This is the 4th and final article in a series about the factors related to your warranty when flooring your loft. Read the other articles here:
- Does loft flooring affect my new home warranty? Part 1 – Your Warranty
- Does loft flooring affect my new home warranty? Part 2 – NHBC Loft Requirements
- Does loft flooring affect my new home warranty? Part 3 – Building Regulations
As you might know already, LoftZone is the only raised storage floor system which has certification from the BBA. You may not know much about the BBA or why their certification is important, so read on.
The BBA (British Board of Agrément)
The British Board of Agrément is an independent non-profit distributing organisation whose aim is to help businesses and organisations supply the construction industry with products, systems and installers of the highest quality. Their technical teams are highly experienced, and their certification and inspection services are recognised by building control, local authorities, industry insurers and the key construction trade associations in the UK.
The National Insulation Association has this explanatory article on the BBA, stating:
“The BBA places a strong emphasis on the accreditation of its own services and is monitored by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service). This accreditation is held for product testing, quality management systems certification, product conformity certification, and calibration.”
The BBA is designated by Government as a body to issue European Technical Approvals in the UK and also as the UK spokesbody in the co-ordinating European Organisation for Technical Approvals.
According to InsulationShop.co:
“Proper certification of any building product or procedure only guarantees you that you that the product has been exposed to a series of tests in regard to its characteristics, resistance, durability, effectiveness etc. So, if you want to make sure that the purchased material or implemented installation method will show results you are expecting, the British Board of Agremént can be of great assistance here.”
And the DesigningBuildings Wiki page describes the BBA as:
“the UKs major authority for providing reassurance to consumers, and achieve this through Agrément Certificates.”
BBA Certification for LoftZone
The BBA has awarded a certificate to LoftZone for the StoreFloor product which finds the product fit for its intended use providing it is installed and used as it meant to be. The certification process covered the structural performance of the installed decking, the thermal insulation capability of the components and their effect on existing insulation, and the durability of the system compared with the other structural elements of the loft space.
According to the BBA the StoreFloor system, if installed, used and maintained in accordance with the certificate, can satisfy or contribute to satisfying the relevant requirements of Building Regulations in Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales.
Homebase agrees:
“Transform your dreary attic into a safe, clean and storage area with StoreFloor by LoftZone. This is the only raised deck system approved for use in new-build houses.”
Conclusion
The UK’s leading Government certification body for building products finds LoftZone suitable for new-build homes, building regulations actually requires loft boarding in certain circumstances, and the NHBC warranty policy does not have any statement which is challenged in any way by suitable installed loft flooring. So the next time somebody tells you can’t put flooring in your new loft for 10 years please ask them to clarify the grounds for this conclusion!