from two expert pairs of eyes – Building Control and Warranty Surveyors. But how are the two different?
In this article we consider the installation of insulation in timber-frame structures with external brick cladding
One great way to make new homes more energy efficient is for them to generate their own energy. But what are the requirements for gaining a warranty?
Where should you position electrical sockets and switches? Read here for our warranty requirements.
In this article we cover what you need to consider when installing stairs and staircases in private homes to ensure you get your warranty certificate
Want to find out what are we looking for on site? Check out this blog where we guide you through our risk management site inspections
Find out more about our updated position on the use of lightweight bricks slip "sip" composite lintels
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using laminated glass? Read our Tech Update to understand more.
This technical update provides additional guidance relating to fibre reinforcement in concrete.
This technical update article provides additional guidance on electrical consumer units and their position in new homes.
This knowledge management article provides additional guidance on the use of package sewerage treatment plants, septic tanks and cesspools.
This LABC Warranty technical update provides additional guidance on the use of timber window and door frames.
This technical update provides additional guidance on the use of flashing systems, ‘fake’ or ‘alternative lead’, regularly used on sites.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive colourless and odourless gas which is formed in small quantities by radioactive decay wherever uranium and…
This technical update provides additional guidance on the 2014 and 2018 changes to BS 5534.
This technical update article provides additional guidance on the use of bricks, rammed earth.
This technical update blog provides additional guidance on canopy flashings and weathering details.
This technical article provides additional guidance for timber fixing requirements in domestic locations.
This technical update explains the requirements for a heating zone control system.
This technical update provides additional guidance on the use of thatched roofs for detached dwellings for low rise new build and conversions.
LABC Warranty will accept the use of non-combustible cavity tray products for on a project by project basis prior to provision of full third party cer…
This technical article provides additional guidance on contaminated plasterboard, following concerns about products on the market.
This technical update provides additional guidance on suspended ceilings, in response to several instances of suspended ceiling failures.
This technical update provides additional guidance on cavity separating walls and gable walls, and the use of lateral restraint.
This technical update provides additional guidance on pyrite contamination. Pyrite traces are found in sedimentary rock used to make backfill.
Where conservatories are constructed to a new build property, they may fall under cover of the warranty.
This technical article provides additional guidance on drainage and sanitation.
This technical article provides additional guidance on Japanese knotweed, one of the most invasive plants in Britain.
This technical update provides additional guidance on lead neoprene joints that can be used to form gutter details.
This technical article provides additional guidance on showers and wet room construction for domestic properties.
This technical article provides additional guidance on mortar bedded ridges and hips and the use of mechanical fixings.
Shrinkage, occasional poor workmanship and deflection can all cause problems with floor levels. This technical update outlines what to look for
Additional guidance on the need for a credible basement waterproof specialist - it is essential that the risk is managed by engaging appropriate speci…
A blue roof is a flat roof or deck designed to provide controlled attenuation and management of rainfall to the sewer or outfall system.
This technical article covers contiguous and secant piled walls and looks at when they can be used in basements.
As well as using a stage-based inspection process, LABC Warranty takes a risk management approach to surveying. Learn how this works in practice
This technical update provides additional guidance relating to the use of fibre reinforcement in concrete, in lieu of traditional steel reinforcement.…
This technical update outlines our approach to warranty cover for the use of oak in a range of construction environments.
This update provides additional warranty guidance on the use of concrete lintels faced with bricks slips.
This technical update provides additional guidance relating to the use of through timber construction.
This technical update provides additional guidance on meeting our warranty requirements for the use of decorative slip facings.
Guidance on the use of architectural brick detailing and the effect it can have on the durability and service life of bricks.
Information to assist in meeting warranty requirements where rainscreen cladding and or curtain walling is proposed on a project covered by our warran…
This technical document provides additional guidance relating to how plywood specifications can be assessed to meet the requirements of our Technical…
This technical document provides additional guidance relating to what thermal bridging (often referred to as cold bridging) is and how to prevent it.
This technical document provides additional guidance relating to how timber can be specified for use externally within a construction project.
This technical document provides additional guidance relating to the use of vapour control layers (VCLs) in construction.
This technical document provides additional guidance relating to our minimum requirements for site investigations for self-build projects.
Screening requirements for pre-cast concrete panelised construction manufacturers for use in major projects to be covered for warranty.
This update provides additional guidance relating to how the functional requirements in the Technical Manual may be satisfied where substitute materia…
This article outlines our requirements to accepting zero fall flat roofs where the project is managed by the LABC Warranty Major Projects team.
Technical guidance for adding ceramic tiling on timber floors. Note, ceramic floor tiling is not included under the warranty policy cover.
This update provides guidance on the requirements associated with the design and construction of basements and other below ground structures.
This update provides guidance relating to how the Functional Requirements in the Technical Manual may be satisfied with regards timber resin repairs.
This update provides additional guidance relating to meeting our Technical Manual requirements where Y-junctions are proposed under buildings.
Additional guidance covering compatibility issues of CPVC pipework used in sprinkler systems
Additional guidance on how to assess if a third party product conformity approval certificate will be acceptable for our warranty.
This update provides additional guidance relating to how developments in coastal locations can meet the requirements of our technical manual.
This article introduces the principle of adopting a ‘3 lines of defence’ approach to creating robust and executable detailing at this critical area of…
This guidance provides information to designers, developers and surveyors to assist in meeting the functional requirements of the LABC Warranty Techni…
This technical update provides additional guidance relating to how the Functional Requirements can be satisfied in our Technical Manual. The must-have…
A technical update about the correct installation of horizontal cavity trays over horizonal roof abutments.
This technical document provides additional guidance relating to how the Functional Requirements in the Technical Manual may be satisfied.
This technical document provides an understanding of how ground water flows and acts on below ground structures across sloping sites. It also consider…
This article identifies various ‘environments’ where ‘oak’ could be used on project covered by our warranty.
This technical document provides additional guidance relating to how the Functional Requirements in the Technical Manual may be satisfied where soakaw…
Additional guidance relating to how the Functional Requirements in the Technical Manual may be satisfied when external wall insulation (EWI) is used.
This update provides additional guidance covering hot water safety and efficiency.
Additional guidance relating to how the Functional Requirements in the Technical Manual may be satisfied for compartmentation where a garage building…
This technical article outlines the requirements for cavity barriers to concealed spaces behind decorative cladding on external masonry walls.
This technical document provides additional guidance relating to how the Functional Requirements in the Technical Manual may be satisfied when using m…
This technical article provides additional guidance on the use of timber window and door frames
How to reduce the risk of masonry cracking from a repeated freeze/thaw cycle through the correct application of building materials.
The issue of fire in buildings is a complex one and this article discusses only the use of cavity barriers in external walls for Major Projects.
