SIP News - Autumn Edition

sipnews the magazine from the UKSIP Association

CE Marking and achieving compliance

NEW: Sustainability Technical Bulletin

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

Timber Expo 2013 – visitor numbers increased

Member updates and SIPS news snapshots

“The best industry trade show that I have attended.”

Darren Manning Senior Buyer, RI Works

07 & 08 OCTOBER 20I4 NEC BIRMINGHAM www.timber-expo.co.uk

“Great event with an excellent Seminar Programme.”

Charlie Law - Head of Environmental Management, BAM Construct UK

“The quality of enquiries that have come in since the show has been flabbergasting.”

John Spittle England & Wales Sales Director, Wiehag

Research from the AEO shows that ...

• 80% agree that a person spends more money with people or companies they have met face-to-face • 86% of Business Directors say that exhibitions are the second most effective means of generating sales leads after a company's own website • 80% agree that face-to-face delivers better ROI than other media

"A good mixture of people potential customers, buyers and merchants - and most people are serious in wanting to talk about wood."

Chris Powell Managing Director, CP Timber

Exhibition space for 2014 is selling fast – book before 31 December to receive your 10% early bird discount Contact – Loretta Sales: +44 (0)7956 173351 or loretta.sales@timber-expo.co.uk Main image: Abraham Darby Sports and Learning Community Telford, Shropshire European Spruce glulam, European larch, (Redwood) glulam, European Spruce CLT, Canadian Western red cedar BDP

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Welcome to the latest issue of SIP News Magazine – providing you with updates and developments in the low energy building arena.

It is fair to say that the construction industry has witnessed a significant rise in the use of Structural Insulated Panels for use in the erection of both residential and commercial buildings in recent times, with interest levels hitting a constant upward trajectory now that ‘fabric first’ principles are understood and being adopted across a broad spectrum of building types.

It is widely acknowledged that SIP technology provides very thermally efficient buildings with a much improved airtightness, contributing significantly to energy conservation and carbon reduction, whilst providing excellent performance when assessed against the relevant building standards. In addition to these features, the improvements in the speed of construction are significant too. These attributes

are explored in this issue of SIP News through technical articles and case studies.

The UK SIP Association provides information required by the market on SIP construction in a broader context and over recent months we have been preparing the latest Technical Bulletin on Sustainability, which I am now pleased to say has now been published. We have also been implementing the SIPCheck Installer Accreditation Scheme and developing the SIPS Code of Practice – all of which is covered in this issue of SIP News. In parallel we have continued to recruit new Members and to develop our portfolio of SIPS project case studies to help to inspire and encourage the greater uptake of SIPS technology.

In September we successfully participated in Timber Expo – hosting the Toolbox Talks seminar theatre and contributed to the ProTimber Summit in collaboration with our Timber Accord partners. Strategic

developments across the sector look very interesting as we respond to the Governments Construction Strategy 2025, which we are well placed to do.

We would encourage anyone associated with SIP supply or manufacture, specification, design or construction to engage with us via our website www.uksips.org. We have a wealth of information online plus member search tools, case studies, technical bulletins, a project enquiry system and much more!

We hope you enjoy the read…and would appreciate your feedback on this issue of SIP News via info@uksips.org. If you would like to contribute to future issues of SIP News then please get in touch.

Best Regards

Charles Stewart Chairman UK SIP Association

Contents Industry News ................................................................................................... 4 - 9 Code for Living........................................................................................................10 Grown in Britain ......................................................................................................12 Review of Timber Expo 2013................................................................................14 ProTimber Summit ................................................................................................. 16 SIPCheck Accreditation ....................................................................................... 18 Launch of Structural Timber Association ........................................................ 20 Sustainability Technical Bulletin......................................................................... 22 New Members ....................................................................................................... 26 Case studies ................................................................................................. 27 - 30 CE Marking ............................................................................................................ 31 SIP Code of Practice............................................................................................. 34 The views expressed in SIP News are not necessarily those of the UK SIPS Association. Cover image: Hanham Hall courtesy of Kingspan TEK

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Construction Products Association and UKTI to Promote Export Opportunities

industry news

The Construction Products Association has been awarded funding from UK Trade & Investment for a two year project to identify and assist more nonexporting companies in the construction products sector to start exporting. This project builds on the Association’s successful overseas exhibition and mission programme which has helped more than 200 companies break into new overseas markets in the last three years.

The first stage of the export project is a short survey to assess the extent of existing and potential export activity.

Association Export Manager Mike Josypenko explains: “We would like to hear from all manufacturers and suppliers of construction products, exporters and non-exporters alike, to get your views on exporting, hear about your successes, the challenges you face, and what support you need to start exporting. The survey will also

identify a pool of companies who wish to receive practical help from the Construction Products Association to sell their products and services overseas.”

To complete the short export survey and sign up to receive more information about the Construction Products Association’s export project, please visit: http://svy.mk/13rI0Nb

Business leaders unite with letter to PM on energy bills Leaders from more than 50 of the UK’s leading companies and professional institutes operating in the built environment, including the Structural Timber Association and the Timber Trade Federation have warned the Prime Minister not to scale back so called green levies on energy bills.

In a letter to David Cameron coordinated by the UK Green Building Council, chief executives from a range of firms including E.ON, Carillion, Barratt Developments, Willmott Dixon and Keepmoat, are urging the Government not to scale back schemes such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) in a bid to reduce consumers’ energy bills.

The letter argues that energy efficiency is the “only sure way”

to protect households against rising bills in the long-term, and that rolling back ECO, which is designed to improve the energy efficiency of vulnerable and low income households and ‘hard to treat’ properties, would instead increase energy bills for these consumers and have “severe consequences” for jobs in the sector.

The leaders also urge Mr Cameron to consider using additional incentives such as Stamp Duty to encourage uptake of the Green Deal, which could help reduce the cost of ECO. Paul King, Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council, said: “Business leaders are sending a powerful message to David Cameron – do not scrap the Energy Company Obligation.

Cutting back schemes designed to boost energy efficiency is an

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

incredibly short-sighted view and one that will only result in higher bills in the medium to long-term for those most vulnerable from rocketing energy prices.

“Energy efficiency is the only guaranteed way to combat rising energy bills and it defies belief that the Prime Minister is considering ‘rolling back’ one of the Government’s biggest initiatives to achieve this.”

Full text of the letter is available at: www.ukgbc.org

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Code Level 4 offsite house to 'disrupt the norm' A new factory-built house, which its inventor claims will “disrupt the convention of house building in the UK”, is to be launched in the UK this Autumn.

The housing system features bespoke structural insulated panels that can achieve airtightness values of 1.2 m3/hr/m2@50Pa. The fully rigid modular solution arrives onsite fully painted, decorated, plumbed, wired and with kitchen, bathroom, windows and doors installed and fitted.

Stephen McCready, a former developer in Northern Ireland and pioneer of carbon neutral housing, has been backed by a Swiss investor to bring a new housing system to market called Nühaus, which allows a twostorey, three-bedroomed house to be built in a day. Two semidetached houses will be built on the BRE’s Innovation Park and will be designed to meet Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Nühaus managing director McCready said: “We build our super energy efficient houses in a factory, so you don’t have to build them in the rain any more, all our houses are Code Level 4 as standard, and can be upgraded to 5 or 6 if required.”

Twelve houses have already been built using the system at two sites in Scotland. John O’Brien, a principal consultant at the BRE, said building to Code Level 4 is very difficult using traditional building techniques, so by manufacturing all the components in a factory you can

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

control the quality and ensure airtightness. Modular panels arrive on truck already waterproofed, so there is no need to install a membrane.

Plumbing and services pre-fitted.

Houses can be erected in a day, and around 10 days including the roof.

Nühaus will be initially aimed at housing associations. O’Brien said the cost was around £600£700 per sq m, plus foundation costs. “Most housing associations tend to aim for around £1,000 per sq m with social housing. So with this house Code 4 isn’t really costing any more than we were achieving Code 3 with.”

The affordable housing exemplar was officially opened at the INSITE 13 sustainability conference on 2 October at BRE Watford.

See www.insite13.com

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Sipbuild UK Businesses in the North East were hoping for a capital injection when their floating advert, the racing vessel One Hull of a Boat, arrived in London.

Its mooring at Docklands on September 21 was an opportunity to tell an inspirational story of vision, pluck and opportunism that it’s hoped will open doors in the South East. The spot in East London put it next to Canary Wharf where it could best gain global media awareness and seize networking and partner opportunities for the region.

SipBuild UK has also been shortlisted in the Build It Magazine awards for its work with SIPS. It will discover if it has won the Best Use of SIPs category at an event hosted by TV comedian Alan Davies from QI and Jonathan Creek on November 21 beside the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon.

SipBuild UK Managing Director Chris Duckworth said: “It’s great to be recognised as one of the best in the country for what we do. We’re up against three tough competitors but we have a very good chance as our entry is based on a case where the selfbuilder was also a professional builder. Despite planning a timber frame for a first floor extension to his bungalow he chose SIPs after learning how their strength and low weight would skip all sorts of labour including new work on the foundations.

“In terms of innovation and design, our project is a fantastic example of how SipBuild UK works with existing structures and complements them in the

most efficient way possible. Selfbuilders naturally want to know what a professional builder would use on their own home well, this is the answer!”

The extension SipBuild UK built was six times stronger than a timber frame with unbeatable thermal efficiency, yet no additional support was needed above the ground, adding more space to the five per cent extra created by slim-line SIPs compared to traditional construction methods. SipBuild UK were on site for just nine days, with the floor and wall taking five days and the roof four. The entire extension project lasted just three weeks.

www.sipbuilduk.co.uk

industry news

Sponsors SipBuild UK helped the audacious idea come true by pitching in with schools, charities and individuals to make up the £24,000 required to buy the 28 ft P1 Panther. The 250hp vessel would normally cost £80,000 but a logistical mix up made for a knockdown price.

The idea was the boat would tour the UK – and be broadcast around the world on Sky Sports – racing and promoting the Hull business community.

Riding High

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SIPCO Secure Echovia Homes

industry news

Sipco has been appointed to deliver five detached units at Echovia Homes’ prestigous Sandiway Bank development.

Designed and built by Echovia homes, each house features 3743 sq ft accommodation set on 0.25 acre plots in gated grounds in one of Cheshire’s most popular villages. Echovia homes are an innovative independent developer without the constraints of traditional methods.

This results in tasteful, spacious homes for people who appreciate high standards of construction and internal fitting.

Underfloor heating, intelligent lighting, extensive glazing, double-height spaces – these are just some of the details installed in the elegant family homes.

www.thesipcompany.com/latest-news/45-sandiway-bank

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

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SIPS Helps Leeds Schools Passivhaus Success Interserve, the international construction and support services group was awarded Project of the Year in the under £10 million category by the judging panel of the 2013 Construction News Awards for the successful construction of Richmond Hill Primary School in Leeds to Passivhaus design principles.

efficient building envelope for thermal performance and airtightness, supported by optimum heat recovery systems.

A panel of judges drawn from the construction industry, major companies, universities and industry bodies said that the project showed: "Great use of offsite manufacturing, community and client engagement and a passionate team leading an engaged supply chain."

Completed on behalf of Leeds City Council, the school uses up to 80 per cent less energy than a conventionally-built, equivalentsized facility. Its carbon emissions are also 60 per cent reduced without having to include a source of renewable energy on the development. Instead, the school follows Passivhaus design principles to create the most

The single- and two-storey steel-framed building provides accommodation for a three-form entry primary school, nursery and Autistic Spectrum Condition Unit. Offsite-manufactured, SIPS are used for wall and roof construction that combine high quality manufacture with excellent airtightness. In other parts of the building, greater energy efficiency has been achieved by reducing the effects of coldbridging that encourages heat loss.

Passivhaus-certified highefficiency air-handling units have also been installed and air tests have revealed that the final tightness of the building is 20 times better than that required

by Building Regulations. Despite these high standards, the project

was also built to budget and delivered two weeks ahead of programme.

It is estimated that if Leeds City Council were to convert all 177 schools to Passivhaus-certified buildings, then a saving of £4.6 million per year would be realised solely in energy savings, against an estimated current spend of £7.4 million per year.

Ian Renhard, MD Construction at Interserve said: "Winning this prestigious award and being recognised by such an esteemed and knowledgeable panel of judges is testament to the skills of the project team and the ability we have to use innovations to solve problems for our clients and make significant savings by adopting the most energyefficiency build standards."

More information on this project is available at Interserve's SustainAbilities http://tinyurl.com/o6k3guy

The SIPS panels used in this project were provided by Hemsec SIPS - www.hemsecsips.com

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Code for Living The Code for Sustainable Homes & Passvihaus should not to be confused. They are both different assessment systems and should be viewed as complementary more than competitors.

The Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) is an overarching system for newbuild residential housing, which considers the sustainable features from nine headline categories (Energy, Material, Waste, Water, Surface Water, Pollution, Health & Well Being, Management and Ecology), and rates a property from Level 1 to Level 6 with mandatory levels of performance pertaining to the code level required/achieved.

SIPS technology has the potential to impact on credit awards in many of these categories, especially Energy, Material, Waste, Pollution and Health & Well Being.

CfSH does not tell you a solution, it merely tells you how the unit/development rates.

Passivhaus is a system of design centred on the performance of the building envelope. It sets out a distinct set of parameters for construction, resulting in an exemplar performing unit with low energy demand and low energy wasted (not just for houses).

The two systems are not mutually exclusive, in fact the benefit of the use of Passivhaus principles are echoed strongly in the evolution of CfSH, with the most recent revision (Nov 2010), allocating 22% of the total credits available to the categories directly affected by Passivhaus – Dwelling Emission Rate (DER) & Fabric Energy Efficiency (FFE). This allocation is not a coincidence, as through the revisions of the CfSH since it subsumed BRE’s EcoHomes as the leading UK

sustainable assessment system for houses, the change of emphasis has clearly been towards rewarding a Fabric First solution and away from the initial need to show off your ecocredentials with solar panels or photovoltaics (PV).

Underlined by the changes to Part L1 of The Building Regulations 2010 (in England & Wales) , and likely to be reenforced in imminent and subsequent updates, it is now

Working on the same approach as Passivhaus principles, designs focus on improved fabric performance with better than required U-values, attention to thermal bridging details (whose impact is not to be underestimated), consideration to solar-gain, ventilation and heat recovery methods, and improved airtightness, all now common and understood terms around the design table.

understood that it is better not to need or waste the energy requirement in the first place, than it is to replace it – step forward Passivhaus.

Pitching a strong envelope has never been more relevant, and even though CfSH might not last much longer in its current form and Passivhaus might never become enforced, it is undeniable that these systems both provide strong clues to the direction that UK Building Regulations will continue to take, as legal commitments to carbon emission reduction continue.

Until now CfSH assessments have been dominated by the need to achieve Code Level 3, often dictated by funding requirements and in energy/CO2 since 2010 this has meant no more than achieving Building Regulation compliance (Dwelling Emission Rate ≤ Target Emission Rate).

However, higher Code Levels require a significant reduction in DER, and with CfSH’s need to accumulate credits too, FEE has become a stronger focus/ driver for clients looking for value rather than kudos.

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

For more information on CfSH visit: www.bre.co.uk/accreditation For more information on Passivhaus visit: www.passivhaustrust.org.uk

0151 420 1404 www.sipbuildingsystems.co.uk

SIP Building Systems Ltd was established in 2005 and is a leading manufacturer in producing Structural Insulated Panels from its 3200m² factory in Widnes, Cheshire.

Our expertise in producing panels allows us to supply many different markets including; housing, commercial, leisure homes, military solutions, modular buildings and cold store sector.

Our flexibility and willingness to produce bespoke or unusual panels gives us that leading edge that our clients are looking for. SIP Building Systems will continue to invest in more production technology as this rapid method of construction becomes more popular and well established.

SIP Building Systems Ltd concentrates on developing and manufacturing the highest quality products. SBS work alongside a wide range of SIP fabricators covering the whole of the UK; the SIP fabricators can offer a range of services from design and fabrication to installation.

brendan.houghton@sipbuildingsystems.co.uk

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GrowninBritain Grown in Britain Week (which ran from October 14-20) saw the forest wood sector 'open its doors' to show people the great things being done with wood – and TRADA’s complementary new WIS is a comprehensive overview of the British timber market, the products available and their uses.

To mark Grown in Britain Week, TRADA made its new Wood Information Sheet (WIS) Specifying British-grown timbers free to download for a limited period only.

The WIS is accompanied by a series of highly informative datasheets on the various species, such as sycamore, oak, ash and spruce, with details of the distribution, properties, uses and special considerations.

“This new Wood Information Sheet will be a great help to

designers and contractors in not only selecting the right timber species for the job,” said Charlie Law, BAM Construct UK Ltd and member of the UKCG Grown in Britain Task Group, “but also selecting the one that gives the most benefit to the UK forestry industry by specifically identifying those species that are grown in Britain.”

With sustainability now high on the agenda, users of British timber are assured that all timber and timber products first placed onto the market in Britain

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

are subject to the EU Timber Regulation, which requires timber to be sourced legally. In addition, around 44% of British woodlands are certified against the UK Woodland Assurance Standard, which is endorsed by FSC and PEFC. Specifying British-grown timbers is free for members only and available to nonmembers for £15. www.trada.co.uk

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JOIN TODAY...

UKSIP Association exclusively represents the SIP industry in the UK. It engages in a wide variety of issues and requirements that are relevant to the effective promotion and exploitation of SIP construction methods.

Our activities include: • Promoting exemplar SIP construction projects • Facilitating communication and knowledge transfer of SIP techniques • Promoting the development of education and training on SIP technology to increase levels of professional and technical awareness of what quality SIP construction methods can offer • Engaging with technical or other impediments to the effective utilisation of SIP construction methods • Collaborating with organisations that have a shared ambition to work in support of a better more effective construction industry • Engaging with Government and major public sector clients and decision takers • Safeguarding the interests of members and ensuring that the growth of SIP technology is controlled in a structured manner.

10 Reasons to join the UKSIP Association

Free Trial Membership Try it now. If you would like to find out more about what the UK SIP Association has to offer, we are offering a 3 month trial membership. With the free trial membership, you will be given access to our Members Area via our log in button – where you can view a limited set of the information available to our members. New member categories include Manufacturers, Engineer/ Consultant, Processor/Supplier, Architect, Installers and Professionals.

1 Participation and representation on technical committees and at industry events 2 Credibility in the marketplace – providing customer confidence 3 PR and marketing through our comprehensive marketing and communications activities 4 Exhibition, conference and seminar activities 5 Technical and Health & Safety advice, ensuring correct interpretation and implementation of legislation and standards 6 Technical support via a dedicated Technical Committee – a recognised source of technical guidance and information on SIP technology 7 Education and training – access to CPD training materials and seminars on a range of topics relevant to the SIP industry 8 Networking and knowledge exchange forums in which to do business 9 Benefit from the interactive Association website to upload case studies 10 Opportunity to present at Members meetings of important developments relevant to the SIPs industry.

Trial Membership will last for 12 weeks from point of approval by the Association Board and you can upgrade to full membership at any time and take advantage of a wealth of industry information.

To apply for a free trial membership, please click here www.uksips.org/join

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NEC BIRMINGHAM 24&25 SEPTEMBER 20I3

Showcasing an expanded range of timber technologies and wood products alongside the premium Timber Talks seminar sessions, Timber Expo 2013 scored a 9% increase in visitor figures compared to 2012 and is set to grow even further in 2014.

TOOLBOX

TALKS

Organisers of Timber Expo announced the 2013 exhibition was the most successful in the event’s three year history. With a relocation to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, the event was a perfect opportunity for everyone interested in timber to gather in one spot to hear about where the material is heading and how it can used across an increasingly diverse built environment.

Innovation was at the heart of the event and reflecting recent research from TRADA that polled (from 170 respondents asked) which areas were of most interest to them, ‘new, innovative products and systems’ scored higher than any other topic. The Timber Talks programme delivered some of the biggest names in the industry discussing many of these innovative topics.

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

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Organised by TRADA, the 2013 Timber Talks programme drew in a huge pre-registered audience of architects, designers, engineers and contractors. The exceptional line-up included speakers from Arup, Architype, BDP Architects, Bailey Garner, Land Securities, Mace, Price & Myers, Ramboll UK, Richards Partington Architects, Willmott Dixon and Waugh Thistleton.

Rupert Scott, Marketing & Membership Manager for TRADA said: “The new Timber Talks format went down well with visitors and the chairmen all reported lively and engaging Q&A sessions because the Talks had great content and were delivered by people who knew their subject well.”

Complementing the Timber Talks programme, the Toolbox Talks were held in a purpose built 30-seat presentation theatre supplied by the UK SIP Association. From manufacturing processes to onsite engineering

solutions, the Toolbox Talks seminars and workshops were dedicated to timber technology and focused on the details behind many of the processes, technologies and solutions on display at the show.

Next year is also set to be a special one. As Timber Expo will be co-locating with the W14 exhibition to bring visitors to the NEC an unrivalled opportunity to connect with the entire timber industry in one single venue.

W14 is the national exhibition for joinery and furniture manufacturers in the UK and offers a natural synergy with Timber Expo. This move has been welcomed by the many visitors who would like to see both shows in a single visit.

Event Director, Loretta Sales said: “Moving Timber Expo to the NEC proved to be a sound decision, with a total 4,611 visitors attending the exhibition – a 9% increase on 2012. There

was a real buzz around the event, with a definite increase in international visitors, some travelling from as far afield as Bolivia, Nigeria and Malaysia.

The real test of an event’s success are the re-bookings and 58% of exhibitors signed contracts at the show for the 2014 exhibition.

For more information regarding Timber Expo 2014 visit: www.timber-expo.co.uk To be considered for a seminar speaker slot email: info@timber-expo.co.uk To enquire about exhibiting at Timber Expo email: loretta.sales@timber-expo.co.uk Brought to you by

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ONE VISION, ONE VOICE

Timber Expo will take place on 07 & 08 October 2014. Exhibitors can take advantage of the 2014 Early Bird Discount rate if you book a stand at Timber Expo before 31 December 2013.

For more information email: loretta.sales@timber-expo.co.uk www.timber-expo.co.uk

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

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Timber Industry Summit

2013

ProTimber

The second ProTimber industry summit took place at Timber Expo on the 24 September and saw a wide range of timber industry leaders focus discussions on the opportunities ahead for the timber sector in developing a clear and robust response to the UK Government’s Construction Strategy 2025. The Summit was boosted by cross timber industry trade association support including UKSIPS under the framework of the Timber Accord.

With BIM, embodied energy and energy consumption plus how to build ‘smarter’ on the agenda, Mark Wakeford, Managing Director of Stepnalls and advisor on the development of the Construction Strategy 2025, put the session into perspective saying: “Business and the construction industry is changing so fast that a coordinated response is required by the timber sector especially as sustainability issues and the cost of energy keeps rising, the whole industry needs to act together to cope as there is a danger that the UK will lose out to the many talented overseas operators and companies.”

A key market will be in retrofit, with so much work in the construction market being in repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) – estimated to be 90% – a smart agenda to low carbon design and delivery is essential to make timber products and systems be an integral part of the green building mix. Through continued collaboration and meaningful

leadership, the Accord members (and industry associations individually) will be working together to prove that timber has enormous low carbon benefits, a raft of dynamic high performance products and via improved BIM data will contribute in helping make the UK Government’s Construction Strategy 2025 commitments a reality.

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Get Accredited SIPCheck, the UK SIP Association Approved Installer Scheme has now been completed. The scheme defines the processes for applying for and assessing Approved SIP System Installer status with the UK SIP Association.

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

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SIPCheck encompasses those members of the UK SIP Association who actively install SIPS. The UK SIP Association approves installers as competent to install defined SIP systems. Installers must be assessed by the UK SIP Association as meeting the industry perfromance requirements before approval and surveillance is carried out by the UK SIP Association, where installers are then approved.

These tasks are undertaken by UK SIP Association appointed personnel, which ensures that the installers are competent in accordance with SIPCheck. The installer must be a member of the UK SIP Association. The provider of the SIP system to be installed must be satisfied that the proposed installer is capable of installing it competently and in accordance with the SIPCheck documentation and must provide written confirmation to the UK SIP Association in this regard.

The UK SIP Association assessment and surveillance of installers of SIP Systems is based on a three party arrangement: the UK SIP Association, the SIP System provider and the Approved Installer.

Know your role & responsibilities Responsibilities for those personnel/ organisations affected by SIPCheck are defined as follows: Approved Installer The Approved Installer is responsible for: • Ensuring that installation of SIP Systems are carried out in accordance with SIPCheck and the SIP System Provider’s Installation Manual (including

completion of all relevant documentation where necessary).

• Maintaining a register of Approved Installer Representatives (Approved Installer Reps.) and assessing the ability of these personnel to meet the requirements of this Scheme Document.

• Notifying the SIP System Provider of changes with regards to Approved Installer Representative’s details.

The Approved Installer Representative must be able to demonstrate that they are fully conversant with the contents and requirements detailed within the SIP System Provider’s Installation Manual and associated documents as well as all other factors that could affect the success of an installation including but not restricted to: • Storage and handling of materials • Suitability and preparation of the site • Installation techniques • Repair and maintenance of the product • Finishing work • Material specification • Health and safety • Adherence to all statutory requirements applicable to the project • Maintaining robust documentation identifying all work in progress and completed installations • Responding to the UK SIP Association for requests for ongoing and completed installations • Acting on any actions raised during inspections • Maintaining relevant records.

SIP System Provider The SIP System Provider is responsible for: • Assessing an Installer before they apply for approval under the SIPCheck scheme • Training and approving the Installer’s Approved Installer Reps. such that the SIP System Provider considers them to be competent to oversee the consistent installation of SIP Systems in accordance with the Installation Manual • Advising the UK SIP Association of additions and deletions or moves to another installer to the list of Approved Installer Reps. in a timely manner.

• Maintaining their Installation Manuals and other relevant documentation under this scheme.

UK SIP Association The UK SIP Association is responsible for: • Checking (at least annually) the Approved Installer is maintaining a register of Approved Installer Reps.

• Inspecting each card-carrying Approved Installer Rep. at least twice each calendar year • Maintaining/administrating the Approved Installer Scheme documentation • Assessing the installer wishing to be approved (i.e. providing Approved Assessors), and once approved, carrying out regular surveillance visits to maintain the approval status.

For more information, details and fees on becoming registered as an Approved Installer under the SIPCheck scheme visit: www.uksips.org phone 01743 290 011, or email: info@uksips.org

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Lawrence Young STA Chairman

UK SIPS Collaboration Partner STA Ready to Engage Housebuilders The recently launched Structural Timber Association (STA) is engaging with UK housebuilders to encourage greater uptake of timber within construction.

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

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Through rolling out a series of factory and site tours with industry engagement, the STA aims to engage directly with housebuilders and increase understanding of the benefits of timber construction. The Association has invited industry leaders to the factory tours at a number of member locations across the UK, which will support its industry in capitalising on the current upturn.

With timberframe accounting for only 18% of new homes in England and Wales, there is a real opportunity to increase the number built using this form of construction which offers both speed of build and energy efficiency. As many builders are looking to capitalise on the market increase, timber offers a readily available alternative to more traditional build methods.

Speaking about the initiative, chairman of the STA, Lawrence Young says: “Private developers have historically looked to the timber industry to shorten time to market and provide more stable and predictable building programs. With the slow and somewhat fickle market conditions experienced over the past few years, fast build programs haven’t been at the top of everyone’s agenda.

However, we’re now seeing developers needing to react to changes in market conditions and bring new sites to market quickly. “On top of this pressure, as we head towards the winter months, there is the added issue of poor weather conditions.

Last year, many developers experienced delays on site because of the weather, with programs ending up between six and twelve weeks behind leading to missed market opportunities and extra costs to get homes ready for sale.

The answer to this problem is simple: a move to building in structural timber.

Lead-times can be reduced by four weeks on an average sized house and build programs become predictable - almost irrespective of weather related issues. While timber frame won’t eliminate all delays it will certainly shorten time to market and ensure developers have homes for sale at the right time.”

The tours will take place at the following locations throughout November and December: 12 November – Kingspan Timber Solutions, Sandy, Bedfordshire 12 November – Stewart Milne Timber Systems, Westhill, Aberdeen 18 November – CCG(OSM), Glasgow 19 November – Pinewood Structures, Sandy, Bedfordshire 19 November – Prestoplan, Preston, Lancashire 26 November – Frame Wise, Presteigne, Powys 27 November – Scotframe Timber Engineering, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire 03 December – Lowfield Timber Frames, Marton, Powys 04 December – Stewart Milne Timber System, Witney, Oxfordshire 05 December – Scotframe Timber Engineering, Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire 10 December – Taylor Lane, Hereford, Herefordshire For tour information visit: www.structuraltimber.co.uk

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SIPS & Sustainability The Sustainability Technical Bulletin– technical data and everything you need to know about how SIPS can contribute to an energy efficient, low carbon construction project – is now available to download.

It is important that the buildings we construct today are designed with the future in mind. Ensuring long term durability, good in-service performance, ease of maintenance and modification as well as considering the impact of the construction process itself are all very important factors when considering sustainable construction. SIPs offer a relatively low embodied energy building system with good long term thermal and airtightness performance and are also able to offer a long design and service life.

For construction to be sustainable, the basic principles of sustainable development must be adopted. The UK Government's strategy for more sustainable construction widens the basic themes to suggest key actions by the construction industry. These include designing for minimum waste, lean construction, minimising energy use in construction and avoiding pollution.

insulating foam core. Most, if not all, OSB used in the manufacture of SIPs will come from manufacturing plants in the UK or Europe and will be made from sustainably sourced softwood timber. Sustainable timber will come from managed forests and will be certified by an organisation such as FSC or PEFC. SIPs generally achieve BRE Green Guide ratings of A and A+ for wall and roof elements.

Manufacture of Panels Structural Insulated Panels are constructed in two main ways: one is to bond sheathing boards to blocks of expanded or extruded polystyrene, most

Key areas covered in the UKSIPs Sustainability Technical Bulletin include: Materials used in SIPs SIPs are constructed by laminating layers of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) to an

Image courtesy of SIP Building Systems

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

commonly using solvent free polyurethane adhesives. The other method is to inject liquid foam insulation between two boards, allowing it to expand and adhere to the boards under pressure.

Whole Life Costs Many SIP buildings use the Fabric First approach to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Rather than offsetting energy usage (and carbon emissions) with bolt on technology, the heating (and cooling) demands of the building are reduced to the lowest levels practically possible through insulation and airtightness.

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Image courtesy of SIPS Eco Panels

Images courtesy of SIPS UK

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Images courtesy of SIPS Eco Panels

Additional Savings SIP structures are typically low in weight and so additional savings in embodied energy can be made in the design of foundations and supporting structures through the use of less concrete. Similarly the use of SIPs may allow sites to be used that were not deemed suitable for typical masonry construction, e.g. sites with poor ground conditions.

Release of dangerous substances VOCs and formaldehyde offgassing of dangerous substances is a topic which the public is starting to become more aware of. SIPs consist of OSB and foam insulation. OSB is manufactured from strands of softwood timber and adhesive resins. The resins used in the production of OSB are typically phenol formaldehyde; however the off gassing from this type of

adhesive is minimal and the quantity used is very low.

Building modification, extension and repurposing As the needs of building occupants change over time, homes are modified to fit with the aesthetic desires or practical requirements of the owners. SIPs are still relatively new to the construction industry and so there is less general knowledge about undertaking modifications to these structures, although they are no harder to modify than other types of building.

Deconstruction and recycling of old buildings At the end of a buildings life, it is important to try and reuse and recycle as many components and materials as possible. There are many organisations and local companies that specialise in the reclamation and sale of building materials.

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

For those unfamiliar with what SIPS can do, the UK SIP Association have six special Technical Bulletins commissioned in conjunction with TRADA Technology that are intended to provide introductory information on using SIPS. Bulletins on Acoustic, Durability, Fire, Structure, Thermal and Sustainability can be downloaded from the UK SIP Association website.

They are free to download after registering your details on www.uksips.org/technical-bulletins

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New Members

Allan Corfield Architects Ltd are based in Dunfermline, however they operate throughout the UK. The company has been trading for three years. They have strong aims to provide a client focused innovative service, which responds to the current financial and environmental situation, with a clear focus – 'people, place, design'.

Working in conjunction with SIPS Industries Ltd, AC Architects have become a SIPS specialist architecture practice and have experience working on a variety of SIPS Eco Homes, including ‘Amor House’ - a new build SIPS Eco House in Gleneagles.

Contact: Allan Corfield E-mail: allan@acarchitects.biz www.acarchitects.biz

Stuart King, Architecture & Design Ltd are based in Dunfermline, but also have an office in Rosyth. The company was established in 2008, after 14 years working for timber engineering companies, private architectural practices and both local and national housing developers.

Specialising in building compliance and sustainability, they have worked on many different projects ranging from nursing homes, nurseries, pubs and clubs, large scale housing developments, one off dwelling houses, extensions, conservatories and garage conversions.

They pride themselves on being client focused, whilst being aware of commercial considerations and opportunities.

Contact: Stuart King E-mail: stuart@stuartkingarchitecture.com www.stuartkingarchitecture.com

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

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Self-build residential project in Solars Hope, Herefordshire Following an unfortunate fire, Mrs Christine commissioned Future Tech to rebuild her home. Situated in the picturesque village of Solars Hope in rural Herefordshire the site offered exceptional views of three British counties.

The new SIP’s home was designed to match the dimensions and aesthetic of the original property, while using modern build techniques to reduce the build time, improve energy efficiency and offer increased air tightness.

Our client was, at the time, living in a caravan on site. A fast construction time was imperative, consequently the Future-Tech team brought in extra craftsmen from sites where they could be spared and commenced with the build as soon as possible.

Traditional Oak with a contemporary twist in the heart of Worcestershire Martin and Helena Gloster appointed SIPS UK to supply and erect a SIP envelope over the top of their Oak Frame. This was to be their retirement home and they were only too aware of the ever increasing energy costs which is why, after several pricing options, they chose to use our 175mm SIP panel for both the walls and the roof, giving a U-value of 0.14 W/m²K for the panel only aspect. Unfortunately for the client this method of build is expensive as they were paying for two structural systems - in affect the oak frame is strong enough to cope with all the imposed loads, but is not a walling system. The SIPs for this type of application are mainly being used as cladding panels and to carry the external finishes. The SIPs are therefore not being fully utilised to full potential. www.sips.uk.com

www.future-tech.eu

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Passivhaus Visitor Centre in Telford This was to be a new flagship construction project, a part of a new town centre development in Telford, and the first Passivhaus scheme in Shropshire.

The brief was to construct a new Visitor Centre in Telford Town Park to comply with Passivhaus standards.

The building had been developed prior to Lowfield involvement using a Modular Straw Bale wall system and a SIPS roof. As a local supplier of Structural Insulated Panel Systems, we were invited to discuss the project and tender for the supply of materials.

Large three-bedroom selfbuild bungalow Mrs Vowles contracted SIPs Eco Panels to do the design and to supply the panels on her energy efficient bungalow.

At that stage however, the overall project cost was still considerably higher than the budget and cost savings were required to deliver the scheme at the required level of thermal performance and without compromising the aesthetics of the building. www.lowfieldtimberframes.co.uk

Her brief was for a large three bedroom bungalow to complement the neighbouring building externally and with large spaces inside that could be opened or closed up if needed.

SIPs Eco Panels used their sister company Custom Homes to prepare the architectural design and apply for planning permission.

Mrs Vowles used a project manager who SIPs Eco Panels put her in contact with and when our erectors arrived on site, they erected the full frame and roof in just nine working days, much to the delight of the client who could then start work on the inside of the build. www.sipsecopanels.co.uk

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

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Residential property extension in a flood zone Our client had a good sized rambling rural property which had a large extension. The client wanted to demolish this very old and draughty extension and rebuild it using an energy efficient method of construction.

There were two complications. One being that it was an undulating site and more complicated was that the build had to include substantial flood protection works due to its location close to a river.

Peat Rigg - Outdoor Education Centre Director Ian Thorpe wanted to build new accommodation for 35 people using techniques which corresponded to Peat Rigg’s environmentally aware ethos, and could also be used to educate visitors about sustainability.

This was a challenge that the SIPs Eco Panels team welcomed and offered the services of their sister company Custom Homes to prepare the architectural design.

SIPs Eco Panels were contracted to provide Building Regulation drawings and supply and fit 194mm SIPs Eco Panels for the walls and roof. www.sipsecopanels.co.uk

The Outdoor Education Centre, set in 100 acres of forest on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, connects young people to the countryside through courses. It was embarking on a ÂŁ500,000 development project. www.sipbuilduk.co.uk

For more information on these Case Studies and the work of UK SIP Association members visit: www.uksips.org

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

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CE MARKING - understanding the basics Getting to grips with CE Marking is essential for anyone designing, manufacturing, importing or distributing certain products that are destined for the European Market. Steve Weaver of Cogent Consulting explains the fundamentals of achieving compliance and why you ignore it at your peril…

The construction industry is undergoing major change. 01 July 2013, saw the Construction Products Regulation 2011 come fully into force making it mandatory for manufacturers of construction products covered by a harmonised European Standard (hEN), or conforming to a European Technical Assessment (ETA) that has been issued for their product, to establish appropriate measures for the CE Marking of their products when placing them on the market within the EU. The CE Mark (formerly known as the EC Mark), is a mandatory conformity marking for certain products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA), consisting of the 28 member states of the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

The CE Mark is also found on products sold outside the EEA, because they are either products manufactured in the EEA and have been exported, or they were manufactured in other nations which have the EEA as a prime market. This makes the CE Mark recognisable worldwide. A CE Mark consists of the CE-Logo and if applicable, the four digit identification number of the Notified Body involved in the conformity assessment procedure.

Who Does it Apply to?

The CE Mark is the manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets the requirements of the applicable EC Directives. In the construction sector, these come in the form of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). As this is a Regulation, it automatically becomes law in all EU member states and says that from 01 July 2013 all products within scope of a harmonised European Standard (hEN) must be CE marked to that standard by 01 July 2014.

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Any business therefore, either inside or outside the EEA, that makes, imports or distributes construction products for sale within the EEA, must ensure that if a hEN exists for that product, it is CE Marked. To market a product covered by a hEN without a CE Mark is a criminal offence.

What Does CE Marking Involve?

Most CE Marked products can be placed on the market subject only to an internal factory production control (FPC) by the manufacturer. The manufacturer must carry out a conformity assessment, set up a technical file and sign a Declaration of Conformity. The documentation has to be made available to relevant Authorities on request.

Importers of products have to verify that the manufacturer outside the EU has undertaken the necessary steps and that the documentation is available upon request. Importers should also make sure that contact with the manufacturer can always be established.

Distributors must be able to demonstrate to appropriate National Authorities that they have acted with due care and they must have affirmation from the manufacturer or importer that the necessary compliance measures have been taken. The process for achieving CE Mark certification consists of the following stages: 1. Identify the applicable Directive(s) 2. Identify the applicable requirements of the Directive(s) 3. Identify an appropriate route to conformity 4. Assess the product’s conformity

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

5. Compile the technical documentation 6. Make a declaration and affix the CE Marking.

What is ‘Self-Certification’?

Depending on the level of risk of the product, the CE Mark is affixed by the manufacturer (or authorised representative) who decides whether the product meets all the CE Marking requirements. If a product has minimal risk, it can be selfcertified where manufacturers sign a Declaration of Conformity and affix the CE Mark to their own product.

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The Manufacturer Must Do Several Things: 1. Decide whether the product needs to have a CE Mark.

2.Choose the conformity assessment procedure from the modules specified by the Directive relevant to the product. There are several modules available for the conformity assessment procedure, these are: • Module A – Internal production control.

• Module B – EC typeexamination • Module C – Conformity to type.

• Module D – Production quality assurance.

• Module E – Product quality assurance.

• Module F – Product verification.

• Module G – Unit verification.

• Module H – Full quality assurance.

These modules will often ask questions about the product to classify the level of risk and then refer to the ‘Conformity Assessment Procedures’ chart, which shows all the acceptable options available to a manufacturer to certify the product and affix the CE Mark.

Certain products may also be CE Marked where no hEN exists, but a European Technical Assessment (ETA) for the product does. This involves a formal ‘Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance’ (AVoCP) for the product and the manufacturer.

In this case, the manufacturer must have as a minimum: Factory Production Control (FPC), carried out type-testing on the product to be CE Marked and signed a Declaration of Performance (DoP).

This information is submitted to the European Organisation for Technical Approvals (EOTA) for

assessment. On completion, EOTA will issue a European Assessment Document (EAD), thereby enabling the CE Mark to be applied.

What is a ‘Notified Body’?

Products considered to have a greater risk must be independently certified by a Notified Body (NB). This is an organisation that has been nominated by a member state and has been notified by the European Commission. These Notified Bodies act as test labs and/or certification bodies that carry out the steps as listed in the relevant Directives and then decide whether the product has passed.

A manufacturer can choose its own Notified Body in any member state of the EU, but they should be independent of the manufacturer and a private sector organisation or a government agency.

Legal Implications There are mechanisms in place to ensure that the CE Marking is put on products correctly.

Controlling products bearing CE Marking is the responsibility of public Authorities in member states, in co-operation with the European Commission.

The procedures, measures and sanctions applying to counterfeiting of CE Marking vary according to the respective member state's national

administrative and penal law.

Depending on the seriousness of the crime, economic operators may be liable to a fine and in some circumstances, imprisonment. However, if the product is not regarded as an imminent safety risk, the manufacturer may be given an opportunity to ensure that the product is in conformity to the applicable Legislation before it is obliged to take the product off the market.

There are currently no Harmonised European Standards (hEN) for SIPS. However, the document: EN prEN 14732-2011 (Proposed Standard for Timber Structures, Prefabricated Wall, Floor and Roof Elements) is widely expected to be developed into the hEN for SIPS in the future.

Cogent Consultancy Limited is a construction orientated consulting business, who plan and deliver CE Marking certification projects for manufacturers of building technology products throughout the UK. For further information email: steve.weaver@cogentconsulting.co.uk.

www.cogent-consulting.co.uk.

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SIP Code of Practice SIPS are one of the leading ways to construct energy efficient, cost-effective and sustainable buildings. To help everyone understand them better and know how to implement their use correctly, the UK SIP Association has published a Code of Practice/Pocket Guide to SIPS. This document includes a handy summary of all the six special Technical Bulletins that have been commissioned in conjunction with TRADA Technology that are intended to provide introductory information on using SIPS. These Bulletins relate to: Acoustics, Durability, Fire, Structure, Sustainability and Thermal.

Acoustics – improved sound performance levels that can be delivered by SIP panels. SIPs contribute to improved airborne sound insulation for floors roofs, external, internal and separating/ party/compartment walls. Much like timber studwork, SIP panels rely on the mass and continuity of plasterboard linings to provide the majority of the sound insulation performance.

Durability – the long term performance of a SIPs building will be largely dependent on repair and maintenance. During construction the SIP structure may be exposed to the prevailing weather conditions and may be exposed to rain. This is not an issue for SIPs as long as a number of general precautions are followed. Cladding systems can take the form of masonry such as brick, rendered block work or stone or lightweight systems such as timber, metal or proprietary render systems Fire – all forms of construction need to comply with the fire performance requirements laid down by national Building Regulations. There is no

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

difficulty in SIP- based structures meeting the required levels, given correct design, standards of manufacture and workmanship. The fire resistance of a SIP structure is primarily achieved by the use of fire resistant lining materials.

Structure – all aspects of the building phase from walls, floors, roofing cladding and services to tolerances for walls and sole plates. There are two fundamental applications for SIPs – full structural and infill for a concrete, steel or engineered timber frame. In all cases the product will be engineered for loadbearing capability, racking resistance and wind loading.

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Sustainability – for construction to be sustainable, the basic principles of sustainable development must be adopted.

The UK Government's strategy for more sustainable construction widens the basic themes to suggest key actions by the construction industry.

These include designing for minimum waste, lean construction, minimising energy use in construction and avoiding pollution. SIPs offer a relatively low embodied energy building system with good long term thermal and airtightness performance and are also able to offer a long design and service life.

REV 1 - 12.12.11/TB002

2 Fire

Technical Bulletin

V1 RE

01 /TB0 .11 .12 - 12

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are prefabricated, high performance, lightweight, building panels that can be used in floors, walls and roofs for residential and n in ith iatio er w n. commercial buildings. A SIP consists of two high density facings, typically oc tio Ass read ruc Orientated Strand Board (OSB) which are bonded on both sides of a low ht, SIP the onst eig density, cellular foam core. htw UK vide r c , lig d the pro ls fo ce l an by d to pane an The panels are typically made by sandwiching a core of rigid foam plastic insulation tia d e e rm den ally on nd ted rfo which is bonded to the two structural skins. A strong, structural bond between the issi inte sula pe r resi typic low m h is n three layers is essential to the load bearing ability of the SIP so that high loads can be m in hig ofs fo ings, of a co and ral latio d, c s transmitted by the relatively light units reducing the use of internal studding. SIP walls y tu en su the be ate d ro ty fa side in be olog ruc c ri can bear considerable vertical and horizontal loads with reduced internal studding. an nsi th stic een can ls has chn g st o fab ls e pla betw ads wal The load carried by the SIP is transferred to ground by the OSB skins, held in position tin A Te usin pre , wal igh d on b lle lo e IP . am ar ors o h ded fo bond igh g. S ding tion Bu RAD n on by the fully bonded insulation core. h id T io IPs) in flo of tw bon ical rig tural that uddin stud posi (S f hn with rmat d e s o c c so st st rnal ld in ar n els se fo In the UK structural insulated panels are available with a number of different insulation al ore stru an e u onsi ich is Te tio in n a c ng, e SIPintern d inte s, he Th njunc ctory d p an b IP c ) wh tio g te e la ) cores; expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), polyisocyanate (PIR) c in stro of th of uc skin co odu A S SB d sula at ich insu IR and polyurethane (PUR). In all cases the skins are typically OSB although there is dw ins. A ility e useith re OSB intr l in els th ings. ard (O . nt ate (P n ra re ab e n e is increasing research into other forms of load bearing materials. tu pan uild Bo core g th s w th y sa l sk g b uc diff ya re d e b ctura earinducin load d by of lyisoc h the Str ilding rcial tran am r b ad l n fo e S ru u g e u o re m st ta b m are manufactured under closely controlled factory conditions and can be custom SIPs u b mm ted lar load nits zon gro um ), p tho sto g, ally o co enta , cellu cudesigned for each application. The result is a building system that is extremely strong, a n (XPS B al n pic the tw the ht u hori ed to e ri ty b to d S ith lig O nsity stro ted efficient and cost effective. Strict quality control procedures are implemented w ene O an ely energy are d to ntial ely al an sferr ly le n de e dc e an tiv ic els inethe manufacture of SIPs to ensure quality and consistency of panels. lab lystyr ical rials. an trem plem an bond ess rela vert is tr ore. avai po e typ ate ns ex is e ep nt itio at is are im Th ich is yers by th erable e SIPtion c are ded ar g m d nd ere strength In terms and resistance to fire there is little difference between the different els tru ins arin co m th res els. wh e la ed nsid by th sula diff nofs an pan S), ex e sk be core Both forms of manufacture will comply with the Building Regulations and the materials. tory ste edu an thre smitt co ried ed in ted (EP es th f load latio fac ing sy proc of p enall gManufacturers u la e in the UKSIPS Association are third party accredited. tran bear car ond d o e as s y l etw g Re insu en l c olle build ntro enc the can e load lly b eb st ral styr al form ntr o at e toisrm nc ildin . co is a ity c onsi Th the fu ctu poly R). In ther the insulation core that provides excellent thermal properties due to the du it fo ere Bu itedIn all cases o stru ed (PU sely sult ual d c by ies rge of diff the cred limited e timber studs required. Equally air permeability due to the large format clo e re ict q an UK pand ane h into ert amount th la tle r p ith e ity h ac e tr e lit c to T ro thof the d th th is much lower than traditional construction due to the pnature is ply w arty un ion. e. S qual ue supplied panels In res; exlyure sear al e to number re p nd of jointstein, the structure. rm small red at ctiv re u the comthird co d po ing re re the ty d ructio ctu plic effe ensu fire will nc nt ili st an reas ufa ap st to ture n are co r load an ach co s to elle eab conThere are twor afundamental inc ce applications for SIPs; full structural and infill for a concrete, fo st e m r e and f SIP exc rm fo an ufac ciatio steel orinengineered es r pe itional fill ered e te o timber frame. In all cases the product will be engineered for load s ar d fo ient re o sist an vid ai d gine ith th rackingn by SIP signe effic factu d re f m Ass bearing pro ually trad an capability, n w an rms o SIPS te resistance and wind loading in accordance with the test de ergy anu ral be eobtained th that Eq than WritSIPs members ce

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To register to receive a copy of the UKSIPS Code of Practice email: info@uksips.org

REV 1 - 12.12.11/ TB003

3 Acoustics Technical Bull etin

REV 1

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4 Thermal Technic al Bulle tin

This Technical Bulletin has been commissioned by the UK SIP Association in conjunction with TRADA Technology and is intended to provide the reader with introductory information on using structural insulated panels for construction.

tin ulle al B hnic Tec

1

Thermal - ‘Fabric First’ is a popular ethos that has grown from the German Passivhaus standard. This is where energy efficient buildings are created by focusing on the performance of the external envelope of the building before using or ‘bolt on’ renewable energy technologies.

With SIP structures excellent Uvalues can be achieved. Learn more about U-Values, thermal bridging, air permeability and SAP Assessments.

www.uksips.org

www.uksips.o rg

- 12.12.11/T B005

5 Durability Technic al Bulletin

This Tec conjunc hnical Bulletin tion with has bee introduc n tory info TRADA Techno commissione d by the rmation logy and on usin UK SIP Structur g structuris intended to Associa al prov tion al insu building insulated pan lated pan ide the read in er els for commer panels that can els (SIPs) are constru with cial buil pref ction.

Orientat dings. be used in floo abricated, A high perf ed Stra density, nd Boa SIP consists rs, walls and rd of roofs for ormance, ligh cellular twei foam core(OSB) which two high den sity faci residential and ght, are bon .

The pan ngs ded , typi on both els are sides of cally which is typicall y a low three layebonded to the made by san dwiching transmit rs is essenti two structural a core al skin ted by the rela to the load bea s. A strong, of rigid foam can bea plastic tively ligh r structur ring abil insu The load considerable vertical t units reducing ity of the SIP al bond between lation carr ied by the the fully bon by the SIP is and horizontal the use of so that high load internal ded insu tran load studding s can be lation core sferred to grou s with redu In the UK nd by the ced internal . SIP walls . structur stud OSB skin cores; al insu exp s, held ding. and poly anded polystyrlated panels in position are avai ene (EP increas urethane (PU lable with S), extr R). ing rese a number uded poly arch into In all cases styrene of diffe other form the skins rent insu (XPS), SIPs are are s of load poly typi latio bearing cally OSB alth isocyanate (PIR n designe manufactured d materia ough ther ) energy for each app under closely ls. e is effic lica con in the man ient and cos tion. The resu trolled fact t effe lt is a buil ory conditio ufacture ns of SIPs ctive. Strict quality ding system that and can be to ensure In term control custom s quality procedu is extremely and con core mat of strength and strong, res are sistency all Man erials. Both formresistance to of panels. implemente ufacture fire d there is rs in the s of manufac little diffe ture UKSIPS In all cas Associa will comply with rence betw een the tion are limited es it is the insu different third part the Building amount Regulat y accredi nature of timber lation core that ions and of ted. small numthe supplied studs required provides exc ellent . Equally ber of join panels is much air perm thermal prop ts in the erties eability structur lower than trad There are e. itional con due to the due to the steel or two fundame large structio ntal enginee n due to format bearing red timb application the capabil s er for fram SIPs results ity, obtained racking resi e. In all cases ; full structur al and stan

by UK the prod infill for SIPs mem ce and wind uct will a concret be loading bers For mor e, in accordaengineered nce with for load or scan e information the test please the QR visit www code .uksips. org Written by

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www.uk sips.org

The complete set of Technical Bulletins can be downloaded from the UK SIP Association website. They are free to download after registering your details on: www.uksips.org/technical-bulletins

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