Oak Frame

Panels on site, ready to be added to Oak Frame

The SIPs panels provide the external cladding.

We've just completed the installation of the SIPs panels for this Oak Frame in Devon for Roderick James Architects.

Building Regulations

Following a survey held in July 2010, the Department for Communities and Local Government’s has published a work programme which details potential changes to the Building Regulations, with the aim of improving the system of building regulations in England.

You can download the full document ‘Future changes to the Building regulations – next steps’  at www.tinyurl.com/bizinf-e1115

Ecobuild 2011

Well that’s Ecobuild 2011 over, and it's been a busy week!  We managed to put a few faces to names, as well as making new acquaintances, catching up with old friends and discussing many projects and plans.

In addition to our own stand, SIPs Industries erected the UK SIPs Association stand in just two days, and dismantled it after the show in one and a half. 

You can see three short videos of the stand coming down on youtube. 

Fire Test



BRE Fire test in progress



We are often asked for information on how the SIPs panels perform in the case of fire. 

In October 2009, the BRE Watford carried out fire tests on SIPs panels.  The BRE are an independent company who aim to provide 'expert, impartial research, knowledge and advice for the built environment sector and beyond.'  SIPs Industries were happy to provide the man power to install the test buildings.

Past fire tests have tended to focus on how individual elements of a building perform in a specific scenario, without realistic indication of how the various elements will perform when combined into an actual building.

The BRE fire tests aimed to test the SIP panels in a realistic setting, on two-storey structures which incorporated SIP wall panels and a floor system of engineered floor joists. 

In total, four tests were carried out, using designs representing a two-storey house and a multiple occupancy apartment dwelling, and lasting for 30 and 60 minutes respectively.  Each test compartment measured 3mx4m, and had a floor to ceiling height of 2.4m, representing a standard room.  The panels were clad on the outside with masonry, and on the inside with plasterboard.

The initial test report by Tom Lennon and Danny Hopkin was published this month, and states that the fire tests;   “... have confirmed the ability of a structure incorporating SIP wall panels and engineered floor joists to survive a real fire scenario with an equivalent severity of 60 minutes exposure to the standard fire curve.” 

The mode of failure of the structure was a result of the floor failing, and the report emphasised that:  “Such a scenario is not influenced by the SIP system and would be the same for other panelised, framed or traditional masonry construction systems.” 

A full report on the test programme 'The performance in fire of structural insulated panels BD2710 BRE 2010' has now been published by Communities and Local Government (CLG).

 

Ecobuild 2011

It's the final day of Ecobuild today, but the work isn't over yet!  In addition to erecting the UK SIPS Association stand, SIPs Industries will also be dismantling it so that the panels can be re-used.

We should have photographs of the stand soon, so watch this space!

Completed Kits

SIPS Industries provided the kit for this school extension in Fife last year.  The extension is a replacement for a temporary hut which was no longer fulfilling the needs of the school.

SIPs Industries completed the kit – the main structure of the building – over the two week October break in order to avoid the health and safety issues which could have arisen from mixing an active school with an active building site.

Shows!

Ecobuild 2011 opens today at the London ExCel Centre, and runs  until Thursday.  SIPs Industries is in the South Hall on Stand S1256, and we would love to see you there.  The link to register for free tickets at www.ecobuild.co.uk is still working, so if you have the time it's not too late to take your plans along to discuss your project in person. 

If you can't make it to Ecobuild, we have got a very busy show schedule for the rest of the year, both in the UK and Australia.

SIPs Industries UK will be exhibiting at the National Homebuilding and Renovating Show at the NEC in Birmingham at the end of March. 

SIPs Industries will also be exhibiting at designEX at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia from 13-15 April 2011.  This trade only event has been at the forefront of the design and architectural arena for 23 years, and is one of Australia's leading design and architecture events. Keep checking back for updates on opportunities for free tickets, and details of the SIPs Industries stand.