Report BR 153 Structural condition of Wimpey no-fines low-rise dwellings

Publication Year

1989

Document Status

Archived

Abstract

No-fines concrete is a non-proprietary material used extensively in England and Scotland, and to a lesser extent in Wales, for the construction of walls in dwellings. George Wimpey & Co Ltd developed a system of housing utilising this material and traditional building methods, and built in excess of 300,000 low-rise dwellings from the mid-1940s onwards. Many contracts were carried out by substituting no-fines concrete for the loadbearing masonry walls indicated in Borough Architects' plans. However, a limited number of properties were built for the private sector. Since the external walls are of cast-in-situ concrete the system is adaptable, giving many different plan configurations and types of accommodation. Numerous basic types of Wimpey No-Fines (WNF) bungalows, houses and low-rise blocks of flats and maisonettes, were produced, generally ranging in height from one to five storeys, although a few six-storey blocks were built under special supervision. The designs incorporate flat, hipped and gable roofs, porches of different designs and in some cases bay windows. The no-fines walling can also form the inner leaf of masonry-faced cavity construction.

Document History

Included in BRE Report 469 - Non traditional houses. Whilst this publication can still be purchased some of the information in it has been superseded by more recent research and standards. The BRE Group does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for any loss or damage, including - without limitation - indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from use, or loss of use, of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this document.

Author

Reeves, B. R. and Martin, G. R.

ISBN

9780851254036

Publisher Information