Last edited 19 Feb 2025

Separating wall

Approved document A: Structure, 2004 edition incorporating 2004, 2010 and 2013 amendments, defines a separating wall as: ‘A wall or part of a wall which is common to adjoining buildings, and constructed to meet the requirements of regulation B3(2).’

Approved document E: Resistance to the passage of sound, 2003 edition incorporating 2004, 2010, 2013 and 2015 amendments, defines a separating wall as a: ‘Wall that separates adjoining dwelling-houses, flats or rooms for residential purposes.’

The Scottish Building Standards, Part I. Technical Handbook – Domestic, Appendix A Defined Terms, suggests that separating floor and separating wall mean respectively: ‘…a floor or wall constructed to prevent the spread of fire between buildings or parts of a building in accordance with section 2.’

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