What is this standard about?
BS 8103-1:2011 gives recommendations for the structural design of low-rise housing and covers the stability of the structure, site investigation and foundations and ground floor slabs used in the construction.
Who is this standard for?
- Consulting and design engineers
- Architects
- Product managers
- The construction industry
- Site investigators
- Materials producers
- Ground engineering/foundations experts
Why should you use this standard?
It gives the most up-to-date structural design recommendations for the construction of low rise housing, comprising detached, semi-detached and terraced houses and flats (with not more than four self-contained dwelling units per floor accessible from one staircase), of not more than three storeys above ground intended for domestic occupation and of traditional masonry construction with timber roofs and floors of timber or concrete.
For the purposes of this standard, additional habitable accommodation in the roof space constitutes a storey of the house. The recommendations also apply to certain single storey, non-residential buildings, e.g. domestic garages and annexes to residential buildings with a floor area not exceeding 36 m2. This standard does not include the design of basements but, providing the basement is of one level only and is designed to provide a firm platform at ground level, the provisions may apply to the superstructure.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS 8103-1:2011 has been fully revised by experts to bring it up to date with technological developments and industry best practice. The other two revised parts of the code of practice are:
- Part 2: Code of practice for masonry walls for housing
- Part 3: Code of practice for timber floors and roofs for housing.