Last edited 15 Feb 2019

NHBC Standards 2019

The NHBC Standards give the technical requirements, performance standards and guidance for the design and construction of new homes acceptable to NHBC (National House Building Council). NHBC provide a range of supplementary technical information, videos and 3D models to support the Standards.

The 2019 NHBC Standards came into force for every new home registered with NHBC where foundations were begun on or after 1 January 2019. View NHBC Standards 2019 online using the Standards Plus solution.

NHBC Standards 2019 includes:

Changes to Chapter 6.10 ‘Light steel framing’ to support advances in the use of this technology and define our guidance for structural frames and infill walls.
Chapter 8.1 ‘Internal services’ - revised guidance on the use of combination boilers.
Chapter 6.2 ‘External timber framed walls’ - we now accept timber frame designs from manufacturers achieving Gold level status from the Structural Timber Association’s ‘Assure Scheme’ without the need for further review or completing a HB2445 form.

The following minor technical changes have been made to Standards 2019:

Ch 5.4.7b - amended to clarify maximum permissible crack widths in structural concrete waterproofing
Ch 6.4.9 - updated to reflect the guidance in BS EN 1995-1-1 for deflection and vibration limits
Ch 6.11.7c - amended to clarify where weepholes should be incorporated in rendered walls
Ch 7.2.19 - amended to recognise that plastic roof clips are acceptable to NHBC
Ch 7.2.19a - amended to align with BS 5534 where smaller hip tiles do not require mechanical fixing
Ch 7.2.19a - reference made to BS 8612 ‘Dry fixed ridge, hip, and verge systems for slating and tiling
Ch 10.2.6a Table 1 - updated guidance for acceptable path widths
Guidance for light steel internal partitions has been moved to chapter 6.3 ‘Internal walls’

NHBC have also taken the opportunity to make a number of editorial changes throughout the document. This includes updating references to a number of British Standards.