Published: 2026
Part E of the Building Regulations sets out the requirements for the prevention of passage of sound through separating floors and walls within dwellings. The requirements of Part E can be met by adhering to the set criteria published by Robust Details within their approved set of details.
Curling or warping of the floor is the phenomenon where the perimeter of the concrete slab curls upwards. It is noticeable due to the top surface of the concrete slab being at a higher level than the screed rail which it is was cast against as shown in figure 1.
The aim of this technical note is to demonstrate the durability of our members Precast Concrete beams for use within ground floors without the need to protect the reinforcement which is flush with the ends of the beams.
The standard manufacturing process for hollowcore slabs produces open cores which extend the full length of the units. Should solid ends be required these can be formed at the point of manufacture. Solid ends are normally required for the purpose of fixing masonry support brackets or steel balcony brackets.
After installation all floors will deflect due the weight of the finishes and imposed load. Where a non-load bearing wall occurs, it is important that no load is transferred to it due to the deflection of the floor above it.
Suspended floors need not only to be designed to withstand initial use, but where it is likely a change of use such as conversion to a gymnasium then consideration of any higher imposed loads should be made, but also, they need to be robust enough to sustain any impact loads. This Technical Guidance note considers such a change of use.
Published: 2024
The Precast Flooring Federation’s Code of Practice for the Safe Installation of Precast Elements covers the installation of Hollowcore flooring onto steelwork in sections 4.2.2 and 4.5. This guidance note offers additional advice and examples for this operation.
A weep hole provides a means of draining water that may have become trapped in a core of an extruded hollowcore slab. Weep holes may be present in each of the cores or individual cores and may be formed via drilling from the underside when the concrete has cured or drilled from the top of the slab whilst the concrete is still green or cured.
Published: 2023
Stressing of prestressed concrete is acknowledged to be a potentially high-risk activity, as it involves the use of industrial prestressing equipment that uses hydraulic rams to stretch high yield wires and strands with forces that can be in excess of 1500 tonnes.
Published: 2019
A hollowcore floor slab is a prestressed precast concrete element incorporating continuous voids to reduce self-weight whilst providing an efficient structural section manufactured by slipform, extrusion or wetcast .
A composite hollowcore floor combines precast hollowcore units with a structural concrete topping resulting in enhanced structural performance and lateral load distribution.
Published: 2017
Installation of precast flooring components is acknowledged to be a potentially high-risk activity, as it involves the use of heavy plant, cranes and personnel working at height. The MPA Precast Flooring Code of Practice for Safe Installation brings together best practice within the industry and has the interest of those involved in the design, specification, use and erection of precast flooring products at heart.
Beam and block floor systems combine precast prestressed concrete beams and infill blocks to produce high quality economic ground and upper floors in residential and other building types. Find out more by taking a read of this datasheet.
Precast concrete ancillary components complement precast and prestressed concrete flooring systems. They may be standard products or purpose made to suit those areas of the building where solid reinforced concrete construction is needed. Find out more in this datasheet.