TRADA Technology Timber frame construction eS Appendix 3 Supervisor's check list Site control should ensure the quality of the construction, the adherence to specifications and a smooth construction process to obtain the full benefits of the timber ftame method, ‘This cheok list concentrates on the most important aspects of the assembly of the timber frame and the ancillary operations involved in completing the suparstfucture of the building. Building tolerances quoted are within accept- able limits using a reasonable degree of care. Note that national building reguletions vary in different parts of the UK. Current editions of the appropriate requirements should always be checked. ‘Typical tasks and responsibilities undertaken by different members of the construction team are included below. However, these are not necessarily the same in all project teams, Whatever working practice is adopted, the responsibilities of all parties should be clarified before work starts on site A3.1 Work typically undertaken by ground works contractor B Concrete base and foundation walls BA Set out acourataly, using @ laser level and steel tape or equivalent, B2 Lengths of wall should be within +/- 10 mm, B3 Diagonal should be equel. Acceptable deviation is up 1 10 m: +/- 5mm more than 10 m: +/- 10 min B4 Ensure that walls or slab suppoiting sole plates are levelled to +/-5 mm, and the perimeter lined within +/- 10 mma. BS —_Lavel concrete slabs with laser level to +/- 8 mm from datum, end avoid exceeding 10 mm variation generally. 86 — Forsuspended timber floors, ensure that there is a dpm over the whole area of the underfloor and thet there will be 150 mm between blinding or oversite concrete snd the underside of joists and 75 mm to the underside of plates. 87 Underfloor vente should have an opening area in two opposite external walls of at least 1500 m? per metre run of perimeter wall or 50 mm? per square metre of floor area, whichever gives the greater open area, 8.8 Position underground ducts for plumbing stacks to rise clear of floor joists and truaged rafters with space for fire resistant lining te plaster board. 240A3.2 Work typically undertaken by timber frame provider/timber frame erection crew SP SPA sP2 sP3, spa SPS Sole plates Check that these are pressure treated with preservative where specified and brush apply preservative to site cut ends and drilled holes. Enoure that there is a dpe under sole plates lapped 100 mim at joints. ‘Th reduce air leakage at wall/floor junction, the dpe/dpm/vel should lap of a bead of sealant installed at sole plate level to minimise alt leakage. Gaps may need insulating to prevent thermal bridging. Sole plates should be set out within +/- 10 mm in length and in line within +/- 5 mm, defined by the timber frame drawings. Diagonals should be equal. Acceptable deviation is: ap to 10m +5 mm. more than 10 m: +/- 10 mm. ‘When the foundation edge is set back or extends beyond the sole plate by more than 10 mm the timber frame structural engineer needs to be consulted. Sole plates should-be level. Acceptable devistion is up to +/- 6 mm. If the foundation is not level, the sole plate should be levelled by installing spacers with structural grout between the foundation and the dpe/sole plate before loadbearing walls are rected. Structural shims ehould be installed to the full surface area under each vertical load point where it is not practical to install structural grout or where the installation of structural grout may be overlooked. If sole plates are bedded on dpc/mortar, bedding must be approved by structural engineer. When double eole plates are installed and levelled with structural shims between the pwo sole plates, the timber frame structural engineer must ensure that vertical and horizontal load transfer is satisfactory, When the foundation is not level, it must be cleauly established which party is responsible for justifying and undertaking the tasks necessary to provide vertical and horizontal load transfer to the foundation. Fixing down sole plates sP6 sz ‘Type and centres of fixings to be as specified and installed in accor dance with structural engineer's specifications. H spacers or structural shims hetween foundation and dpo/sole plate are more than 10 mm thick, the structural engineer should check the fixing type, length and centre: Structural shims should be made material, typically plastic. sompression tested and inert 2aTRADA Technology Timber frame construc spa sP9 ba pz Ds pa we ws If mild steel has been specified as an altemative to stainless steel check that anchors, shoes, straps, etc are adequately protected by hot dip galvanising, or have equal corrosion resistance. Replace any plates split or damaged during fixing, Delivery of components Check wal frames, foot joists, decking, Noor cassettes and trussed rafters or lose rafters on delivery for quality of material eg strength grades and marks, correct grade of sheathing and decking, fire/sound performance of linings etc quality of assembly (contest nailing and jointing} correct dimensions squareness of sheathed panels straightnese of sheathed panel perimeter stud/joists moisture content preservative treatment schedules (where applicable}. ‘Also check any ancillary components fitted, or to be fitved, to wall frames, eg breather membrane, wall ties, cavity barriers, etc. Unload and handle all components carefully. Stack components off the ground/deck on a level dry area to avoid sailing and distortion, Protect from weather if stared for a prolonged ‘period, but allow adequate ventilation Walls Check sheathed wall panels for length, haight and squareness [if not checked on delivery}, in particular the comer panels, Lift panels on to sole plates (when ground floor is not timber), install temporary racing and fix to structural engineor’s specifications in correct ‘position; check end for end and right way up. When fixing two sheathed corner panels with outside/inside edges fiush and a leval sole plate, the corner should be plumb within the accepted tolerance of +/- 10 mm vertical over any storey height. With comets plumb and the use of string lines all walls should be plumb within toleranoe, Walls oan then be checked with a spi By tansferting the sole plate set out to the subsequent floor decks the building should be within the accepted vertical tolerance of not more than 10 mm out of plumb over the building height, Line panels within +/- 3 mm on the sole/locator plate as the eet-out template with maximum deviation of +/- 6 mm from drawings. Line within +/- 5 mm at mid height of wail panel. Ensure thet inside faces of panels are flush. ‘Tightly butt-oint panels together. 242,TET wa ws we wr wo FL rua FL2 Nail panels together to structural engineer's specifications Panel to panel fixings should be at maximum 300 mm centres verti cally. Bottom rail to sole plate fixings should be at least one per stud bay, Nail separate head binder (if specified) to top of wall panels and ensure that binders cover panel joints and overlap by 600 mm wherever possible binder joints occur over studs or window openings where a lintel is used binders ate over the whole wall lenath. For patty wall connections, when required structurally, use only light ‘metal straps, maximum 40 mm wide x 3 mm thick, one por storey and at 1200 mm centtes. Rigid connections impair acoustic performance therefore party wall straps should only be installed if specified by the structural engineer or required by warranty bodies. Prior to installation of internal walls that abut an external wall, staple a 500 mm wide vapour control layer (vol) onto the inside face of external wall panel from floor to ceiling to provide laps during later installation of vel ‘To contiol air leakage it must be clearly established which party is responsible for supplying and installing a bead of sealant at the junction of the external walls and/or party walls and the foundation/floor deck when specified, In closed panel wall systems spot check the ‘as built” structural timber layout with wall assembly drawing (le point load stud clusters), that insulation is fully installed between studs (ie is included just under the top rail and in narrow voids), and that no moisture has penetrated the system during transportation and erection. Also if included in the systern, check for correct installation, of the vapour control layer and that lining complies with fire requite- ments, Floors Ensure that walls are accurately aligned, temporauily braced, and table before installing floors, Temporary bracing should remain until the floor deck is complete and the walls below are fixed to the underside of the floor jeists or noggings. leary mark temporary bracing that provides walls with racking resistance. Temporary bracing thet provides racking resistance should not be removed until the wall lining is instelled. Do not distort or strain floor cassettes during storage or installation. Floor cassette manufacturer's lifting mothod must be strictly followed, Installation typically starts at stais/ift openings to ensure alignment. ‘Appendix 3 Supervisor's check listLee ea TRADA Technology Timber frame construction ST! FL3 Ensure that joist dimensions, grading, spacing and direction of span are correct in each location and that trimmed openings for staircases ‘and ducts are vertically aligned in the correct position and of the right size, FL4 Check that foors constructed with engineered timber components aie installed to manufacturer's specification FLS Ensure that the header joists align with wall panels and do not protrude into the cavity by more than 10 mm; adequate bearing may need checking, If the header joist is held back or ovarhanging the structural wall, check that minimum bearing is provided, FLS Double joists must be correctly located in position shown on drawings, eg under partitions or as trimmers, and securely fixed together as specification, Double joists where oor cassettes abut must be securely fixed together to prevent movement which may cause plasterboard cracking FLY Ensure that metal joist hangers are of the correct size and type for thetr location and are firmly fixed in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations. FL8 Avoid cutting the botiom edge of solid timber joists other than for hanger seating, or unless notching has been specified by the engineer FL9 Install strutting as specified within depth of joists and ensure that it ig not oversize, causing distortion of the joists, install strongbacks in engineered metal web floors where specified. FLA0 If specified for fire resistance requirements, ensue that timber blocking is installed between joists thet are perpendicular and bearing on party wells. FL Establish which paity is responsible for supplying, installing and the location of any additional studs requited under point loads in the storey below that were not installed in the manufacturing process. FL12 Non-loadbearing wells on floor decking must be adequately supported on joists or noggings below. All non-loadbearing walls below the floor deck/joists requize lateral restraint at the top rali/head binder at maximum 600 mm centres. FLA3 After the floor deck is complete, the sole plate/locator plate and bottom rail in the door openings of the storey helow are typically cut out, Prior to cutting out the plate/tails secure the timber on each side of the door opening to the oor deck/foundation. FL.14 Ensure thet joists which have been prenotched or predilled, are within limits specified 244Appendix 3 Supervisor's check list LSS SETI FLAS Check clearance of timber components adjacent to flues and chimneys, Floor decking FLA6 Ensure that the correct thickness and type of floor decking and fixing 4g used in the specified location. FLAT All ends and edges of wood-based boards, other than tongued and grooved, should be fully supported on joists or noggings. On large floor areas, board manufacturers may recommend intermediate expansion gaps. FLA8 All short edge joints should be staggered. FLA9 Glue sheat material decks to joists. FL20 Glue all tongued and gicoved joints of sheet material decks and ensure that all fixings are driven below the surface of the boards. Tongued and grooved softwood boards should be clamped tight before nailing down, FL21 Protect installed flooring from mechanical and water damage. BM Breather membrane Note: The bresther membrane may also contribute to controlling air leakage BM. Ensute that the breather membrane fs of the correct specification, is fixed with stainless steel staples at 160 mm centres and lapped in accordance with manufacturer's instructions: vertical laps minimurn 150 mim, horizontal laps 100 mm; overlapping below the lowest timber member by 25 mm. Horizontal laps must deflect moisture away from the timbor irame. BM2 Check that additional relnforced plastic strips are stepled over the breather membrane at stud positions to simplify the corre’ of wall ties or cladding battens and assist in preventing the staples tearing though the breather membrane, Alternative methods of ‘marking the stud positions rust be clearly visible to the cladding personnel and ensure robustness. BM. Damagod areas of breather membrane should be repalied locally with the replacement material securely stapled, and taped if necessary, with laps correctly under and over the existing material to deflect moisture away from the timber frame. BM 4 When breather membrane is used to control air leakage, detailing and Installation instructions must be sttictly followed. 245RADA Technology Timber frame construction, RRA RR. RRS. RRA RFS: RFS RET RRB REO FAO Roof framing Ensure top storey walls are accurately aligned, temporarily braved ‘and stable before installing roof, Temporary bracing on the walls should remain until the roof is wind-braced, Temporary bracing that provides racking resistance should not be removed until the wal lining i installed. Do not distort or strain trussed rafters or roof cassettes during storage cr installation and do not damage truss plates in any way. Do not install trussed rafters if incorrectly dimensioned, as they may distort wall panels. Trussed rafters must not be trimmed, out or notched in any way without permission of the trussed rafter supplier or structural engineer Fox rafters or trussed rafters, pazalle) at specified centres and plumb within 10 mm in overall height. Justification ftom trussed rafter ‘manvfacturer is required if tolerance is exceeded Fix using metalwork and specified nailing pattern ie truss clips, metal hangers, cgitder trass bolts/nails. [Ensure thet roof bracing is installed in accordance with trussed rafter suppliers’ instructions. All bracing should be fixed with a minimum of two nails at each connection, Where bracing members require joining they should be lapped over at least two trusses. Ensute bracing is tied into gable end and spandre] panels, ‘The roof bracing of each dwelling is to tio into and support the spandre! panels of each dwelling. The party wall spandzel panel of one dwelling should not be supported by the adjacent party wall spendrel panel, It must be determined who supplies and installs the plasterboard on the spandrel panel. [f spandrel panels sheathed with plasterboard are exposed to the weather during storage, transportation and/or erection, the plasterboard must be weather resistant or protected from the weather, Plasterboard fixings must be to plasterboard manufac- turer's instructions. Ensure that hatch openings are correctly located and formed, and that tank supports are positioned in accordance with trussed raft supplier's instructions. With site constructed roofs, ensure that the whole roof structure is fabricated and fixed in accordance with the specification and that rafters are bitdsmouthed accurately. In roofs where pre-insulated roof cassettes are inetalled with the ‘ling fixed to the underside of rafters, check ventilation provision, that no moisture has penetrated the insulation void, and correct installation of the vapour control layer Check that linings comply with the fire requirements. For fat roofs, ensure that correct thickness and material of decking is ‘used, and that the vanour control layer and ventilation provision is as specified 246CBF Cavity barriers and firestops to the required fire resistance BFA Locate cavity barriers in positions specified. Cavity barriers are incor. porated to close off a concealed space to prevent fire spread. Appendix 3 Supervisor's check list | ©BF2 External wall timber cavity baitiers should be treated with all site-cut onds brush treated with preservative. Ends of timbers need to be tightly butted together BFS Sleeved mineral wool cavity barriers, rust be approved for use in the location where they are to be installed ie between umber and brick/block or between timber and timber. They are fixed with stainless stes} staples at spacings recommended by the manufac turers. Ensure thet the mineral wool inside the sleeves is tightly butted together at joints between cavity barriers. CBF4 Horizontal extemal wall cavity barriers should be protected by a cavity tray, overlapped by the breather membrane above to assist with extemal wall drainage External wall cavity bartiers thet alse include provision for ventilation and érainage must be third party approved and installed to manufac. tures instructions. BFS Party wall cavity harylers must be approved for use between timber and installed to manufacturer's instructions. All compaitment/party floors require cavity barriets at floor and wall junctions. Ensure that party wall cavity barriors actoss the end (opening) of patty walls are wire reinforced mineral wool or approved sleeved minerel wool cavity barriers for use between two timbers, Cavity Darriers must be correctly fitted to close the cavity opening between frames. Party wall cavity barriers must close all openings in twin leaf wall cavities between dwellings and between dwellings and public access areas (ie door openings) BFE Establish which party is responsible for supplying and installing the cavity barriers/fire stop to the required fire resistance that are fitted over compartment/party walls under the roof membrane and across the eaves void. The gaps between tiling battens ate to be filled with \wire-teinforced mineral wool. Correct installation with no gaps is vital to providing the required fire resistance G General G1 Clear timber frame debris and timber offcuts. Stack surplus timber frame material for return. Remove all temporary bracing that does not, Provide racking resistance. Bracing that provides racking resistance should be cleally matked, It is recommended that the timber frame elements be completed dwelling by dwelling and/or storey by etorey to ensure the building's structural stability and a timely handover of the timber frame to the follow on trades,17 ese ESS SSS SEE REE TRADA Technology Timber frame construction, A3.3 Work typically undertaken by other sub contractors FR Frame FR2 Plasterboard support bettens or blocking not installed by the timber frame provider/timber frame erection crew must be installed whore required with edges flush to wall face. Chack ifthe floating floor detail, requires blocking at floor level in the adjacent wall $ Services installation Note: ‘The order of work (noggings, insulation, vapour control layer and/or plasterboard) needs to be considered when installing services, eg radiators, soil pipes, etc. Insulation and/or standard plasterboard ‘must not be exposed to the weather Differential movernent must be consiered internally when services rise a number of storeys and are vertically rigid eg lift shafts, gas feeds, dry risers. SA Donot notch any studs to accommodate service runs and ensure that notching of floor joists and drilling of studs and joists is within the limits specified Notching and drilling of engineered timber components must be Within Limits set by the manufactures [joist and metal web top and bottom flanges/chords must not be altered in any way. Metal webs must not be altered in any way without manufacturer's pe: ‘Thussed rafters must not be trimmed, cut or notched in any way ‘without the permission of the trussed rafter supplier 82 Donot run plumbing in external walls unless itis on the warm side of the insulation with no joints in the wall. Wet services that are vulner- able to being punctured by plastecboard fixing need protecting with a metal plate. 83 Enoure that all penetiations of the vapour control layer for services are tightly sealed. S4 Where services are located in party walls, ensure that the necessary additional precautions are taken, eg additional backing plasterboard and/or timber to outlets, to avoid any reduction in the fire resistance and/or sound insulation of the wall, 8.6 Check thet electric cables axe couectly 1ated when located in oF ‘adjacent to insulation. 8.6 Ensure pipes and cables are not in the path of lining (plasterboard) fixings and be aware of fixing length. Protect cables and wet services by metal plates where required. S17 Check that access is provided to pipe joints, stop cocks ete where required by Water Authority 2488.8 Cleat rubbish and timber offouts from all cavities to be closed-in, eg party walls, framed walls and suspended floors, IN Insulation Note: Installation of insulation should not commence before the building is weathertight, IN4 Tightly fit insulation between framing members avoiding any gaps. Fix imeulation m position if fiction is inedequate 10 hold material m place, IN2_ Ensure that there is an adequate overlap between ceiling insulation ‘and wall panels to avoid thermal bridging, but ensure that ceiling lvel ingulation does not block roof ventitation. IN3 Check insulation to all pipes end tanks located outside insulated envelope and check that there is no insulation below cold water tanks sn 100f spaces. IN4 Chock party wall insulation specification ie in one'or two leaves of ‘win wall INS Chock specification of internal walls and intermediate floors for insu- Jation that may provide acoustic requirements, VCL Vapour contro! layer Note: ‘The vapeur contro layer also typically contributes to controlling alr leskage Ve.1 Vapour control layer should not be installed while moisture content of framing is above 20%. Ve2 For separate polythene membrane, laps should be 100 mm at all joints, Ensure that joints occur on studs or rails or are taped, Ve3 Return membrane into reveals, head and sill of ail openings. Vea Check for puncturing or splitting of separate membrane during instal lation and ensure all holes and tears are repaired with adhasive pyc tape. V5 Ensure all sevice penetrations in the vapour contro! layer are sealed. Ve6 Check that any vapour control layer bonded to the plasterboard lining 1s undamaged, or repaired, before the lining is fixed. Ve7 To contro! air leakage it must be clearly established which party is responsible for supplying and installing a bead of sealant at the junction of the external walls and/or party wells and foundation/floor deck, L Linings LA Installation of plasterboard should not commence before the building is weathertight Appendix 3 Supervisor's check listTS TRADA Technology Timber frame construction L2 Plasterboard must be kept clean, dry and flat during storage. Floor designer's recommendations on maximum weight and location for storing plasterboard on floor decks must be strictly adhered to, La Test ell plumbing and service con: fixed ons in walls before linings are 14 Ensure that the correct specification and thickness of board is used in the right location, eg fize resistant, acoustic performance, moisture resistant, membrane backed board, etc 18 Follow manufacturers’ recommendations for jointing and fixing Fixing length, centres and hoad depth are all critical to plasterboard. performance, When more than one layer is to be used, all joints must be staggered with each board fixed individually to the manufacturer's specification, Le Ensure there is an adequate timber surface behind all board edges that requize fixing and at intermediate supports LT Ibis recommended that ceilings are lined before walls. Le Openings for electrical outlets should be accurately cut to the shape and size of outlet boxes, and, where plasterboard with an integral vapour control layer is used, any gap between plasterboard and outlet should be sealed. PFL Party floors and ceilings PFL1 For floating floors, ensure that: there is a gap at the floating floor perimeter, including door openings, filed with a rip liner (resilient material) in the gap, the edges of the zip liner (resilient material) and/or wall lining will be supported there is a gap between the skirting and the floating floor deck, and between the bottom edge of the door frames and the floating floor deck which is filled with a rip liner (resilient material) there are no fixings penetrating through the floating floor deck and resilient layer into the structural floor deck the floating floor is installed in accordance with acoustically tasted. details. PFL2 For party floors, ensure that: where specified all voids between joists are filled with insulation where specified the resilient bor is installed at the ceiling/wall junction perimeter and at the specified centres PFL3 For party wall ceilings, ensure that fire resistance is maintained ‘whete services penetrate the plasterboard FLA Ensure that check list for linings is followed. 250Appendix 3 Supervisor's check list a SSN DPC Damp proof courses, cavity trays and window! door seals Pc Fix dpcs to the timbor cavity bartior fao0 that is towards the brisk/blockwork cladding. The dpe may retein into window/dooe openings to lap with the vel. Where necessary a strip of mineral wos) nods tobe installed betwen the dpe and masonry to ensure that a right seal is maintained PC.2 Ensure that horizontal cavity ways are dressed up behind breather membrane and lapped minimum 100 mm. 0PC.2 Window/docr openings must be fixed and sealed to the timber frame BC Brick or block cladding 8c.1 Ensure that the cavity between masonry and sheathing Is a nominal 60 mm +/- 101m, 8C2 Keep cavities clear of mortar droppings. BC. Ensure that wall ties are stainless stac) and suitable for use with timber frame, BCA Nall wall ties securely to timber studs and/or header joists at specified centres and fully bed ends of tes in mortar joints. BCS To ensure ventilation and drainage of cavity, provide open perpends at maximum 1500 mm (Scotland 1200 mm) centres at base of wall (one brick course below dpe and lowest timber), over cavity trays and horizontal cavity barriers, and over lintels at maximum 900 mm centres (minimum 2 open perpends over window or door), Be.6 Ensure that there is sufficient clearance between window sills, soffits, verges, balconies, abutments etc end the external brick or block cladding, to allow for the differential movement of timber frame. 8.7 Ensure that check list for cavity barriers is followed Bee Ensure that all steel lintels are adequately protected from cortosion, solidly bedded, and clipped back to the timber frame (if this type is employed). Ensure that the breather membrane overlaps the cavity tay over the lintel or the lintel if no cavity tay is required, BC: Check that cavity trays are installed where lower roofs abut masonry cladding. The breather membrane should dress over the tray and the tray dress over the roof flashing. OC Other claddings 0c.1 Fx preservative treated battens and counter battens ae specified. Cut ends should be brush coated with preservative 0c.2_ Ensure that moisture content of timber cladding is in accordance with specification before fixing as specified 251TRADA Technology Timber frame construction oct ocs ocs Provide sufficient gaps for differential movement between cladding supported ky the timber frame and self supporting cledding and at intermediate N Ensure that there is a vented and drained cavity behind ell cladding. suie that fixings are the conect types and at correct centres. Ensure that the check list for cavity barriers is followed R Roofing RA RZ Ra RA Check that tiling battens are of the correct. gauge and size for the tile type and pitch. Check that roof flashings at upstands, eg at soil vent pipes, allow for differential movernent, Check roof space ventilation. Ensure that fire stop to the conect fire resistance is installed over party walls, 252