Porotherm construction system accepted by NHBC

Wienerberger's Porotherm clay block system has been validated by the warranty provider and residential homes specialist, the National House Building Council (NHBC).

The NHBC accepts the use of Porotherm in residential housebuilding, whether used for internal walls, or the inner or outer leaf of a cavity wall.

This is a clear endorsement of Wienerberger's innovative clay block walling system, which is already a market-leader throughout the rest of Europe.

It provides developers, builders and specifiers with added assurance that homes built using Porotherm blocks are able to be insured by NHBC.

Phil Noble, construction systems director for Porotherm, said: "NHBC has long been the national standard against which the UK's residential properties are measured".

"Although the Porotherm system has been used successfully on the continent for more than 30 years, it is relatively new to the UK.

The NHBC acceptance is therefore critical in endorsing its technical performance and credibility as a new and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods".

"As part of its introduction into the UK, Wienerberger has also submitted the precision engineered clay block walling system to the world's leading expert in building materials testing (CERAM)".

"Porotherm's performance credentials were tested by the internationally acclaimed, UKAS-accredited testing laboratory, which confirmed it meets the levels of safety required by the UK's Codes of Practice and Building Regulations requirements".

"As part of the process, the system, which incorporates clay blocks and thin-bed joint mortar, was subjected to a series of tests including load capacity".

"The individual blocks also meet the requirements of European Standard BS EN 771-1 and carry the CE mark of approval for use in the UK.

Mr Noble said the findings would allow developers to use the system with confidence".

He said: "With NHBC acceptance, the CERAM validation, and compliance with contemporary European standards, the Porotherm system has been proven to perform at a level required by the UK construction industry".

"When the performance credentials are combined with the time-saving potential offered by faster speeds of construction, and its capacity to offer sustainability benefits, it is clear to see why the Porotherm system is attracting so much interest from developers and builders".

Used correctly, the system can significantly increase construction speeds with 10m2 per man per hour realistically achievable, shaving up to 17 days off the build time of a typical family home.

It is a virtually dry, efficient, strong, safe and environmentally-friendly construction method which offers commercial benefits through increased labour productivity and shorter project programmes.

It has excellent thermal performance due to precision-engineered air pockets and has a Class A fire retardance rating.

The innovative design requires less clay and the blocks contain a minimum 20 per cent MARSS (recycled) content.

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