SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES

SBI 189
Insulation – moisture protection, acoustics, fire resistance, ventilation and strength.

2nd EDITION
SBI-DIRECTION 189 STATENS BVGGEFORSKNINGSINSTITUT 1999

Translation from Danish to English:

Karsten Lundager and Roger Taylor
 Contents Crawl space external walls ........ 30
Crawl space internal walls ........ 31
Crawl space deck ........................ 32
Timber joists ............................. 32
Concrete and clinker concrete deck
Preface ....................................... 9 ................................................ 33
Introduction ............................ 10 Basements .................................. 36
Thermal prevention ................. 36
Load and load acceptance ....... 12 Basement floor ......................... 36
Terrain classes for wind.............. 12 Basement external walls ............. 36
Stabilising system ...................... 13 Dimensioning ......................... 38
Dimensioning and design............ 14 Heat insulation ......................... 39
Moisture insulation ................ 40
Foundations .............................. 15 Internal basement walls ................ 40
Foundation classes ................... 16 Deck over basement .................... 40
Low foundation class ................ 16 Timber joists................................. 40
Dimensions ............................. 17 Concrete and clinker concrete deck 42
Workmanship ............................. 18 External basement stairway ......... 42
Inserts or recesses . . . . . . . .
...... 19 External walls ........................... 44
Concrete .................................. 19 Thermal insulation ................... 44
Hollow foundation blocks and Moisture conditions .............. 44
solid Fire precautions ....................... 46
light clinker concrete blocks.... 19 Passage of sound...................... 46
Heavy external walls .................... 46
Drainage .................................... 20 Examples of heavy external walls
Workmanship ............................. 20 ... 47
Branch drains ......................... 21 Light external walls .................. 48
External basement walls ......... 21 Other external walls .................. . 49
Cleaning ................................ 21 Fitting windows and external doors
Drainage ............................... 22 . . . 50
Protection against rats............... 23 Window and door lintels ....... 50
Fascines .................................. 23 Joints ....................................... 50
Ground supported floors .............. 24 Internal walls ............................. 54
Ground conditions ................ 24 Thermal insulation ................... 54
Capillary breaking layers ...... 24 Fire conditions ....................... 54
Heat insulating layers .............. 24 Passage of sound...................... 54
Concrete slab........................... 24 Strength properties ................... 55
Floor finishes ........................... 24
Radon proofing ...................... 25 Walls between joined houses *) 56
Examples of ground supported floors 25
Passage of sound ......................... 56
Crawl space ............................... 29
Ventilation.................................. 30
Crawl space floor ........................ 30

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Translation KLJ
Side 2 af 101
 Solid walls................................ 56 Water and drain installations . 82
Double walls .......................... 57 Floors ......................................... 82
Noise from installations ........ 59 Heavy floor constructions......... 82
Fire precautions .......................... 59 Light floor constructions........... 83
Walls .......................................... 84
Roofs ........................................ 60 Tunge walls ............................. 84
Thermal insulation.................... 60 Light walls............................... 84
Moisture conditions .............. 60 Ceilings...................................... 85
Fire protection ........................ 60 Joints.......................................... 85
Roof coverings, underlay and battens
.................................................... 61 Glass ....................................... 86
Underlay roofs ......................61 Glass types ................................. 86
Battens ..................................... 61 Permissible glass area................. 86
Concrete and clay roof tiles . 61 Thermal stress............................. 87
Slates ....................................... 61 Impact........................................ 87
Profiled roofing sheets............. 61 Preventing cutting injuries ..... 87
Roofing felt .............................. 62 Glass as a safeguard . . . . . . . . . 87
Rafter and ceiling construction .. 62 Conservatories ......................... 88
Collar beam rafters ................ 63 Glass roofs ................................. 88
Trussed rafters ....................... 63
Common rafters/joists ............. 63 Indoor climate ........................... 89
Roofing elements ..................... 65 Ventilation .................................. 89
Gable triangles............................ 66 Ventilation principles ............ 89
Roofs with trussed rafters......... 67 Natural ventilation ............. 89
Roofs with collar beam rafters.. 67 Mechanical ventilation ....... 90
Functional requirements -
Thermal insulation .................... 70 general.................................. 90
Three possibilities.................... 70 Habitable rooms....................... 90
U-value requirements ................... 70 Kitchen, bath room and toilet .. 92
Heated floor area and heated Other rooms, crawl
footprint area ........................ 71 space/basements . 92
Heat loss frame............................ 72 Fresh air vents and ventilation
Temperatures ........................... 72 ducts . . . 92
Transmission areas ................ 73 Fresh air vents ...................... 92
Possibilities - using Heat Loss Ventilation ducts ................... 93
Frame. 73 Pollution from building materials 94
Examples Heat Loss Frame used Danish Indoor Climate Labelling 95
on
single family house.................. 74 Heat producing appliances and
Energy Frame ............................. 75 chimneys ................................ 96
Possible window and door area . . . Heat producing appliances.......... 96
76 Setting up ................................ 96
Temperature conditions (in Connection to chimney ............ 97
summer). . 78 Chimneys.................................... 97
Cross-sectional area ................. 97
Wet rooms .............................. 79 Height ..................................... 98
Requirements to wet rooms........ 79 Construction ............................ 99
Zoning .................................. 79 Thatched roofs ........................ 99
Floor slope .............................. 79
Waterproofing........................... 80

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Translation KLJ Side 3 af 101
 Enclosure A. Loads *) ............. 101 Data of the building ............... 127
Gravity based load .................. 101 Ventilation ............................. 129
Wind load.................................. 102 Heat loss ............................... 129
Design load ........................... 103 Time constant......................... 129
Example................................. 103 Internal heat contribution ....... 129
Heat demand........................... 130
Enclosure B. Fire ................... 105 Energy Frame ....................... 131
Fire resistance - building components Calculation form 1. External walls,
.. 105 Roofs and floors ........................ 132
Fastening of mineral wool ....... 105 Calcualtion form 2. Windows and
The fire-technical qualities of external
claddings (coverings) doors………………………………
Class 1 covering .................. 106 …… . 132
Class 2 covering .................. 106 Calcualtion form 3. Insolation.... 132
Shadow factor ...................... 135
Enclosure C. Acoustics ............ 108 Area factor ............................. 136
General ..................................... 108 Glass factor ......................... 137
Luftlydisolation ......................... 108 Example: Heat demand in single
Trinlydniveau ............................ 109 family house 137
Installationsst0j ....................... 109
Trafikst0j................................... 109 Summary ............................... 141
Enclosure D. The stabilising system
................................................ I ll
Bracing the roof plane ............... I ll Note: Chapters marked with *) are
Vertical anchoring of roof ......... I l l not yet available in this English
Type classification and version
dimensioning
of anchors.............................. 112
Embedding anchors................ 114
Design of ceiling diaphragm .... 115
Panel cladding ...................... 115
Design of bracing walls ........... 118
Vertical anchoring ................ 119
Solid walls.............................. 119
Stud walls............................... 123
Dimensioning bracing walls and
ceiling diaphragm ................... 123
Windload on ceiling diaphragm
.............................................. 123
Choosing bracing walls .. 123
Distribution of horizontal loadt
..............................................124
Dimensioning bracing
walls ................................... 125
Non-bracing walls .................. 125
Dimensioning ceiling diaphragm
.............................................. 126

Enclosure E. Heat requirements

................................................127
Heat requirement for a building, main
table………………………………
….. 127

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Side 4 af 101
 Preface
This SBI Direction is
complementary to Building
Regulations for Small Dwelling,
1998 and replaces SBI Direction
147: Constructions in small house,
which was complementary to
Building Regulations for Small
Dwelling, 1985. The Direction also
replaces SBI Direction 111: Thermal
insulation of buildings, 2nd edition.
The Direction covers such issues
as thermal insulation, moisture
insulation, sound insulation, fire, wet
rooms, indoor climate as well as
strength and stability.
As the Direction covers a wide
range of subject matters is has been
necessary to call upon a wide range
of specialist SBI writers. Apart from
the project manager, civil engineer
Jørgen Munch-Andersen, the
following have also participated:
Academy engineer Søren
Aggerholm, academy engineer Niels
Christian Bergsøe, civil engineer
Erik Brandt, academy engineer
Mogens Buhelt, civil engineer Henry
H. Knutsson, academy engineer
Peter A. Nielsen and architect m.a.a.
Hans Zacharias-sen. The extensive
editing work has been carried out by
civil engineer Jens Christian Ellum.
Several technicians within the
Danish building industry have
contributed with valuable
information. We are very grateful
for these contributions.
The elaboration of the Direction
has received support from By- og
Boligministeriel og Energistyrelsen.
(Ministry of Housing)
SBI Direction 189
Translation KLJ
The target group of this Direction is
engineers, architects, contractors and
other designers and executors within
construction. Also public
administration is a target group.
Supplements to the SBI Direction
will be published at the SBF
homepage http://www.sbi.dk.
SBI
STATENS
BYGGEFORSKNINGSINST
ITUT
Department of Building technique
and Productivity, June 1998
Georg Christensen, Research
manager Preface to the 2nd edition
This is the 2nd edition of SBI
Direction 189 concerning »Single
family houses«. Compared to the 1st
edition a few changes and additions
have been made. These are to large
degree based on a dialogue with
practice which has taken place during
a number of seminars where the
Direction has been presented. In
relation to that SBI would like to
express its gratitude for all received
suggestions and comments for
improvement.
SBI
STATENS
BYGGEFORSKNINGSINST
ITUT
Department of Building technique
and Productivity, November 1998
Georg Christensen, Research
manager
9
Side 5 af 101
 Introduction
This SBI Direction contains
guidance on and examples of
out in a satisfactory way and at the
constructions in one family houses.
same time fulfilling the requirements
The examples all comply with the
concerning fire resistance and sound
requirements laid down in “Building
insulation. In the shown examples it
Regulations for Small Dwellings,
will in many cases be possible to
1998 (BRS 98)
substitute mineral wool with other
The Direction covers detached as
insulation materials but care must be
well as semidetached one family
taken that the fire resistance
houses up to 2 storeys and a
requirements are met.
basement, as shown in figure 1. The
Dimensions are stated for usual
maximum height above ground
constructions. Alternative
level is 8.5 m, measured from the
constructions may be dimensioned
ridge.
using the loads stated in enclosure A,
It must be stressed that the examples
Loads.
shown in this Direction should be
The U-values in the shown examples
considered as examples, and
fulfil the requirements of U-values
alternative solutions fulfilling the
stated in BRS 98, which are also the
requirements in BRS 98 are
basis for determining the Heat Loss
acceptable. An example: The
Frame for the house. In the chapter
dimensions stated for load bearing
Heat Insulation it is discussed how
and bracing constructions may in
the Heat Loss Frame and the Energy
many cases be reduced considering
Frame could be used as a tool for
the actual conditions under which
choosing constructions with other U-
they are carried out. This, however,
values.
requires dimensioning by an
In the chapters Wet Rooms and Glass
engineer.
examples of fulfilment of BRS 98
Reference to other existing literature
requirements in the said areas are
is either done by full reference in
shown.
the text (written in italics) or simply
The chapter Indoor Climate primarily
by referring to the list of literature at
describes the establishment of
the back of the Direction (only in
satisfactory natural ventilation in one
the Danish Version).
family houses. Issues related to
The Direction starts with a short
stoking are treated in the chapter Fire
introduction to the load-bearing and
Places and Chimneys.
bracing system with special
emphasis on load acceptance. In
enclosure D, The Bracing System, it
is shown how the bracing necessary
to secure the stability of the house
can be designed and dimensioned,.
Different parts of the house are
accounted for. Examples of building
components are shown; their design
and how they are connected to other
building components. In the
connection details special emphasis
has been put on demonstrating how
heat and moisture insulation can be
carried
Side 6 af 101
SBI Direction 189 10
Translation KLJ
 Ground floor Ground floor

1 storey with ground supported floor

Basement

1 storey with basement

Attic Attic

Ground floor Ground floor

1½ storey with ground supported floor Basement

1½ storey with basement

1st floor 1st floor

Ground floor Ground floor

2 storeys with ground supported floor Basement

2 storeys with basement

Figure 1. The Building Regulations for Small Dwellings encompasses one

family houses up to 2 storeys and a basement. The houses may be detached
or semidetached. The Regulations do not apply to houses with separate
dwellings divided by a storey partition (horizontal division).

SBI Direction 189 11

Translation KLJ Side 7 af 101
 Loads, load acceptance and
load transmission
Houses shall be built in such a way that they
can accept and transmit occurring loads. The
loads can be divided into:
• Gravity based loads, i.e. the
dead load of building components, the
imposed load (furniture and people) and snow
load.
• Wind action
Wind acts primarily perpendicularly on the
surfaces of the house. The external walls and
the roof surfaces at the windward side are
exposed to pressure. The other surfaces are
exposed to suction.
Usually, the acceptance and transmission of
gravity-based load do not present major
problems. However, one must be aware that
load-bearing walls are affected by horizontal
wind action and vertical load simultaneously.
The acceptance and transmission of wind
action require a stabilising system, which is
described briefly in the following.
Figure 2 shows the most important types of
collapse, which must be prevented by the use
of a stabilising system.
Terrain classes for wind
The force of the wind action depends among
other things on the type of the terrain
surrounding the building. In The Code of
practice for Loads for the design of structures
(DS 410) three terrain classes are defined. In
the Code these classes are referred to as
Smooth, Agricultural and Built- up, see table 1.
Most new constructions shall be dimensioned
for wind action according to the terrain class
Agricultural
.
In an area with low buildings surrounded by
farmland the wind action will only be reduced
to a level corresponding to terrain class
Smooth some 500-600 m inside the built-up
area.

a) b)
c)

d) e)
f)

Figure 2. The stability of the house is ensured by anchoring the various structural elements to
each other. The roof trusses must be braced to prevent them from cascading (a) and anchored
against horizontal forces (b) and upward-acting forces (c). The walls must be supported at the
top by the ceiling diaphragm (d), and this must be able to transmit horizontal forces to the wind-
bracing walls. In ome cases, the walls must also be anchored at the bottom to prevent sliding (e)
and collapse or lifting (f)

SBI Direction 189

SBI Direction 189KLJ 12
Translation KLJ
8
SBI-Direction 186: “Stability of small
houses” gives a more detailed description of
terrain classes and of the possibilities to Transverse
wall
utilise the wind action’s dependency on the
actual shelter conditions in connection to
wind from various directions.
Facade
Table 1 Definition of terrain classes according
to “Loads for the design of structures”. The
description applies to the surrounding terrain. Gable Transverse
wind action

Terrain Description of terrain

class
Smooth Smooth terrain e.g. aquatic areas Figure 3. Wind acting transversely: The
and moors without shelter. gables and internal transverse wall may act
Agricultural Farm land with wind breaks, as bracing walls.
farms with gardens etc. Longitudinal wall
Built-up Built-up areas or woodland.

Stabilising system
The central parts of the stabilising system are
the bracing walls and the so-called ceiling
diaphragm . Some important terms are
indicated on figures 3 and 4.
The ceiling diaphragm supports the external
Longitudinal
walls at the top and furthermore transmits wind action Facade
horizontal forces from the roof including the
gable triangles. The ceiling diaphragm must
be able to transmit these forces to the bracing Figure 4. Wind acting along the house: The
walls, which may be internal walls as well as facades and the internal longitudinal walls
external walls. Consequently, the ceiling may act as bracing walls.
diaphragm must be fixed to all external walls
and to the internal bracing walls. Further, the
ceiling diaphragm must be sufficiently stiff in
order to secure that forces can be distributed
to the braced walls without causing fatal
deformations, see figure 5.
The stabilising system must be able to
transmit the forces to the foundation or floor Wind
slab. This will often require a protection
against sliding and /or anchoring against
upward-acting forces on the walls
In addition, the roof construction itself must
be braced and anchored to prevent failure as Figure 5. The ceiling diaphragm shall be
shown in figures 2a-2c. Failure as shown in adequately strong and rigid in order to
figure 2c is caused by the considerable lifting distribute the wind action to the bracing
force occurring as a result of the longitudinal walls.
wind (along the roof).
SBI Direction 189
SBI Direction 189
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Translation KLJ
9
Dimensioning and design
The dimensioning of load bearing and
stabilising structures usually requires the
assistance of an engineer. Enclosures A and D
can be used to assist when dimensioning.
Enclosure A, Loads, gives loads used in
dimensioning structural elements affected by
vertical action perpendicularly to their plane.
SBI Direction 189
SBI
KLJDirection 189
Translation KLJ
The chapters concerning the specific
construction elements give examples of
designs with sufficient strength to transmit the
forces.
Enclosure D, Stabilising system describes
how the stabilising system in 1-and 1½ storey
single length houses with pitched roof can be
designed and dimensioned.
14
10
Foundations
This chapter only applies to the construction
Foundation includes dimensioning and
elements accentuated in these figures. The
construction of foundations i.e. the structural
remaining elements are discussed in
elements that transmit load from the house to
subsequent chapters.
firm bearing stratum. Examples of
foundations for various types of buildings are
shown in figures 6,7 and 8.

Level of topsoil
Level of topsoil Level of topsoil
excavation
excavation excavation

Excavation
trench
profile

Figure 6
Figure 7
Foundation at ground supported floor.
Foundation at crawl space. Often a concrete
Normally in situ cast concrete as a deep strip
pad is cast in situ (cross-hatched in the
foundation is used (cross-hatched in the
figure) and the crawl space wall is then
figure). The upper part is often built using
constructed using clinker concrete blocks or
clinker concrete blocks. Hollow concrete
hollow concrete blocks cast with concrete.
blocks may also be used especially where the
The wall can also be cast fully or partly in
topsoil excavation level is below the topside
situ, i.e. to the topsoil excavation level. The
of the deep strip foundation, thus avoiding the
foundation shall have at least the same width
use of formwork for casting the upper part of
as the wall above, and it should be
the foundation. The foundation shall have at
symmetrically placed below this.
least the same width as the wall above and
should be symmetrically placed below this.
The figure also shows the placement of a
perimeter drain and a branch drain, which
connect the capillary breaking layer beneath
the floor with the perimeter drain. It is not
necessary to connect the branch drain
directly to the perimeter drain.
SBI Direction 189 15
Translation KLJ
SBI Direction 189,
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 Figure 8
Foundation at basement. Usually a concrete
pad is cast in situ (cross-hatched in the
figure) and the basement wall is then built
using clinker concrete blocks or using hollow
concrete blocks cast with concrete.
Alternatively, the entire wall can be cast in
situ. The foundation pad shall have at least
the same width as the basement wall and it
should be symmetrically placed below it.
The figure also shows the placement of a
perimeter drain and a branch drain which
connect the capillary breaking layer under
the floor with the perimeter drain.

Foundation control classes

Foundation work must comply with the
directions given in Foundation Engineering -
DS 415 in which 3 foundation control classes
are defined: Low, normal and high control
class. In the present SBI direction, it is
assumed that the control class is low. This
class only comprises small and simple
foundations on virgin and stable stratum
above the water table. Such foundations can -
under certain conditions (as mentioned in the
following) - be constructed based on empiric
knowledge and without prior geo-technical
Excavation surveys. If these conditions are not fulfilled
trench
profile the foundation shall be constructed according
to normal or high foundation control class. In
such cases geo-technical surveys of the sub
soil shall be undertaken. Likewise, design as
well as implementation control shall be
carried out by experts. In such cases, we refer
to the more extensive treatment of foundation
problems in SBI-Direction 181: “Foundation
of smaller buildings”.

Low foundation control class

Foundations shall be constructed to a dept
where they will rest directly on firm bearing
stratum. That is usually a packed mixture of
clay, sand and stone (called moraine clay by
geologists) formed before or during the last
Glacial Period. However, a bearing stratum

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Translation KLJ
SBI Direction 189,
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can also consist of packed sand, gravel or
coarse silt (called non-cohesive soil).
If the bearing stratum is deeper than app. 2 m,
it will usually be expedient to let an expert
carry out the actual design work.
When inspecting finished excavations, it must
always be verified that foundation is carried
out on firm and stable sediments. This
inspection must be carried out by a person
who possesses adequate geological and geo-
technical knowledge.
The local building authorities will in many
cases demand to inspect the excavation before
casting the first foundation. Likewise, the
authorities may demand inspection of other
parts of the construction.
Usually the following soil layers are not
considered stable: Fill, soil which has been
excavated before or frozen soil, sediments
with content of organic material e.g. turf, mud
and certain special fat clays. The latter is
characterised by not containing sand or stones
and by having a high water content (25-40%),
and by the fact that they sometimes crack.
Such very fat clays are found in the western
part of Funen and in the eastern part of
Jutland .e.g. by the Little Belt, by the fjords in
eastern Jutland and in the area around Skive.
Apart from resting on a bearing stratum,
foundations shall be constructed at least to
frost-free depth. Regarding external wall
foundations, frost-free depth is usually 0.9 m
below the surface. However, with special soil
conditions such as silty soil the depth may
have to be high. Silt is a soil type with grains
rougher than clay but finer than sand.
In low foundation control class there must be
no digging below the level of the water table.
It is therefore important to ensure that the
water table is deeper than the planned level of
foundation before starting the excavation.
The excavation must not constitute any risk of
damages to neighbouring buildings, sewer
and supply lines, public traffic areas or
similar. Thus, conditions in the neighbouring
areas can in some cases exclude foundation
work according to conditions in low
foundation control class.
Dimensions
Based on the above presumptions deep strip
foundation can be carried out without further
investigations - using the values found in
table 2.

Table 2 Dimensions of deep strip foundation under walls in small single length houses. The
dimensions given require that the width of the house is less than 9 m.

Type of house Width of deep strip foundation in m

Under load-bearing and Under load-bearing
non-load-bearing internal walls
external walls
1 storey with ground supported floor 0.30 0.20
1½ storeys with ground supported floor 0.30 0.20
2 storeys with ground supported floor 0.30 0.25
1 storey with crawl space 0.30 0.25
1½ storeys with crawl space 0.30 0.35
2 storeys with crawl space 0.35 0.35
1 storey with basement 0.35 0.25
1½ storeys with basement 0.35 0.35
2 storeys with basement 0.40 0.40
The foundation height should be chosen to at least 0.30 m under load-bearing internal walls.
However, in houses with ground supported floor, at least 0.20 m. Brickwork chimneys and
fireplaces require a foundation of the same height as stated for the deep strip foundations.

SBI Direction
SBI Direction189,
189 17
Translation KLJ
KLJ 13
The dimensions are valid for traditional single
length houses that is, houses with load-
bearing facades and possible load-bearing
longitudinal walls placed close to the centre
line of the house.
Deep strip foundations shall have at least the
same width as the wall above and should be
placed symmetrically beneath this. In houses
with basement where the foundation is used
as abutment for the concrete slab in the
basement floor, the foundation shall be at
least 0.10m wider than the basement wall.
This will usually be fulfilled if the width is
chosen to 0.50m.
Non load-bearing internal walls can usually
be founded directly at the floor deck concrete
slab. The maximum linear and point loads,
which can be transmitted, depend on the
concrete slab and the insulating material.
Reference is made to product catalogues from
the insulation manufacturers . Alternatively
non load-bearing internal walls can be
founded on top of the capillary breaking
layer, see figures 19 and 21 on pages 27 and
28.
If bracing walls are not founded as load-
bearing walls one must ensure that the vertical
reaction can be absorbed by the bed on which
the wall is resting (e.g. concrete slab).
Workmanship
Foundation work starts by excavating an area
similar to the geometry of the building - for
example to a level corresponding to the upper
side of the deep strip foundations (see figures
6, 7 and 8). However, topsoil must be
removed to a depth where the stratum is no
longer weak and compressible (removal of
layers containing organic material). Hereafter
commences the excavation of trenches for the
foundation according to dimensions (widths
and depths) given in table 2. Dug out material
must under no circumstances be filled back
into the trenches. Notice that the foundation
level (depth) shall at least correspond to the
underside of the floor to be constructed later.
Concrete 5 or better is used for the casting,
SBI Direction 189
SBI DirectionKLJ
Translation 189,
KLJ
see paragraph on concrete. Internal wall
foundations in houses with ground supported
floor shall only be taken down to load bearing
subsoil, as they will not be exposed to frost
(due to the temperature conditions under the
house).
If the oversite excavation level is lower than
the topside of the deep strip foundation the
upper part of the foundation can be cast using
formwork. Alternatively hollow blocks of
concrete or clinker concrete as well as
massive clinker concrete blocks may be used..
The hollow blocks are stacked on the strip
foundation with tight joints and bonding.
When casting no more than two courses must
be cast at one time using 5 or better. The
concrete is carefully compressed with
immersion vibrator. Horizontal construction
joints shall be placed along the centreline of
the blocks. Solid clinker concrete blocks are
laid with filled joints using mortar KC
20/80/550 or better according to the “Code of
practice for the Structural Use of Masonry”
(DS 414) .
When oversite excavation reaches deep down
it might be expedient to build the entire
foundation of hollow blocks on top of a
concrete blinding.
The underside of the foundation shall be
horizontal. Stepping shall be carried out as
shown in figure 9.
Where service lines are taken across the
foundation, the foundation must be carried out
according to figure 10.
Max.
0.60m
Max. Slope 1:1
Figure 9 The underside of deep strip
foundations shall be horizontal and even.
Stepping must have a maximum height of
0.6m. The gradient depends on the soil
conditions, but cannot slope more than 1:1.
18
14

Normal foundation depth
Figure 10. Where service lines cross the deep
strip foundation, the underside of the
foundations shall be at least 0.1 m deeper
than the crossing line at a distance of
minimum 0.6 m on either side of the line.
Trenches for sewer and drain pipes which are
dug parallel to the foundation must not be dug
deeper than the bottom of the foundation. .
Inserts or recesses
To ensure the stability of the house it is often
necessary to anchor the roof construction
and/or the walls to the foundation. The
placement of anchors must be determined
prior to casting the foundation because the
fixing of anchors can be done either
simultaneously to casting or recesses can be
made in the concrete for later fixing. The
same applies to the placement of branch
drains, which will be further elaborated in the
chapters; “Drainage” and “ Domestic Ground
supported floor”.
Concrete
Concrete 5 or better is used, cf. table 3.
According to” Code of Practice for the
structural use of concrete” (DS 411).
the crushing strength of the concrete shall be
controlled but factory control is considered
adequate when concrete is supplied by a
concrete manufacturer being a member of the
“The Concrete Manufacturers’ Control
Board” (In Danish FBK) or “The Danish
Concrete Certification” (In Danish DBC)
Furthermore, concrete can be mixed on site
without strength control as stated in table 3.
The slump range of the concrete should be
between 60 and 100mm and must not exceed
150mm.
The requirements for concrete aggregates and
the implementation of concrete work are
described more thoroughly in the ”Code of
Practice for the Structural Use of Concrete”
(DS 411)
Concrete and light clinker concrete hollow
blocks shall fulfil the requirements for
strength class 3.0 Mpa and must be delivered
from a factory affiliated to an approved
control system (i.e. marked with a triangle).
Solid clinker concrete blocks shall fulfil the
requirements for strength class 2.6 MPa
according to “Code of practice for the
Structural Use of Masonry” (DS 414) and
must be delivered from a factory affiliated to
an approved control system (i.e. marked with
a triangle or marked “LBK”)

Table 3. Concrete mixing ratio

(cement: sand: stone)
Note:
Concrete Mixing ratio Mixing ratio According to new standards concerning
type according to according to concrete strength the values in the table
volume weight are no longer applicable. When using
Concrete 5 1:4:7 1/4/6 prefabricated concrete it is recommended
Concrete 10 1:3:5 1/3/4 to prescribe concrete 4, 12 and 16
Concrete 15 1:2:3 1/2/2½ respectively

SBI Direction 189 19

Translation KLJ
SBI Direction 189,
KLJ 15
Drainage
Houses shall be built in such a way that
surface water, ground water and earth
moisture do not cause damage. Hence, surface
water shall be drained off by establishing an
adequate slope in the ground away from the
house, see figure 11. Where the subsoil is not
adequately self-drained, that is where
infiltration water does not quickly soak away
by itself, drains shall be established along the
external wall foundations of the house – a so-
called perimeter drain. However, a perimeter
drain can be left out in houses where the
surface of the floor deck is more than 300mm
above the external ground level.
The purpose of draining is to reduce or
completely remove water pressure on
construction carried out directly against the
soil. In this way seepage in the construction
can be minimised and building components
below ground can be kept reasonably dry.
Draining does not eliminate moisture and,
depending on the circumstances, draining
must therefore be supplemented with moisture
insulation.
In this chapter only draining of houses in non-
complicated situations will be described, that
is where the ground water level is below the
Flat terrain Sloping terrain
Perimeter drain Intercepting drain
Slope
SBI Direction 189
SBI DirectiveKLJ
Translation 189
KLJ
drainage level. In this case, drainage only
includes the draining off of infiltrated surface
water.
Draining shall be carried out in accordance
with the Code of Practice for the groundwater
drainage of structures (DS 436) and Code of
Practice for Sanitary Drainage - Waste-water
installations (DS 432). A more
comprehensive discussion on the subject can
be found in SBI direction 185: Sanitary
Drainage Installations.
Workmanship
A drain consists of two parts, namely the
drainage pipe and the drainage fill. Drainage
fill is a filter (for instance gravel) which
ensures the collection and transportation of
affluent water from the surroundings. At the
same time it prevents unwanted pollution and
possible blocking of the drainage pipe (in the
form of sediments). Thus the filter shall be
build of a material with a grain size that fulfils
the so-called filter criteria (criteria that
regulates the size and the grains in the filter
and the grains of the surrounding soil). The
drainage pipe, which usually consists of a
perforated pipe (with slits and holes in the
pipe wall) directs the captured water to e.g.
established waste water installations. When
building a filter the pore size and the flow
Figure 11. Ground levelling
must drain surface water
away from the house. On
flat terrain the slope away
from the house must be
minimum 20 per mill (1:50)
within a distance of 3 m. On
sloping terrain the ground
must be levelled on the side
of the house where the
initial level is highest, and
an intercepting drain must
be installed at the
intersection between the
initial terrain and the
levelled ground
20
16
openings should increase from the
surroundings towards the drainage pipe.
Drainage pipes shall be laid with a grade of at
least 3 per mille. Due to the risk of frost
damage the overall bottom level should be at
least 0.60m below finished ground level.
Moreover, the highest bottom level should be
at least 0.3 m below the construction part to
be drained. Excavations must not be carried
out below the bottom level of the foundations.
Pipe dimensions must not be less than 70 mm
(as smaller dimensions may cause cleaning
problems). Pipe and fittings must fulfil the
requirements laid down in the Code of
Practice for the groundwater drainage of
structures (DS 436). Pipes without socket
joints should not be used.
Figures 6,7 and 8 show examples of placing a
perimeter drain. If the surrounding soil
consists of clay (firm cohesive soil), the filter
may consist of a layer of small pebbles (2-8
mm) or pea gravel (5-16mm). A coarser
material may be used when 80mm perforated
PVC pipes or similar are used. In sand and
similar (noncohesive soil) a filter of well-
graded sand with d10>0.3mm and
1,5mm<d50<2,5 will be suitable. In this case
the slits in the drainage pipe must not exceed
1,5 mm in width.
The designations d10 and d50 refer to the mesh
size in a sieve through which 10 percent and
50 percent respectively of the filter material
can pass.
A filter shall have a thickness of at least 0.10
m at all sides of a drainage pipe.
Protective wraps such as filter cloth with
small pore sizes may cause clogging and as
such they must not be used neither to
substitute the filter nor as a supplementary
filter to gravel fill.
When backfilling the excavation the topmost
layer must have a thickness of minimum 0.20
m and must consist of a sealing layer (for
instance topsoil mixed with clay) and the
ground shall be re-established sloping away
from the house, as described in figure 11.
SBI Directive
SBI Direction189
189
KLJ
Translation KLJ
Branch drain
A branch drain, connecting the capillary
breaking layer to the perimeter drain, must be
established below domestic ground floors and
below basement floors – see figures 6 and 8.
The branch drain secures the discharge of
water from the capillary breaking layer and
also serves as a pressure equaliser in order to
prevent the radioactive gas radon from
penetrating the building. At least two branch
drains must be established per building. If the
capillary breaking layer is divided into
sections by foundations of internal walls, a
branch drain must be established for each
section.
External basement walls
Under normal circumstances external
basement walls shall be drained by the use of
a perimeter drain system which can capture
the surface water which always seeps into the
soil around a basement. The perimeter drain
system shall be placed in such a way that that
it can effectively drain the capillary breaking
layer below the floor via a branch drain.
Consequently, the bottom level in the drain
pipe shall always be placed below the top
level of the capillary breaking layer.
There are no special requirements for the
material which is used as backfill above the
filter. However, along the wall a so-called
wall drain must be established. This drain
captures and directs surface water to the
perimeter drain, see figure 8. This drain can
either consist of well-drained sand or gravel
with d10>0,3 mm in a thickness of at least 0.2
m or an insulating material with properties for
draining.
The primary function of the so-called
drainage slabs (thin PVC slabs) is to insulate
the wall against moisture penetration (not
draining). Consequently they must always be
used in combination with a wall drain (as
described above).
Cleaning
Drains must be accessible to cleaning and
consequently inspection chambers
21
17
(manholes) and inspection junctions (the latter
with a diameter of minimum 300 mm) must
be established at selected bends and on level
stretches at intervals not exceeding 60 m.
Figure 12 shows some examples of placement
of inspection junctions in a drainage system.
When placing inspection junctions
considerations must be given to the fact that
the tools used for cleaning may have
difficulties in passing bends without the risk
of damaging the pipe. As a consequence all
bends must be accessible for cleaning from
two sides via inspection junctions. Surface
water must not be drained directly to the
drainage system. It is, however, permitted to
drain the insignificant amount of rainwater
from light shafts or covered external
basement stairways directly to a perimeter
drain. It is not necessary to ventilate drainage
systems.

Figure 12 Example of placements of
inspection junctions in a drainage system.
Drainage
Drained water is usually discharged to a waste
water installation. The connection shall be
made to a 300 mm gully at least 0.2 m above
the water level. The gully must have a sand
trap, a gully trap and a rain water inlet. Also,
the connection level must lay above the
highest damming level in the main sewer
system with the addition a safety factor of
0.3m. This type of “direct” connection must

Minimum 2 m away from non habitable buildings or basement

Minimum 5 m away from habitable building or basement

Plot
Filter cloth boundary

Figure 13 Fascines shall be placed inside the property boundary and at least 2 m away from any
boundary line. Furthermore, they shall be placed at least 25 m away from drinking water wells,
inspection chambers and the like. The distance from the centre line of the fascine (longitudinal axis)
and from the fascine extremities to domestic houses shall be at least 5 m. Fascines are build as 0.4-
0.5 m wide stone-filled trenches with a horizontal bottom. Stones to be used could be 32/64 mm
washed course gravel covered with filter cloth and a layer of soil of at least 0.3-0.4 m. The volume
of a fascine in clay soil can be determined at 1 m3 per 30 m2 rain area. When constructing fascines
of a considerable size it must be considered to establish a distribution pipe. Before connection to
the fascine the rainwater shall pass a sand trap. Maintenance of fascines is the sole responsibility of
the proprietor .
SBI Directive
SBI Direction189
189 22
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Translation KLJ
18
only be carried out provided the whole
drainage system is situated above the
maximum damming level of the waste water
installation in order to prevent pollution of the
drainage system. In cases where these
conditions can not be fulfilled the connection
must be made through a pump well. When the
outlet from the pump well is situated less then
0.2 m above maximum damming level it must
be supplied with a retention valve.

Protection against rats

In areas pestered by rats it is advisable to
place a detachable grid (made from copper or
galvanised steel) at pipe openings in the
inspection chambers and junctions in order to
avoid the penetration of rodents into the
pipes.

Fascines
Whenever building as well as soil conditions
are considered appropriate, the authorities
may approve the discharge of water from
roofs, smaller paved areas and drainage water
directly into a fascine for percolation. For
detailed design we refer to “Code of Practice
for smaller drainage disposal systems for
percolations into the ground” (DS 440)

SBI Directive
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Translation KLJ
19
 Light weight clinker floor blocks or
Ground supported floors polystyrene insulation slabs resting on a
A ground supported floor is a floor
levelled gravel surface
construction resting directly on the ground.
The thickness of the capillary breaking layer
Ground supported floors shall be insulated
shall be at least 150mm.
against ingress of moisture and loss of heat.
Also they shall be sufficiently sealed in order
Heat insulating layers
to prevent the ingress of air containing radon
Insulating material shall be pressure-resistant
(from the subsurface). In the “Heat loss
and may consist of for example coated loose
frame” (see chapter on Thermal Insulation)
light clinkers, floor blocks, pressure-resistant
ground supported floors assume the U-value
mineral wool batts, or polystyrene slabs.
0.20 and in case of floor heating 0.15.
Concluding: Some materials can be both
A domestic ground floor is usually
capillary breaking and heat insulating.
constructed as follows: At the bottom a
capillary breaking layer preventing the
Concrete slab
absorption of ground moisture into the floor
The slab should be cast in minimum 100 mm
construction. This layer is followed by a heat-
thickness using concrete 15 or better, see
insulating layer and next a so-called load
page 19. Shrinkage reinforcement should be
distributing layer usually in the form of a
used, for example 5 mm reinforcement mesh
concrete slab cast in situ, and finally a floor
with 150 mm grid placed in the middle of the
finish. When the floor finish is a joist floor, a
slab.
minor part of the heat insulation can be placed
When casting the slab the concrete must
on top of the concrete slab. Apart from the
either have a plasticity which prevents it from
floor finish all materials used in the
penetrating the underlying layer, or it must be
construction of the domestic ground floor
cast on top of a diffusion open underlay for
must be non sensitive to moisture.
example filter cloth.
An extensive treatment of questions
Immediately upon casting the concrete shall
concerning moisture in ground supported
be protected against drying up by covering it
floors can be found in “SBI Directive 178 -
with a vapour tight membrane, for example
The moisture insulation of buildings”.
polyethylene foil. It should remain covered
for app. 8 days.
Ground conditions
Ground supported floors shall rest on a strata
Floor finishes
of subsoil which as a minimum fulfils the
When using moisture sensitive floor finishes,
requirements applying to the level of oversite
such as wooden floors on joists or floating
excavation, mentioned on p. 18. If this level is
floors containing wood, a damp proof
deeper than the underside of the capillary
membrane must always be placed on top of
breaking layer the remaining gap must be
the concrete slab as the slab will emit
filled with replacement material such as sand
construction moisture for a considerable
or gravel which is filled in gradually using
period of time after casting.
watering and compacting (with a plate
A 0.15 mm polyethylene foil is suitable as a
vibrator).
damp proof membrane. It must, however, be
laid with an overlap of at least 200-300 mm.
Capillary breaking layers
When using wooden floors on joists, the joists
Capillary breaking layers may consist of :
must rest on blocks preventing the rising of
Pebbles, shingles or gravel with a minimum
moisture, for example adjustable plastic
grain size of 4 mm;
wedges used in pairs of two. Part of the
Coated, loose light clinkers (expanded fired
insulation material can be placed on top of the
clay) with a grain size of 10-20 mm;

SBI Directive
SBI Direction189
189 24
KLJ
Translation KLJ
20
concrete slab. In doing so, a softer insulation
material may be used. This reduces cost and
also reduces the total thickness of the ground
supported floor. In order to avoid
condensation on the top side of the damp
proof membrane, the major part of the
insulating material must be placed below the
concrete slab.
Concrete slab with wooden joist floor
Wooden floor on joists. Damp proof
membrane
Concrete 100 mm
Loose light clinkers, coated
Loose light clinkers λ-class 80, 260 mm
Loose light clinkers λ-class 100, 320 mm

Radon-proofing
When the atmospheric pressure decreases
radon rises from the soil together with air.
The pressure differences in question are up to
0.1 atmospheres and consequently the ingress
of radon can only be avoided by equalising
pressure in the capillary breaking layer with
the outside pressure. Simultaneously to this Figure 14 Ground supported floor:
the ground supported floor must be made as Concrete slab with wooden joist floor placed
airtight as possible. The concrete slab is on a capillary breaking and heat-insulating
considered airtight but it is necessary to layer of loose light clinkers. The layer
secure tightness along the foundation as thickness required to achieve the U-value
indicated in figures 18, 19, 20 and 21. 0.20 depends on the l-class of the light
Equalising pressure of the capillary breaking clinkers.
layer can be achieved by the use of a branch
drain connected to the perimeter drain, as
described in the chapter “Drainage”. Concrete slab with wooden joist floor
Wooden floor on joists. Damp proof membrane
Concrete 100 mm
Examples of ground supported floors Pressure resistant insulation, λ-class 39, 125 mm
The figures 14, 15, 16 and 17 show examples Shingels capillary breaking layer, 150 mm

of ground supported floor constructions.

Achievement of the indicated U-values at the
shown insulation thicknesses requires the
establishment of an effective interruption of
the cold bridge where the floor construction
meets the foundation.
The figures 18, 19 and 20 show examples
where a heavy external wall meets the floor.
In the remaining part of the foundation an
insulating layer should always be inserted
between the two leaves of clinker concrete. Figure 15 Ground supported floor:
Solid clinker concrete blocks provide a Concrete slab with wooden joist floor placed
considerable cold bridge – even when a on a capillary breaking layer of shingles and
vertical internal insulation is used. One should a pressure-resistant insulating layer.
be aware that the inner leaf is not always A wooden floor is very sensitive to moisture
airtight and this may result in the ingress of and a damp proof membrane must therefore
radon as the gas may penetrate through the always be placed on top of the concrete slab,
insulation in the cavity. This can be avoided as the concrete emits moisture during a
by the placing of a continuous layer of considerable period of time after casting.

SBI Directive
SBI Direction189
189 25
KLJ
Translation KLJ
21

Concrete slab with wooden joist floor
Wooden floor on joists.
Mineral wool , λ-class 39, 50 mm
Damp proof membrane
Concrete 100 mm
Loose light clinkers, coated
Loose light clinkers λ-class 80, 150 mm
Loose light clinkers λ-class 100, 200 mm
Figure 16 Ground supported floor: Concrete
slab with wooden joist floor placed on a
capillary breaking and heat-insulating layer
of loose light clinkers. The layer thickness
required to achieve the U-value 0.20 depends
on the l-class of the light clinkers
A wooden floor is very sensitive to moisture
and a damp proof membrane must therefore
always be placed on top of the concrete slab,
as the concrete emits moisture in a
considerable period of time after casting. To
avoid condensation on the topside of the
damp proof membrane the major part of the
insulation material must be placed below the
concrete slab.
Concrete slab with thin floor finish
Thin floor finish
Concrete 100 mm
Pressure resistant insulation, λ-class 39, 75 mm
Loose light clinkers, coated
Loose light clinkers λ-class 80, 150 mm
Loose light clinkers λ-class 100, 200 mm
Figure 17 Ground supported floor: Thin
floor finish on a concrete slab placed on
pressure resistant insulation and a capillary
breaking layer of light clinkers. When using
non moisture sensitive materials there is no
need for a damp proof membrane.
SBI Directive
SBI Direction189
189
KLJ
Translation KLJ
bitumen felt as shown in figure 19.
Consequently, the constructions in figures
18 and 20 are only radon proof provided
the inner leaf is adequately airtight – also
where it meets the concrete slab.
Figure 21 shows how a stud wall can be
connected to a ground supported floor.
Tightness against radon ingress requires a
tight connection between concrete slab and
wall, for example by the use of bitumen felt
adhered to concrete slab and to internal
wall surface.
Alternative solutions, which differ
significantly from the ones shown here can
be found in SBI Directive 184 “The heat
loos of buildings and U-values”
The figures 18-21 show examples of the
construction of load-carrying and non
load-carrying internal walls on ground
supported floors. Figures 19 and 21 show
non load-carrying internal walls founded
on the capillary breaking layer. Often it
will be possible to place these directly on
the concrete slab as shown in figure 20 and
mentioned on page 18.
Foundations shall be so constructed that no
damage can occur as a result of ground
moisture. This is normally secured by
rendering foundation blockwork on the
outside (150 mm below ground level) and
plastering the uppermost 150 mm (the
visible part).
26
22
 Figure 18 The cold bridge through the upper part of the foundation (a) is broken by the use of
clinker concrete blocks with an insulating layer in the middle. Radon penetration is avoided by
suspending bitumen felt across the edge insulation groove and bonding it to the concrete slab. In
cases where the inner leaf will be treated with a surface coating making it radon tight the
bitumen felt can taken up along the wall - overlapping the surface coating- and bonded to this.
(shown with a dotted line). The figure also shows a load-carrying (b) and a non load-carrying
internal wall (c). Bitumen felt under the internal walls is bonded to the concrete slab.

Figure 19 The cold bridge through the upper part (a) of the foundation is broken by an insulating
layer between two clinker concrete blocks in the topmost course. Radon penetration is avoided by
suspending bitumen felt across the edge insulation groove and bonding it to the concrete slab. The
figure also shows a load-carrying (b) and a non load-carrying internal wall (c). The latter is founded
directly on the capillary breaking layer, see page 18. The foundation under the load-carrying internal
wall is taken to the topside of the concrete slab and the damp proof course is bonded to the concrete
slab.

SBI Directive
SBI Direction189
189 27
KLJ
Translation KLJ
23
 Figure T1.
Placing of door at the
external foundation as in
figure 18 (p. 27).
The concrete slab in the
ground supported floor
must be extended and the
topmost clinker block must
be changed along the door
opening. Sealing against
radon penetration is done
by the use of bitumen felt,
which is extended into the
door opening. Additional
floor joists are added in the
door opening depending
on the orientation of the
joists

Figure T2
Placing of door at the
external foundation as in
figure 19(p. 27).
The concrete slab in the
ground supported floor must
be extended and the topmost
clinker block must be
changed along the door
opening. Sealing against
radon penetration is done by
the use of bitumen felt, which
is extended into the door
opening.

SBIDirection
SBI Directive189189 27A
KLJ
Translation KLJ
24
 Figure 20 The cold bridge through the upper part of the foundation (a) is broken by the use of clinker
concrete blocks with an insulating layer in the middle. A damp proof membrane on the topside
protects moisture sensitive parts of the floor construction. Casting the concrete slab on top of the
foundation secures against the penetration of radon along the foundation. In case the internal leaf is
not radon tight , an additional layer of bitumen felt should be inserted (as indicated with a dotted
line). The figure also shows a load-carrying (b) and a non load-carrying internal wall (c). The latter is
founded directly on the capillary breaking layer, see page 18.

Figure 21 The cold bridge through the upper part of the foundation (a) is broken by the placing of an
insulating layer inside the foundation. In this way the insulation in wall and floor is connected. Radon
penetration along the foundation is avoided by bonding a strip of bitumen felt to the concrete slab and the
wall. The figure also shows a load-carrying (b) and a non load-carrying internal wall (c). The latter is not
always founded directly on the capillary breaking layer.

SBI Directive
SBI Direction189
189 28
KLJ
Translation KLJ
25
 Crawl space
The normal height for a crawl space ranges
from 0,6-0,8 m. The purpose of a crawl space
is to obtain a distance from the ground to the
ground floor, to prevent contact with ground
moisture. See figure 22. A crawl space must
be protected from ground moisture and sur-
face water.
Fire demands
The floor (deck) over the crawl space, be-
cause it can be used for storage, must fulfill
the same fire demands for a floor over a
basement (BD 60 for 1 '/4 + 2 storey houses).
U-value
The deck over a crawl space must fulfill the
heat frame demand of U-value 0,20.

The external wall must be constructed so that

it can withstand the surrounding earth pres-
sure.

Figure 22
Crawl space deck construction can be of prefabricated light weight slab with 100 mm insulation
bonded to the underside. The outside edge of the slabs by the external walls, should be insulated in
between the external leca blocks, to prevent thermal loss (cold bridge).
The timber floor construction over the slab must be protected from building component moisture
with a 0,15 mm polythylen DPM, laid on the slab. 75 mm extra insulation is laid on the DPM to
prevent condensation on the overside of the DPM.

SBI Direction 189 29

Translation RHT
Figure 23
It is recommended that ventilation vents are placed every 6 meters in the external walls. Each vent
must have a minimum cross area of 150 m2. The vents must be placed so that still air pockets are'
prevented in the crawl space.
Air vents must be placed in internal walls when necessary, to create airflow from external wall to
external wall.
It must be possible to inspect the full area of the crawl space by inspection hatches and openings.
With regards to the inner walls stability the inspection openings must not be placed by the external
walls. If the crawl space's deck is constructed in concrete or similar non-moisture sensitive mate-
rial, the number of vents can be reduced by 50%, but there must be at least one vent at each corner.

Ventilation The external wall can also be cast on site in

Moisture, that enters the crawl space is re-
moved by ventilation. For size and position-
ing of vents see figure 23 and 24.
Crawl space floor
The floor in the crawl space is normally cast
in 80 mm non reinforced concrete 5 or
stronger. The concrete slab can rest on the
ground if the top soil is removed. It is recom-
mended to cast the concrete on a 0,15 mm
polythylen sheet.
Crawl space external walls
Crawl space external walls can be constructed
of concrete foundation blocks that are cast
with concrete or of (leca) light weight con-
crete blocks.
form work with concrete 10 or better. The
walls must have at least the same thickness of
load bearing walls above. The foundation
blocks must be bonded together on a strip
foundation and cast together highest two
courses at a time with concrete 10. Horizontal
joints must be placed in the concrete in the
middle of the block. Leca blocks must be
bricked up with full joints, with mortar KC
20/80/550 or better. The blocks can be
reinforced with 2 pieces of BI steel or 2
pieces of 6 mm tentor steel in every 1/3
horizontal joint. The reinforcement must
continue along the wall and around corners.
Over lapping must be a minimum of 300 mm.

SBI Direction 189 30

Translation RHT
 Minimum Minimum

80-100 80-100

Figure 24
The vents in the crawl space walls must be placed 80-100 mm over the ground and end under the
crawl spaces deck (under side floor). A horizontal vent channel through the external wall can
cause the ground floor level to lie too high over the ground. This distance can be reduced, if the
vent channel is bent down and inwards. If so the channels cross section should be increased min.
50%.

The casting of the wall should be done at one
time, the concrete must be compressed care-
fully with vibrator.
Holes and indentations must be repaired with
cement mortar 1:3.
To be sure of the walls stability, because of
ground pressure, see max. wall size page 38.
The house must also be stabilized against
wind suction, with casting of anchors in the
crawl space external wall or foundation, if the
walls are constructedwith leca blocks. The
crawl space's external walls must be moisture
resistant. The walls of blocks must be rough
rendered in the full height and then fine
rendered on the visible part over ground level
and 150 mm under ground level.
The rest of the external side of the wall mus'
be coated with bitumen. The same for walls
cast in concrete 10.
Filling out at the external wall must not be
started before the crawl spaces floor is cast
and internal cross walls are constructed. If a
4 sided supported wall is implemented then
the deck over the crawl space must be con-
structed.
Internal walls
Internal walls in crawl spaces are normally
constructed in concrete foundation blocks,
leca blocks, light weight concrete. The walls
must be a minimum thickness of the load
bearing walls above.

SBI Direction 189 31

Translation RHT
 Crawl space deck
The deck (floor) over the crawl space is •Timber joists over crawl space
Floor boards
normally constructed with timber floor joist DPM
or prefabricated elements of leca concrete. Joists 75 x 150 mm
Under wet rooms the joists are replaced
with concrete slabs.

Timber joists
For joists dimensions, see page 41. To
obtain a U-value of 0,20, the joist con- Mineral wool 39, 150 mm between joists
struction must be insulated with approx. Stiff, wind resistant mineralwool boards 36, 75 mm
Fixed under joists
200 mm mineral wool. Approx. 1/3 of the
insulation shall be placed under the joists to U = 0,18
prevent moisture concentration. The insula-
tion must be fixed carefully so that air cur- Figure 25
rents do not penetrate the joints. The deck 1/3 of the insulation placed under the joists.
must be wind resistant so that draughts are Reduce the insulation thickness between the
prevented from the floor. This can be done joists to 125 mm, increases the U-value to
by placing a DPM under the floor boards 0,20.
and fixing it at the back of the skirting
board. This will also prevent radon expo-
Wet room with concrete slab cast in situ
sure. Floor tiles laid in mortar
The floor joist construction must be insu- Concrete slab with/without heated floor
lated against moisture at the walls by laying
a DPC of bitumen felt between the walls
and timber.
The ends of the joist in the external wall and
the joist sides by the external wall must be
coated 2 times with timber impregnation
paint.
Figure 25 shows an example of a timber
joist construction, and figure 26 shows an
example of a concrete slab under a wet
room.
Figures 27 and 28 show examples of con-
nections between joists and external walls.
To limit the joists height it is normal to use a
height of 150 mm as shown in figure 25. Pressure resistant insulation, 30 mm
This will reduce the max span of the joists, Concrete slab
therefore extra load bearing walls will be Insulation X-kl.36, 150 mm
fixed mechanically U = 0,19
constructed in the crawl space. Foundations
dimensions from table 2, page 17 can be
reduced to the half of the given sizes though Figure 26
min. 0,15 m. Crawl space deck constructed with timber
joists and concrete slab under a wet room.
To keep the timber joists from the wet room,
they are load bearing on brick piers.

SBI Direction 189 32

Translation RHT
 Floor boards Figure 27
Timber joists
Mineral wool between joists Timber joist crawl space deck. A cold
Stiff, wind resistant mineral wool bridge is avoided by placing c
Boards under joists
vertical pressure resistant insulation
in the middle of the wall. Heating
pipes fixed under the joists are
insulated independently. DPM laid
directly under floor boards prevents
draughts and radon from the crawl
Heating pipes under
timber joists
space.

Floor boards, DPM

Figure 28
Stud frame
with timber Timber joists Timber joist construction.
Mineral wool between joists
cladding
Stiff, wind resistant mineral
Cold bridge between stud frame and
wool under joists timber joists is prevented by placing
Electricity pipes
on the warm side
insulation vertical over the leca
of the insulation block. The DPM must be bonded to
the internal wall cladding to prevent
draughts and radon. The bottom
frame of the wall must be pressure
impregnated.
Ventilated crawl space

For dimension of concrete slab cast in situ,
see page 42. Leca concrete deck can be
developed in standard size and load bearing
capacity.
To obtain a U-value of 0,20 the concrete and
leca concrete must be constructed with
insulation, 175 - 200 mm depending on the
slabs own insulation ability.
With timber floor boards on battens or other
sensitive floor coverings a DPM must always
be laid on the overside of the concrete deck
for protection against building component
moisture.
In this case a layer of insulation max. 75 mm
can be placed over the DPM to prevent
condensation forming on the overside of the
DPM.
Figure 29 is an example of a leca concrete
with insulation cast on the underside. Figure
30 is an example of a wet room floor
construction on a leca beton slab. An example
of the connection between slab and wall is
shown in figure 31. The figures 32 and 33 are
details of external door and slab construction.

SBI Direction 189 33

Translation RHT
Leca concrete component over crawlspace
Floor boards on battens. Mineral wool 39, 75
mm, DPM.

Deck component, sandwich construction 160 mm

density 600 kg/m3.
Mineral wool 39,100 mm.
Cast on component in the factory U = 0,20

Figure 29
Crawlspace deck of leca concrete
component with insulation. Only a minor
part of the insulation must lay over DPM.
Figure 31
Leca concrete component deck as show
in
figure 22. The deck construction isplaa
as low as possible in connection to the
ground level, approx. 150 mm underflow
level.
If the level between in and out should be
reduced even more, a trench could be
established along the external wall.

Figure 30
Wet floor construction on leca
concrete components see page 29. If an
extra 50 mm insulation is fixed on the
underside of the deck a U-value ofO, 18
can be obtained.
Or to fulfill the heat loss frame the extra
50 mm insulation can be placed on another
building component.

SBI Direction 189 34

Translation RHT
Figure 32
Detail of an inward opening door with a
construction as shown in figure 31. There
must be a landing of steel mesh or ground
raised to the same level of internal floor
covering. There must be a gap between the
raised earth and external wall to prevent
moisture penetration. This could be achie-
ved by placing a paving stone on its edge to
hold the soil away from the external wall.
The air gap should be so wide that it is
possible to clean it for leafs, dirt etc. If the
entrance is designed with an open porch a
smaller open drain channel will be
sufficient.
SBI Direction 189
Translation RHT
Figure 33
Detail of outward opening entrance
door with a construction as shown in
figure 31. To be sure, that the door can
open in all conditions, the landing
should lay a min. of 20 mm under the
doors leafs under side. The difference in
levels can be solved with a steel meshed
ramp etc. placed between the landing
and external wall.
35
Basements
A basement must be insulated against heat
loss, moisture and radon penetration from the
ground. The basements external walls must
withstand ground pressure. The deck over an
unheated basement must have a U-value of
0,40 or better.
Fire prevention
Basements external walls, load bearing in-
ternal walls and deck must be constructed
with a minimum of a BD-building component
30. In houses of 1½ or 2 floors and basement
the load bearing construction must be con-
structed as a BD-building component 60, and
a stairway from basement to ground floor
must be separated from the basement or
ground floor with a minimum of a BD-
building component 60 with a BD door 30.
The walls and ceilings must be constructed
with a minimum of a class 2 cladding.
Basement floor
A basement floor is normally constructed with
a concrete slab with contraction rein-
forcement, heat loss, insulation and a capil-
lary breaking layer or a combined insulation
and capillary breaking layer. The U-value for a
basement floor is U-value 0,20. See figures 35
and 36. Radon penetration can be prevented
by casting the slab floor and the external walls
foundation and internal walls foundation as
shown in figure 34. The concrete floor can rest
on the ground
_ A
SBI Direction 189
SBI Direction 189
Translation
Translation RHT
RHT
Basements external walls
Can be constructed of concrete or concrete
foundation blocks or solid light weight con-
crete blocks. Or can be cast in situ with shut-
tering or form work with concrete 10 or
stronger. They must have a minimum thick-
ness of the wall it carries from above. See fi-
gures 34,38, 39 and 40.
Foundation blocks are laid on a strip founda-
tion in a bond and are cast out max two
courses at a time with concrete 10 or stronger.
Solid light weight blocks are laid with full
joints with mortar KC 20/80/550 or stronger
referring to masonry norm. There must be laid
Bl-steel or 2 x 6mm tentor steel or similar
steel with the same strength in every third
horizontal joint. The reinforcement must
continue along the wall and around corners.
Overlapping must be a minimum of 300 mm.
The casting of the wall should be done at one
time, the concrete must be compressed care-
fully with a vibrator. Holes and indentations
must be repaired with cement mortar 1:3. If
the basement wall is constructed as a cavity
wall, it is recommended to fix an extra row of
wall ties under the deck.
36
34
Figure 34
The section referring to low and high lying terrain. The top part of the external basement wall is
constructed as an insulated cavity wall. The insulation in the cavity must overlap the external insu-
lation with a minimum of 200 m. In this case the top part can not be counted as (with the basement
deck) load bearing for ground pressure. The basement window is constructed on the outer leaf with
a brick lintel and inner leaf with a prefabricated concrete beam A cold bridge is prevented with
insulation.

SBI Direction 189

SBI Direction 189
Translation RHT
Translation RHT 3537
 Concrete basement floor
100 mm concrete
Plastic membrane to prevent radon
100 mm pressure resistant insulation
150 mm capillary breaking layer of gravel
Pressure resistant insulation X-kl. 39 U = 0,21
Pressure resistant insulation X-kl. 36 U = 0,20
The specified external basement wall in this,
chapter fulfills the fire prevention demands
and radon prevention recommendations.
Filling in around the basement external
walls must not start before the basement
floor and internal cross walls are con-
structed. If a 4-sided supported basement
external wall is to be implemented the deck
over the basement must be constructed, also
before filling in.

Figure 35
Concrete slab basement floor with separate
insulation and capillary gravel layer
Concrete basement floor
100 mm concrete
Plastic membrane to prevent radon
250 mm Ieca modules Wcl.80 U = 0,20
Dimension
The soil pressures forces on the basements
external walls, as a rule will only be sup-
ported along 3 sides, the bottom side and
two vertical sides, see figure 34; A basement
deck of light weight concrete with correct
construction detailing together with the
basement walls, for example with
reinforcement to compensate for the weak-
ened construction due to the cavity wall, can
be classed as a 4-sided supported con-
struction. Basement walls or non-reinforced
concrete cast in situ (concrete norm 5.55)
can be constructed in sizes given in table 4.

Table 4 Maximum sizes h x I for non-

Figure 36 reinforced concrete 10 basement walls or
Concrete basement floor combined insulation foundation blocks cast but with concrete 10.
and capillary layer of Ieca nodules. h and I is given in figure 37.
Supported Wall thickness, t
300 mm 400 mm

3-sided 10 m2 13,3 m2
4-sided 15 m2 20,0 m2

For wall thickness between 300 m and 400 m, the maximum

size is calculated with interpolation between the

SBI Direction 189

SBI Direction 189
Translation RHT
Translation RHT 3638

I.,,
Figure 37
For a 3-sided supported basement external
walls the max area is decided with hxl where
h is the height of the forces from the earth
pressure and I is the distance between the
cross walls, t is the walls thickness.
On 4-sided supported walls h is measured to
the underside of the floor partition. Sizes of
external basement walls constructed in foun-
dation blocks are calculated as the same as
non-reinforced concrete walls cast in situ with
the same thickness. Sizes of external basement
walls of leca blocks can be constructed with
60% of the size for non-reinforced concrete
walls with the same thickness.
Insulation
The U-value for a external basement wall is U
= 0,30.
Insulation is preferred on the outside of the
basement wall underground level as the wall
will be warmer and dryer. Insulation material
can consist of pressure resistant material e.g.
mineral wool batts or polystyrene boards with
drain channels clad in fibre sheeting. See figure
38 and 39.
Over ground level the basement external walls
are usually constructed as a cavity wall with
100 mm insulation in the cavity, the insulation
is placed min. 200 mm under ground level,
SBI Direction 189
Translation RHT
Concrete external basement wall
Expanded polystyrene, X-kl.39,
125 mm, with vertical drain chan-
nels and large meshed fibre sheet
against the ground. 300 mm
concrete.
U = 0,28
Figure 38
External basement wall of concrete and ex-
ternal insulation. Insulation with drain chan-
nels, if a non-drained insulation is imple-
mented. The basement wall must be moisture
insulated.
Leca block basement external wall
Drain fill
Pressure resistant mineral wool
39. 75 mm Bitumen coating Thin
cement coating Leca block 330
mm Render
U = 0,28
Figure 39
Basement external wall
offoundation blocks or leca blocks with external
insulation. Moisture insulation can be made
with corrugated plastic sheeting with or
without thermal insulation with drain channels.
SBI Direction 189 39
Translation RHT
 Concrete external basement wall
Drain fill
Thin cement coating
Bitumen coating
Render
Concrete 300 mm
Mineral wool 39,15 mm
LWC concrete
Component 75 mm
Density 645 kg/m3
U = 0,29
Figure 40
External basement wall with
internal thermal
insulation.
overlapping the external insulation, see figure 34.
External basement wall with internal thermal
insulation of mineral wool batts fixed
mechanically and clad with light weight concrete
components, see figure 40. This solution is the
best considering moisture protection and internal
insulation.
Moisture insulation
To prevent water pressure against the basement
walls a wall drain must be laid either with a drain
layer gravel etc., bricking up a wall of blocks
(leca) on the external side of the basement wall or
insulation material with properties for draining.
Note that pressure resistant insulation has not
this ability. There must be a connection from the
wall drains to drain by the footings.
A basement external wall must be constructed in
such a way to prevent moisture damage by
surface water the visible top part of the wall must
be rendered to approx. 150 mm under ground
level.
Moisture penetration on the rest of the wall is
prevented either with two coats of liquid bitumen
or fixing thin hard plastic, corrugated sheets.
SBI
SBIDirection
Direction189
189
Translation RHT
Translation RHT
The bitumen coating must be on a plane base
and protected by a thin layer of cement mortar
1:3. See figures 39 and 40 for construction
with drain blocks and external thermal
insulation. Moisture insulation is not necessary
on concrete walls with external thermal
insulation with drainage properties, see figure
38. Concrete walls of concrete 15 or better
rendering is not necessary.
Internal basement walls
Internal basements walls can.be constructed as
other internal walls.
Deck over the basement
The deck over the basement is normally
constructed of timber joists or pre-fabricated
light weight concrete components. Under wet
rooms, bathrooms, toilet with floor drain the
timber joist will often be replaced by a concrete
slab.
Timber joists
A timber joist floor partition must be
constructed as a minimum of a BD-building
component 30 or BD-building component 60,
see figures 41, 42 and 43. A timber joist floor
partition can be dimensioned from table 5.
The timber joists must be protected from the
walls that support them by a DPC of bitumen
felt. 200-250 mm of the joists ends and sides
must be coated two times with a timber pre-
servative.
40
38
 D-floor partition 30
Min. 21 mm floor boards
Min. 45 x 95 mm timber joists per max. 0,6 m
Min. 95 mm fixed mineral wool
BD-floor partition 60
Min. 21 mm floor board Min. 95 x 170 mm
timber joists max. 0,6 m Min. 98 mm fixed-
mineral wool in board form with density min.
30 kg/m3

Mineral wool in this example is fixed with:
19 x 100 mm timber boards per max. 0,3 m
A class 2 cladding with thickness 12 m,
e.g. 13 mm plaster board
2 mm steel wire per. min. Q,3 m
1 layer of min. class 2 cladding e.g. 13 mm
plaster board
1 layer of min. class 2 cladding e.g. 15 mm
tongue-and-grooved timber boards

Figure 41
Example of a timber joist floor
constructed as a BD-building
component 30. Instead of a 21 mm
floor board a 18 mm chip board
or a plywood board can be used.
Figure 42
Example of a timber joist floor
constructed as a BD-building
component 60. Instead of a 21 mm
floor board 18 mm chipboard or a
plywood board can be used.

Table 5. Free span in m for floor joists partition.

Joist Jois distance in from C/C

mm 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,9
50x125 2,60 2,35 2,20 2,05 1,95 1,85 1,75
63 x 125 2,85 2,55 2,35 2,20 2,10 2,00 1,90
50x150 3,15 2,85 2,65 2,45 2,35 2,25 2,15
63 x 150 3,40 3,10 2,85 2,70 2,55 2,40 2,35
75x150 3,60 3,25 3,05 2,85 2,70 2,55 2,45
50x175 3,70 3,35 3,10 2,90 2,75 2,65 2,50
63x175 4,00 3,60 3,35 3,15 3,00 2,85 2,75
75 x 175 4,25 3,85 3,55 3,35 3,15 3,00 2,90
100x175 4,60 4,20 3,90 3,70 3,50 3,35 3,25
50x200 4,25 3,85 3,55 3,35 3,15 3,00 2,90
75 x 200 4,85 4,40 4,10 3,85 3,65 3,45 3,35
100x20 5,35 4,85 4,50 4,25 4,00 3,85 3,70
75 x 225 5,45 4,95 4,60 4,30 4,10 3,90 3,75
100x77 fi.05 5.45 5.05 4.75 4.50 4,30 4,15

SBI Direction 189 189

SBI Direction 41
Translation RHT
Translation RHT 39
 BD-floor partition 60
22 mm floor chipboard
75 x 175 mm timber joists per 0,6
m span
100 mm glass wool 39 in board
form fixed
25 x 100 mm laths per 0,4 m
Two layers of 13 mm plaster board fitted with
staggered joints.
Figure 43
A BD-building component 60.
Concrete and light weight concrete.
Light weight concrete deck components are
delivered as BD-building component 60 with a
load bearing capacity that fulfills the demands
for residential buildings.
A DPM is always laid over the component, when
used with a moisture sensitive floor covering for
example floor boards on battens, to prevent
moisture damage from the component. A
concrete deck cast in situ can be dimensioned
from table 6. After casting, the slab must be
protected from drying out by laying a DPM over
it. For example a plastic sheet for 8 days.
External basement stairway
The surrounding walls of an external basement
stairway must have foundations to a frost free
depth, which can be set to 0,60 m under the
bottom landing. But always down to stable
ground. The foundation can be constructed in the
same way as a foundation for an external
basement wall. The walls can be cast in concrete
30, moderate environments class, see concrete
norm, with a thickness of 300 mm, vertical joints
must be reinforced with steel reinforcement.
SBI Direction 189
SBI Direction 189
Translation RHT
Translation RHT
Table 6. Concrete slab (deck cast in situ)
Largest Thicknes Reinforceme
s nt
Diameter/
Meshsize
m m mm
3,1 0,08 6/200
3,5 0,10 6/200
4,0 . 0,10 6/150
4,3 0,12 6/150
50 0,1? 8/?00
The table 4 values are calculated from the
following _ assumptions: Passive environment
class, normal safety class, relaxed control class,
see concrete norm. Concrete: Minimal
characteristic. Compressed strength 15 MN/m2
(concrete 15). Reinforcement: Welded
reinforcement net with2minimal characteristic
0,2 tension 550 MN/m . Provided that the slab is
quadratic and simply supported on all four sides
and with the same reinforcement in both
directions.
The stair flight and walls over the level of
the basements floor must be constructed
and held away from the basements walls, as
in most cases the external basement wall,
by the stairway will be constructed as a
cavity construction. Therefore unable to
absorb horizontal forces. The gap between
the stair flight and basement wall is sealed
with a mastic joint. Experience shows that a
stair flight is best to walk on when the total
of 1 going + 2 risers = approx. 630 mm. For
a basement stairway the going should be
between 280-300 mm and the riser 170-175
mm. The bottom slab in the stairway must
be equipped with a floor drain.
4042
Figure 44
External basement stairway. Isometric drawing, scale 1:50. There must be a foundation constructed
under the stair flights bottom step. To prevent a coldbridge the basement external cavity wall must
be taken down 200 mm below the external insulations level.

SBI
SBI Direction
Direction 189189 43
Translation RHT
Translation RHT 41
External walls
External walls include walls in facades and in
gables.
External walls must 1) be able to accept and
transfer load, 2) fulfil the requirements for heat
insulation, 3) be protected against moisture
damages and 4) be fire resistant. When a
building is placed in noisy areas, external
walls shall furthermore fulfil requirements
concerning acoustic insulation.
Heat insulation
The heat insulation requirements for heavy
external walls and for light external walls
differ. Heavy external walls are defined as
walls with a mass of more than 100 kg/m2.
When calculating the mass, only the part of the
wall, which is placed inside any ventilated
cavity, is included.
Heavy external walls are typically walls where
the outer leaf is a masonry wall whereas the
inner leaf is either a masonry wall or a
lightweight concrete element wall. In the
“Heat loss frame” (see Enclosure E) heavy
external walls assume the U-value 0.30.
Light external walls are typically timber or
metal stud walls with an external cladding of
wood, steel or fibre cement panels - or with
masonry outer leaf. Light external walls
assume the U-value 0.20 in the “Heat loss
frame”.
Windows, external doors, sky lights and glass
walls all assume the U-value 1.80 in the Heat
loss frame and their total area must not
exceed 22 per cent of the heated floor space.
Fulfilment of the requirements for heat
insulation is covered in detail in the chapter
“Heat insulation”.
Moisture conditions
External walls shall be so constructed that they
will not be damaged by moisture.
SBI Directive 189
KLJ
Further, the construction shall be so made that
any ingress of water can be lead out again. The
insertion of damp proof courses and damp
proof membranes can ensure this.
A damp proof course is a layer, which apart
from hindering diffusion also secures against
moisture transport via capillary rise
A damp proof membrane is a layer, which
apart from hindering diffusion is at the same
time airtight, that is, the joints between any
lengths of barrier must not permit air leakage.
Diffusion is defined as “The transport of water
vapour through the pores of a material”.
Insulation against moisture from the
foundation or from a basement wall is
established by placing a bitumen felt damp
proof course at least 150 mm above ground
level, see figure 46. The most appropriate
material is bitumen felt type PF 2000, which is
polyester reinforced felt with a mass of
2000g/m2. Alternatively, type GF 2000 can be
used which is a glass fibre reinforced bitumen
felt.
Bitumen felt is placed above all openings in
the outer leaf, see figure 45. Other examples of
the placement of bitumen felt are described in
“Tegl 17, Moisture barrier in masonry”,
MURO, 1994.
In walls containing moisture sensitive
materials (such as wood, steel, gypsum and the
like) a ventilated cavity shall be established
between the rain shield and heat insulation and
the insulation shall be covered with a
windproof layer. If the outer leaf is made of
bricks the width of the ventilated cavity should
be at least 50 mm. Furthermore, the wall shall
be so constructed that any kind of
condensation is avoided. This is ensured by
placing a damp proof membrane of e.g. 0.15
mm polyethylene foil on the warm side of the
insulation or up to 1/3 of the total layer
thickness inside the insulation layer calculated
from the warm side.
44
 ½½½

150
mm

Figure 45. Bitumen felt shall be inserted above openings or connections between outer leaf and
inner leaf. The felt is attached to the inner leaf. In masonry inner leafs the felt is embedded 2-
3 courses above the insertion in the outer leaf. If brick lintels are used above the openings (see
page 50), the felt shall be embedded above the last of the courses presumed to constitute part of
the lintel. When the inner leaf is constructed by the use of prefabricated elements, the felt is
bonded to a height of 150 mm.

Figure 46 External walls shall be secured against moisture from below. Bitumen felt is placed
securing against moisture from the foundation. At ground level the felt is at the same time
inserted and glued to the concrete slab to prevent air ingress (radon). Furthermore, bitumen
felt is inserted with the purpose of discharging penetrated water. If the wall is particularly
exposed to driving (horizontal) rain, mortar can be left out in every second head joint in the
first course above the bitumen felt. The felt is fixed to the inner leaf as described in figure 45.

SBI Directive 189 45

KLJ
Fire precautions
External walls in small houses shall be made at
least as BD-building component 30, and
external as well as internal wall surfaces shall
be made at least as class 2 covering, see
Enclosure B, “Fire”.
Building components shall be joined in such a
way that the fire classification of the final
construction is equal to or better than the
classification of each component in the
construction.
If the house is situated closer than 2.5 m from
the boundary or the middle of a path the
external wall facing the boundary shall be at
least BD building element 60. Also a firm
connection between the external wall and the
roof covering must be established. Further, the
external wall facing the boundary shall be
firmly connected to the final cladding on
exterior walls perpendicular to the boundary.
This also applies if the distance to a
neighbouring house on the same plot is less
than 5 m.
Passage of sound
When the noise level from road or rail traffic
is higher than 55 dB, the roof, external walls
and windows shall be constructed to ensure
that the noise level inside habitable rooms
does not exceed 30 dB. Information about
exterior noise levels can be gathered from the
local environmental authorities. If the exterior
noise level does not exceed 65 dB, the
requirement for normal wall and roof
constructions can be fulfilled by the use of
sound reducing windows with a sound
insulation equalling the exterior noise level
minus 30 dB. At higher noise levels acoustic
insulation for external walls and roof must be
considered, see SBI-Direction 172: Acoustic
insulation of buildings.
In Enclosure C, “Sound”, measuring methods
etc. are specified.
The noise insulation for a normal window with
double-glazing is 25-30 dB.
If the requirement for noise insulation is 35 dB
or above, only windows that are classified and
controlled according to DS 1084, “Sound
SBI Directive 189
KLJ
insulating windows – Classification”, 1979,
should be used.
Heavy external walls
Heavy external walls are usually made as
combination walls, i.e. a cavity wall where
vertical load is accepted by the inner leaf while
resistance to wind load is established by the
inner leaf and outer leaf in combination. The
outer leaf is usually a brick wall, while the
inner leaf can be a brick wall, a clinker
concrete wall or a cellular concrete wall.
The outer and the inner leaf shall be connected
by the use of wall ties in order to ensure the
combined resistance to wind load. Corrosion
proof wall ties shall be used e.g. stainless steel
or tin bronze wire in a number equalling at
least 4-6 ties per m2 wall. If 3 mm ties are used
they are usually inserted at intervals of 0.4 m
in every sixth course or at intervals of 0.6 m in
every fourth course. If 4mm ties are used they
can be inserted at intervals of 0.5m in every
sixth course. The distance between ties should
not exceed 0.6 m. Below the top courses two
rows of ties should be inserted at intervals of
0.3 m. Furthermore an extra row of wall ties
should always be placed at intervals of 0.3 m
along the edge of all openings e.g. windows.
Directions for the correct design and
embedding of wall ties are given in Figure 47.
Wall ties embedded in prefabricated elements
Figure 47. Wall ties. Directions for the
correct design and embedding. Inner and
outer leafs are both constructed in brickwork
46
shall be straightened in such a way that they values indicated show the average U-values of
are rectilinear and parallel when embedded in the external walls considering the fact that the
the outer leaf. If wall ties are not embedded in insulation thickness is reduced due to the
prefabricated elements they are usually pillars/ribs around doors and windows, see
hammered into the edge of the element pages 51 and 52. A solid wall (without any
simultaneously to erecting the elements (this insulation) around windows and doors will
only applies to aerated concrete elements result in an unacceptable thermal bridge. The
which are 600 mm wide). rib percentage is defined as the proportion
Combination walls with an inner leaf made out (percentage) between the total ribbed area and
of cellular concrete or clinker concrete the total wall area minus the area of doors and
elements shall be dimensioned according to windows.
the “Code of practice for the Structural Use of
Lightweight Concrete” (DS 420), appendix 1.
Correct dimensioning usually requires Cavity wall, brickwork and
engineering assistance. This also applies even concrete, 390 mm
Brickwork, 108mm (possibly with
when manufacturers instructions are followed. ribs)
Mineral wool, 125 mm
Elements shall be erected according to the Concrete element, 150 mm
instructions of the manufacturer. Bricks used Cold bridge insulation, 50 mm
in the rain screen shall be frost proof. For
masonry, a mortar similar to KC 60/40/850 or Rib
percentage 0 4 8
better shall be used according to the “Code of U-value:
practice for the Structural Use of Masonry“ Mineral
wool, 39 0.27 0.30 0.32
(DS 414).
Mineral
wool, 36 0.25 0.28 0.30
Examples of heavy external walls
In figures 48,49,50 and 51 examples are
shown of heavy external walls, which at the
same time fulfil the heat insulation
requirements and the requirements to a BS Figure 49 Combination wall with brickwork in
building components 60 construction. The outer leaf and concrete in inner leaf.
Bricwork cavity wall, 350 mm Cavity wall, brickwork and clinker
Brickwork, 108 mm, possibly with ribs concrete, 340 mm
Mineral wool, 125 mm Brickwork, 108 mm, possibly with ribs
108 mm brickwork, possibly with ribs Mineral wool , 125 mm
Clinker concrete element, qoo mm, density
10 mm cold bridge insulation: 1200 kg/m3, possibly with ribs
Rib 0 4 8
percentage 30 mm cold bridge insulation,
U-value:
Min. wool, 39 0.28 0.33 0.38 Rib 0 4 8
percentage
Min. wool, 36 0.26 0.31 0.36 U-value:
Min. wool, 39 0.27 0.30 0.32
70 mm cold bridge insulation:
Rib 0 4 8 Min. wool, 36 0.25 0.28 0.30
percentage
U-value:
Min. wool, 39 0.28 0.28 0.29

Min. wool, 36 0.26 0.27 0.28

Figure 48 Combination wall with brickwork in Figure 50.Combination wall with brickwork in
inner and outer leaf. outer leaf and clinker concrete in inner leaf.

SBI Directive 189 47

KLJ
 Cavity wall, brickwork and cellular
concrete, 340 mm
Wooden stud wall with brickwork
outer leaf
Brickwork, 108 mm
Brickwork 108 mm
Mineral wool 125 mm
Ventilated cavity
Cellular concrete element, 100 mm,
Wind tight panel
density 645 kg/m3, ribs.
Studs, 50 x 95 mm per 0.6 m
Noggins, 50 x 95 mm
30 mm cold bridge insulation
Mineral wool, 95 + 95 mm
0 4 8
Damp proof membrane
Rib percentage
Internal cladding
U-value:
Min. wool, 39 0.25 0.26 0.28
Mineral wool 42, U = 0.21
0.23 0.25 0.26
Mineral wool 39, U = 0.20
Min. wool, 36
Mineral wool 36, U = 0.19

Figure 51 Combination wall with brickwork in Figure 52 Wooden stud wall with brickwork as
outer leaf cellular concrete in inner leaf. outer leaf.

Light external walls

Light external walls are constructed with a Wooden stud wall with wooden
load-bearing frame made of steel profiles or cladding.
wooden studs and with a light cladding Cover boards
mounted on the outside or with a brickwork Ventilated cavity
Distance strips. Windtight panel
outer leaf. The walls shall be constructed with Battens, 50 x 45 mm
a ventilated cavity, a wind proof layer, Studs, 50 x 95 mm
Damp proof membrane
insulation and a moisture barrier. Battens, 50 x 45 mm
The wind proof layer can be left out provided Mineral wool, 45 + 95 + 45 mm
Internal cladding
the inside part of the wall is completely
airtight and provided the insulation is fitted Mineral wool 42, U = 0.21
Mineral wool 39, U = 0.20
very carefully. If not there is a risk of a Mineral wool 36, U = 0.19
considerably increased heat loss due to
increased airflow through the insulation.
Studs in stud walls shall be construction wood
of strength class K 18 or better according to
the “Code of practice for the structural use of Figure 53 Wooden stud wall with external
timber” (DS 413). Studs with a dimension of wood cladding.
45 x 95 mm placed at 600 mm intervals can
accept and transmit usually occurring loads in provided the cavity is filled with fixed mineral
ground class City and in ground class Country wool in batts, and provided the wall is clad
provided the building is not more than 8 m with a class 2 covering of minimum 12 mm
wide and has max.1½ storey using joisting as thickness. A ventilated cavity is allowed
storey partition. Alternatively 45 x 120 mm behind the external class 2 covering. The
studs also placed at 600 mm intervals can be requirements for BD-building component 60
used. Examples of wooden stud walls are are fulfilled when the covering is replaced by
shown in figures 52 and 53. two layers of 13 mm plaster board on either
Stud walls with studs per 600 mm fulfil the side or – provided rock wool
requirements for BD - building component 30

SBI Directive 189 48

KLJ

Metal stud wall with
brickwork outer leaf
Brickwork, 108 mm
Ventilated cavity
Exterior gypsum board, 2x9 mm
Steel profile studs, 150 mm per
0.6 m
Gypsum board, 13 mm
Damp proof membrane
Z-profiles (horizontal), 50 mm
per 0.6 m
Mineral wool, 150 + 50 mm
Gypsum board, 13 mm
Mineral wool 39, U = 0.21
Mineral wool 36, U = 0.20
Figure 54 Metal stud wall with brickwork as
outer leaf.
Metal stud wall with cladding
made from profiled steel
plating
Profiled steel plating
Ventilated cavity
Distance profiles
External gypsum board, 2 x 9
mm
Steel profile studs, 150 mm per
0.6 m
Gypsum board, 13 mm
Damp proof membrane
Z-profiles, 75 mm per 0.6 m
Mineral wool, 150 + 75 mm
Gypsum board, 13 mm
Mineral wool 39, U = 0.21
Mineral wool 36, U = 0.19
Figure 55 Metal stud wall with external
cladding made from profiled steel plating.
is used – by two layers of class 2 covering,
each layer at least 12 mm thick and the
concealed layer in batt form. A ventilated
cavity is allowed between the two layers of
class 2 covering. In non load bearing walls
(typically gable walls) it is sufficient to use
one layer class 2 covering, provided rock wool
is used.
Steel frame walls are usually clad with
plasterboard. Load carrying steel parts shall be
protected against corrosion. Due to strength,
fire and sound at least two layers of 13 mm
plaster boards should be used as internal
SBI Directive 189
KLJ
covering, possibly placing insulation in the
cavity, as shown in figures 54 and 55. The
damp proof membrane could be placed
between the two layers of board. The
dimensioning of steel frame walls must be
done in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. Loads can be determined
according to Enclosure A, Load.
Examples of steel frame walls are shown in
figures 54 and 55. Steel frame walls will
usually fulfil the fire requirements. As with
regard to the exact design, we refer to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Other external walls
Examples of other external walls are shown in
figures 56, 57, 58 and 59. In cases where the
wall is ventilated it is necessary to cover the
insulation with a wind proof layer. When
leaving out a damp proof membrane on the
warm side of the construction it is
recommended to use a very diffusion open
material as wind proof layer. The diffusion
resistance (Z-value) should be as low as 1-2
GPa s m/kg as there is a considerable risk of
Aerated concrete element with
exterior wooden cladding
Wooden cladding
Ventilated cavity
Distance strips
Wind tight, diffusion open layer with
a Z-value <1-2
Studs, 50 x 95 mm per 0.6 m
Noggins, 50 x 95 mm
Aerated concrete element, 100 mm
Density 645 kg/m3
U = 0.18
Figure 56 Inner leaf made of aerated concrete
with exterior wooden cladding. The density of
the wall on the inner side of the ventilated
cavity is less than 100 kg/ m2, consequently the
wall is classified as light external wall.
49
 Concrete element with exterior
cladding in corrugated fibre
cement sheets
Fibre cemet sheets
Ventilated cavity
Distance battens
Windtight, diffusion open layer with
a Z-value <1-2
Studs, 50 x 145 mm per approx. 0.6
m
Mineral wool 39, 145 mm
Concrete element, 120 mm
U = 0.27
Figure 57. Inner leaf made of concrete with
exterior cladding in corrugated cement fibre
sheets. The density of the wall inside the
ventilated cavity is greater than 100 kg/m2,
consequently the wall is classified as heavy
external wall.
Clinker concrete element with
exterior cladding in smooth panels
Smooth cladding panels
Distance strips
Windtight, diffusion open layer with
a Z-value <1-2
Studs, 50 x 120 mm per approx. 0.6
m
Mineral wool 39, 120 mm
Clinker concrete element, 100 mm,
density 1200 kg/m3
U = 0.30
Figure 58 Inner leaf made of clinker concrete
with exterior cladding made from smooth
panels. The density of the wall inside the
ventilated cavity is greater 100 kg/m2,
consequently the wall is classified as heavy
external wall.
moisture accumulation if traditional bitumen
felt is used (which often has a Z-value of 20-
30).
The examples fulfil the requirements for BD-
building component 60.
SBI Directive 189
KLJ
Clinker concrete element with exterior
cladding in mineral wool bats.
Reinforced plaster
Facade batts, mineral wool 45, 150 mm
Adhesive substance + fixing brackets
Clinker concrete element, 100 mm, density
1200 kg/m3
U = 0.27
Figure 59 Inner leaf made of clinker concrete
with exterior cladding in plastered mineral
wool batts (facade batts). The density of the
wall inside the ventilated cavity is greater 100
kg/m2, consequently the wall is classified as
heavy external wall.
Fitting of windows and external doors
Window and door lintels
Window and door lintels shall be so
dimensioned that they are sufficiently strong to
prevent structures above the lintel from
stressing the window or door. Dimensioning
loads for lintels can be determined by the use
of enclosure A, “Load”.
With regard to brick lintels one must be aware
that the beam partly consists of a prefabricated
lintel partly of a number of courses of bricks.
It is important not to destabilize the beam e.g.
by the insertion of bitumen felt or air vents.
Correct placing of bitumen felt is shown in
figure 45, p. 45. Likewise in other types of
lintels for instance clinker concrete beams -
reinforced on the lower side – part of the non-
reinforced cross section will constitute a
pressure zone, which must not be weakened
(for instance by penetration or the insertion of
other components)
Joints
When fixing windows and external doors the
joint between the post of frame and the
window reveal should always be made as a
50
Figure 60. A two-step seal between the post
of frame and the window reveal. 1) Rain
shield on the outer part of the joint, 2)
Pressure equalising chamber with an outlet
to the open at the bottom, 3) Caulking with
mineral wool, 4) Polyethylene backing 5)
Airtight sealant.
so-called two-step seal, see figures 60 and 61.
The sealing principle of the two- step seal
consists of placing a rain seal (rain shield) and
a wind seal in two separate layers with a
pressure equalising chamber and a heat
insulating caulking in between. The pressure
equalising chamber is connected to the outside
through natural leaks in the rain shield and
through openings at the bottom of the post of
frame (where the post of frame joins the sill of
frame). Consequently, the air pressure in the
chamber will by and large be equal to the
outside pressure. Using this system will
prevent small amounts of rainwater, which
may leak through the rain
SBI Directive 189
KLJ
Figure 61. Five examples of design of the two-
step seal shown in figure 60. Different rain
shields are used: A) Mastic seal and
polyethylene backing, B) Round rubber
profile, C) Multi rubber profile, D)
Impregnated self expanding seal, E) Mortar
joint
shield along the post of frames, from being
pressed further into the joint. Instead the water
will seep down along the backside of the rain
shield and out into the open just in front of the
setback seal at the windowsill.
Other examples of fixing windows in external
walls are shown in figures 62,63,64 and65.
The issue of fixing windows is dealt with more
thoroughly in SBI-Direction 177: “Joints in
Facades”.
51
 Head
Sill
Jamb
Figure 62 Fixing a window in a combination
wall with cellular concrete inner leaf. A 108
mm wide brick lintel is used above the window
on the outer leaf and a cellular concrete beam
is resting on two specially made reveal
elements (also cellular concrete) bonded to the
inner leaf.
Along jambs, sill and head thermal bridges are
avoided by the insertion of expanded
polystyrene or the like. Wall ties fixed along
the edge of inner leaf element are embedded in
every four courses in the brick outer leaf. The
windows are fixed to the reveal elements by
the use of angle brackets before building the
outer leaf.
SBI Directive 189
KLJ
Head
Sill
Jamb
Figure 63 Fixing a window in a combination
wall with clinker concrete inner leaf. A 108
mm wide brick lintel is used above the
window. The prefabricated inner leaf (wall
element) is manufactured with a window
opening. The reinforced lintel above the
window is an integrated part of the element.
The wings around the opening are monolithic
with the wall element and thus they are
accurate, durable and suitable as a basis for
fixing and sealing the window. Along jambs,
sill and head thermal bridges are avoided by
the insertion of 30 mm expanded polystyrene
or the like.
52
 Head
Sill
Jamb
Figure 64. Fixing a window in a combination
wall with concrete inner leaf. A 168 mm wide
brick lintel is used above the window. The
outer leaf wall thickness is increased to 168
mm along the jambs and the sill. This
construction constitutes a solid base for the
fixing and sealing of the window and also
constitutes a good basis for the fixing of the
windowsill. The prefabricated inner leaf (wall
element) is manufactured with a window
opening. The reinforced lintel above the
window is an integrated part of the element. In
this case a 70 mm gap is created between the
inner and outer leaf along the jambs, head and
sill. The gap is filled with insulation to avoid
thermal bridging and is concealed by the
window board and the window reveals
SBI Directive 189
KLJ
Head
Sill
Jamb
Figure 65. Fixing a window in an external
timber stud wall with wooden cladding. The
stud wall is constructed using 45 x 95 mm
studs mounted with 45 x 45 mm horizontal
battens on both sides. The construction is
supplemented with noggins and battens
around the window in order to establish a firm
base for the fixing of the wind tight layer on
the outside and, on the inside the fixing of a
damp proof membrane between the studs; for
the fixing of battens, cladding, window,
window board, window reveal etc. The
unbroken wooden jambs in this construction
constitute a relatively insignificant thermal
bridge and as such the solution can be
considered satisfactory.
53
Internal walls
Internal walls are usually made of bricks, Load-bearing BD-
blocks, prefabricated elements of lightweight
concrete or as stud walls (wood or steel) clad wall 30
45 x 700 mm studs per 600 mm
in boards (plasterboard, plywood etc). 70 mm mineral wool, mechanically
A load bearing internal wall is a wall carrying fixed with 2 mm steel wire per 300
mm.
a vertical load from other building components Class 2 covering, minimum 12 mm
such as roof and storey partitions. Bracing thick, for example gypsum board.

walls are walls, which are necessary to ensure

the stability of the house as described on page
13. Walls that are neither load-bearing nor
Figure 66. A wooden stud wall with 45 x 70
bracing are called non-bearing walls.
mm studs per 600 mm fulfils the requirements
for BD-building component 30 for load
Heat insulation
bearing walls when the cavity is filled with
There are no requirements for heat insulation
fixed mineral wool in batts and the wall is
of internal walls between heated rooms.
covered with class 2 covering with a thickness
Internal walls facing non-heated rooms assume
of at least 12 mm.
the U-value 0.40 in the “Heat loss frame”.
The requirements for BD-building component
60 for load-bearing walls can be fulfilled by
Fire conditions
using 45 x 95 mm studs per 600 mm clad with
Load bearing internal walls and columns in
two layers of 13 mm plasterboard on either
small houses shall be made at least as BD-
side. If the cavity is filled with rock wool the
building component 30. However, in houses
covering can be made of two layers of 12 mm
with 1½ or 2 storeys and a basement, load
class 2 covering on either side provided the
bearing walls in the basement shall be made at
innermost layer is a panel type cladding. If the
least as BD-building component 60 and stairs
wall is non-load-bearing it is sufficient with
between basement and ground floor shall be
one layer of 12 mm class 2 covering on either
separated from basement or ground floor with
side provided rock wool is used as insulation.
walls which are at least BD-building
Concerning the fixing of mineral wool and
component 60. The door in this wall shall be at
class 2 covering, see enclosure B, Fire.
least a BD-door 30.
Surfaces on all walls shall be made at least as a
With regard to meeting other fire requirements
class 2 covering, see enclosure B. Fire.
we refer to the supplier’s instructions.
A 108 mm brick wall and a 100 mm clinker
Acoustics
concrete wall fulfil the requirements for BS-
Within the same dwelling there are no
building component 60 for storeys heights up
requirements concerning sound insulation.
to 2.6 m.
However, noise from neighbouring rooms may
The construction of bearing and non-bearing
cause disturbance in cases where the joints
wooden stud walls, fulfilling the requirements
between a wall and other building components
as BD-building component 30 and BD-
are inadequately executed. Generally
building component 60, is shown in figure 66.
speaking, increasing the mass of the wall also
Steel stud walls clad with at least 12 mm
increases the sound insulation – in stud walls,
plasterboard usually fulfil the requirements for
for example, by the use of a double cladding
non-bearing BD-building component 30.
on either side of the wall.

SBI Direction 189

KLJ
54
Examples of sound proofing walls can be
found in SBI Directive 172: “The sound
proofing of buildings”.

Strength properties
Non-load bearing walls shall be so constructed
that they can resist randomly applied forces
etc. At the same time they must not be exposed
to any load from a possible storey partition
above.

Normally, walls that solely carry the load of

other walls but no load from roof or storey
partitions do not present any problems
concerning strength properties. However,
masonry walls should be constructed as 168
mm brick walls.
Bracing must be individually dimensioned and
retained for example as described in enclosure
D, Bracing Systems.
Longitudinal walls in the ground floor of 1½
and 2 storey houses and in the basement of 1-
storey houses (and both carrying a storey
partition) can be constructed as follows:
• Element walls of 100 mm cellular
concrete or clinker concrete.
• 168 mm masonry
• Wooden stud walls with 45 x 95 mm
studs per 600 mm provided the storey
partition is constructed as a timber joist
floor
Metal stud walls shall be individually
dimensioned - loads can be determined by the
use of enclosure A, “Load”.
The thickness of cellular concrete walls or
clinker concrete walls carrying clinker
concrete floor slab panels will in most cases be
determined by the necessary abutment of the
floor slab panels.
In basements below 1½ and 2 storey houses it
is often necessary to increase the thickness of
cellular concrete walls or clinker concrete
walls – the carrying capacity of 168 mm
masonry walls is usually adequate.
The load from rafters with ceiling joists resting
on longitudinal walls equals the load from a
storey partition, also see enclosure A, “Load”.

SBI Direction 189

KLJ
55
Walls between joined houses

Sorry - this chapter is not yet

available in the English
version

SBI Direction
SBI Direction189
189 56-59
KLJ
61
Roofs
In this SBI directive roofs include the entire
attic consisting of the roof cover, the
underlay, the load bearing construction (i.e
rafters or roof elements) and the ceiling
construction above the underlying storey.
Included are battens, distance slats, insulation,
damp proof membranes etc. Arrangement of
the attic is also included when the attic is used
for habitation
Roofs must: 1) be able to accept and transmit
load, 2) fulfil thermal insulation requirements,
3) be secured against moisture damages and
4) be fire resistant.
Thermal insulation
The ceiling construction and walls separating
habitable space from roof space assume the U-
value 0.15 in the “Heat loss frame”.
Flat roofs and sloping walls directly against
roof assume the U-value 0.20 in the “Heat loss
frame”.
Insulation in roof and external walls must be
connected or overlapping in order to prevent
cold bridges.
Moisture conditions
Roofs must be constructed in such a way that
they are adequately impermeable against
ingress of snow, rain and melt-water. Also
they must be constructed with sufficient pitch
to secure the draining off of snow, rain and
melt-water. The necessary pitch depends on
the type of roof covering chosen. Flat roofs
covered with bitumen felt or other roofing felt
require a minimum slope of 1:40 (1.5o)
Moisture from heated rooms can penetrate the
roof structure either due to diffusion or due to
air convection (the upward movement of hot
air) through cracks and crevices. Therefore,
the ceiling construction must be made
adequately diffusion proof and airtight.
Normally the transport of moisture is hindered
by mounting a strong and durable damp proof
membrane (dpm) on the warm side of the
insulation. In order to avoid air
SBI Direction 189
KLJ
convection all joints in the dpm must be
overlapped and jammed or taped. Also, joints
must be in firm connection with any dpm in
the external wall or the external wall itself
(when constructed without a dpm). In order to
prevent damaging the dpm (for instance when
doing the electrical wiring) it is recommended
to place the dpm inside the insulation. When
doing so, the dpm must never be placed
further inside the insulation than a distance
corresponding to 1/3 of the total thickness of
the insulation (calculated from the warm side)
Non-heated cavities in roof structures must be
constructed in such a way that any
construction moisture or moisture which may
penetrate the roof from the outside or from
below can be effectively removed. This is
usually done by ventilating the constructions.
Fire protection
For fire protection purposes, roof coverings
shall be suitably fire-resistant class T roof
coverings (i.e. they must be only moderately
fire spreading).
Examples of this are:
• Roof covering of non-combustible
material for example roof tiles, fibre
cement sheets and metal roofing
sheets on wood or steel battens.
• Bitumen felt on concrete, light weight
concrete, mineral wool, plywood or
tongued and grooved boards. In this
case bitumen felt is understood as a
roof covering made from oxidised
bitumen or SBS modified bitumen
In non-habitable attics the ceiling construction
towards underlying rooms must, as a
minimum, be carried out as a class 2 covering
using class A insulation material, see
enclosure B, “Fire”.
When the attic is used for habitation the floor
deck between the attic and the underlying
rooms must be constructed as a BD-building
component 30. All surfaces must be carried
60
out at least as class 2 coverings, see enclosure
B, Fire.
Roof coverings, underlay and battens
The roof covering is defined as the uppermost
layer of the roof structure. The roof covering is
constructed on a substrate of for example
battens, boards or plywood. Certain types of
roof coverings are supplemented with a
subroof.
The choice of roof covering influences the
design of the roof construction as different
roof coverings require different substrates and
different roof pitches. Also the roof coverings
differ in weight..
Underlays
Underlays must be able to capture any
precipitation which may pass through the roof
covering. Underlays may be diffusion tight or
diffusion open.
A diffusion tight underlay must be ventilated
on the lower side. The ventilation gap – the
cavity between underlay and the heat
insulation - must have an average height of
minimum 50 mm. When using sarking felt or
soft sheeting as underlay it is necessary to plan
a cavity height of minimum 70 mm as the felt
and the sheeting material tend to sag slightly
between the rafters.
Diffusion open underlays can be placed
directly against the thermal insulation material.
In this case care must be taken to assure that
the sloping ceiling construction is sufficiently
tight against diffusion and air convection. This
can be achieved by careful fixing of the dpm
on the warm side of the insulation. Also the Z-
value of the underlay must be less than 3 Gpa s
m2/kg.
When using an underlay a distance strip of
minimum 22 mm thickness must be fixed on
top of the rafter (when using roof tiles it must
be at least 25 mm in thickness). The distance
strip serves to secure the unobstructed draining
away of precipitation which may ingress as
well as ventilation between underlay and
battens. Distance strips must be
SBI Direction 189
KLJ
rectangular and pressure impregnated in
quality NTR, class AB.
Underlays are more thoroughly treated in
various publications from “Træbranchens
Oplysningsråd “(TOP) and in “BYG-ERFA”.
Battens
Normally battens span at least 3 roof trusses
and the joints must be staggered so that no
more than 1/3 of the total number of battens
join on the same rafter.
In order to meet the requirements concerning
strength and stability it is important to use
battens which fulfil the requirements for roof
battens in strength class K18 according to
“Structural timber - Strength classes -
Assignment of visual grades and species”
The dimensions listed below are based on
experience . The distance between the battens
is the distance from mid batten to mid batten
measured along the rafter. Additional
information about battens is found in
subsequent paragraphs.
Concrete and clay roof tiles
Normally roof tiles are laid using an underlay
and without groundwork (cement mortar).
When applying an underlay, and at minimum
roof pitch of 1:2.1 (25o), all types of tiles can
be used.
The dimensions of the battens depend on the
rafter distance. At batten distances less than or
equalling 0.45 m the following dimensions can
be used:
• 38 x 56 mm at rafter distance up to 1.0 m
• 50 x 40 mm at rafter distance up to 1.3 m
Slates
Slates combined with an underlay can be used
at roof pitch 1:3 (18o) and above. At roof pitch
above 1:1.5 (34o) 300 x 600 mm slates can
alternatively be tightened with slate putty.
Slates are laid on battens, the distance of
which depends on the slate size. Batten
61
dimensions are similar to those used for roof
tiles.
Profiled roofing sheets
Corrugated fibre cement sheets with or without
an underlay can be used at roof pitch above
1:4 (14o).
Profiled sheets of steel or aluminium –
corrugated or box profiled – can be used at
roof pitch above 1:2 (27o). Using sealing strips
at intersections, and applying careful
supervision, these sheets may be used at roof
pitch down 1:3 (18o). The use of continuous
sheets allows for even lower roof pitch.
Profiled steel or aluminium sheets may be laid
on battens with greater distances than those
stated for tiles. Corrugated fibre cement sheets
may without further investigation be laid with
a batten or purlin distance up to 460 mm. At
greater support distances safety measures must
be taken against the risk of workers falling
from the roof, for example by the use of
furring on the underside of the purlins or the
use of an underlay which is sufficiently strong
to act as a safety mesh – in which case it must
be documented that the underlay fulfils the
safety requirements defined by MK (Danish
control body for building materials).
Corrugated fibre cement sheets with an MK
approval can be laid with the batten distance
mentioned in the approval.
With a roof truss distance up to 1.0 m the
following batten dimensions can be used at
any roof pitch:
• 38 x 56 mm at batten distance up to 0.55 m
• 50 x 61 mm at batten distance up to 1.1 m
Roofing felt
Roofing felt can be used at roof inclinations
down to 1:40 (1.5o). At roof inclination above
1:5 (11o) the roof covering must be
mechanically fixed in order to avoid sliding.
Regarding roofing felt quality, reference is
made “Tagdækning – Specifikationer” (Roof
SBI Direction 189
KLJ
covering – Specifications) “TOR-Guideline
no. 24, Tagbranchens Oplysningsråd”, 1998.
Roofing felt must be laid on a level substrate,
for example tongued and grooved boards,
plywood or pressure resistant mineral wool.
Required dimensions for boards and panels are
stated in table 8.
Table 8. Underlay for roofing felt and similar
roof coverings
Material Thickness mm Span m
T and G boards 23 1.0
rough sawn
T and G boards 17 0.8
Rough sawn
Plywood 18 0.8
Plywood 15 0.8
Plywood 12 0.6
OSB panels 15 0.8
OSB panels 12.5 0.6
Note: Boards and panels are tongued and
grooved. Non-rectangle boards are accepted
provided tongue and groove are intact.
Plywood and OSB boards requires MK
approval for roof structures.
Rafter and ceiling construction
The load-bearing construction is usually made
of wood in the form of collar beam rafters,
trussed rafters or common rafters/joists . By
using collar beam rafters it is possible to make
use of the attic for habitation while the use of
trussed rafters creates an attic with limited
possibilities for use. Common joists carry the
roof covering, the subroof and the ceiling
construction of the rooms below. The common
joists rest on the wall plate which transmits the
load from the roof construction to the load-
carrying walls. The thickness of the wall plate
should be minimum 38 mm.
To avoid cold bridges at least one layer of the
insulation should be placed on top of the tie
beam. The damp proof membrane must have
sufficient strength and be absolutely airtight,
for example 0.15 mm polyethylene foil.
Overlays should be clamped and when this is
not possible the joint must be secured using an
appropriate tape.
62
When the cavity between the roof cover/underlay
roof and the insulation is ventilated with the
purpose of hindering moisture accumulation in the
roof construction, the total area of the ventilation
gap must correspond to minimum 1/500 of the
floor area (ground floor), and the ventilation gap
must be evenly distributed along the house facade.
Rafters can be produced according to TRÆ 28:
“Træspærfag” (Wooden rafters), but usually
prefabricated rafters produced by a factory
affiliated with “Træspærkontrollen” (the “wooden
rafter control board”) (TS marked) are used.
Collar beam rafters
Collar beam rafters with a roof pitch of
approximately 1:1 (45o) creates an attic suitable for
habitation.
Collar beam rafter
Roof tiles on battens
Distance strips
Diffusion tight
underlay roof
An example of insulation of wasted attic space is
shown in figure 72 and an example of insulation
near the collar beam is shown in figure 73.
In a habitable attic the floor partition towards
underlying rooms must have sufficient strength
and be made at least as BD building element 30.
Concerning timber joist floors reference is made to
p. 41. When joists are joined along a longitudinal
internal wall the joints may be carried out as
described in “TRÆ 28: Træspærfag” (“WOOD 28:
Wooden rafters”).
Trussed rafters
Trussed rafters are usually made with a roof pitch
from approximately 1:4 (14o) and upwards.
For repair and inspection purposes it is expedient
to establish not only an access but also a duckrun
in the attic.
The ceiling construction may be thermally
insulated as shown in figure 74. An example of a
junction between an external wall and a ceiling is
shown in figure 75.

Common rafters/joists
Common rafters/joists carry the roof covering, the
Ventilated cavity subroof and the ceiling construction of the rooms
Rafter, 75 x 225 mm per 1.0 m
Damp proof membrane below. In flat roof constructions the necessary
Battens, 50 x 50 mm height for placing the insulation and for
Mineral wool, cl. 39, 150 + 50 establishing sufficient slope can be achieved by
mm
Ceiling cladding adding additional joist laid to fall. An example of
U = 0.20 this is shown in figure 76.

Figure 71. Collar beam rafter with roof tiles on

battens and diffusion tight underlay roof..

Collar beam rafter Figure 72. The sloping roof in the

Roof tiles on battens
Distance strips
Diffusion tight
underlay roof
Collar beam rafter
Battens on internal side
of rafter
Damp proof membrane
Battens 50 x 50 mm
Mineral wool, cl. 39
Ceiling cladding
Ventilation between
underlay and insulation
Wooden floor,. Timber joists. Mineral wool
Ceiling cladding on furring
Non- wasted attic space is moisture and
insulated
partition heat insulated in the same way as
the sloping roof in the habitable
part. The damp proof membrane
is placed 50 mm inside the
construction to avoid puncture
from electrical installations. The
wall separating the wasted attic
space from the habitable part shall
be constructed using minimum
class 2 covering.
The floor partition shall be BD
building element 30 all. This also
applies to the part of the partition
in the wasted attic space where a
the floor covering must be made.

Thermal insulation of attics can be carried out as

shown in figure 71.
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 Figure 73. Collar beam
Roof tiles on battens
Distance strips Ventilated attic rafter with roof tiles on
Diffusion open underlay battens and diffusion
roof
Collar beam rafters
open underlay. The
sloping wall is insulated
with 200 mm and the
Mineral wool
collar beam rafter ceiling
Damp proof membrane with 250mm mineral wool
Furring
Ceiling cladding
class 39 (U-value 0.20/-
0.15).
Battens on internal side of
rafter
Mineral wool
Damp proof membrane
Furring
Ceiling cladding

Figure 74. Heat insulation

against attic placed on top
of the ceiling covering
which again is fixed to the
ceiling joists.

Trussed rafter tie beam

Ventilated attic
Tie beam, 50 x 150 mm per
1.0 m
Mineral wool 39, 100 + 150
mm
Damp proof membrane
Ceiling cladding
U = 0.15

Figure 75. Trussed rafter

Corrugated sheets on
battens with corrugated sheet on
Trussed rafters battens. The rafters rest on a
Ventilated attic wall plate which is
mechanically fixed to a light
concrete inner leaf. The
damp proof membrane is
clamped between a ledge
and the wall plate. Mounting
Mineral wool on top of and between
tie beams of vertical and sloping
Damp proof membrane plywood windbreakers
Cavity wall. Battens
Mineral wool
prevent the wind from
Brickwork and
clinker concrete Ceiling cladding blowing directly into the
element insulation. Ventilation at the
eave is ensured through the
in figure 76. corrugation in the sheets.

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The cavity between the roof covering and
insulation must have a height of at least 50
mm, and it must be ventilated through
openings evenly distributed along the eaves
with a total area corresponding to minimum
1/500 of the ground floor area. The use of
ventilation caps is not allowed.
Wooden rafters/joists can be dimensioned
using table 9 – distinguishing between light
and heavy roof covering.
Minimum slope 1:40
Roofs with rafters can be heat insulated as
shown in figure 76. An example of external
wall and ceiling junction is shown in figure 77.
Wooden roofing elements
A roof may be constructed using prefabricated
elements made of wood or concrete. Figure 78
shows an unventilated roof made up of
wooden elements The elements span between
a facade wall and a longitudinal internal wall,
but it may also span between transverse wall
e.g. in detached houses.

Wood roofing elements

Roof tiles on battens
Distance strips
Diffusion open underlay roof

Common joist with additional joists laid to fall

Roof covering on substrate (plywood, particle board and the like)
Ventilated cavity
45 x 95 mm additional joist laid to fall, minimum slope 1:40
Mineral wool 39, 200 mm
Damp proof membrane Mineral wool 39, 195 mm
Ceiling cladding on furring Damp proof membrane
Furring, 22 x 95 mm
U = 0.20 Ceiling cladding
U = 0.18

Figure 76. Common joists with low roof pitch. Figure 78. Wood roofing elements with roof
Sufficient roof slope has been established by tile covering on battens. The underlay is not
adding additional joist laid to fall. ventilated.

Figure 77. Common rafter with Roofing felt

bitumen felt or roofing felt on Wooden substrate
Ventilated cavity
wooden substrate. In the roof Common rafter
as well as in the external wall
the damp proof membrane is
placed 50 mm inside the
construction to avoid puncture windbreaker
from electrical installations.
The damp proof membranes in Mineral wool between rafters
the roof and in the wall are Damp proof membrane
overlapping and joined at the Battens
Mineral wool
edge of the wall plate (clamped Wooden stud wall Ceiling cladding
under a ledge). The cavity with weather
boarding
above the roof insulation must
be at least 50 mm high and 10
mm above the windbreaker.

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 Table 9. Maximum horizontal span for common rafters and common joists with light and heavy
roof covering.

Light roof cover Heavy roof cover

Rafter/joist distance is centre to centre
Rafter/joist
dimension
w x h, mm 0.6 m 0.8 m 1.0 m 1.2 m 0.6 m 0.8 m 1.0 m 1.2 m
63x150 3.31 3.01 2.79 2.66 3.06 2.78 2.58 2.43
75x150 3.51 3.19 2.96 2.79. 3.25 2.95 2.74 2.62
50x175 3.58 3.25 3.02 2.84 3.31 3.00 2.79 2.62
63x175 3.86 3.51 3.26 3.07 3.57 3.24 3.01 2.83
75x175 4.10 3.72 3.46 3.25 3.79 3.44 3.19 3.01

50x200 4.09 3.72 3.45 3.25 3.78 3.43. 3.19 3.00

75x200 4.62 4.19 3.89 3.66 4.28 3.89 3.61 3.40
100x200 5.08 4.62 4.29. 4.03 4.71 4.28 3.97 3.74
75x225 5.19 4.72 4.38 4.12 4.81 4.37 4.06 3.82
100x225 5.71 5.19 4.82 4.54 5.30 4.81 4.47 4.20

The figures in the table have been calculated using the following criteria:: Construction timber is strength class
K18 according to the Code of Practice for the Structural use of Timber. Dead load of roof covering and
underlay: Light roof cover 0.25 kN/m2 (for example corrugated sheets or roofing felt), heavy roof cover 0.55
kN/m2 ( for example roof tiles). Dead load of insulation and ceiling cover: 0.25 kN/m2 (non-plastered ceilings).
Dead load of rafters/joists: 0.05 kN/m2 for dimensions up to and including 50 x 200 mm, above that 0.10 kN/m2.
The stated span corresponds a deflection for dead load and snow load of L/250 (L=span). Consequently the
deflection for dead load alone is less than L/400 .
The values in the table are applicable to flat roofs, but may be used directly for roof pitch up to 10o. At 20o roof
pitch the span (measured horizontally) shall be reduced to 90%, and at 30o to 83% of the stated value. Linear
interpolation is accepted.
Wooden roof elements must be produced in
Clinker concrete roofing elements accordance with regulations laid down by
Corrugated fibre cement boards on
battens “Tagelementkontrollen” (“The controlling
50 x 100 mm rafters (blocked up) board of roofing elements”)
Figure 79 shows a roof made of clinker
concrete elements spanning between
transverse walls.
When pressure resistant insulation is used the
roofing felt can be placed directly on top of
Mineral wool 39, 150 mm this. In this way the insulation is trapped
Damp proof membrane between the damp proof membrane (below)
Clinker concrete roofing
elements, sandwich and the roof cover (above). This may result in
construction, 200 mm, overpressure when the sun is heating the roof.
U = 0.20 density of middle layer 600
kg/m3 The pressure is equalised by the openings
along the roof edges.

Figure 79. Roofing elements of clinker

concrete with roof covering of corrugated Gable triangles
cement fibre boards on battens. The fire A gable triangle is the uppermost part of the
and sound advantages of this construction gable, closing the attic. A gable triangle must
makes it attractive as a roof solution in for be able to accept and transmit the action from
example terraced houses with load-bearing
transverse walls.
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66
wind load to the roof construction and to the
ceiling diaphragm.
Gable triangles are often made simply by
cladding the gable truss with wooden boards,
but masonry is also an often used solution. A
brickwork gable triangle must be supported,
for example by tying it to a number of studs,
which at the top end are fixed to the rafter and
at the bottom end fixed to the ceiling
diaphragm.
Roofs with trussed rafters
Gable triangles can be made with a wooden
cladding as shown in figure 80 where the
wooden cladding is fixed to an extra rafter
placed above the outer leaf. The extra rafter
should be anchored to prevent wind suction
from lifting the roof. This anchoring could be
made by the use of trimming joists which are
placed between the outermost rafters as shown
in the figure.
At roof pitches below 30o and in terrain classes
“agricultural” and “Built-up” the bracing of a
bricked gable can be made as a
timber construction, see figure 81. At roof
pitch up to 40o a similar construction can be
used in terrain class “built-up”, but in this case
the studs must be 50 x 175 mm.
Roofs with collar beam rafters
When the attic is used for habitation the gable
triangle is often constructed similarly to the
remaining part of the gable. In this case the
inner leaf is mechanically fixed to the ceiling
diaphragm, as well as to the tie beam and the
collar beam, see figure 82. Alternatively the
cavity wall in the gable can be terminated at
collar beam level and the remaining part can
be constructed as shown in figure 80.
In cases where the attic is not used for
habitation, the entire gable triangle can be
constructed as shown in figure 80, but in this
case the triangle must also be mechanically
fixed to the collar beam.
As the collar beam supports the gable it must
be braced perpendicularly to the plane of the
rafter. This can be achieved either by means of
the ceiling cladding or by means of a duckrun
on top of the collar beams.

Cantilever

Annular ring nails, anchored minimum 50 mm into the gable triangle and the rafter

Gable triangle Gable rafter

Purlin anchors
2 pcs diagonally Slanted nailing
placed 2 pcs

Trimmer joist

Figure 80 Bracing of timber clad gable triangle. In order to counter horizontal wind action the gable
triangle is fixed to the battens along top edges. Likewise it is fixed to the gable truss along the bottom edge
for example by the use of short pieces of batten fixed to the tie beam. When using a light roofing material it is
imperative to anchor the gable triangle for example by the use of trimmings connecting the gable to the
outermost trusses. The trimmings are placed close to the facades. Using distances and dimensions as stated
on pages 61-62 the battens can be cantilevered up to 0.5 m.

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 Legend:
M 12 bolt with 30 x 30 mm washer on either side

Ø 4 mm tying wire, threaded one end for fixing in 50 x 100 mm studs

placed per 600 mm in the gable trinagle.
The tying wire is placed corresponding to the levels of the bed joints. After
screwing the tying wire is bend 90 o upwards. Later, when the bricks are
laid, the wire will be straightened and embedded in the bed joint

Ø 4 mm tying wire, Z-shaped with

dimensions adjusted to underlying cavity wall.
One end of the tie is fixed to the top or bottom Stud
side of 50 x 100 mm noggins with 3 cramps Noggin
per joint. The other end is embedded in a bed
joint in the brickwork gable triangle.

Figure 81. Bracing of a brickwork gable triangle. At roof pitch up to 30o and in terrain
classes built-up and agricultural the gable triangle can be braced by mechanically
fixing it to 50 x 100 mm studs per 600 mm. The studs are bolted to the rafter and to the tie
beam. Noggins are inserted between the studs as shown. The brickwork is braced using wire
ties fixed to the studs at every fourth course. Along the topside of the gable triangle the wire
ties are placed at 300 mm intervals measured horizontally in 1st and 2nd joints or in the 2nd
and 3rd joints. The wall ties are fixed to the studs or to the noggins. The noggins are placed
at a level corresponding to that of a brick course. In this way a wire tie can be fixed on the
top side as well as on the bottom side of the noggin. Acceptable batten cantilever tolerances
are stated in the text below figure 82.

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 Cantilever Annular ring nails, anchored minimum 50 mm
into the rafter.

Rafter

Collar beam

Ceiling joists,
braced by ceiling
diaghpram

Figure 82. Bracing of gable triangle constructed as cavity wall. The inner leaf is
mechanically fixed to the ceiling diaphragm, the rafter and the collar beam for example by
the means of bolts. The collar beam must be braced for example by means of a duckrun or by
means of panelled cladding. When a heavy roof covering is applied and at a batten distance
of 0.35 m the accepted batten cantilever (calculated from the gable rafter) is maximum 0.9
m. When light roof coverings are applied using 50 x 62 mm battens per 1.1 m or 38 x 56 mm
per 0.55m the accepted cantilever is maximum 0.65 m. However, the cantilever, calculated
from the outer leaf, must never exceed 0.5 m. In the case of a light roof cover a cantilever of
maximum 0.9 m from the gable rafter and 0.7 m from the outer leaf is accepted - provided
the distance between the battens is halved within the cantilever section and the first two
rafters.

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 Note to Figure 81
In most circumstances, brickwork gable
triangles can be constructed using less wire
ties than shown in figure 81. However,
gables must always be secured along all
edges and when the roof construction
comprises a collar tie ceiling, the gable
triangles must also be secured along the
collar tie. At larger gable triangles there
may be a need for additional bracing and
anchoring - for example along a vertical
centre line in the gable triangle. Such
bracing may be established by means of
a stud anchored at ridge and ceiling
level or, in case of a habitable attic
space, by means of a longitudinal wall
anchored firmly to the gable triangle.
Figure T4 shows the principles of the
mentioned bracing and anchoring
possibilities.

Type 2
Type 1

Width Width
Width

Type 3 Type 4

Width Width

Figure T4 shows the principles of the mentioned bracing and anchoring

possibilities
The table below shows how wide a gable
triangle may be constructed, depending on roof
pitch, anchoring and terrain class. It is
anticipated that the distance between the lower
part of the gable triangle and collar beam is
approx. 2.5 m, and also that the ridge is 8.5 m
above ground level.
It is further anticipated that the gable triangle is
constructed as 108 mm brickwork using mortar
50/50/750. When the attic is habitable the gable
triangle will normally be constructed as a
combination wall. This fact is not incorporated
in table T1, but the maximum widths indicated
may be increased by 40 % provided the inner
leaf is also constructed as 108 mm brickwork
using mortar 50/50/750

Roof Pitch, Anchoring Maximum width m

degrees pattern Built-up Agricultural Smooth
≤ 30 Type 1 13.9 11.6 10.4
≤ 30 Type 2 19.9 16.5 14.8
45 Type 1 9.3 7.8 7.0
45 Type 2 > 15 12.6 11.4
45 Type 3 > 15 10.5 7.8
45 Type 4 > 15 > 15 14.0

Table T1. Maximum width of a brickwork gable triangle when the triangle is secured
along all three edges. The width is determined as a function of the roof pitch,
anchoring pattern (according to figure 81a) and the terrain class.
Anchoring may be carried out using wire stainless wire binders the space between the wall
ties, which under normal circumstances will and the timber construction must be between 100
have sufficient strength when placed at 300 and 200 mm and using 4 mm binders the distance
mm intervals. When using 3 mm must be between 120 and 300 mm

SBI
SBIDirection 189
Direction 189 69A
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Translation KLJ
Thermal insulation
Single family houses shall be sufficiently insulated
to avoid the unnecessary consumption of energy and
to secure the achievement of satisfactory health
conditions.
The insulation qualities of the construction elements
are described by their coefficients of transmission,
the so-called U-values. These are calculated as
described in DS 418: “Calculation of heat loss from
buildings”. The U-value describes the heat loss in
Watt through 1 m2 of the construction element at an
outdoor/indoor temperature difference of 1 Kelvin
(1K = 1oC). The U-value unit is W/m2 K and for
typical constructions the U-values can be found in
the previous chapters of this Direction and in “VIF,
U-values’95 “.
An illustration: Let us assume that a certain
construction has the U-value 0.20. We increase the
thickness of the insulation with 50 mm. This will
result in the reduction of the U-value to
approximately 0.16.
Exterior construction elements, including windows
and external doors, must only contain cold bridges
to a limited extend. This is due to the increased risk
of condensation. The energy effect of cold bridges
must be taken into account when calculating the
thermal transmittance (the U-value) for the various
construction elements. Cold bridges may have a
significant influence on the total transmission loss –
even in well-insulated buildings. Consequently it is
essential to analyse and calculate the effect of cold
bridges.
Buildings and construction elements, including
windows and doors, must be so constructed that
transmission loss is not considerably increased as a
consequence of moisture, wind or the inadvertent
passage of air.
Requirements concerning cold bridges have been
tightened up in Appendix 1 (By og
Boligministeriet 2001) to the Building Regulations
for Small Dwellings and in Appendix 4 to DS 418.
Cold bridges are those parts of the building
envelope which are markedly worse insulated than
the rest of the envelope. They occur in ribs around
the windows an along internal foundations. These
cold bridges are being considered by making a
calculation of an average U-value for the
construction element in question. It is not new to
take these cold bridges into consideration. The new
thing is that it is now required to take into
consideration that at corners, or where there is a
change in the thickness of insulation, we find two or
three dimensional effects resulting in additional
heat loss. These additional thermal losses are
referred to as linear loss and spot loss.
The symbol for linear loss is ψ. The thermal loss
through these thermal bridges is proportional to the
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length of the thermal bridge. Linear loss occurs
principally along foundations and along joints
around windows and doors. Spot loss occurs at
metal consoles and anchors penetrating the
insulation. It should be noted that the spot losses
from wall ties in cavity walls has always been
included in the calculation of the U-value of such
a wall.
Requirements to insulation in floors with floor
heating have also been tightened up.
Three possibilities
The Building Regulations for Small Dwellings
gives three possibilities for fulfilling the thermal
insulation requirements for single family houses
heated to at least 18oC.
• Observing the U-value demands as well as the
line loss demands for each construction
element and at the same time reducing the
total area of windows and external doors to
maximum 22 percent of the building’s heated
floor area.
• Observing the so-called Heat Loss Frame
calculated for the house with changed U-
values for the constructions and also changing
areas for windows and external doors.
• Observing the so-called Energy Frame, which
defines the heating requirements of the house
including ventilation.
In most cases the use of the Energy Frame results
in the best heating economy. Also, the use of the
Energy Frame gives more freedom in the choice of
U-values and the choice of window and external
door areas. The use of the Energy Frame,
however, requires several calculations.
When either the Heat Loss Frame or the Energy
Frame is used to verify that the requirements for
thermal insulation of a single family house are
met, also the minimum requirements for thermal
insulation of the individual construction element
shall be observed.
U-value requirements
The requirements in Building Regulations for
Small Dwellings can be met by choosing
construction elements with U-values lower
than or equal to those listed in table 10 and at
the same time ensuring that the total area of
windows and external doors does not exceed
22 per cent of the total heated floor area of the
house. Examples of constructions fulfilling
these U-value requirements, are shown in the
previous chapters.
70
Table 10 Building Regulations for Small
Dwellings: U-value requirements for
construction elements surrounding heated
rooms. ψ-value requirements acc. to DS 418
Construction element U Construction element
W/m2K
External walls
with mass below 100 kg/m2 0.20
External walls with mass above100
kg/m2 and basement external walls
under ground 0.30
Partition walls and storey partitions
adjacent to unheated rooms 0.40
Ground supported floors, basement
floors, storey partitions towards the
outside and ventilated crawl spaces. 0.20
Ground supported floors, basement
floors, storey partitions towards the
outside and ventilated crawl spaces 0.15
with floor heating.
Attic and roof constructions
Including walls between attic and
wasted attic space 0.15
Flat roofs and sloping walls
directly against roof 0.20
Windows and external doors, sky
lights, glass walls and hatches. 1.80
ψ heating
W/m K
Foundations 0.25
Foundations surrounding floors with
floorheating 0.20
Joint between external wall and
windows/ext.doors, glass walls, gates 0.03
or hatches
Joint between roof construction and
windows in roof or skylights 0.10
(There are no specific U-value requirements to
ventilation openings, smaller than 500 cm2).
Usually it is assumed that all rooms in single family
houses are heated to a minimum of 18oC. Exempted
from this rule are rooms in basement, porches and
enclosed patios.
When rooms are heated to temperatures between 5
and 18oC the minimum requirements concerning
thermal insulation are applicable, see table 11.
There are no limitations as to the areas of windows
and external doors in such rooms.
The heated floor area is calculated as described in
the following.
External walls with a mass below 100 kg/m2 are
termed “light external walls”. All other walls are
termed “heavy external walls”. When calculating
the mass of the external walls only the part of the
construction that is placed on the inside of any
ventilated cavity is included.
The area of windows and external doors is
calculated on the basis of the dimensions of the
wall openings, see figure 83.
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Table 11. Building Regulations for Small
Dwellings: Requirements to minimum thermal
insulation of all heated rooms. ψ-value
requirements according to DS 418
U
W/m2K
External walls
with mass below 100 kg/m2 0.30
External walls with mass above100
kg/m2 and basement external walls
under ground 0.40
Partition walls and storey partitions
adjacent to unheated rooms 0.60
Ground supported floors, basement
floors, storey partitions towards the
outside and ventilated crawl spaces
irrespective of floor heating 0.30
Attic and roof constructions
Including walls between attic and
wasted attic space 0.25
Flat roofs and sloping walls
directly against roof 0.25
Windows and external doors,
skylights, glass walls and hatches. 2.90
ψ
W/m K
Foundations, irrespective of floor
0.60
Joint between external wall and
windows/ext.doors, glass walls, gates
or hatches 0.10
Joint between roof construction and
windows in roof or skylights 0.30
Figure 83. The area of windows and external
doors is calculated on the basis of the
dimensions of the wall opening. The
dimension of the window or the door is
smaller than the opening.
When calculating the area of windows and
external doors only the area of windows and doors
towards the outside is included. The area of
windows and doors facing unheated or partially
heated rooms is not included.
Heated floor area and heated footprint.
When calculating the heated floor area all
rooms heated to at least 18oC are included –
this includes any heated basement rooms,
71
porches and enclosed patios. In Building
Regulations for Small Dwellings there are no
requirements for heating. Consequently it is
possible to include or exclude unheated and
partially heated rooms when calculating the
heated floor area – provided they are thermally
insulated as if they were heated rooms.
The heated footprint is calculated as the
projection of the heated floor area on a
horizontal plane, see figure 84.
The heated floor area of a building is calculated
as described under “floor area” in Building
Regulations for Small Dwellings, enclosure A.
The heated floor area of a building shall be
calculated by adding the gross areas of all
heated storeys including heated basements and
attics. The gross floor area shall be measured in
a plane defined by the topside of the finished
floor to the outer surface of the surrounding
external walls. In habitable attics the area to be
included shall be measured at a horizontal plane
1.5 m above the finished floor, to where the
plane meets the outer surface of the roof
covering. In the case of partition walls between
rooms whose areas are to be included in their
respective storey areas, the areas shall be
measured to the middle of the wall. A room that
stretches through several storeys shall only be
included in the storey in which the floor of the
room is situated. However, stairs and stairways
are included in each storey.
Heat Loss Frame.
Construction elements may have a higher U-
value then the ones stated in table 10, and the
total area of windows and external doors
Afootprint
Figure 84. Calculating the heated
footprint area
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towards the outside may exceed 22 per cent of
the heated floor area provided the total design
heat loss through transmission falls within the
so-called Heat Loss Frame.
This means that the design heat loss (through
transmission) shall be less than the heat loss
from a similar reference house where the U-
values of the construction elements fulfil
requirements in table 10 and where the
window and external door area constitutes 22
percent of the heated floor area.
The U-values shall, however, not be higher
than stated in table 11.
In the subsequent paragraphs some essential
extracts and rules from DS 418: “Calculation
of Heat Loss from Buildings” are reproduced.
The rules are used when calculating the Heat
Loss Frame for single family houses.
Temperatures
A constant room temperature is used when
calculating, usually 20oC – also in bathrooms
and behind radiators. In rooms with floor
heating the temperature in the floor
construction is normally set at 30oC in the
plane of the heating source but in principle it
depends on the dimensioning of the floor
heating system. The same temperature is used
when determining the heat loss through
foundations surrounding constructions with
floor heating. It must be stressed that the
temperature in the plane of the heating source
is somewhat lower than the mean temperature
in the supply pipes for the floor heating
system.
The design outside temperature is usually
-12oC - also for basement walls. The design
soil temperature is 10oC and is used e.g. when
calculating ground supported floors and
basement floors. The design temperature in
ventilated crawl spaces is set at -5oC. In
unheated rooms the temperature may be set by
estimation or calculated by the use of the heat
balance.
72
 Transmission areas
Transmission areas for external walls, floors and
roofs are determined pretending partition walls are
non-existent.
The transmission area for external walls is measured
from the top side of the ground supported floor to
the topside of the insulation in the ceiling or in the
roof. In the existence of an unheated basement or a
crawl space, the measurement is from the underside
of the floor partition. At the corners the
measurement is calculated from the external side of
connecting walls.
In ground supported floors the area is calculated
based on internal measurements (the inside of the
external wall). In ground suspended floors above
basements and crawl spaces and in ceilings and
roofs the transmission area is calculated based the
measurements from outside wall to outside wall.
When calculating unheated attics the area of the
ceiling is used. Basement walls against the ground
Figure T4 shows the principles of the
mentioned bracing and anchoring possibilities
outside ground level.
Transmission areas of windows and doors are
calculated on the basis of the wall openings.
The length of the foundations is determined by the
external perimeter. Length of joints between
window/wall and door/wall is determined by the
perimeter of the wall opening .
When calculating the heat losses it is imperative
that the distribution of construction elements in the
house in question corresponds to that of the
U-values of windows and external doors W/m2K
U-values of external walls W/m2K
Figure 85. Guideline for the connection between U-values in external walls and U-values and areas of
windows and external doors towards the outside in light external walls, sloping walls and in flat
roofs.
SBI Direction 189
KLJ
house of reference. There must, for example, be a
similar distribution of light and heavy external
walls, of flat roofs, of sloping walls, of ceiling
constructions against attic and of windows towards
the open and towards unheated rooms. If, for
instance, the Heat Loss Frame is used in order to
make a window bigger then, the area of the
construction element in which the window is
placed shall be made equivalently smaller.
Possibilities and advantages of using the Heat
Loss Frame
The Heat Loss Frame can, among other things, be
used in order to increase the area of the windows
and external doors in excess of 22 percent of the
heated floor area normally accepted.
Figure 85 refers to a house with light external
walls and shows the relationship between the area
of the windows and the external doors as a
percentage of the heated floor area compared with
the U-values of windows, doors and external
walls. In figure 86 the same situation is shown for
a house with heavy external walls. The elaboration
of the graphs is based on the U-value requirements
stated in the Building Regulations for Small
Dwellings (indicated on the graph). The figures
can be used when evaluating possibilities before
calculating the Heat Loss Frame. Interpreting
figure 86, for example, it is possible to deduce that
the area of windows and external doors may be
increased to 25 per cent of the heated floor area,
provided windows and doors
73
 U-values of windows and external doors W/m2K

U-values of external walls W/m2K

Figure 86. Guideline for the connection between U-values in external walls and U-values and areas of
windows and external doors towards the outside in heavy external walls.

have a U-value of 1.6 W/m2K.
When calculating the Heat Loss Frame adjoining
houses are considered as one building. Use of The
Heat Loss Frame must always be accompanied by
matching calculations, see subsequent example.
Example of Heat Loss Frame used on a single-
family house
The example is based on a 1-storey house with a
floor area of 121 m2, see figure 87. Bathroom and
toilet with floor heating – remaining part of the
house with radiators. The external dimensions of the
house are 14.4 m x 8.4 m and external walls are
heavy, 350 mm thick. Internal dimensions are 13.7
m x 7.7 m (disregarding the internal walls)
Based on this, the transmission area for the roof and
for the ground-supported floor can be
calculated to 105.5 m2. The external perimeter of
the house is 2 x 14.4 m+ 8.4 m) = 45.6 m
The storey height is 2.6 - measured from topside
ground supported floor to topside ceiling
insulation The transmission area of the vertical
external planes (i.e. external walls, windows and
external doors) is 45.6 m x 2.6 m = 118.6 m2.
The window and external door area is 26.6 m2,
corresponding to 22 percent of the heated floor
area. The length of the joints around windows and
external doors is 59.8 m. The house is naturally
ventilated.
The Heat Loss Frame of the house is 3.64 kW, see
table 12. The area of windows and external
doors may be increased to 26.9 per cent of the
heated floor area by choosing energy glass and
thus changing the U-values to 1.6 W/m2 K, see
table 13.

Table 12. The Heat Loss Frame for single family house shown in figure 87

Building component Area, length U-, Ψ -value Temperature Heat loss

m2 , m W/ m2 K, W/m difference, K W
External walls 92.0 0.30 32 883
Roof 121.0 0.15 32 581
Ground supported floor in bathroom and 11.7 0.15 20 35
toilet
Ground supported floors in other rooms 93.8 0.20 10 188
Windows and external doors 26.6 1.80 32 1532
External wall foundation in bathroom and 4.1 0.20 42 34
toilet
External wall foundation, other rooms 41.5 0.25 32 332
Joints: Windows and doors 59.8 0.03 32 57
Heat Loss Frame 3642
SBI Direction 189
KLJ 74
 Facade

Bedroom Bath- Bedroom

room

Toilet
Figure 87. The single family house
used in the example. The area of
Living Kitchen Bedroom windows and external doors
room area
corresponds to 22 per cent of the
heated floor area

Plan

Energy Frame
The thermal insulation may also be determined
on the basis of the so-called Energy Frame
combined with a calculation of the total heat
requirements for room heating
and ventilation. The Energy Frame expresses
the accepted total annual net heat requirement
for heating and ventilation per m2 heated floor
area
The possibilities and advantages of using the
Energy Frame are described in more detail in
the SBI Directive 190: “Building design and
heat requirements”.
The net heat requirement is the heat, which
must delivered directly to rooms or to the
ventilation air and does not include losses
from the production of the heat in for example
a boiler.

Table 13. The heat loss from the single family house shown in figure 87 with increased
window area and using better insulating energy glass.
Building component Area, length U-, Ψ -value Temperature Heat loss
m2 , m W/ m2 K, W/m difference, K W
External walls 84.7 0.30 32 813
Roof 121.0 0.15 32 581
Ground supported floor in bathroom and 11.7 0.15 20 35
toilet
Ground supported floors in other rooms 93.8 0.20 10 188
Windows and external doors 33.9 1.60 32 1736
External wall foundation in bathroom and 4.1 0.15 42 26
toilet
External wall foundation, other rooms 41.5 0.25 32 201
Joints: Windows and doors 61.6 0.03 32 59
Heat loss 3639

SBI Direction 189

KLJ 75
In the following we will simply refer to the net
heat requirement as the heat requirement.
Observance of the Energy Frame is done on the
basis of a simplified calculation using mean
values of monthly weather data. When
calculating the heat requirement, factors such as
insolation, heat radiation from persons and the
heat accumulating capacity of the house must
be taken into consideration.
However, the U-values for each construction
element must not be higher than stated in table
11, page 71.
When calculating the Energy Frame and the
heat requirement, adjoining houses are
considered as one building.
Calculation of the heat requirement for a single
family house is described in enclosure E, Heat
Requirements.
According to the Building Regulations for
Small Dwellings the maximum permissible heat
consumption per m2 heated floor area (for
heating and ventilation) in a single family
house with natural ventilation must not exceed:
110
q r = 160 +
e
Also, the heat requirement must not exceed
q r = 280
Where qr is the Energy Frame in MJ/m2 per
year and
e is the number of storeys.
The number of storeys is a decimal fraction,
calculated as follows:
Ae
e=
Afootprint
Where Ae is the heated floor area in m2
Afootprint is the heated footprint in m2.
Concerning the calculation of heated floor area
and heated footprint see page 71.
The scope of the Energy Frame for single
family houses with natural ventilation is
indicated in table 14.
SBI Direction 189
KLJ
Figure 14. Energy Frame for single family
house with natural ventilation
Number of storeys, e Energy frame, q
MJ/m2 per year
1 280
1.7 242
2 230
The Energy Frame is indicated in MJ.
1 kWh corresponds to 3,6 MJ.
The Building Regulations for Small Dwellings
do not require mechanical extraction. When
mechanical extraction is established in
kitchens, bathrooms or toilets and when the air
exchange in the house exceeds 0.5-h , the
Energy Frame will be increased corresponding
to the increased heat requirement for heating
the additional airflow, see “Energy
Requirements of Buildings .
Possible area of windows and external doors
Using the Energy Frame it is possible to
achieve bigger window and external door
areas than the 22 percent of the heated floor
area, which is normally accepted (when only
fulfilling U-value requirements in table 10).
.
The figures 88 and 89 give guidance on the
possible size of windows and external door
area in typical detached or terraced single
family houses. The possible window and
external door area depends on the orientation
of the windows and of the resulting reduction
factor for insolation caused by shadows and
also on the dimensions of the window
casement, the glass type and the compactness
of the building.
When drawing the graphs it has been
anticipated that the houses are 8 m wide, that
the facades are only slightly offset, that double
glazing energy glass with a U-value of 1.6
W/m2 K is being used and that the houses are
constructed with heavy external walls and a
pitched roof. It is further presumed that other
construction elements are thermally insulated
to meet to the U-value requirements as stated
in table 10, page 71.
76
 Facades N-S
Window and external door area in percent of heated floor area

E-W

Resulting insolation reduction factor F

Figure 88. Guiding values for possible window and external door area in typical detached 1-
storey house - using the Energy Frame. The graphs also apply to semidetached houses
(adding up the total floor area)
Window and external door area in percent of heated floor area

Facades N-S E-W

1 storey
1 storey

2 storeys 2 storeys

Resulting insolation reduction factor F

Figure 89. Guiding values for possible window and external door areas in a typical terraced
house- using the Energy Frame.

SBI Direction 189

KLJ 77
The reduction factor for insolation is low when Similarly figure 89 shows graphs for the
the building is placed in a shady location, when possible area of windows and external doors
windows are big and when windows are in typical terraced houses. The figure shows
equipped with sunscreen glass. When the house that the possible window and external door
is situated in a fairly open location and with area also depends on the number of storeys.
normal window sizes and the use of double This applies to detached as well as
glazing with energy glass the reduction factor semidetached single family houses.
for insolation will be approximately 0.5.
Reference is made to Enclosure E, “Heat Temperature conditions during the summer
Requirement”. period
When in the design phase of a house the areas
and the orientation of windows have to be
In the figures, graphs have been drawn determined careful consideration must be
representing windows evenly distributed given to creating satisfactory indoor
towards the north and south and towards east temperatures during the summer period. It
and west respectively. In houses with a must be kept in mind that drapes or blinds are
different distribution of windows, interpolation not sufficient in solving the problem of
between the curves is allowed. If, for example, insolation through large windows.
the windows are evenly distributed along the The room temperature in summer can be
four main axes north, south, east and west, one reduced for example by constructing with a
can use the mean value of the curves for N-S roof overhang which will shade against the
and E-W respectively. This is also possible sun when it is at it’s peak. Likewise, the use of
when for heavy materials in walls and floors and the
example rotating the building 45o in relation to establishment of ventilation through windows
the main axes. that can be opened will reduce the risk of high
The window area facing south or facing room temperatures.
southern directions may be increased without
an increase of the heat requirements provided
the reduction factor for insolation is greater
than approximately 0.5 and provided energy
glass is used. In this way it is possible to
increase the window area beyond the limits of
the graphs.
Figure 88 shows approximation graphs which
may be used as guidelines when determining
the possible window and external door area in
detached 1-storey houses of 120 m2 and 160 m2
respectively. Interpreting the graph, it is evident
that the possible window and external door area
increases proportionally to increased floor area.
It is, for example, possible to obtain a larger
window and external door area in 1
semidetached house of 160 m2 than in 2
detached houses of 80 m2 each.
In a 120m2 house where the windows are
evenly distributed on all facades (north, south,
east and west) and with a reduction factor for
insolation of 0.45 the guidelines will give a
window and external door area of ½ x (26
percent + 38 percent) = 32 percent of the heated
floor area

SBI Direction 189

KLJ 78
 Wet rooms shall be designed keeping in mind
Wet rooms that vulnerable components must be protected
against exposure to water and also, to the
Wet rooms are defined as bathrooms and toilets
widest possible extent, keeping in mind that
with a floor drain and other rooms such as
surrounding constructions are not being
sculleries and laundries which are similarly
damaged by the ingress of water
exposed to water.
This section covers requirements to the
Zoning
construction of floors and walls in wet rooms.
A clear distinction shall be made between wet
Construction principles and the choice of
zone and moist zone, see figures 90, 91, 92
materials greatly influence the installations.
and 93.
Requirements in this respect will also be
The wet zone is the part of the room
covered, but the planning and execution of
frequently exposed to water. Requirements to
installation work is not covered. .
constructions, materials and surface treatment
Wet rooms are also dealt with in By and Byg
are most rigorous in this zone. The wet zone
Direction 200: “Wet Rooms” and in SBI
encompasses the entire floor, the lower 100
Direction 180: “Bath rooms”
mm of all walls, including walls in the shower
area, along the bat tub and under wash basins
Requirements to wet rooms
equipped with a shower fitting. The use of
The Building Regulations for Small Dwellings
fixed shower enclosures will demarcate the
define the overall requirements to wet rooms
wet zone on the walls, see figure 91.
concerning water tightness, stability etc. Non-
compliance with requirements may have
The moist zone is the wall area outside the wet
serious consequences such as material
zone. This area is considered more exposed to
deterioration and costly repairs.
moisture than similar areas in other rooms in
Floors and walls including joints, connections
the house for example caused by high relative
and pipe penetrations must be water tight. This
air moisture content and the occasional
requirement is particularly important when a
exposure to water. For that reason
construction contains wood or other organic
requirements to choice of materials and
materials, which must be secured against the
constructions are tightened in this zone.
ingress of water.
Constructions in wet rooms shall be able to
Floor slope
withstand normal mechanical actions (cleaning
The areas of the floor directly exposed to
etc) without significant deformations, i.e. tile
water must slope towards a drain and the floor
clad walls or a watertight covering must not be
must be without cavities. Such areas are
damaged by such actions. Tile clad
shown in figures 90, 91 and 93 (hatched). The
constructions in particular require a rigid
slope should be 1-2 percent. However, below
underlay to prevent them from cracking.
freestanding bathtubs and fixed furniture it
Wet rooms shall be able to withstand the
must be at least 2 percent. Other areas may be
exposure to hot and cold water and the
constructed horizontally. A slight slope
constructions must not be damaged by
towards the drain is preferred in order to avoid
deformations as a consequence of change in the
the risk of back slope and cavities
relative air moisture content for example caused
If a part of the floor is constructed
by seasonal variations. Floor and wall surfaces
horizontally the water from bathing must be
shall be able to withstand action caused by the
prevented from entering into this part of the
use of normal chemicals used in the household
floor, for example by lowering (recessing the
and they must be easy to clean.
floor) or delimiting the floor in the shower
area with a shower curb. A 10 mm recess will

SBI Direction 189, 79

Translation: KLJ
 Wet zone
Moist zone
Moist zone
100
Dimensions in mm Wet zone
Figure 90: Wet zone and moist zone in wet
rooms with shower stall. The wet zone
includes floor and wall areas within the
stall area plus an additional 500 mm zone.
The wet zone on the walls reaches the
ceiling. In rooms with an extraordinary
room height, the area above normal room
height may be considered a moist zone. The
hatched area shows the part of the floor
where a slope is required. No pipes must
penetrate the floor in this area. The area
stretches 500 mm outside the limit of the
stall.
usually be adequate. A recess is preferable to a
curb as water on the floor outside the shower
area e.g. from washing the floor will be able to
run into the drain. At the same time the room is
better suited for wheelchair access. The
recessed area should be sufficiently big to allow
water from a shower curtain to drip off inside
the recess.
Waterproofing
The application of a waterproof cladding or a
waterproof surface treatment may be
necessary in order to secure water tightness of
floors and walls The use of a water repellent
surface treatment or cladding on top of non-
SBI Direction 189,
Translation: KLJ
Wet zone
Moist zone
Moist zone
Minimum
width 250 mm
100
Wet zone
Figure 91: Fixed shower enclosures:
When enclosures have a minimum width
of 250 mm only the part of the wall inside
the stall is considered a wet zone. Pipes
may penetrate the floor immediately
outside the stall area provided the floor
inside the stall is recessed or provided
with a curb.
organic materials such as concrete, light
weight concrete and brick work has until
recently been considered adequate wet rooms
solutions.
However, some of the non-organic materials
such as light weight concrete and brick work
are rather water absorbent and others may
have leaky joints between elements.
Consequently, such materials should have a
water-proof surface treatment when used in
areas exposed to water. It should be noted that
a normal tile cladding is not considered water
proof and therefore must be supplemented
with water tight treatment before fixing tiles.
Stud walls as well as walls and floors
containing organic materials must be supplied
with a waterproof surface treatment. In the
wet zone the treatment shall be carried out by
80

Wet zone
Moist zone
Moist zone
100
Wet zone
Dimensions in mm
Figure 92: Wet zone and moist zone in a
wet room with a bathtub. The wet zone
includes floor and wall areas inside the
indicated zone (500 mm away form the
bathtub). The wet zone on the walls
reaches the ceiling. In rooms with an
extraordinary room height, the area above
normal room height may be considered a
moist zone. Pipe penetration is not allowed
inside the area marked with a dotted line
(closer to the bathtub than 500 mm). Where
fixed enclosures with a minimum width of
250 mm are used only the part of the wall
inside the enclosure is considered a wet
zone and pipes may penetrate the floor in
the area immediately outside the enclosure.
the use of a suitable PVC membranes or MK∗
approved waterproofing systems. An MK
approved watertight tile cladding contains a
watertight layer with a minimum thickness of
1 mm. Separately approved systems must not
be mixed, i.e. it is not allowed to combine
∗
MK refers to the Danish Building Material Control
Board
SBI Direction 189,
Translation: KLJ
layers using one layer from one system and
another
Moist zone
Wet zone
100
Wet zone
Figure 93: The wall behind a washbasin is
considered a wet zone only in cases where
the hand washbasin is provided with a
shower fitting. In this case the wet zone
begins at floor level and continues to a level
500 mm above the washbasin and reaches
500 mm to either side of the basin.
In cases where a shower fitting is provided
also a floor drain must be established and
the floor must slope towards the drain inside
the hatched area. Pipes must not penetrate
the floor in this area, which stretches 500
mm away from the floor drain. In case the
shower fitting on the washbasin is the only
shower facility in the bathroom the
regulations concerning shower stalls are
applicable (as described above).
layer from a different system in the same
construction. Also, only the types of underlay
listed in the certificate of approval must be
used. Further information on MK approvals
may be obtained from ETA-Denmark a/s
Tightening of stud walls in the moist zone
may be carried out using a watertight sealant
without a membrane or using a paint
treatment. However, any materials used must
comply with the demands stipulated in MK-
81
testing and approval conditions concerning wall additional concrete slab is cast on top of the first
claddings in wet rooms (1996). MK approval does slab – as shown in figures 94 and 95. The two
not apply to sealant systems and paints used in the slaps are separated either by a sliding layer
moist zone but it is possible to obtain an approval. consisting of a double 0.15 mm PE-foil or
The various possibilities of fulfilling the separated by an insulating layer. The concrete
requirements for water proofing in wet zones and must be stiff plastic, type pea gravel or pebble, 20
moist zones in floors and walls are thoroughly Mpa, and it must be at least 60 mm thick. A
treated in the following. reinforcement of 6 mm round steel is laid in a grid
Water running down the walls must be led to the with 150 mm grid distance. Alternatively a similar
floor surface. Consequently, the joint between the reinforcement mesh may be used. Additives
wall and the floor must be established using a
watertight seal, or the watertight layer on the wall
must overlap the floor curb.
When using doorframes with a threshold, the
distance between floor surface and the lower level
of the threshold must be min. 20 mm. In this way
the floor will be able to contain a certain amount of
water, for example originating from a leaking water
installation. Alternative solutions must be sought
when the bathroom is arranged with regard for
physically handicapped.

Water and drain installations

Pipe penetrations should be as short and simple as
possible. Joints in water pipes or joints between
pipes and fittings must not be inaccessible for repair
and maintenance. However, pipe installations with
concealed joints may be used in “pipe in pipe
systems” where any leak would be disclosed
without damaging effects.
Penetrations for water and drainpipes shall be
carried out using watertight bushes. Penetrations in
the floor should be avoided but may be carried out
in areas where daily exposure to water is not
expected, see figures 91, 92 and 93.
It is preferable to place installations inside shafts or
ducts. When bathrooms are placed adjacent to
sculleries it will often be convenient to run pipes
along the scullery wall facing the bathroom.
Pipe installations in adjoining houses must be
separate due to noise.
Floor drains must be VA∗-approved according to the
floor construction and floor covering in question.
Whenever possible the discharge should be vertical.
Figure 94: Bath room above crawl space. The floor
is made of lightweight concrete elements on top of
which a 30 mm hard insulation is placed. A
concrete slab is cast on top of the insulation. Floor
slope is established in the screed. In the wet zone
floor and walls have been waterproofed using a
membrane. The membrane in the floor is type PVC
whereas the wall membrane is the liquid type. The
joint between the floor and wall membranes has
been established using an adhesive overlap joint
where the wall membrane overlaps the floor
membrane. The joint is reinforced using a strip of
reinforced fibre. The floor membrane is fixed to the
floor drain using a clamping ring. Tiles are glued
with plastic tile glue.

Floors
Heavy floor constructions
Heavy floor constructions consist of in situ cast
concrete slab or a slab made from prefab light
weight clinker concrete elements. In most cases an
with the purpose of increasing impermeability
should be used and the concrete must be vibrated.
Slopes can be established directly in the concrete
slab or in a 10-40 mm cement mortar screed
(C100/400). As concrete creeps and shrinks during
curing the tiles must be laid as late as possible in

∗
VA is a Danish certification system for Water and Sewer installations
SBI Direction 189, 82
Translation: KLJ
the building process. The concrete must cure at least
for 2-3 weeks at 20 oC . In order to compensate for
additional contraction in the concrete it is advisable
to use a tile glue with plastic properties. The best
curing method is to cover the concrete with a
polyethylene foil or similar during the first few days
after casting.
Normally, the execution of concrete work as
Figure 95: Bath room on storey partition facing
neighbouring house. In order to reduce noise an
insulating layer has been established. In this case
by using two layers of 4 mm polypropylene web
between pre cast floor slab and top slap. The
insulating layer continues along the sides of the
top slab. The floor drain is recessed into the
concrete flooring element and a slope is
established in the screed. In the wet zone, floor
and walls have been waterproofed using a liquid
type membrane. On the floor and up to a 100 mm
level along the walls the membrane is reinforced
and it has been taken across the flange of the
floor drain to which it must be adhered. The tiles
are glued on top of the water proof membrane
using plastic tile glue.
described above is considered sufficient to secure
water tightness. As an extra precaution it is
advisable to apply an additional watertight
membrane especially in the zones around the
bathtub and in the shower stall. This may be done
using a membrane applied in liquid form.
SBI Direction 189,
Translation: KLJ
Tightness between floor and wall can be secured
by covering the joint with a flashing for example
using a fibre reinforced membrane as shown in
figure 26, page 32 and in figure 30, page 34. When
the wall is waterproofed using a membrane the
flashing is created by leading the wall membrane
all the way down and taking it 100 mm into the
floor area. When membranes are placed in both
floor and wall the two membranes must be long
term compatible and the joint between them must
be sealed.
Light floor constructions
Light floor constructions built as a timber joist
floor shall, in wet rooms, have a substrate floor
made out of flooring panels. This type of floor
construction is moisture sensitive and an effective
moisture protection must be established. The
construction must not be used on ground
supported floors or above crawl spaces with a
height less than 600 mm.
Where tiles are used as floor covering, the
substrate must be made from minimum 19 mm
construction plywood supported per maximum
300 mm. The panel is covered with a watertight
layer, for example EPDM roofing felt or an MK
approved watertight tile cladding. Floor slope can
be established either by the use of wedges under
the plywood or by applying a screed on top of the
plywood and the watertight layer. The optimal
thickness for a screed of this type is 10-30 mm
using a rapid curing special cement mortar which
has little shrinkage and may be clad with tiles
within 24 hours after casting.
When a PVC floor covering is used the substrate
may be established by the use of construction
plywood or particle board for flooring. Thickness
and support distances may be found in “B&B
direction 200 - Wet rooms”, p. 27. Floor slope is
usually established by the use wedge shaped joists.
The flooring panels are glued and screwed to the
joists. The PVC covering is glued directly to the
flooring panels and all joints are welded. PVC
floor coverings shall only be carried out by
professional floor fitters holding a welding
certificate certifying that they have participated in
and passed a test in the execution of wet rooms
with PVC coverings. It must be certified that the
materials used live up to the material requirements
stated in B&B Direction 200.
Floor membranes or coverings shall be taken up
the wall and form a watertight joint with the wall
membrane or covering. Alternatively the wall
83
membrane or covering may overlap the floor
covering (on the wall).
Walls
Heavy walls
Most often heavy walls are made from
concrete/lightweight concrete wall elements or
brickwork masonry. The commonly used types
of concrete are normally considered watertight
as such.
When using brickwork masonry and
lightweight concrete, moisture may be
transported to adjoining rooms or building
components (for example a joist floor) when
the walls are exposed to water. Waterproofing
is therefore recommended in the wet zones
before tiling. An MK-approved waterproof tile
cladding system for gypsum boards may be
used for this purpose. However, attention must
be paid to the fact that the function criteria may
be different when applied on other materials
than gypsum board. The project manager must
ensure compatibility of the materials chosen.
As concrete and lightweight concrete may
shrink during the curing process tiles should be
fixed as late as possible in the building process
– ensuring that the major part of shrinkage has
already occurred. As a guideline the below
listed curing periods before tile fixing are
recommended.
When using concrete a curing period of 2-3
months is necessary depending on thickness,
temperature and moisture conditions.
When using light clinker concrete, fixing
should only take place when the moisture
content has dropped below 4-8 % (weight),
depending on concrete density. The drying out
will, depending on the methods applied,
normally takes between 3 weeks and 2 months
in a closed heated house. The remaining
moisture content should always be determined
before commencing tile fixing. Information
concerning the drying out pattern as well as the
measuring of remaining moisture content is
available from the suppliers of lightweight
clinker concrete.
SBI Direction 189,
Translation: KLJ
When using aerated concrete, the drying out
will take approximately 3 weeks in a closed
and heated house.
The use of tile glues with plastic properties is
recommended when fixing tiles on concrete or
light weight concrete. In this way minor
movements as a result of final shrinkage,
moisture and heat impact may be absorbed.
Light walls
Light wall are stud walls clad with gypsum
board, calcium silicate board, particle board or
plywood. Light walls shall be protected using
a watertight layer as described in detail in
B&B Direction 200.
Gypsum board (plasterboard) walls can be
constructed using normal plasterboards or
fibre reinforced plasterboards. Plasterboards
must be classified as “wet room boards” or the
core must be impregnated with silicone. The
entire room must be clad with boards in 2
layers on top of 70 mm deep studs placed at
maximum 450 mm c/c. More detailed
information on the construction of walls in
wet rooms using plasterboard-clad
constructions may be found in the guidelines
issued by the plasterboard manufacturers.
On top of steel studs and wooden studs it is
allowed to use15 mm fibre reinforced gypsum
board in a single layer.
Plasterboards shall have a waterproof covering
on the side facing the wet room. In the wet
zone only the use of PVC covering or an MK-
approved tile system with a watertight
membrane is allowed. In the moist zones it is
also allowed to use a paint treatment or a tile
cladding using waterproof compounds - with
or without membrane - but complying with the
before said approval conditions.
Calcium silicate boards may be used on top of
steel or wooden studs fixed on a furring or a
substrate of gypsum board or calcium silicate
board. Normally such constructions are
carried out using a polyethylene foil
immediately below the utmost board layer.
Waterproofing may, however, also be carried
out applying the same principles as those used
for plasterboards clad with PVC or with a
84
watertight tile cladding. In this case the tile depth – securing the absorption of movements.
cladding must be approved for the use on It is recommended using a back up material or
calcium silicate boards. a slip tape to counter the mastic and a primer
Chip boards (particle boards) and plywood may must be used to secure bonding on the contact
be used in one layer only with a minimum surfaces. Joints must be designed in such a
thickness of 22mm and 15mm respectively. As way that they can be replaced, i.e. cutting
waterproof cladding it is only allowed to use away existing mastic and cleaning contact
PVC membranes with welded joints. surfaces. Elastic mastic for wet rooms must
In external walls, constructed as stud walls a contain an additive of fungicide in order to
damp proof membrane is usually placed avoid growth of fungi.
between studs and the internal cladding. The The watertightness of a wet room must never
waterproof cladding used in wet rooms is depend on an elastic joint.
usually considered sufficiently diffusion tight to “Flexible” mortar joints, i.e. cement based
act as damp proof membrane. In such cases the mortars with a plastic additive resulting in a
usual damp proof membrane shall be left out in more flexible final joint may, under certain
order to avoid the accumulation of moisture circumstances, be used as an alternative to
between two tight layers. flexible mastic joints. “Flexible” mortar joints
can only absorb small movements.
Consequently, it is only recommended to use
this type of joint in areas where no movements
Ceilings are foreseen, for example in the corner joint
Ceilings shall be constructed in such a way that next to a cast curb.
moist air cannot penetrate adjoining building
components or rooms. Special precautions must
be taken to prevent a flow of warm and moist
room air through cracks and crevices in the
ceiling. Consequently, the ceiling shall consist
of an airtight construction for example by using
a diffusion tight panel as ceiling cladding
combined with an elastic mastic joint between
ceiling and wall. Alternatively the ceiling may
be constructed using a damp proof membrane.
Considering diffusion, it is normally only
required to use a damp proof membrane when
the wet room is facing unheated rooms, for
example a non-habitable attic.
There are no specific requirements to the
surface treatment of ceilings in wet rooms but it
is an advantage if the treatment can stand up to
a moderate exposure of water.

Joints
Elastic joints are used to absorb movements
between building components. In order to
secure a long life span, elastic joints must be
designed with geometry – sufficient width and

SBI Direction 189, 85

Translation: KLJ
Glas

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available in the English version

SBI Direction 189

SBI Direction 189 86-88
KLJ
Translation KLJ 89
Indoor climate
In the Building Regulations for Small
Dwellings indoor climate is approached as an
integral part of the construction of the building,
i.e. the indoor climate is seen as a result of the
ventilation systems applied, the production of
moisture and the emission of contaminants.
In general, the Building Regulations for Small
Dwellings require that single-family houses
shall be so constructed that a satisfactory indoor
climate with regards to health and safety can be
maintained during normal use. Satisfactory
indoor climate also includes such issues as
comfort and well-being.
In this chapter only ventilation and the emission
of contaminants from building materials are
dealt with. Other issues such like sound and
heating are treated in different chapters of this
book. A comprehensive discussion of indoor
climate in buildings can be found in SBI-
Directive 182: The indoor climate handbook.
Ventilation
The purpose of ventilation is to fulfil the needs
for hygiene and comfort by supplying air of an
acceptable quality and to control the moisture
conditions in the rooms. At the same time the
ventilation system must contribute to
maintaining an acceptable room temperature at
a reasonable cost.
Basically, ventilation shall be so designed that
indoor air is being removed from rooms loaded
with moisture or stale air such as kitchens,
bathrooms and toilets, and outdoor air is
supplied to habitable rooms.
Overall, the Building Regulations require that
the air change in any habitable room and the
house as a whole is minimum 0.5 per hour. At a
room height of 2.3 m this air change
corresponds to an inflow of outdoor air of 0,32
l/s per m2 net floor area.
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KLJ
Ventilation principles
The air change can be produced either by
natural ventilation or by mechanical
ventilation.
Natural ventilation
In a natural ventilation system the indoor air is
removed through ventilation ducts in kitchen,
bathroom and toilet while the outdoor air
enters habitable rooms for example through
hinged windows or through outdoor air inlets,
see figure 99.
The predominant force in a natural ventilation
system is air exchange caused by thermal
buoyancy, the so-called chimney effect. The
chimney effect occurs when cool air enters a
house on the first floor or in the basement,
absorbs heat in the room, rises, and exits
through upstairs windows or ventilation ducts.
This creates a partial vacuum, which pulls
more air in through lower-level windows. The
driving forces from wind action are caused by
overpressure on walls facing the windward
side and vacuum on walls on the leeward
side. Suction also occurs on large sections of
the roof.
Removal of indoor air
Ventilation duct
Supply of
outdoor
Transfer of air
air
Kitchen, Habitable
bath, WC rooms
Figure 99; Natural ventilation. Indoor air is
removed through ventilation ducts in kitchen,
bathroom and toilet while habitable rooms are
supplied with outdoor air.
89
Mechanical ventilation
Mechanical ventilation is created by the force
of electric-powered ventilators.
The ventilation system may be comprised of an
exhaust system only or may be comprised of
more advanced systems including controlled
supply as well as controlled exhaust.
Mechanical exhaust systems provide a higher
working pressure compared to natural
ventilation systems and are consequently less
sensitive to variations in the outdoor climate.
A ventilation system comprising both
mechanical supply and exhaust is normally
termed a balanced ventilation system.
The ventilation system is often designed in such
a way that the volume of exhaust air is slightly
higher than that of the supply air. The purpose
of this is to create a slight vacuum in the house
and thereby reducing the risk of moisture
damages to the building structures .
Functional requirements in general
The ventilation system must be effective around
the clock – also when the occupants are absent.
The reason why is that there may be a need to
ventilate contaminants and moisture which do
not necessarily originate from persons and
which do not necessarily stop when the
dwelling is vacated.
The ventilation system must not cause air
velocities in living zones exceeding 0.15 m/s.
Velocities above this limit are considered
uncomfortable as they may result in a feeling of
draught. However, draught problems are not
only caused by the air speed but also by the air
temperature
The living zone is that part of a room where the
occupants usually sit or work. In general, the
extremities of the living zone are defined by a
horizontal plane 1.8 m above floor level and a
vertical plane 0.2 m away from any exterior
wall, see figure 100.
The transfer of air from one room to another
shall be in the direction from less polluted
rooms to more polluted rooms. In a dwelling
kitchen, bathrooms and toilets are considered
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External wall
Figure 100. The living zone is that part of a
room where the occupants usually sit or work.
The figure shows a room with one external
wall and three internal walls.
rooms containing moisture saturated and
polluted air.
According to the Building Regulations for
Small Dwellings, the requirements
concerning the volume of the air change are
considered met when rooms are ventilated as
described in the following and according to
figure 101.
As an alternative the Building Regulations for
Small Dwellings do accept that the cross
sectional areas of fresh air vents are
determined on the basis of professional
calculations. The calculations must include
such information as the design basis, the
functional description and the performance
data for the chosen products.
Habitable rooms
In habitable rooms the supply of outdoor air
must always be possible through openings
directly to the outside. In addition to this fresh
air may be supplied by air injection. There are
no requirements to exhaust.
Fresh air vents are always installed in exterior
walls irrespective of ventilation being supplied
by natural ventilation or by mechanical
exhaust. Fresh air vents are adjustable
openings in the building envelope
90

Supply of fresh air
Habitable rooms
Hinged window
or
Hatch
or
External door
and
Natural ventilation:
Fresh air vents with a
cross sectional area of 60
cm2 per 25 m2 floor area
or
Mechanical ventilation:
Fresh air vents with a
cross sectional area of 30
cm2 per 25 m2 floor area
Removal of indoor air
connecting a room to the outside. Figure 102
shows an example.
Habitable rooms When using natural ventilation one or more
No demand concerning
extraction
fresh air vents with a total cross sectional area
of minimum 60 cm2 are required up to 25 m2
floor area and, when using mechanical
ventilation, one or more valves with a total
cross sectional area of at least 30 cm2 up to 25
m2 floor area. In rooms larger than 25 m2 the
requirement can be met by increasing the
cross sectional area with 2.4 and 1.2 cm2
respectively per sq.m. floor area in excess of
25 m2, see figure 103.

Kitchen Kitchen
100 cm2 opening from Natural ventilation:
access room Ventilation duct with cross
Also recommended 1. sectional area of 200 cm2

Hinged window or
or Mechanical ventilation:
Hatch Volume flow rate 20 l/s
or and
External door Hood with mechanical
extraction to the outside
or
Fresh air vent with a
cross sectional area of
30 cm2

Bathrooms Bathrooms
100 cm2 opening from Natural ventilation:
access room Ventilation duct with cross
Also recommended 1. sectional area of 200 cm2
Hinged window or
or Mechanical ventilation:
Volume flow rate 15 l/s Figure 102. Example of a fresh air vent,
Hatch a so-called dish valve.
or
Fresh air vent with a
cross sectional area of
100 cm2 Natural
ventilation
WC and scullery WC and scullery
100 cm2 opening from Natural ventilation:
access room Ventilation duct with cross
Total cross sectional area, cm2

Also recommended 1. sectional area of 200 cm2

Hinged window or
or Mechanical ventilation:
Hatch Volume flow rate 10 l/s
or
Fresh air vent with a Mechanical
cross sectional area of ventilation
50 cm2
1. When at least one of the surrounding walls is an exterior wall

Floor area, m2
Figure 101. Requirements on the supply of
fresh air and the removal of indoor air.. Figure 103. Cross sectional area of fresh
Basements must also be ventilated. air vents in habitable rooms in relation to
SBI Direction 189
floor area.
KLJ 91
Kitchen, bathroom and toilet
Kitchens, bathrooms and toilets are the rooms
in the dwelling contaminated by moisture
saturated and polluted air. Indoor air must be
removed from the house trough these rooms
either by mechanical exhaust or by natural
ventilation.
When applying mechanical exhaust the
requirements to the volume flow rate are 20 l/s
from kitchen, 15 l/s from bathroom and 10 l/s
from toilet. Applying natural ventilation
requires a ventilation duct with a cross sectional
area of at least 200 cm2 in each of the above
mentioned rooms. Usually, 200 cm2
corresponds to the net cross sectional area of a
15 x 15 cm duct.
Extractor fans intended for periodic use are not
considered as real exhaust systems.
Normal procedure when applying mechanical
ventilation is to install adjustable valves in the
air vents. The setting of the valves must
correspond to the air flow required by the
system. Normally, these settings are not to be
changed at a later stage.
Irrespective of the ventilation in the kitchen
being natural or mechanical the kitchen shall be
supplied with a hood with extraction to the
outside.
Natural ventilation requires both a ventilation
duct and a duct for the hood. The hood must not
be connected to the ventilation duct. A hood
duct is usually automatically blocked during the
periods when the hood is not in use.
If a hood is considered an integral part of a
mechanical exhaust system the volume flow
rate through the hood must be continuous and at
least 20 l/s. In this case the noise level of the
hood must not exceed 30 dB in kitchen and
habitable rooms.
Where the kitchen is a part of a living room the
requirements, stated in figure 101 concerning
the supply of fresh air and the removal of
indoor air, are applicable.
In kitchens, bathrooms and toilets an opening of
100 cm2 from access rooms is required. The
demand can be fulfilled by establishing a crack
beneath the door or by installing an air vent in
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KLJ
the door or in the wall. The purpose of
establishing this opening is to secure that the
removal of air from the rooms functions
according to the intention, and to secure that
the extraction of air from the rooms
contributes to the supply of fresh air to the
habitable rooms.
The requirement concerning a ventilation
opening from access rooms only applies to
the above mentioned rooms as it is mainly the
doors to these rooms which are kept closed,
but in general it is considered a good idea also
to install air vents in the doors or in the walls
between other rooms. This is because closed
doors in some parts of the house may have an
adverse effect on the functionality of the
ventilation system. Air vents between
habitable rooms should be sound proofed.
In cases where one of the walls surrounding a
room is an external wall it is a must to supply
outdoor air to that room For this particular
reason at least one of the walls in a bathroom
should be an exterior wall. The fresh air vent
in these rooms should only be opened when
there is a need for extra ventilation as an open
air vent reduces the airflow in the habitable
rooms.
Other rooms, crawl spaces and basements
The rules applying to a toilet concerning the
supply of removal of air also applies to a
scullery.
Basements shall be ventilated to the outside
through air vents with the same cross sectional
areas as those in a habitable room. As
basements are not habitable rooms the
requirement for draught-free air supply is not
applicable. Ventilation (mechanical or natural)
must be established in at least one basement
room.
Fresh air vents and ventilation ducts
Fresh air vents
The primary function of the fresh air vents is
to secure a controlled supply of outdoor air to
the dwelling. Also, the fresh air valves give
the occupants a possibility of regulating the
distribution of the supplied outdoor air. Fresh
92
air vents must not be confused with the
adjustable valves which are used in connection
with injection of air.
A fresh air vent deflecting the supplied outdoor
air towards the ceiling or parallel to the exterior
wall is normally considered the best solution,
see SBI Report 196, “Udeluftventiler, 1989”
When the air is deflected it will be mixed with
the air in the room and also the airspeed outside
the living zone is being reduced. This reduces
the risk of draught inside the living zone. It may
also be an advantage to install the fresh air vent
above a radiator, which will often be above a
window (since radiators are normally placed
below windows and there is too little space
between the window and the radiator). From a
constructional point of view it is, however,
often impossible to install the vent above the
window, see page 45 and 50. Before installing
an air vent above a window the construction
must always be closely examined.
A fresh air vent should always be supplied with
an insect screen and also with filters securing
the filtration of possible particles in the
supplied air.
A fresh air vent should always be insulated
against condensation. Condensation may cause
the fouling up of paint and wall cladding and
may cause movable parts inside the vent to
freeze and block. Also, frequent condensation
may damage the valve as well
External grate with insect screen
Sound proofing
Filter
Insulation against condensation
Figure 104. Example of a fresh air vent
with insect screen, filter, insulation against
condensation and sound proofing
SBI Direction 189
KLJ
as the surrounding building construction due
to possible ingress of water.
In the case of requirements on soundproofing
against noise from the outside, see page 46, it
may be necessary to use sound proofed air
vents. Figure 104 shows an example of a
condensation insulated air vent which is also
sound proofed.
A fresh air vent should be adjustable and it
should be easy to operate from floor level.
Fresh air vents should be simple and easy to
maintain and clean. If so, the occupants will
be encouraged to use the vents as intended and
at the same time get full value of the
advantages of being able to regulate both the
volume flow rate as well as the distribution of
the supplied outdoor air.
Ventilation ducts
Ventilation ducts used for natural ventilation
shall be placed and designed in such a way
that the two forces from wind and from
thermal buoyancy are fully utilized. The ducts
should be so placed that the heat from
surrounding rooms can contribute to the
thermal buoyancy in the ducts. Also the ducts
should be taken to the ridge without or with
very few bends – this will often be near the
centerline of the house.
Bends in the ventilation ducts will result in
pressure loss and a reduced volume flow rate.
When, for practical reasons, it is not
considered possible to lead the duct vertically
without any bends, a soft curve shall be
applied and a total of two bends is accepted.
The angle between the vertical plane and the
duct should not exceed 45o, see figure 105.
Preferably, ventilation ducts should be
constructed as rigid ducts but flexible ducts
may be used. Special care should be taken
when mounting flexible ducts. The length of
the duct must be carefully calculated and care
must be taken that the ducts are generally
supported and fixed.
Ventilation ducts shall be insulated against
condensation where they pass unheated rooms
93

Figure 105. Examples of running the
ventilation duct. Unavoidable bends shall be
soft curves and the angle between the
vertical plane and the duct must not exceed
45o. A maximum of two bends is accepted.
such as an attic. The part of the duct which
protrudes through the roof must also be
insulated against condensation. The insulation
of this part will at the same time contribute to
maintaining the thermal buoyancy forces.
Ventilation ducts should terminate as close to
the roof ridge as possible and the level of the
mouth should at least correspond to that of the
ridge. In general, ventilation ducts, including
ducts for natural ventilation, shall be so
designed that they do not cause inconvenience
to the surroundings.
Pollution from building materials
A lot of the materials used in the construction
of a building emit contaminants.
Building materials must not emit gasses, vapors
particles or ionized radiation which can lead to
an unsatisfactory and unhealthy indoor climate.
That is one of the reasons why it is
recommended only to use materials where
normal ventilation is adequate to remove
released contaminants to a level whereby they
no longer pose a threat to health or comfort.
The emission from a material is characterized
by the amount of substance emitted per time
unit. The emission normally decreases
SBI Direction 189
KLJ
proportionally to the elapsed time and at the
beginning it is the volatile components which
are predominant. The fact that emission
decreases proportionally to elapsed time is the
basic principle used by “Dansk Indeklima
Mærkning” (Danish Indoor Climate
Classification) which is described in the
subsequent paragraph.
Danish Indoor Climate Labelling
The labelling indicates a time value relevant to
the indoor climate when using a specific
building material. This means the time it takes
for the emission of contaminants to the air
from a material in a standard room to reach
below defined levels for smell, irritation and
other health hazardous effects. In this way the
designers of buildings as well as the potential
users are informed about the expected
duration of indoor climate problems caused by
the use of a certain building material. Based
on this information they will be able to decide
which precautions should be taken for
instance in terms of increased ventilation
during a set period of time.
Requiring a complete product description
including information about the applicability
of a certain building material is being used as
a mean to avoid the emission of gasses as a
consequence of the wrong application of the
said building material. The product
description must also contain such aspects as
guidance concerning storing, transport and
mounting. Additionally, information is
required concerning the cleaning and
maintenance of the building material. Figure
106 shows an example of a certificate.
A complete list of materials which have been
branded can be obtained from “Dansk
Indeklima Mærkning” DTI, Byggeri.
The labelling procedure is explained in more
detail in the leaflet “Dansk Indekilma
Mærkning” – en introduktion til brugere,
Tåstrup, 1995 (Danish Indoor Climate
Labelling – an introduction to users, Tåstrup,
1995)
94
 Figure 106. Example of a certificate issued by Dansk Indeklima Mærkning
(the Danish Indoor Climate Labeling).

SBI Direction 189

KLJ 95

Heat producing appliances and
chimneys
Heat producing appliances include all types of
stoves, fireplaces, boilers for central heating and
the like.
According to the Building Regulations for Small
dwellings, heat producing appliances and
chimneys shall be so constructed that they cause
no danger of fire, explosion, poisoning or other
health hazards. Materials used must be resistant to
flue gases, fire, heat and corrosion.
This chapter deals with the installation of heat
producing appliances and chimneys used for oil
and solid fuel heating. Regarding the installation
of gas heat producing appliances and flue
ventilation reference is made to regulations in
“Gasreglementet”, section A, 1991, 1st
amendment, March 1991 and 2nd amendment,
May 1995, “Danmarks Gasmateriel Prøvning”
(Danish institute for the testing of materials used
in gas installations).
This SBI-direction does not cover special rules
applying to the installation of oil tanks and pipes
for oil supply.
Heat producing appliances
When heating with solid or liquid fuel a clear
distinction is made between closed and open heat
producing appliances. In an open heat producing
appliance it is not possible to close the hearth
with doors or similar from the room, which is to
be heated. Closed heat producing appliances are
central heating boilers as well as stoves equipped
with doors.
The size of a closed heating appliance is
characterised by the stoking effect, that is, the
heating effect released at combustion. The
stoking effect is proportional to the consumption
of fuel. When stoking with oil the stoking effect
is approximately 10 kW at a consumption of 1
litre of oil per hour, and when stoking with solid
fuel the equivalent
value is 4 kW at a consumption of 1 kg wood per
hour.
When pressure atomising burners are used for oil
heating the effect is determined by the
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KLJ
ejector nozzle size. It is difficult to determine
the exact stoking effect of manually fed stoves
and boilers (solid fuel) given the fact that
feeding tends to be uneven and uncontrolled. A
small stove can have a maximum wood
consumption of 3 kg per hour and thus have a
stoking effect of 12 kW. Any stove produced
and tested according to DS 887, “Solid fuel
stove for room heating - Part 1: Requirements”
will have a stove label containing information
about the nominal effect in kW.
Setting up
Heat producing appliances can be set up in
living rooms, kitchens, sculleries and basement
rooms provided the ventilation is sufficient to
give adequate air for combustion. This can for
example be achieved by supplying the room
with an adequately dimensioned adjustable fresh
air vent or by supplying combustion air
through a ventilation duct from the outside.
Installation of heat producing appliances on, or
close to combustible material, is allowed
provided the heat emission does not cause
temperatures in excess of 80oC on any
combustible material.
In the case of fireplaces and stoves this
requirement is considered to be fulfilled when
the distance from any exterior part of the
fireplace or stove to combustible material is at
least 500 mm. In the case of masonry fireplaces
this distance is measured from the internal
surface of the fireplace. Stoves constructed in
accordance with DS 887 can be installed
according to the distances specified on the stove
label.
Safety distances are always calculated to
combustible material whether visible or
concealed behind a non-combustible covering.
The distance requirements do not apply to
skirtings.
The floor below stoves and fireplaces must be
non-combustible or firmly covered by a non-
combustible material such as stone or stone
aggregate or a steel or copper plate to protect
against falling embers. The covering shall
extend at least 300 mm in front of closed hearts
96
and at least 500 mm in front of open hearts.
Furthermore, the covering shall extend at least
150 mm to either side of the hearth opening.
Connection to chimney
Heat producing appliances for solid and liquid
fuel shall always be connected to a chimney
extending above the roof. The connecting pipe
between the heat producing appliance and the
chimney is called a flue pipe.
Flue pipes must be installed in such a way as to
facilitate easy maintenance and cleaning. Flue
pipes should be short and with as few elbows or
curves as possible. When cleaning cannot be done
via the heat producing appliance, the flue pipe
shall be equipped with sufficient cleanout doors.
Inside the room where the heating appliance is
installed, flue pipes less than 1.0 m long can be
made from minimum 1.0 mm steel plate or
similar. When pipes are longer than 1.0 m, a
thicker plate should be used, for example 2.0 mm.
The clearance between non-insulated flue pipes
and combustible material shall be at least 300
mm.
When two or more heating appliances are
connected to opposite sides of the chimney the
connection shall be continuous in such a way that
the vertical distance between connections shall be
Chimney cross sectional area cm2
at least 250 mm.
An open fireplace shall be connected to a separate
chimney with no other connections from heating
appliances. Gas heating appliances shall be
connected to a flue according to the regulations
stated in “Gasreglementet” (the Gas Regulations).
Chimneys
Chimneys shall be sufficiently high to ensure
adequate flue. Also, chimneys shall be
sufficiently high (in relation to roofs and
surroundings) to ensure that the smoke is quickly
dispersed and diluted into the atmosphere.
Cross-sectional area
The cross-sectional area of the chimney must be
adjusted to the amount of smoke. The cross
sectional area must be sufficiently large to
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KLJ
accommodate for maximum smoke flow. Also
space must be reserved for soot deposit. On the
other hand the cross sectional area must not be
excessively big as this may result in
condensation and tarry soot. Stoking with solid
fuel requires a larger cross sectional area than
oil combustion.
The cross sectional area should be kept within
the limits stated in figure 107 for oil stoking and
solid fuel stoking. In case of circular cross
sections the limits equal the limits of the
diameter stated in figure 108.
The dimensioning is based on the stoking effect
of the connected heating appliance or on the
total effect of all connected heating appliances.
When both oil and solid fuel stoked heating
appliances are connected to the same chimney
the cross sectional area can be determined as a
compromise between the stated values for oil
stoking and solid fuel stoking. However, it will
usually be a better solution to connect the
appliances to separate chimneys.
Solid fuel
Oil
Stoking effect, kw
Figure 107: Cross sectional area limits for
small chimneys used for oil and solid fuel
stoking. Sizes are determined as a result of the
total stoked effect at maximum load. The bold
horizontal lines represent minimum
requirements in Building regulations for Small
Dwellings. The values apply to closed heating
appliances
97

Solid fuel
Oil
Chimney cross sectional area cm2
Stoking effect, kw
Figure 108: Limits for the internal diameter of
small chimneys with a circular cross section -
oil and solid fuel stoking. The bold horizontal
lines represent minimum requirements in
Building regulations for Small Dwellings. The
values apply to closed heating appliances.
Example: An oil stoked central heating boiler
consuming 2 litres of oil per hour (with oil burner
active) has a stoking effect of 20 kW. As stated in
the figure the diameter should not be chosen
below 100 mm and not above 140mm. If a stove is
also connected with a maximum consumption of 4
kg wood per hour the total effect is 36 kW and a
diameter of 175 mm can for example be chosen.
The cross sectional area of the chimney and the
flue pipe to which an open fireplace is connected
shall be at least 300 cm2. If the free opening of
the fireplace is not larger than 2500 cm2, the cross
sectional area can be reduced to 175 cm2. The
free opening refers to the opening through which
the combustion air is flowing into the heating
appliance. When the heating appliance is
equipped with openings on several sides the area
is measured as the sum of all openings. Cross
sectional areas of 300 cm2 and 175 cm2
correspond to diameters of 195 mm and 150 mm
respectively.
SBI Direction 189,
KLJ
Height
A slight negative pressure should be established
in the combustion chamber of a heating
appliance and in the entire flue system - not only
for the sake of smoke transportation but also for
safety precautions by preventing smoke drifting
from the heat appliance, the flue pipe or the
chimney into the surrounding rooms. The low
pressure is established by the thermal buoyancy
created by the hot smoke in the chimney. The
buoyancy increases with higher smoke
temperature and by increasing the chimney
height. The chimney of an oil furnace/boiler
must suck out the smoke from the boiler while
the oil burner fan supplies the combustion air.
When stoking with solid fuel the chimney must
not only suck out the smoke from the heating
appliance - it must also suck the combustion air
into the heating appliance through the air intake.
Stoves and especially central heating boilers for
solid fuel therefore often require higher
chimneys than oil furnaces.
The chimney height is calculated from the floor
on which the heating appliance is placed.
Whenever possible, the height should not be less
than 5 m. In the case of solid fuel boilers and
other heating appliances requiring higher
chimneys in order to function safely the
manufacturer’s instructions should always be
followed.
When a house is exposed to wind an over-
pressure occurs on the windward facade and – at
roof pitches above 30o also along the lower part
of the roof. The chimney should be sufficiently
high to secure that the outlet is placed outside
the over-pressure zone. Smoke eddies tend to
arise above flat roofs and in the lee side of
pitched roofs. Consequently, smoke may be lead
down to a level where humans breathe and thus
cause inconveniencies. Therefore, the chimney
should be taken up above the eddy zone. As a
rule-of-thumb the chimney is usually taken up 1
m above the roof ridge or the highest part of the
roof. The chimney outlet should under no
circumstances be placed lower than the highest
point of the roof. If the chimney is placed on a
low extension, the height of the chimney shall
be determined according to the highest roof
ridge of the house.
98
Construction
Brick chimneys are traditionally constructed with
a 252 x 252 mm cross sectional opening and a
108 mm chimney wall inside the house and a 228
mm wall in the chimney pot. This construction is
rarely used in new buildings partly because the
cross sectional area is too large and partly
because the insulation is too poor but also
because the wall construction method may cause
leakages. Instead bricked chimneys are made
either of pre-cast liner elements which can be
brick clad or as a traditional brick chimney but
with an insulating lining which reduces the cross
sectional area, see figure 109. The figure also
shows an example of a steel chimney.
Chimney elements and chimney linings as well as
steel chimneys shall be MK approved and
construction/installation shall be carried out in
accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Figure 109
Examples of chimney cross sections. The figure
shows examples of chimney elements and chimney
linings. Other types of elements and linings do
exist. However, all elements and linings must be
MK-approved.
a) Thin-walled lining: to be lowered into existing
brick chimney.
b) Thick-walled lining: built-in during the
construction of a traditional brick chimney.
c) Pumice concrete element where the cavity is
filled with a lean clinker concrete.
d) Ceramic tile/ concrete element with air filled
cavities.
e) Ceramic tile/ concrete element with mineral
wool in cavity.
f) Steel chimney.
g) Pumice concrete element with air filled
cavities.
SBI Direction 189,
KLJ
Chimneys are usually cleaned from the top. In
houses with non-habitable attics above the collar
beams it is, however, practical to
construct the chimney in such a way that it can
be cleaned from a cleanout door in the attic.
Care must be taken to secure safe access for the
chimneysweeper to the chimney. It may be
necessary to mount steps on the roof and to
equip tall chimney pots with corrosion protected
rungs. The mounting of rungs is only possible
on solidly build chimney pots. Rungs cannot be
mounted on prefabricated chimney elements and
safe fixing in masonry is only possible provided
the brickwork has a minimum thickness of 228
mm.
During cleaning the soot is swept down inside
the chimney. This soot must be removed
through a cleanout door at the bottom of the
chimney. When a steel chimney is mounted
directly on top of a furnace the soot is swept
down into the furnace which will then be
cleaned together with the chimney.
When a chimney is not constructed vertically it
may be necessary to install extra cleanout doors.
Cast iron double cleanout doors are used for
brick chimneys.
The clearance between combustible material and
steel or brick chimneys shall be at least 100 mm.
Clearance between cleanout doors and
combustible material shall be at least 200 mm.
Distances are measured from the external side.
Beams, rafters and stair stringers may however
be placed directly against brick chimney walls
provided the wall is at least 228 mm thick or
provided the chimney is constructed similarly,
for example a chimney element with at least 108
mm brick cladding or as a brick chimney with a
108 mm wall supplied with a lining. In the latter
case the chimney must be insulated from any
combustible material using at least 20 mm
mineral wool.
The edge of combustible claddings with a
maximum thickness of 30mm can be placed
directly against brick chimneys. The distance to
steel chimneys shall be at least 50 mm.
Thatched roofs
In roof coverings which cannot be classified as a
class T roof covering like for example thatched
99
roofs, chimneys shall be so constructed and
installed that adequately fire safety is achieved.
Brick chimneys: From minimum 300 mm below
the roof cover and upwards the walls shall be
constructed of at least 228mm masonry or of
approved chimney elements clad with at
minimum 108 mm brickwork. Under the roof the
masonry shall be protected against cracks by
application of at least 30 mm reinforced
plastering.
Steel chimneys: From minimum 300 mm below
the roof cover and upwards the chimney shall run
through a duct, which has a diameter of at least
200 mm more than the diameter of the chimney.
Chimneys erected within a distance of 6m from a
thatched roof or other easily combustible roof
material shall be extended at least 0.8 m above
the roof ridge and should not be equipped with
chimney covers, chimney caps, chimney spark
arresters or the like as such devices may result in
increased risk of fire spread if a chimney fire
occurs.
For more details on the fireproofing of thatched
roofs reference is made to “Brandteknisk
Information nr. 29, Brandsikring af stråtage” (Fire
technical information no 29, Fireproofing of
thatched roofs, The Danish Institute for fire
testing)

SBI Direction 189,

KLJ 100
Enclosure A. Loads

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available in the English
version.

SBI Direction 189,

SBI Direction 189 101-104
KLJ 68
Enclosure B. Fire

In terms of fire building components are

classified according to their fire resistance and
according to the way a given surface (cladding)
reacts to fire as these two characteristics Ø 2 mm steel wire
significantly influence how fast a fire develops
– especially during the initial phases.
The construction examples in this SBI direction
comply with current demands concerning fire
resistance and fire-technical qualities of the
claddings.

The fire resistance of building components

The ability of a building component to resist
fire penetration and to maintain bearing Figure 112. Mineral wool in BD constructions can be
fastened by means of 2 mm steel wire per 300 mm.
capacity during a fire determines how much Cramp dimensions are stated in table 19.
time will be available to rescue persons from
the building and how much time the fire
brigade will have in order to control the fire.
This characteristic is termed “fire resistance”
and is stated by the number of minutes during Furring strips
which the building component prevents
penetration of the fire and – for load bearing
structures – maintains sufficient load bearing
capacity.
The terms BS (fire safe) or BD (fire retarding)
state that a building component contain non-
flammable materials only (BS) or part of the
building component may contain flammable
materials (BD). Figure 113. Mineral wool in BD construction 30 can
be fastened by means of 19 mm furring strips per
300 mm. Nail dimensions are stated in table 19.
Fastening of mineral wool
In BD constructions the insulation shall be
mineral wool in batts and it shall be fastened
with steel wire or furring as shown in figures
112 and 113. In walls the insulation may be Nails, min. 30 mm into wood
fastened by means of slanted nailing as shown
min. 35 mm into mineral wool
in figure 114. Where rockwool is required the
density shall be at least 30 kg/m3.

Figure 114. Mineral wool in walls can be fastened by

means of slanted nailing per 300 mm. The nails must
penetrate the mineral wool by minimum 35 mm and the
wood by minimum 30 mm. Slanted nailing from one
side of the wall is sufficient
SBI Direction 189
KLJ 105
 Table 19. Dimensions of nails and cramps (in mm) for the fastening of furring and wire.
According to Wood and Fire
Walls Floor partitions
BD 30 BD 60 BD 30 BD 60
Nails 2,8 x 50 2,8 x 65
Cramps 2,0 x 25 4,2 x 50 3,4 x 35 4,8 x 65

The fire-technical qualities of claddings

(coverings)
Claddings are divided into class 1 covering and
class 2 covering where class 1 covering is the
best. In the following a number of examples
representing the two types of claddings are
presented. It must be stressed that stated
thicknesses are minimum requirements.
Class 1 covering
A class 1 covering is defined as a covering
made from hardly combustible, moderately heat
developing and moderately smoke developing
material, which, during a standardized fire test
for 10 minutes, will protect any material behind
the covering from being ignited. Examples:
− Reeds and 12 mm plaster
− 9 mm plaster boards (gypsum board)
Wooden coverings shall be so fixed that they
do not loosen due to the deformations caused
by a fire. Fixing may be done by the use of
nails, screws or clamps in rows as shown in
figures 115 and 116.
When using profiled class 2 coverings the
surface of the inflammable material is
increased. Consequently, a fire will be able to
develop faster. Hence, profiling is only
allowed within certain limits, see figure 117.
On top of class 2 coverings it is accepted to
mount wallpaper, burlap or a similar thin
coatings without consequence for the fire-
technical qualities.
1000 mm

− Surfaces of masonry, light weight concrete

Max

and concrete with or without plaster.

Class 2 covering
1000 mm

A class 2 covering is defined as a covering

Max.

made from a normally flammable, normally

heat developing and normally smoke
developing material which, during a
standardized fire test for 10 minutes, will
1000 mm

protect any material behind the covering from

Max.

being ignited. Examples:

− 21 mm tongued and grooved boards
− 15 mm tongued and grooved boards with
not more than 25 mm underlying cavity. Figure 115. Fastening a wooden (board)
− 9 mm chipboards with a density of lagging by the use of nails, screws or
minimum 600 kg/m3. staples, marked with black dots. Each
− 9 mm fibreboards with a density of board is fastened at the ends and at every
minimum 600 kg/m3 1000mm.
− 9 mm plywood with a density of minimum
500 kg/m3

SBI Direction 189

KLJ 106
 Apart from the here mentioned examples a
number of similar covering systems do exist –
all approved by the Ministry of Housing. All

Max. 1
coverings or the packing material of the same

200mm
Max
shall carry an indication of approval according
Max. 200 mm

Max 150 mm to issued certificate.

200 mm
Max.

Max Max Max.

600mm 150 mm 600 mm

Figure 116. Fastening a board covering by the

use of nails, screws or staples, marked with
black dots. Distances according to supplier s
instructions or at maximum 150 mm along
edges and not more than 200 mm along
intermediate supports. The distance between
the rows must not be more than 600 mm.

a. Profiled boards with

underlying cavity. a1 + a2,
i.e. the parts of the board
where the thickness is less
than 21 mm must not
represent more than 20 % of
the board width a.
b. Profiled boards with no more
than 25 mm underlying
cavity. a1 + a2, i.e. the parts
of the board where the
thickness is less than 15 mm
must not represent more than
20 % of the board width a.
c. Profiled board covering with
underlying cavity. a1 + a2,
i.e. the part of the board
where the thickness is less
than 9 mm must not represent
more than 20 % of the
distance a.
Figure 117. Profiling of class 2 coverings. The profiles must under no circumstances increase the
surface area by more than 25 percent.

SBI Direction 189

KLJ 107
Enclosure C. Acoustics

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available in the English
version.

SBI Direction 189

SBI Direction 189 108-110
KLJ 68
Enclosure D. The stabilising
system

Sorry - this chapter is not yet

available in the English
version.

SBI
SBIDirection
Direction189189 111-126
KLJ 68
Enclosure E. Heat
requirements

Sorry - this chapter is not yet

available in the English
version.

SBI Direction 189

SBI Direction 189 127-140
KLJ
Translation KLJ 68
 Summary

SBI Direction 189: Single family houses. Insulation, moisture protection,

acoustics, fire resistance, ventilation and strength.

This SBI Direction provides The direction also deals with

guidance, with examples, on bathroom construction and provides
designing single family houses to information on choosing glass with
conform with the Building sufficient safely against failure.
Regulations for Single Family Lastly, methods for establishing
Houses, 1998 (Building Regulations natural ventilation in houses are
for Small Dwellings – BRS-98) described and some requirements are
The direction deals with detached, given concerning chimneys.
semi-detached and terraced houses
with one or two storeys and a
basement. The ridge height is
limited to 8,5 m.
The details shown in the
direction are only examples of how
to fulfill the requirements of the
Building Regulations. There are
many other solutions as well.
The direction deals first with the
structural system, paying special
attention to design for wind loads.
The basic parts of the house are
then discussed, i.e. foundations and
drainage, ground floor slab,
external and internal walls, parly
walls and roof structure, including
attic living space. It is shown how
the ground floor can be constructed
as a slab directly on the ground or
over a crawl space or a heated
basement.
In these sections, specifications are
given for the different parts and
examples arc provided of how the
parts can be joined together to meet
the requirements concerning insula-
tion, moisture protection, tire
resistance, etc.
Documentation of compliance with
the requirements concerning heal
insulation can be worked out in three
different ways. These are described
and examples are given of their
consequences.

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SBI Direction 189

SBI Direction 189 141
KLJ
Publishers translation 68