Omega Building Systems Limited & Omega Manufacturing Limited “re-thinking construction….with a new way to build”
Table of Contents
1.0
Preamble and Overview
2.0
Company’s Registration 2.1 2.2
Omega Building Systems Limited Omega Manufacturing Limited
3.0
Company’s Experience
4.0
Company’s Resources 4.1 4.2
Plant and Equipment Resources Human Resources
5.0
Company’s Organizational Structure
6.0
Omega Manufacturing Limited’s Products and its Construction 6.1 6.2 6.3
7.0 8.0
Omega Board Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) Cold Rolled Formed Galvanized Steel
Approvals Contact Information
Omega Building Systems Limited & Omega Manufacturing Limited “re-thinking construction….with a new way to build” __________________________________________________________________ Omega Preamble Omega Manufacturing Limited (OML) and Omega Building Systems Limited (OBSL) are two very unique businesses located in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. Formerly known as Agostini Industries Limited, the Omega brand was established in July 2010. Since then, it has developed into two individual entities within the manufacturing and construction industries of the country. OML manufactures Omega boards, structural insulated panels (SIP), structural supports for SIP system, cold formed steel (CFS) roof trusses, floor joists, aluminium windows and door frames. OBSL designs and constructs homes and buildings using several of the building products and systems produced by OML. These two companies, while independent, work symbiotically with one another allowing for efficient flexibility in their business model—particularly regarding the needs of clients. Some customers may require specific products while others may require products in addition to a design that incorporates the various building systems into a finished product. Over the past 15 years, Agostini’s and Omega Building Systems, have collectively built and completed numerous projects in Trinidad and Tobago as well as the Caribbean. Also in French Guiana, where the products and various building systems have been tested and approved, they have been used in many already existing developments. All projects undertaken to date have been of a Design & Build arrangement and OBSL is equipped with a full design and construction team, comprising of consultants and direct staff.
3.0 Company Experience
4.1
Plant and Equipment Resources
4.2 Human Resources Administration The Company’s Administration is as per Organizational Chart herein. The company is structured into four categories that take care of its daily operations Administration, Manufacturing, Construction and all company future plans inclusive of research, design and development. The Managing Director has negotiated with many external companies that are willing to use our products which has guaranteed stable markets for the next ten years. OBSL has seen tremendous expansion with markets for its products reaching overseas and projected to be in the thousands of units (houses) per year, and as a result, the administrative staff was increased to plan for the future. The management staffing includes a Finance Director, Accountant, Purchasing and Logistics Manager and an Administrative Assistant. Factory Operations The factory has expanded its operations into six (6) departments with an Operations Manager, Operations Supervisor and Team Leaders for each department. Each department is staffed with the relevant skilled and unskilled workers. Site Operation In the construction department the company operates several construction sites with two (2) site Managers, four (4) Supervisors and twelve (12) direct employed workers. In addition to the company’s workers there are twenty eight (28) Sub- contractors that work with the company. Their workforce ranges from five (5) to twelve (12) workers. Design The company has many approved designs of houses and villas and is continuously expanding its data base to take care of the growing demands for its product. The team is headed by a Lead Engineer who holds a Doctorate Degree and a Junior Engineer, there are several consulting Engineers in the different fields which include two (2) Mechanical Engineers, two (2) Electrical Engineers, one (1) Civil Engineer, one (1) Construction Engineer, and one (1) Architect.
5.0
Company Organizational Structure
6.0 Omega Manufacturing Limited’s Products & Its Construction Omega Board Omega board is a technologically-advanced building material that has revolutionized current building practices. Its main component is Magnesium Oxide, an element that has been around for quite some time, used mainly by the Chinese. There are many different ways and combinations in which these boards are produced. However, the one commonality they share is their superior performance in just about every category when compared to traditional wood, gypsum, and cement-based products. Depending on the intended use of the board, ingredients as well as sizes vary in order to facilitate the different applications of the product. Extremely strong Omega boards may be quite heavy and used for SIP’s or partition walls, while others may be quite light such as boards used in a ceiling tile. Omega Board is light weight, tough, and virtually impervious to fire, as they are noncombustible boards. On the other end of the spectrum, these boards are unaffected by water, mould, mildew, and insects, for example termites. They are environmentally friendly as most of the ingredients used in producing the board are naturally occurring elements— making them non-toxic as well as asbestos free. This Class A building material is extremely durable and maintains its dimensional stability even when wet. It addition, Omega boards have an exceptional bonding surface making them quite versatile, depending on the clients desired use. Omega board can be used in many different areas as its ingredients are altered to fit its desired purpose. Some of these different applications include structural insulated panels (SIP), dry walls, ceilings and ceiling tiles, cupboard doors, partition walls, and much more. Omega uses only the highest quality ingredients when producing Omega board to ensure the final product is one of the best in its class.
Structurally Insulated Panels Structural Insulated Panels (SIP Panels) are high-performance building panels used for floors, walls, and roofs. Using Omega boards, Omega produces their own in-house custom SIP panels. Two sheets of board are placed into a mould and a high-density polyurethane foam is injected between the two boards. The mould is then left to cure as the chemical reaction bonds the materials together and we are left with a sandwiched panel. There are many benefits and advantages to using SIP’s rather than the traditional means of bricks and concrete. Being a fairly new product to this region, people are often hesitant to use it but are always eager to learn more about it—even though it’s been around for quite some time. Use of our building system appears identical to the naked eye when compared to that of a traditionally built structure. The main differences between the two comes when comparing its cost, strength and quality. This type of building system is great for residential, agricultural, and commercial applications but can also be used in almost all building types, ensuring a higher quality structure and faster construction time.
Advantages Of Using Omega SIP’s Cost Saving The use of SIP panels can save you in the long and short run. All panels are pre-engineered for their desired use before being sent to their final destination. Whether it be for plumbing, electrical, windows, or doorways, the panels are finished and ready for a quick installation upon arrival. Its light weight also allows for quick assembly and easy handling. Construction time can be further reduced, as Omega’s panel system requires smaller work crews than it takes to prepare a concrete wall. With this increased productivity, there is a substantial reduction of overhead costs. The sheer speed for example in which these panels can be installed rapidly reduces labour cost and preliminaries. Concrete Masonry Unit walls increase in weight as mass increases. The weight of SIP walls increase very little as thickness/mass increases, as PU is the only material that increases in width/mass. The average weight increase for 1220mm X 2745mm panel, is 3.2kg per 50mm increment. Reducing the overall weight of a structure which allows for a significant decrease in foundation material, and decreases the elevated weight, allowing superior performance in seismic loading, which again significantly decreases cost. Concrete walls also need time to cure, which can slow a job down dramatically depending on the scale of the operation. Also, if a mistake is made, it takes a great deal of time and effort to rectify concrete that has already set and been put in place. In addition, Polyurethane foam serves as a great insulation, with an R value of over 20 naturally, this leads to a reduction in electricity costs when trying to keep the building cool or in some cases warm. The end result being an energy efficient building that is rectified in a reasonable period of time.
Strength SIP panels are excellent for building, as testing shows SIPs are structurally sounder than conventional construction. They are designed to withstand nature’s various elements, and have already survived real world natural disasters for years. They are strong and not as rigid as traditional concrete when it comes to events such as earthquakes. A composite panel has a vertical load bearing capacity in excess of 25kN/m and a racking load resistance in excess of 1kN/m. Different sized panels are used depending on its intended purpose, whether it be for interior or exterior use. Structurally, a SIP can be compared to an I-beam: the foam core acts as the web, while the facings are analogous to The image above shows how SIP’s are interconnected and secured the I-beams flanges. All of the elements to the floor, in a domestic setting. A steel tie rod Is placed beof a SIP are stressed; the skins are in tween every few panels , and bolted at either end. tension and compression, while the core resists shear and buckling. Under load, the facings of a SIP act as slender columns, and the core stabilizes the facings and resists forces trying to deflect the columns. The thicker the core, the better the panel resists buckling, so larger-core SIPs offer more insulation and are stronger as well. A typical SIP wall panel will withstand vertical compression of over 900kg/m before structural damage occurs. No conventionally framed wall could survive this much weight. These panels are load bearing, and if used with our roofing system, some structural walls can be removed, or replaced by partition panels. By cutting down on the amount of structural reinforcements needed to support the building, costs are again reduced and less materials are required.
Quality Omega Panels are all produced in house and quality is monitored very closely. This is done to ensure that our product lasts for years and fully meets the requirements of our customers. All panels start as a basic 4x9 unit, but are then customized and tailored to fit the requirements of the job. Since there is no on site production, as is done with brick and concrete, we can ensure quality without being present. Erecting the panels is a fairly simple process, and once this is done properly the panels are strong, durable, and very low maintenance. Working with Omegas SIP system is always very cleanly and neat, while working with concrete can get quite messy. This makes it easier to visually pick up on any minute flaws during erection, and again ensure a top quality installation for consumers.
Combustibility The issue of how a material performs in the presence of fire is a primary concern to the code authorities. Fire has three requirements: fuel, ignition, and oxygen. SIPs have no "air" within their solid cores of insulation. The fire cannot "run up the wall" cavity. In Canada, the National Research Council has determined health risks associated with various combustible materials by essentially summing all of the risks of a material into a single index of toxicity. The higher the score, the more dangerous the material. Most building codes prohibit any material more toxic than wood smoke. But even wood smoke can kill you if you inhale enough of it, but any score below 50 at least gives you a chance to escape. Any material scoring above 100 should probably not be in your house.
Magnesium Oxide board, which is used in our SIP panel, conforms to the following: United States & Canada US ASTM E136 - non-combustible British Standard 476: Part 4: 1970 - non-combustible United States and Canada Surface Burning Characteristics CAN/ULC-S102 and US ASTM E 84 (Flame Spread Classification "FSC" = 0 / Smoke Developed "SD" = 0) Flame Spr ead and Smoke Development Rating is Class 1 or Class A British Standard 476: Part 7: 1997, Class 1 for Surface Spread of Flame A typical Magnesium Oxide SIP Wall section has a minimum fire rating of 60 minutes without the need to apply additional sheathing.
Green Construction In today’s modern day society most companies try their best to be socially responsible, in one way or another. These panels are a very “green” product. Its main ingredient is Magnesium Oxide, which is a naturally occurring element. It is all around us in many things that already exist in nature, and therefore is not toxic nor harmful to humans. Production of Omega panels is also a very clean process, no CFCS’s are produced and minimal energy is required. After a panel has been fabricated to its intended use, there is often scrape. This scrape is then recycled into dust and reused as raw material for future panels. This creates less jobsite waste along with a reduction in theft of materials.
Repeated engineering tests show that SIP construction is stronger than conventional wall and roof framing. A typical SIP wall panel will withstand vertical compression of over 2000 lbs. per linear foot before structural damage occurs. No conventionally framed wall could survive this much weight.
This Clermont, Georgia SIP house survived a 1998 tornado with superficial damage while 27 conventional houses around it were destroyed. Resistance to horizontal loads is called shear resistance — the ability of an object to withstand horizontal forces without damage. Racking resistance is the ability to stand this force without deforming.
The concrete foundation of this Sumner County, Tennessee SIP house crumbled and the porch was swept away, but the SIP walls and roof are still there. The contents of the house were only slightly damaged. Using the standard ICBO and BOCA approved test (ASTM E-72-80, “Conducting Strength Tests of Panels for Building Construction, Section 14), testers found that a standard 4'x8'x4-1/2" SIP panel wall had over three times as much resistance shear stress as a traditional wall assembly. At a load level that would destroy a conventional wall a SIP wall will deflect about 1/8".
6.3 What Is Cold Formed Steel? Cold Formed Steel is a method of forming steel without the use of heat. (Unlike the conventional hot– rolled steel used in universal beams and columns). CFS members are made from structural quality galvanized sheet steel, and are formed into shape mainly by roll forming. Roll forming is a process where steel is pushed through a series of rolls until the desired shape is achieved.
Cold Rolled Formed Galvanized Steel Building System The proposed Cold Rolled Formed Galvanised Steel Building System can be adapted for any region from tropical to temperate countries and can withstand both earthquakes and hurricanes. The concept introduces light elements that can be manipulated and erected by one, two or three people without the use of heavy machinery. The materials used for structural components have eliminated the use of wood products which allows the house to be termite proof and resistant to mould and moisture if well ventilated. The structure is composed of galvanised cold-formed steel for the walls and roof trusses. All profiles are manufactured in Trinidad and Tobago by roll forming 1.2mm G90 galvanised steel and assembling with galvanised bolts and self-tapping screws. The main profiles used are; Omega profiles usage:
Stud for external wall Top and bottom of trusses Purling
U profiles usage:
Top and bottom of wall panels Top and bottom of large openings for windows and doors. Eave purling Ridging Ventilation bash-board Bash board
Small C profiles
Vertical and oblique beams inside trusses
Cold Rolled Formed Galvanized Steel Building System Cont’d. The proposed Cold Rolled Formed Galvanised Steel Building System can be adapted for any region from tropical to temperate countries and can withstand earthquakes and hurricanes. The concept introduces light elements that can be manipulated and erected by one, two or three people without the use of heavy machinery. The materials used for structural components have eliminated the use of wood products which allows the house to be termite proof and resistant to mould and moisture if well ventilated.
The structure is composed of galvanised cold-formed steel for the walls and roof trusses. All profiles are manufactured in Trinidad and Tobago by roll forming 1.2mm galvanised steel and assembling with galvanised bolts and self-tapping screws. The main profiles used are; Omega pr ofiles Large ones of 80 x 77 x 1.25mm with 15mm lips for: Stud for external wall Top and bottom of trusses Small ones of 80 x 52 x 1.25mm with 15mm lips for: Purling U pr ofiles Of 78 x 43 x 1.25mm for Top and bottom of wall panels Top and bottom of large openings for windows and doors. Of 52 x 43 x 1.25mm for Eave purling Ridging Ventilation bash-board Of 150 x 35 x 1.25mm for Bash board Small C pr ofiles of 47 x 47 x1.25mm for Vertical and oblique beams inside trusses Strap pr ofiles of 160 x1.25mm for Horizontal and vertical cross bracing. Note this strap of 160mm is use also for the fabrication of small C and U.
All profiles are assembled in;  In a factory environment (panels and trusses)  On site the erection of the structure  With 10mm SI bolts and 4mm self-tapping screws. The gypsum board provider also provides the ceiling and eave profiles in galvanised 0.5mm thickness. For the porch, normal RHS profiles are welded together and bolted to wall panels. For the basic drawings everything is subdivided into multiples of 305mm and is adapted to receive American products with metric measurements.
Panel assembly on special jig
Truss detail
Burglar-proofing, panel bracing and window frames The roofing consists of corrugated or gable aluzinc lacquered sheets. Fastening is done with self-tapping screws with gasket as follows
Eaves and ridging every 250mm (maximum) Other places every 500mm maximum on the purling. Flashing done with the same type of sheeting covering all ridging and hips.
These structures can also be exported in 40’-00” containers
Balance the load inside Provide availability of components in the right order for the erection.
Typical load for 1011 house in 40’ container
Cold Formed Galvanized Steel Roof Trusses As mentioned earlier, cold formed galvanized steel is one of Omegas main building components. It is manufactured into many different profiles. Each serves a different purpose as it comes together, to form one unified and rigid structure. Applying CFS systems to roofs has many advantages over traditional wood, and I-Beam structures. If used with Omegas SIP system, many structural walls can be removed, had there been an original plan to use concrete walls. This can be done because the Galvanized trusses can reach spans of up to 9.2m, along with the load bearing abilities of the SIP system.
Advantages of CFS Roof Trusses Concise Quality- Light gauge/ cold formed steel enjoy uniform manufacturing tolerances. Cold-formed steel is always dimensionally correct and does not contain the knots, twists, or warps commonly found in wooden framing materials. Ease of Installation- Cold-formed steel framing installed quickly. The components of a lightweight, steelframed assembly, including studs, track, joists, etc., can be assembled quickly and easily into prefabricate panels or assemblies. Cutting these steel components ahead of time and to the precise dimensions you require, can save you time and help produce less waste Light Weight- Job sites with steel framing require less man power due to 30-50% less weight compared to traditional wood counterparts. Smaller crews mean smaller cost. Durability- Galvanized steel can resist almost any conditions, and is not flammable. It has already been implemented in many buildings around the world, some of which have been tested heavily by nature.
Building Accuracy- Cold formed steel allows for more accuracy and evenness during the build. Using CFS it maximizes your crew’s ability to get the job right the first time, as reworking costs time, money, and in some cases profit. Low Maintenance- Galvanized steel has virtually no maintenance, and termites as well as mould have no effect Greater strength- Light gauge/ cold-formed steel components with same outside dimensions as their wooden counterparts are lower in bulk and provide greater strength for many applications. The inherent strength of steel also usually translates into a need for fewer members and in many cases smaller members. For example steel strength for tension is about twenty times stronger than the A variety of products thickness, size and arrangement of light gauge/ cold-formed steel members enable engineers to meet big verity of owner demand for bigger and larger open space.
Cold Formed Galvanized Steel Floor Joists & Decking Omega Manufacturing also produces their own alternative flooring system, which fits hand in hand in the way their buildings are designed. It is comprised of cold formed galvanized trusses, floor joists, and Omega Board. There are two types of floors, one for domestic use, and one for commercial use. Both have a maximum span of 4.75m. The domestic floor uses galvanized trusses and joists below. On the surface sheets of 38mm Omega Board are put in place, as each sheet is pre-engineered to interlock into the other. The Commercial floor uses galvanized trusses and joists below as well. On the surface however, it uses steel decking along with two layers of Omega board. This is done to increase strength and stability, along with muffling the sound of footsteps above.
Contact Information Omega Building Systems & Omega Manufacturing Limited 19D David Blake Street O'Meara Industrial Estate Arima Trinidad West Indies Phone: (868) 646-0436 or 2239 Fax: (868) 646-1915 Web: www.omegabuildsys.com Managing Director Darren R. Hassanali Mobile: 1 (868) 376-4294 Email: drh@omegabuildsys.com Marketing/ Sales Manager Mark Agostini Mobile: 1 (868) 471-0748 Email: magostini@omegabuildsys.com