Save money with free RCDs

Did you know LABC’s collection of 250 registered construction details (RCDs) now includes an additional 114 solid wall or “monolithic” masonry RCDs, which are free to download from the LABC website? The RCDs help you combat the problem of cold bridging at construction joints by reducing heat loss through the weak junction points in the building envelope.

Construction joints are those parts of a building where different elements meet and are joined together. This can be at the edge of a ground floor where it touches an exposed wall or an external wall where it runs into a roof, lintel or sill to a window or door jamb.

Research has shown that thermal bridging at the edge of a ground floor where it touches an exposed wall can account for around 34% of thermal heat loss and bridging around window and door openings through lintels, sill and jambs can account for 36%. RCDs can help you combat these.

Key benefits of using LABC RCDs

• Reduction in thermal bridging - By using one of our specified details, it is now possible to demonstrate that a building which would have previously failed to comply with Part L can pass with no alteration to insulation levels or the need to use triple glazing or expensive renewable technologies.
• Potential savings - Cost analysis has shown savings as much as £1,200 on a 90m2 unit are possible when using an LABC RCD.
• Free expert guidance on tap - LABC RCDs are available free of charge on the LABC website. These details can also be accessed from your mobile phone or other smart tablet.

We’ll be adding more details to the suite in the coming months. To see all the latest developments check out http://www.labc.co.uk/registration-schemes/construction-details/how-use-our-registered-construction-details

Published June 2016