From the 1st
July 2004, and for new house and flat developments, Robust Details may be used
to eliminate the need for end of build pre-completion testing. Robust Details are high performance constructions
that are capable of providing consistently good sound insulation but do require
that the design is registered with, and approved by, Robust
Details Ltd (RDL) and that confirmation of the construction, through on-site
visual inspection by RDL has been completed in accordance with the registered
design.
The specific details in
the RDL handbook must be followed explicitly and each plot formally
'registered' with RDL before building commences. Robust Details registration
cannot be used in conversions and so pre-completion testing must be undertaken
in these circumstances.
As the specific details
in the Robust Details scheme may not allow for flexibility in the design of a
development or may not prove cost effective, pre-completion testing may still prove
a more suitable and effective route to demonstrate compliance.
