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TS-PG582-1.00-010212

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MD Insurance Services Ltd is the Scheme Administrator for the Premier

Guarantee range of structural warranties. MD Insurance Services Ltd is
authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

T 08444 120 888 | F 08444 120 333

E [email protected]
W www.premierguarantee.co.uk

1:1

Birkenhead | Wirral | CH41 5BX

1:100 0

Haymarket Court | Hinson Street

Bricklayers Handbook
Superstructures

Introduction

Contents

The Bricklayers handbook gives guidance to site managers and

site staff on key issues faced during construction for traditional
masonry construction. For other types of construction, please
refer to alternative guidance, British Standards or specialist
design information.

Superstructure

Geographical location can vary the design significantly and

although this guide gives examples of the most commonly
occurring issues, Premier Guarantee recommend early contact
with our surveyors to help give guidance on how to avoid
particular circumstances on your site.

Masonry Wall junctions

Please refer to the Premier Guarantee Technical Manual for the

Functional Requirements, Principal Performance Standards /
Requirements for the design and construction of Housing units
using Premier Guarantee.

Structural Lintels & bearings

Please note there are Statutory variations to the information

shown in this publication in respect to;

Chimney construction

England and Wales: The Building Regulations 2010 and

Approved Documents.

Scotland: The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (as

amended) and the relevant Technical Handbooks.

Northern Ireland: The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland)

2000 (as amended) and the relevant Technical Booklets
please refer to your Premier Guarantee Site Audit Surveyor
for further advice.

Construction of walls
Mortar
Masonry durability
Cavity walls
Cavity wall insulation
Movement in masonry
Preventing damp penetration at external openings
Parapets
Lateral restraint of walls by floors and roofs
Wall plates
Horizontal damp proof courses

Your Premier Guarantee Site Audit Surveyor contact is

Superstructure
Construction of walls

Laying bricks and blocks

Good building practice must be followed

Lay bricks and blocks level, using a regular bond with

a nominal 10 mm horizontal bed joint provided (unless
otherwise specified by the designer).

Set out walls using securely marked profiles with

reference lines and datum levels.

Fill cross joints.

Wall lengths must be checked for squareness.

Cross check against diagonal measurements from

the Architect plans.

Perpend joints should not be less than 7mm wide and

fully bed in mortar. The perpends should be kept
vertically aligned as the work proceeds.

The position of openings must be anticipated to

ensure correct and even bonding occurs both
horizontally and vertically.

Lay frog bricks with frog uppermost filled with mortar

to ensure the wall is stronger and more resistant to
sound transmission.

Care should be taken to avoid overstressing mortar

by a building rises of no more than 1.5 m in a day.

Lay hollow blocks on shell bedding with the vertical

joints filled.

Both leaves of a cavity wall should be built at the

same time to avoid incorrect coursing and potential
weakening of an individual leaf (if left unsupported for
any length of time).

Ensure a consistent bond, especially at corners.

Wall ties must have not less than 50 mm depth of

bed onto the mortar joint after allowing for tolerances.

Ensure the mortar joints are carefully struck as work

proceeds to prevent the cavity and or insulation below
being filled with mortar droppings.

Where masonry is to be plastered or rendered; raked

out joints approximately 15 mm deep should be
provided as work proceeds, to give a good key.

Case study
In the picture below the bonding is inconsistent resulting in
vertical joints to coincide on consecutive courses. The wall
ties are also not properly bedded into each leaf of masonry
using the correct type and length.

Horizontal and vertical alignment of masonry walls

Dimension

Permissible
Deviation

Straightness in any 5 m length

+ / - 10 mm

Verticality up to 2.5 m height

+ / - 10 mm

Verticality up to 7 m height

+ / - 20 mm

The above dimensions represent the level that can be reasonably

achieved for general brick and block work masonry.

Case study
The vertical alignment of the load bearing inner leaf of block work
in this case was found to exceed the above recommendations.

Chases in masonry leafs

Do not;
cut chases into any block masonry which is less than
75 mm in thickness.

cut horizontal or raking chases in solid walls to a

depth greater than one-sixth of the thickness of the
leaf.

cut vertical chases to a depth exceeding one-third the

thickness of the single leaf in solid walls.

cut chases in separating walls.

Chases on either side of a wall (not a separating wall) must be

offset by a distance at least equal to the wall thickness.

Case study
A horizontal chase to accommodate piping was found more
than 30 mm depth, approximately a 600 mm above the floor
level. This exceeded the maximum allowed by nearly double.
Cracking in the block work was observed above and below the
chase.

Buttressing walls and returns

Walls should have appropriate structural returns and piers
to give adequate stability that meets the current Building
Regulations. Wall that do not meet current Building Regulations
guidance should be proven by structural calculations.

Mortar
General requirements

Masonry mortar should be selected according

to exposure conditions of the masonry and the
specification of the masonry units

Calcium chloride, ethylene glycol, or admixtures

containing these materials, should not be added to
mortars to provide protection against freezing, or for
any other purpose.

Do not use air, entraining or other admixtures

unless specified by the designer and following the
manufacturers recommendations.

Where mortar strength is required for structural

reasons careful consideration should be given to the
accommodation of movement.

Mortar must not be knocked up when it has begun

to set.

between batches which may affect the strength & durability of

the mortar. It is recommended that site batched mortar mixing
should only be produced using a carefully selected prescription
mix and a suitable mechanical mixer.
Additives
Plasticisers and other additives may be added to the mortar mix
to improve workability. Only products that have been specifically
designed as a mortar additive should be used. Washing up
liquid and similar products must not be used.
Pre-mixed mortar
The use of pre mixed or factory made mortar ensures
consistency throughout the build element. It may be produced
as complete or semi-finished mortar. The design teams
approved specification must be followed ensuring that the
mortar conforms to BS EN 998 2.
Table of mortar mixes
The mixes in the table below are recommended for clay bricks
(unless otherwise recommended by the brick manufacturer or
the Engineer / designer for the particular site)
Use

Required
Exposure

Mixing in cold weather

Do not mix mortar when the air temperature is at or below 2 C
and falling. Do not use fine aggregate (sand) or semi-finished
mortar (lime-sand mixtures) containing ice particles.
Hot weather working
Where prolonged periods of hot weather persist, certain clay
bricks (which are highly absorbent), may be wetted to assist in
reducing suction. Wetting should not be undertaken on any
other type of brick, nor should saturating completed walls be
attempted.
Site batched mortar
Caution must be taken when mixing material on site. Gauging
volumes by the shovelful must not be relied on to give
sufficiently consistent mix proportions, particularly with saturated
materials (e.g. damp sand). This can result in variations
7

Recommended Proportion
by Volume
Cement
: Llme :
sand

Cement
: sand
with air

Masonry
cement :
Sand ***

Mortar
designation
to BS 5628
3 And
BS EN 1999
2 :2006

Work below
or near
ground level

High
Durability

1* : : 4
to 4

1* : 3 to 4

1* : 2 to
3

(ii ) **

Internal and
External
wall areas
above
DPC level

General use

1:1:5
to 6

1 : 5 to 6

1 : 4 to 5

(iii)

High
Durability
Severe or
Very Severe
exposure

1 : : 4 to 1 : 3 to 4
4

1 : 2 to
3

(ii)**

Copings,
cappings
and sills

Low
1 : 0 to
permeability : 3
jointing
Use a type
S sand to
BS 1200

(i)**

Parapets
and
Chimneys

High
Durability

1 : 2 to
3

(ii)**

1 : : 4 to 1 : 3 to 4
4

For Minimum Compressive strength of site mixed mortar at 28 days

see Table 13 BS 5628 3

Do not:

When referring to Tables 13 in BS 5628 - 3 see also BS EN 1996

2 :2006
Where Concrete or Calcium silicate bricks are used, the manufacturers
recommendations must be followed and a designation (ii) or (iii) mortar
may be required
* Where soil or ground water sulphate levels are present, use Sulphate
resisting Portland cement (to BS 4027)
** Where Potential High risk of saturation is likely, refer to Table 12 in BS
5628 - 3
*** For Masonry cement :sand with Lime filler - see Table 13 BS 5628 3

Masonry durability

Build masonry when the air temperature is at or

below 3 C and falling, or until it is no less than 1 C
and rising.

Lay mortar on frozen surfaces

Use wet bricks or blocks when there is a danger of
freezing

Ensure newly built work is protected from rain & frost

with suitable waterproof sheeting

Do:

Recessed mortar joints

Recessed mortar joints are not recommended for:

Masonry can become saturated with water, the extent of which

depends on the level of exposure. High areas of risk include

Masonry around the external ground level (two

courses above and below are the most vulnerable
areas).

Parapets; especially where it is not rendered and / or

the parapet is not provided with an effective coping.

Unrendered chimneys.

Cappings, copings and sills in areas where freezing

conditions may occur.

Walls with minimal roof overhangs.

Local climatic conditions or geographical locations

where elevations are exposed to severe wind driven
rain.

Buildings within severe exposure areas are required to have

frost resistant brickwork.
The BS EN 771 series specifies the characteristics and
performance requirements for masonry units.
Where Concrete blocks are to be used either below DPC
level or externally without a render finish, reference to the
manufacturers specifications including third party accreditation
is required to confirm adequacy.
Cold weather working
9

External walls in clay brickwork or masonry cavity

walls in areas of severe or very severe categories of
exposure
Or

Cavity walls with full fill cavity insulation.

Masonry wall junctions

New dwellings next to existing dwellings
When extending onto existing properties there is the risk of:

differential movement occurring.

water penetration through to the internal finishes at

the junction of the new and existing walls, particularly
where a cavity wall joins a solid masonry wall or
another cavity wall (without continuation of the cavity).

Where a new dwelling is to be constructed abutting an existing

dwelling, the new home should be an independent structure
with a new wall constructed alongside the existing wall. The
wall should be supported on a new foundation, independent of
the existing building.
Internal masonry wall junctions (new dwellings)
10

connections. (see recommended details overleaf)

Where a movement joint is not required:

in the situation that the existing wall becomes a

separating wall (e.g. apartments), the wall will require
upgrading to achieve at least 1 hour fire resistance

the separating wall must also meet sound insulation

standards. Robust details do not exist for these
constructions.

alternative courses should be toothed

or

where the adjoining block wall (e.g. separating wall) is

a different density; a butt joint is recommended with
suitable ties (or suitable equivalent) at 225 mm max
vertical centres.

For sound insulation requirements follow the design teams

proposal carefully.

Case study
A new cavity wall extension formed a junction with an existing
solid walled building as part of a conversion project .

New build extensions onto existing buildings (i.e. as part of a

refurbishment project with new extensions)
It is not safe to assume a proprietary connector will be
satisfactory for all cases.
Older buildings tend to have shallow foundations which move
seasonally in clay soils without damage. Damage is likely to
occur at the junction of an older moving building and a new
building with foundations meeting current standards.

A proprietary junction plate joined the structures

without regard for the extent of movement likely to
occur.

The existing solid brick wall forms a direct path for

dampness to bypass the cavity wall and reach the
internal finishes.
This wall was rebuilt (due to poor workmanship) and an
independent lining provided to the existing gable and new inner
leaf to ensure no damp penetration or cold bridging occurred.

Prior to starting work on extensions an assessment of the

ground conditions and the existing foundations are required to
determine:

the extent of foundation movement likely to occur and

what remedial measures are required to strengthen
the existing building and foundations.

the type of connections required between the new

and existing structures ( e.g. at walls, roofs beams
etc.).

In all cases of extending onto existing buildings

the existing wall (as well as its foundations) must be

proven to be structurally stable and able to take any
additional load imposed on it.

the form of connection between the structures

must be proven by a structural engineer to cater for
movement.

horizontal DPCs from the new build must link through

to the existing structure DPC (if none, a chemical
injection DPC will be required)
the method of preventing water penetrating at the wall

11

New cavity wall to existing solid wall junction

12

(refurbishment projects)

Construct the cavity wall with the correct cavity width.

Ensure the correct type and length of wall tie is used.

Ensure existing cavity walls have adequate wall ties.

Clean off any surplus mortar from joints on the cavity

faces as the work proceeds. Keep the cavity and wall
ties free from mortar and debris.

Draw battens should be used to keep the cavity clear

of mortar and debris.

Cavities at the base of the wall should be kept clear.

A minimum 50 mm clear cavity is required between

partial fill insulation and the external leaf.

Case study
Debris build up on cavity wall ties can result in damp
penetrating the inner face of the wall.

New cavity wall to existing cavity wall junction

(refurbishment projects)

Cavity wall ties

Cavity walls

13

Only wall ties in accordance with BS EN 845 1,

must be used. Other types must be independently
third party accredited and submitted to the warranty
provider for approval before use.

Stainless steel wall ties should always be used.

The correct type of tie depends on; the structural

requirements of the wall, the insulation to be used and
the resulting cavity width. The contractor must follow
the Design teams approved plans.

14

Wall tie specification

Wall ties should conform to BS EN 845 1
Unfilled or fully filled cavities

The wall ties must be laid to ensure:

The correct spacing is achieved (see chart overleaf).

not less than 50 mm embedment of the wall tie onto

each leaf must be achieved.

the drip is in the centre of any clear cavity.

the two leaves of the wall must be coursed to ensure

the wall tie slightly slopes down towards the outside
leaf and the drip points downwards.

if partial fill insulation is to be installed, the correct

combination of wall tie and retaining disc must be
used and a 50mm clear retained cavity provided.

50mm to 75mm wide

Butterfly
Double triangle
Vertical twist
Proprietary ties *

75mm to 100mm wide

Double triangle *
Vertical twist

100mm to 150mm wide

Vertical twist

Partial filled cavities

50mm to 75mm wide

Double triangle with proprietary

retaining disc Double triangle
with integral retaining rod
Proprietary ties *

75mm to 150mm wide

Vertical twist with proprietary

retaining disc

* Third party accreditation should be provided

Wall ties must be built in as work progresses. Wall ties must

not be pushed into the mortar joint.
Spacing of wall ties
Ties should be spaced to the recommendations in BS EN
1996-2: or follow the structural engineers design if wall ties
require more frequency.
Be aware:
Wall ties must not be allowed to fall backwards to the inner leaf.

15

16

Be aware

Insulation should wrap around corners and not be cut

and joined.
Do not leave gaps in the insulation. Butt the insulation
slabs together at both horizontal and vertical joints
and at closures, and install them with staggered
vertical joints.

Keep joints between insulation slabs clean and free

from mortar droppings. Do not place any small offcuts with the cut edge against the wall surface (i.e.
placed at right angles).

Ensure horizontal joints of insulation correspond with

horizontal rows of ties. Where additional wall ties are
required, cut insulation slabs neatly to accommodate
them.

The correct length of wall tie must be used appropriate for:

the width of cavity.

the type of insulation used.

to ensure a minimum 50mm bed onto each

leaf is achieved.

Do not attempt to tie wall ties together to achieve the
correct length.

Case study
Insulation batts were found incorrectly pushed into the cavity
with cut edges facing the outer leaf.

Cavity wall insulation

Full fill cavity insulation

17

May not be appropriate in area with high or severe

weather exposure.

Should not be used with random sandstone walling or

other irregular facing.

Recessed mortar joints to the outer leaf are not

recommended with full fill insulation.

Only third party accredited insulation products should

be used.

Insulation batts should be built into the cavity as work

proceeds and not pushed in after.

mortar joints are flush within the cavity and the inner
faces of the masonry are clean.

The insulation slabs are of a thickness appropriate to

the cavity width so as to correctly fill the cavity.

the cavities are free from obstructions such as lumps

of mortar and parts of bricks. Mortar droppings below
the horizontal DPC must be minimised.

all scaffold holes are filled with mortar on removal.

Blown or injected cavity fill

Blown or injected insulation should be carried out by
appropriately qualified personnel. The cavity must be inspected
prior to the installation to ensure:

18

recessed mortar joints to the outer leaf are not

recommended with full fill cavity insulation.

Partial fill insulation

Third party accredited Insulation slabs must be used.

A minimum 50mm clear cavity between partial fill

insulation and the external leaf is required.

The correct combination of wall tie and retaining disc

must be used and installed in accordance with third
party accreditation recommendations.

Keep the tops of the insulation batts clean and free

from mortar droppings before the next batt is installed.

Movement in masonry
Movement joints
The design of masonry walls should include provision for
potential thermal movement after construction. A structural
engineer must be consulted to provide a specification.

Vertical movement joints should run the full height of

the wall.

The type of compressible filler and sealant to be

used must be able to accommodate expansion
and contraction movement whilst resisting water
penetration. The sealant should conform to BS 6213.

Case study

Partial fill insulation batts were poorly installed against the inner
leaf, the remaining cavity was less than 50mm and bridged
by mortar droppings allowing a path for water to reach the
inner leaf.

Wall ties must be provided at 300mm vertical

spacings either side of the movement joint.
The construction of movement joints should be robust
to meet requirements of BS 5628-3: 2005 & BS EN
1996-2:2006.

In external walls containing openings, movement joints may

be needed at more frequent intervals, or the masonry above
and below the opening may need to be reinforced in order to
restrain movement.

A typical movement joint in an outer leaf of brickwork is shown

below:

19

20

Masonry type

Maximum spacing of
movement joints

Clay brickwork

12m centres

Dissimilar clay and concrete units

The brick manufacturers

should be consulted as more
frequent spacing likely

e.g. feature panels where different

movement characteristics possible
Short returns in clay masonry

If a return in the length of

clay masonry is less than
675mm and either adjoining
length of masonry exceeds
6m, the masonry should be
interrupted at the return to
prevent the development of a
mechanical couple and the
risk of cracking.
A vertical, compressible joint
or a slide-by detail should
be incorporated.

21

Calcium silicate masonry

Should be designed as a
series of panels separated
by movement joints at 8m
intervals.

Aggregate and autoclaved concrete

masonry

Vertical joints to
accommodate horizontal
movement should be
provided at intervals of 6m

Natural stone masonry

In the absence of specific

calculations, vertical joints
not less than 10mm wide
should be provided at
intervals specified by a
structural engineer and
located no more than 8m
from an external corner

Internal leafs of cavity walls

The masonry block manufacturer must
be consulted

In rooms where any wall

length exceeds 6.0m

Note: 3mm must be added to the above if the frame is

supported off a suspended timber ground floor. Engineered
timber members offer a slight reduction in shrinkage for further
advice refer to a structural engineer for advice.
In calculating the amount of movement allowance must also be
made for any compressible sealant used. The material used for
filling these gaps should be capable of easily compressing to
50% of its original thickness. Guidance on the type of sealants
to use is given in BS 6213
Allowance for ventilation to the cavity will also be required.

Preventing damp penetration at

external openings
Typical section through a window reveal
(Lintel not shown for clarity)

22

A Weep holes at 450mm centres must be provided with at

least 2 (one at each end) of the cavity tray (excluding
render finishes)
B Full height insulated cavity closure incorporating a
verticalDPC.
C The cavity tray should project beyond the vertical DPC
D Sill DPC (if provided) must turn up behind the vertical DPC
by at least 100mm
E Stop ends must be provided to the cavity tray weep holes

Window / door reveal vertical DPC sheltered

to normal exposure

Moisture penetrating through the outer leaf of cavity walls

(fairfaced brickwork or rendered block work) will run down the
inner face of the external leaf.
Where the cavity is bridged by a barrier, e.g. lintels, floor slabs,
concrete frame members or horizontal cavity fire barriers, a
cavity tray and weep holes are necessary.

Weep holes must not be blocked particularly where a render

external finish is applied to the wall.

23

Severe to very severe exposure

Bay window opening

24

Recessed balcony opening

Partial fill cavity insulation is shown in this example.

The cavity tray must be fully supported within the

cavity and lapped onto the full width of the inner leaf.

The height of the cavity tray must be at least 150mm

within the cavity.

Stop ends must be formed at each end and weep

holes provided in the outer leaf to drain moisture out
of the cavity.

At pitched roof abutments

Cavity trays
Cavity trays are required to span over openings in the cavity
wall where door and window openings, meter boxes, ducts and
cavity barriers are constructed. They are also required where
roof structures abut external cavity walls. This is to avoid water
penetrating through the outer leaf and reaching internal surfaces
at lower levels e.g. bay window soffits.
Over structural openings in external walls

25

26

Detail of flashing construction where external

walls are rendered

The external render to the block outer leaf is not

shown for clarity.

Detail36: Ireland tech Manual detail background will be

removed keep text but see note ** below

Partial fill cavity insulation is shown in this example

Lean-to roof abutment cavity tray construction

Structural Lintels and Bearings

Lintel bearings

Construct a full masonry unit immediately below lintel

ends. Do not use off-cuts of bricks or blocks.

Ensure the lintel is level and is bedded in mortar.

The length of lintel bearings should be not less than

100 mm and not less than 150 mm for pressed steel
lintels.

Certain lintels may require to be propped until the mortar has

set under the bearings.
Flat roof abutment cavity tray construction

27

Where prestressed and reinforced concrete lintels are used:

build in lintels with the correct side uppermost in

relation to the position of reinforcement.

prop prestressed composite lintels at centres not

exceeding 1.2 m during the construction of masonry
above.

when using composite lintels of prestressed concrete

with masonry the masonry should be carefully built
with solidly filled joints. No holes for services or weep
holes should be made nor should anything (e.g. cavity
tray) be built into the masonry within the composite
zone.

exposed faces of lintels must be provided with fire

protection.

28

Unless proven by a structural engineer point loads immediately

above a lintel must be avoided.

Parapets

Case study

The minimum thickness and maximum height of parapet walls

should be as below:

Where the underside of lintels are exposed above openings

such as garage doors, the lintel must be adequately protected.

Thickness (mm)

Parapet height not to be more than (mm)

t1 + t2
equal or less than 200

600

t1 + t2
greater than 200 equal or
less than 250

860

Pad stones

29

Pad stones must be built into the wall to receive the

ends of the structural member.

The size and material to be used for the padstone

must not be less than the structural engineers
specification.

Pad stones must not bridge the cavity of an external

wall.

A DPC under the coping and a cavity tray at the roof junction
must be provided to prevent dampness reaching the inner leaf
in the accommodation below. Cavity insulation not shown for
clarity.
30

Lateral restraint of walls by floors and roofs

Timber floor / wall detail

Where floors and joists are built in or supported by hangers off

the wall:

shrinkage of joists should be taken into account.

members must be secure to prevent twisting.

where appropriate joists should be protected against

moisture.

gaps formed in the wall construction should be sealed

with a compressible filler to ensure air tightness.

The bearings of all floors, joists and roof members must not be
less than 90mm onto a load bearing wall.

Suspended concrete beam and block floor / wall detail

Where walls require lateral restraint by tension straps at floors

and roof constructions the provisions in BS EN 1996-2:2006
should be met as well as the requirements found in current
Building Regulations.
It should be noted that lateral restraint straps are not only
required at floor and rafter / flat roof member levels but may
also be required to be fitted at ceiling joist level in a pitched roof
situation. Provision is necessary when the height of the wall
exceeds recommended values found in BS EN 1995-1-1:2004
and current Building Regulations.
Ensure all restraint straps fit tightly against the masonry face
within the cavity.
Provision should be made for blocking to be used in the gap
between the joist / rafter and the parallel wall at all lateral
restraint strap positions as well as in between joist / rafters for
the length of strap required.
Lateral restraint straps at floor or roof level must not be retro
fitted by plug and screwing the strap to the masonry.

31

Timber roof / gable wall detail

Where roofs are required to give lateral restraint to walls,
reference to BS 5268 1 2005 & BS EN 1990:2002 should
be made. (See previous note about provision at ceiling tie level).
Restraint straps must turn down the cavity by at least 100mm
and be tight against the face of the wall.

32

Rafter / gable wall detail

Case study
Where infilling is required between truss members as shown
below a wall plate should not be used and the joists should be
built in or on suitable hangers.
Block work has been incorrectly built off the timber wall plate
instead of the trusses being supported off the masonry by
correctly specified truss / joist hangers.

Case study
The lateral restraint straps were found to be securely built
into the gable wall but were not mechanically fixed to the roof
members.

Chimney constructions

Wall plates
Wall plates must be laid level on a bed of mortar and fixed
down onto the wall to restrain the roof against displacement
with galvanised straps at no greater than 2m centres.
33

Chimneys must be constructed so that its height (measured

from the level of the highest point in line with the roof) should
not be greater than four and a half times its least width.
The correct provision of flashings are provided (see details).
34

Flues and linings

Horizontal Damp Proof Courses

General

Fill all joints with jointing and caulking materials

in accordance with the manufacturers sitework
instructions.

Build socketed flue liners with the inner surface

of the lining smooth at the joints and socket ends
uppermost, if necessary.

Fill the void between brick chimneys and clay or

concrete flue liners with lightweight concrete or weak
mortar.

Do not use cracked or broken liner sections. Form

bends with purpose made fittings.

Extend lead or proprietary horizontal DPC trays through the liner

into the flue and turn upwards (see following detail)

The construction of flashings is dictated by the type of roof tile

/cladding to be installed. Please refer to the roof tile /cladding
manufacturers details for specific flashing detailing.

Installation of the DPC must follow normal good practice for the
detailing of DPCs, as set out in BS EN 1996 2 : 2006, BS
8000-3: 2001 & BS 8215.

Ensure the DPM is turned up at slab edge and lapped

under the DPC for the full thickness of the inner leaf to
form a continuous barrier (including under door sills).

The DPC should be laid on a smooth bed of fresh

mortar in a continuous length for the full width of the
leaf including any finishes e.g. external render.

Ensure at least a 100mm overlap is provided at any

joint or angle.

The DPC must not obstruct the cavity.

External render must not bridge the DPC.

Ensure the lean mix cavity fill material is at least

225mm below the DPC level.

Ensure the external edge of the DPC is visible and not

bridged by mortar when completing pointing of the
mortar joint.

DPCs must not be pierced by services or fixings.

Case study
Blue bricks should not be used as the sole means of preventing
damp. A proprietary DPC must always be provided.
(Note; Poor detailing of the floor slab construction at the door
threshold position has also resulted in a cold bridging issue)

35

36

Case study
Not only has the horizontal DPC been bridged by the render
it has also been damaged by the insertion of waste pipes. All
service penetrations should be neat and above DPC level.

Insert Photo 1
Stepped DPC

Where a sloping site condition exists the DPC may have to be

stepped.

Insert photo 2
Note: Surrounding access paths must not be constructed
at the same level as the DPC. Disabled Access ramps and
landings should be kept 150mm away from the wall.
DPC / Radon / Gas membrane cavity trays
Where a gas membrane is installed a cavity tray will be required
to be formed across the external walls. Typically the gas
membrane will also form a cavity tray detail as follows:

The DPC must be stepped in the masonry coursing so that

at any point it is never less than 150mm above the finished
ground level.

Render / Horizontal DPC junctions

Render must not be taken below and bridge the horizontal
DPC. A proprietary render stop must be installed to terminate
the render above the DPC.
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The cavity tray must be at least 225mm in vertical height and
lap fully across each leaf of masonry unlike the example below.
The correct type of membrane must be used and correctly
lapped with the DPC.

Avoidance of mortar build in cavity trays applies at all levels;

horizontal DPC / DPM junctions and at upper levels where
lintels, fire stopping and roof abutments occur.

Case study
Care must be taken to avoid excessive debris building up in the
tray or allow the insulation to become dislodged and bridge the
cavity. Water penetration and cold bridging to the inner leaf is
likely to occur.

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Notes

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