Find your route.

The same routes the guided steps use, listed in full. Each one says what the destination covers.

1. What does a fire rating or classification actually cover?

   The Bench has not published a study on board or system fire resistance.

   • Fire performance Fire resistance is system/build-up/application specific; reaction to fire is not fire resistance.
   • The Fire Rating Is Only the Start Reactive coatings on structural steel only — not evidence for boards or any other product. (when the question is about structural steel, reactive (intumescent) coatings or what a fire rating covers)
   • Declared performance is tied to a declared intended use Law in force (England); checked 23 September 2026; not legal advice.
   • A product mark is not a statement that the product suits your use Law in force (England); checked 23 September 2026.
   • Cavity vs No Cavity? (fire pathways discussion) External-wall fire-pathway / assembly-scope discussion only. (when the question is about external wall fire)

2. Thermal performance or U-values

   This site has no U-value content or calculation.

   • Thermal and U-values Reading route; no U-value calculation is offered by the site.
   • Cavity vs No Cavity? (solar gain and summer heat) External-wall solar/summer discussion; not a U-value result. (when the question is about summer heat, overheating or climate)

3. Moisture, condensation or mould

   This site does not offer condensation risk analysis.

   • Moisture and mould risk Reading route; not a condensation risk analysis.
   • Cavity vs No Cavity? (moisture pathways) Moisture pathways and cavity functions; England/UK evidence base as stated in the report.

4. Racking or sheathing

   The Bench has not yet published a racking-specific study.

   • Racking and sheathing No racking-specific Bench study has been published yet.
   • Hicem fibre cement board Product knowledge route only; no racking claim. (when the question names Hicem or board sheathing)

5. External walls: cavity or cavity-free?

   • Cavity vs No Cavity? Evidence review of strategies and evidence classes; does not assess any specific project build-up.
   • Façades and external walls Reading route: questions, documents and where the evidence falls short.
   • Renders and brick slips Cavity and cavity-free assemblies reviewed as strategies; not approval of any system. (when the question is about render, brick slips or ETICS)

6. How a build-up or system is evidenced

   • System build-ups Reading route: the tested build-up compared with the proposed one.
   • Cavity vs No Cavity? (functions and interfaces) Function/interface explanations; no project build-up assessed.
   • The Fire Rating Is Only the Start (coating system build-up) Coating system build-up figure; reactive coatings scope only. (when the question is about coated steel or a reactive coating system)

7. Walls, floors and ceilings (linings, partitions, decks)

   No dedicated Bench investigation yet.

   • Walls, floors and ceilings No dedicated Bench investigation has been published yet.
   • Hilux calcium silicate board Product knowledge only; no system fire approval from image or page. (when the question names Hilux or board linings)

8. I want to understand an evidence topic

   • Learn The Bench library: publications, evidence areas and Evidence Watch.
   • Evidence areas Eight areas. Links between them are reading routes, not approval.

9. A product has been (or may be) swapped

   • Substitution changes the evidence Law in force (England); checked 23 September 2026.
   • Traceability Proposed not law; checked 23 September 2026.
   • Change control: a product swap is a recorded event Higher-risk buildings in England only; official guidance. (for higher-risk buildings in England, or if you are not sure)

10. Higher-risk buildings, Gateway 2 or 3, golden thread

    These routes apply to higher-risk buildings in England only.

    • Building control approval for higher-risk buildings England HRB only.
    • Gateway 2: approval before work starts England HRB only.
    • The golden thread England HRB only.
    • Change control England HRB only.
    • Gateway 3 and completion England HRB only.
    • Competence is a legal requirement Law in force (England).

11. Product regulation and reform

    Proposals are not law. Evidence Watch is not legal advice.

    • Evidence Watch Law / guidance / proposal / watch statuses stay distinct; checked 23 September 2026.
    • Materials must suit the circumstances Law in force (England).
    • Outside the product regulations Watch item.
    • Construction products reform Proposed not law.
    • General Safety Requirement proposal Proposed not law.
    • Licensing certification bodies (proposal) Proposed not law.
    • Products work as systems Watch item.

12. Does this document answer my question?

    • A product mark is not a statement that the product suits your use Law in force (England).
    • Declared performance is tied to a declared intended use Law in force (England).
    • Common evidence gaps Where evidence commonly falls short. A gap is an open question, not a defect.

13. I've received an evidence query (Building Control, client, insurer)

    • Common evidence gaps Where evidence commonly falls short. A gap is an open question, not a defect.
    • What We Do Service explanation; no outcome promised.

14. About a specific product: Hicem, Hilux, Protherm Light

    Manufacturer data describes the product; it is not independent proof of how it performs in a build-up.

    • Hicem fibre cement board Product record. Manufacturer data is not independent proof. (when the product is Hicem)
    • Hilux calcium silicate board Product record. Manufacturer data is not independent proof. (when the product is Hilux)
    • Protherm Light Product record. Manufacturer data is not independent proof. (when you choose Protherm Light)

15. I need my project or build-up reviewed

    • What We Do Service explanation.
    • Ask The Bench Your Navigator summary can come with you.

16. Who are The Bench, and how does it work?

    • About Brand/profile; not technical evidence.
    • What We Do Service explanation; no outcome promised.

17. Browse publications and videos

    • Investigations Publication shelf.
    • Cavity vs No Cavity? The publication page, with the report and the briefing film.
    • The Fire Rating Is Only the Start The publication page, with the report and the short film.

Route table RT-V03 (52 routes) · Navigator NAV-L1-V01 / 2026-10-03. Routes point only to published pages; planned or internal material is never routed.