sipnews the magazine from the UKSIP Association

UKSIP Association sign Fabric First Event report, Feature Article: the route to SIPS Industries picks up
groundbreaking Timber industry news and thermal efficiency and low the Best Use of SIPS
Accord collaboration technical updates energy homes using SIPS Award at the Build It
agreement Awards 2012

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

 3

Welcome to the first issue of contributing significantly to We would encourage anyone

SIP News Magazine – the new
communication channel from the
UK SIP Association - providing
you with the latest 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
our members stating growth
figures of around 26 to 32% and
still climbing! It seems like we
have waited a long time for
interest levels to hit a constant
upward trajectory but now that
‘fabric first’ principles are
understood and being adopted
it appears that SIPS technology
has finally broken through into
the mainstream.
SIP construction provides very
thermally efficient buildings with
a much improved air tightness,
energy conservation and carbon
reduction, whilst providing
excellent performance when
assessed against the Code
for Sustainable Homes and
Passivhaus principles. In
addition to these features, when
using structural insulated panels
in conjunction with concrete or
steel framed building techniques,
for infill or cladding, the
improvements in the speed of
construction are significant too.
The UK SIP Association was
incorporated in April 2009 and
has grown in line with demand,
responding to technical
challenges that may occur with
modern building techniques,
provide information required by
the market on SIP construction
in a broader context and
communicating to members the
influences and issues that may
impact the SIP industry. We are
moving in to a new phase with
the launch of SIP News
magazine.
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! This SIP News
magazine is an information
resource for updates, reviews
and SIPS industry intel!
We hope you enjoy the
read…and would appreciate your
feedback on this maiden SIP
News issue via info@uksips.org
Best Regards
Charles Stewart
Chairman
UK SIP Association

Contents

Industry News .................................................................................................... 4 - 7

Timber Accord ................................................................................................ 8 - 10
Toolbox Talks ..........................................................................................................10
SIPS Technology ............................................................................................12 - 17
The Future of Low Energy Construction ............................................................18
UKSIP Association Membership .........................................................................19
Fabric First Event .................................................................................................. 21
SIPS in Action ............................................................................................... 22 - 24
Technical Bulletins ............................................................................................... 26

The views expressed in SIP News are not necessarily those of the UK SIPS Association. (Cover image courtesy of Innovaré - HABM Mayfield Road)
 4
industry news
Innovaré Systems has been
appointed by Interserve
Construction to start work on an
extension to Rowley Hall Primary
School, in Rowley Regis, West
Midlands. The new £3 million
school building for Sandwell
Metropolitan Borough Council
will be built using SIPS and is
part of the Council’s £7 million
schools building programme.
The new 1,500 sqm (16,145sqft)
building will provide new
classrooms, group teaching
spaces, a nursery and a new
kitchen for the school.
New Plasterboard to
Benefit SIPS Build
Clients, installers and stockists
will benefit from the Knauf
Plasterboard range, developed
by Knauf to offer a wider range
of performance options from a
smaller number of board types
while introducing two high
performance products for
demanding commercial
applications – Knauf
Performance Plus and
Knauf Soundshield Plus.
Where specifications require
a level of sound, fire, moisture,
vapour or impact resistance,
over and above standard
plasterboard then Knauf ’s
‘Panel’ product groups will help.
Knauf Vapour Panel – previously
Vapourshield – has a metalised
polyester foil laminated to the
back face to create an effective
vapour barrier for lining
external walls.
Developed to meet Approved
Document E in residential
applications, 12.5mm Knauf
Sound Panel is the latest
addition to the Panel group
- the voice of the UK SIP industry
Sandwell Schools Given SIPS Boost
The building has been designed
by the Authority’s in-house
architectural team and is a mix
of one and two-storey buildings
with pitched and flat roofs.
Innovaré is supplying the 162mm
wall panels, and 373mm floor
joists with a 22mm acoustic
deck, as well as providing two
roof variations – the flat roof is
standard trusses with a ply top
deck. The pitched roof is
standard trusses with 162mm
i-SIPS panels seated on top.
of boards and gives a higher
level of sound performance than
standard wallboard thanks to its
minimum density of 10kg/m²
making it ideal for residential
projects where Approved
Document E recommends a
minimum weight of 10kg/m².
www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Peter Blunt, Managing Director
at Innovaré, said:
“The extension to the school will
help accommodate additional
primary school places. It means
that the school will be able to
operate a new three form entry
system, and will also help create
up to thirty new jobs.”
Completion at all three sites is
expected for August 2013.
www.ismanufacturing.co.uk
SIPS Industries Scoop
Industry Award
SIPS Industries recently picked
up the Best Use of SIPS Award
at the Build It Awards 2012.
The Judges commented:
“The winning project combined
a characterful oak frame with
highly insulated panels, as
well as solar PV and thermal
systems. The result is a home
that’s so energy efficient, a
recovery system is the primary
heating source.”
The overall design concept was
to create a simple, elegant four-
bedroom family house capable
of future adaptations with
minimal fuss. The contemporary
oak frame uses a SIPS wall
and roof system to ‘cloak’
the building with an incredibly
efficient thermal shell. The
result is a dramatic and exciting
interior space within a highly
insulated building.
www.self-build.co.uk
www.sipsindustries.com
 5

NHBC Advocate Fabric First

A new guide by the NHBC
Foundation advises that a
fundamental review of housing
design is needed if the UK is to
produce successful low carbon
homes for the future.
The NHBC Foundation guide
Designing homes for the 21st
Century – lessons for low energy
design explores the challenges
of designing zero carbon homes
and helps identify the processes
needed to achieve cost effective
and practical design. It finds that
current design and procurement
practices need to change if
these are to be addressed.
With new homes containing
more technology than ever
before, the housebuilding splits into four stages:
industry faces unprecedented evaluation, best practice,
challenges to build homes that integration and optimisation.
achieve zero carbon It advocates a 'fabric first'
performance whilst providing a approach making sure that
comfortable and healthy indoor insulation, airtightness and
environment. There are concerns ventilation are designed to give
that new technology may not be the best practical performance
delivering to its full potential and before low carbon technologies
the drive to conserve energy are applied.
could inadvertently invite other
problems such as overheating
and poor indoor air quality.
The aim of the guide is to
promote a better understanding
of the 'whole' without getting
drawn into the detail of specific
technological solutions or
regulations, proposing a model
for planning new homes that

www.nhbcfoundation.org/21stCenturyhomes

The UK SIP Association run a series of collaborative Fabric First events with the UKTFA -
for more details or to pre-register for the next event visit www.fabricfirstevent.co.uk
 6
industry news

Over in the USA, SIPS have

been used by world-renowned
architect Frank Gehry to
sustainably rebuild over 150
homes in the Lower Ninth Ward
of New Orleans. After touring the
storm-damaged neighborhood,
actor and activist Brad Pitt
partnered with architecture firm
McDonough + Partners to found
Make it Right. A major goal of
the non-profit organisation was
to construct each home in an
affordable and sustainable way.
All Make It Right homes are
LEED Platinum certified—the
highest level under the US
Green Building Council’s green
building rating system. The 1,780
sqft. duplex is one of only 22
Gehry residences in the United
States.After experimenting with
several different framing
solutions, Make It Right settled
on SIPS from SIPS Team USA as
their preferred building method.
Their homes built with a SIP
building envelope have HERS
Frank Gehry & Make It Right
indexes in the range of 17 to 24,
about 80% more energy-efficient
choose SIPS
than a home built to US building Image © Chad Chenier
codes. www.sips.org Photography / Make It Right

Timber Expo and W14 co-locate for 2014

Two of the UK’s
leading timber
events will rub
shoulders in
2014. As the
UK’s national timber event,
Timber Expo relocates to the
NEC, Birmingham for 2013,
event organisers TRADA
Technology announce that
in 2014, Timber Expo will be
co-locating with the W14
exhibition. The initiative will be
supported by a joint marketing
campaign to highlight the
further increased opportunities
and value for exhibitors and
visitors alike.
Timber Expo Event Director,
Loretta Sales comments;
“Collaboration has always been
at the core of Timber Expo.
The move of Timber Expo to the
NEC in 2013 is a major stepping
stone for the show, but the
collaboration with W14 in 2014
will add a further dynamic and
permit visitors to both shows to
maximum their time investment.
Timber Expo is 70% sold for
2013 and we are adding lots of
new content in terms of features
and seminar programmes.”
Angela McGowan, exhibition
director of W14 added:
“Both shows obviously have their
unique focus in the industry –
W14 is the UK event for the
joinery and furniture
manufacturing industries and
Timber Expo provides the focal
point for specifiers, engineers
and architects focusing on
sustainable applications for
timber technology in the built
environment. This move is great
news for the many visitors who
would like to see both shows
in a single visit.’’
www.timber-expo.co.uk

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

 7

UKSIPS
Website
Upgraded
The Association website
has been given added
functionality with some
exciting new features
and elements.

New functions include:
• New Enquiry system enabling
users to search for SIPS
members in their local area
using the postcode tracker
• Downloadable pack of
Technical Bulletins written
by TRADA
• Case Studies submitted by
our members in the Case
Study library
• Newsroom feature with up to
date industry news, upcoming
events and announcements
• New 'Members Area' giving
members the opportunity to
contribute to discussions and
post new topics of interest
Project Enquiries
If you have a live project and
are considering using SIPS
technology, you can submit
an enquiry via our online enquiry
system and our members will
contact you directly to discuss
your requirements, offer advice
or simply send you information
on SIPS.
For more information about
the Association or the SIPS
industry contact us:
enquiries@uksips.org or
visit www.uksips.org

Energy Efficiency
SIPCO created a stunning contemporary family home in Cheshire using SIPS
as the main construction method.

SIPCO designed and manufactured the 3000 sqft single-storey residence with the entire structure built from
150mm SIPS for external and internal walls. The Fabric First approach working alongside a highly efficient
boiler, positive ventilation and a heat recovery system drove down energy usage to give an annual 2011/2012
Gas bill of only £624.71.
www.thesipcompany.com
8

TIMBER

The UKSIP Association in collaboration with 11 influential

trade associations within the timber sector will be taking
part in the Timber Accord Pavilion later this year at
Timber Expo 2013, at the NEC, Birmingham.

Situated at the heart of Timber Expo on the main exhibition floor, this will be a unique and unrivalled
opportunity to touch base with prospective new business partners and promote the use of SIPS
technology to a wide visitor base including architects, specifiers and housing developers. For those
unfamiliar with this positive step towards joined-up working across the timber and wider construction
industry, the Accord’s Common Goals and Objectives and all those involved are outlined here…

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

 9

Twelve trade bodies representing the supply chain
of the forestry and timber industries have signed a
working agreement to improve the competitiveness
and performance across the timber sector.
The Accord was signed at the offices of the Timber
Trade Federation last year by the Chief Executives of
each of the Associations. It commits each to working
together in areas of common interest and strategic
goals, in particular to ensure that stakeholders see
a joined up, collaborative approach and that best
use is made of available funding and resources.
customers. The UK timber industry is worth roughly
£10 billion a year – bigger than cement, concrete and
a lot of other materials – and plays a vital role in our
economy. Yet it can often seem overlooked as this is
split between over 7500 small firms. This Accord will
help us to act as one and show the importance of our
sector to the UK economic recovery and low-carbon
development.”

Implicit in this objective is an industry focus on

customer needs and a drive for continual improvement
in performance. The Accord establishes a framework
and methods of working between the signatories to
achieve its objectives.

John White, Chief Executive of the Timber Trade

Federation, said: “This Accord formalises what we Charles Stewart, Chair of the UKSIP Association and John White,
have often done on an informal basis – work together Chief Executive of the Timber Trade Federation at the signing
for the common good of the sector and our of the Timber Accord’

Can you afford to miss the timber business opportunity of the year?
Visit www.timber-expo.co.uk
10
The Three Accord Principles:
The signatories of the UK Timber
Industries Associations' Accord
agree to:
1. Work together on timber
representation, promotion and market
development activity whenever it
is feasible to do so. The timber
industry needs to work together
in complementary and mutually
supportive ways to achieve maximum
impact from its resources.
2. Endorse and support to the best
of their abilities any initiative by any
signatory to this Accord that is in
line with this objective.
3. Recognise the close relationship
that each signatory has with its own
community and to use these close
relationships to best effect when
planning and undertaking any new
initiative or activity. Signatories
undertake to consider the
opportunities from working with others
in order to share resources and costs
and to extend outreach and impact.
- the voice of the UK SIP industry
The Signatories of the Accord are:
Iain Mcilwee, Chief Executive,
British Woodworking Federation
Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive Confor
John Dye, President Timber
Packaging and Pallet Confederation
Andrew Abbott, Chief Executive,
Timber Research and Development
Association (TRADA)
John White, Chief Executive,
Timber Trade Federation
Nick Boulton, Director,
Trussed Rafter Association
David Sulman, Director,
UK Forest Products Association
Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive,
UK Timber Frame Association
David Hopkins, Director,
Wood for Good
Alastair Kerr, Director General,
Wood Panel Industries Federation
Steve Young, Wood Protection
Association & Timber Cladding
and Decking Association
Charles Stewart, Chairman,
UKSIP Association
TOOLBOX
TALKS
Timber Expo will play host to
the most in-depth programme of
FREE seminars and workshops
dedicated to timber technology.
For 2013 a new section of
CPD presentations called
ToolboxTalks has been added.
These will focus on the detail
of processes, technologies
and solutions on display
at the show.
From manufacturing process
to onsite engineering solutions,
Toolbox Talks will complement
the Timber Talks in the main
seminar theatres and will be
held in a purpose built 30 seat
presentation theatre which is
exclusive to exhibitors at
Timber Expo.
Submit Your Presentation
Proposal NOW. Deadline:
28 June 2013
In your email you should
include:
• Talk title/focus and
target audience
• An abstract of no more than
a 100 words
• Speaker name, job title and
name of organisation
• Speaker telephone number
and email address
• Availability to present on 24
and 25 September 2013
All proposals will be reviewed
by the Timber Expo Editorial
Board. To express an interest
in presenting, contact
Hannah Jones on
01743 290 048 or email
hannah.jones@timber-expo.co.uk
 www.thesipcompany.com

SIPCO are a leading supplier of Structural Insulated Panels to the

construction industry. We can offer a range of services from SIP
design, SIP panel supply and fabrication through to full kit supply.
• Self build
• Education projects
• Leisure projects
• Domestic extensions
• Panel fabrication solutions

Contact: 0844 335 3997

info@thesipcompany.com

Superior Building Solutions from

One of the most advanced building systems available today offering:
superior insulation, structural strength and airtightness.

New House Builds

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Apartments
Extensions
Garden Rooms
Annexes
Holiday Homes
Call now to find out how sips UK can fast track
your build, saving time, money and environmental
impact with our flexible building solutions.
contact@sips.uk.com

01933 353501
www.sips.uk.com
12

What are SIPS and Why you

should choose them?
The construction industry has witnessed
a significant rise in the use of SIPS for
use in the erection of both residential
and commercial buildings. In the UK 60%
of fossil fuels are used to heat buildings
and half of this is housing. By far the
most economical method of reducing
fossil fuel use in housing is to reduce
space heating demand.

SIPS have many of the answers…

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

 13

SIPS and Thermal Losses

Thermal losses are dictated by the hygrothermal performance –
the transportation of heat,
air and moisture through
the building envelope. This
exchange of energy and mass
is due to differentials between
indoor and outdoor
temperatures, pressures and
humidity conditions. The greatest
benefits are achieved through
appropriate specification of
materials combined with
accurate design detailing
at critical junctions.

The composite nature of the SIP

systems provides an efficient
and effective solution to
reducing thermal losses and
therefore improving energy
conservation.

Although each area is intrinsically
linked, the hygrothermal
performance can be split into
the following sections for
analytical assessment. Each
area provides its own benefits
and issues that require trade-
offs and comprises to reach an
optimised and holistic solution.
Thermal Resistance (U-values)
The thermal resistance of a
material indicates its ability to
transfer heat, in solids this is
directly proportional to the
material’s thickness since heat
is transferred via conduction.
Therefore to improve the thermal
resistance and reduce the
U-value an increase in thickness
of building elements is required.
Since the thermal resistance of a
building element is only one part
of its performance requirement,
increasing the thickness of the
insulation levels without combining
them into an integrated approach
to the overall performance would
provide uneconomically thick
elements. SIPS offer the
efficiency of structural and
thermal performance within one
product. U-values as low as 0.11
W/m2K can be achieved through
the use of SIPS whilst also
limiting the increase in building
dimensions (wall thickness).
Focusing on the Code for
Sustainable Homes, The Energy
Savings Trust has produced
‘backstop’ or minimum levels it
believes are needed to achieve
the relevant code requirements.
These are based on Fabric
First principles by adapting an
integrated design-led approach
so that insulation, heating
and ventilation systems work
together to maximise cost
effectiveness in construction,
and minimise occupant fuel
costs. These U-values can be
achieved with relative ease
using a SIP system.

Energy Savings Trust

Required U-value Building Predicted ‘backstop’ requirements
(W/m2K) Regulations 2013 Values
Code 4 Code 5 & 6

Roofs 0.20 0.16 0.13 0.13

Walls 0.30 0.20 0.2 0.15

Table 1: U-value requirements to meet Code for Sustainable Homes levels

 14
what are sips
The main benefit of SIPS
over other panelised forms of
construction is due to the limited
quantity of repeating thermal
bridges such as studs and
noggins. Therefore a typical
value of 94% of the panel area
is counted as insulation when
calculating the U-value of
building components to BS EN
ISO 8990.
Further thermal resistance gains
can be achieved when assessing
the surround build-up of the
building element such as the
cavity in a cavity wall. Providing
a low-emissivity surface, such
as aluminium foil, on the face of
the SIP reduces the radiation
transfer across the cavity, so
that the airspace has a higher
thermal resistance and therefore
an associated reduction in
U-value.
Note that care needs to be
taken when applying this type
of product since the majority
require an un-ventilated air-
space to be effective yet needs
to be balanced against the
associated interstitial
condensation risk. It also needs
Y-value used for SAP and
SBEM Calculations
Approx % improvement of Thermal Bridging Heat
Loss (W/K) compared to non-accredited details
Table 2: Y-value requirements to meet Code for Sustainable Homes levels
- the voice of the UK SIP industry
to be noted that in general, a
minimum width of 25mm for the
air-space is required before the
low emissivity surface provides
any thermal resistance gains.
Thermal Bridging (Y-values)
Although repeating thermal
bridges are accounted for within
the U-value calculation, non-
repeating thermal bridges
require special consideration.
Up to 15% of heat loss from the
building envelope combined
with the associated issues of
localised condensation and
mould build up can be attributed
to these localised cold bridges.
Typically these occur around
openings and junctions where
there are gaps in insulation
or materials of low thermal
resistance are required for
other envelope performance
requirements.
The introduction of the amended
Approved Documents of Part L
in April 2010 meant that heat
loss calculations were replaced
by the concept o Fabric Energy
Efficiency (FEE) putting more
focus on thermal bridges
Non accredited
details
0.15
- 47%
when calculating the Dwelling
Emissions Rate (DER) and FEEs.
Fabric Energy Efficiency (FEE)
The target levels of FEE to
comply with the new Regulations
mean that the dwelling will have
to reach a ‘backstop’ energy
target (kwh/m2/year) as well as
the CO2 target (kg/m2/year).
Two ‘backstop’ options are
presented in the 2013 Part L1A,
with no clear recommendation
consulted. The first is the 39/46
kWh/m2/year ‘full’ FEE standard;
the second is the ‘interim’ FEE
standard of 43/52 kwh/m2/year.
In the case of the ‘differentiated’
8% target emission rate, the full
FEE target with ‘efficient services’
including a condensing boiler
and 100% low energy lighting
would in many cases deliver
the average 8% reduction.
The consultation document
suggests that this would be
the most cost effective way
of meeting the carbon target;
however some developers might
prefer the flexibility associated
with a lower ‘interim’ FEE.
Accredited Enhanced
details Details
0.08 0.04
73%

To assist in the drive for
thermally efficient structures
Accredited Construction Details
were introduce to compliment
Part L and more recently
Enhanced Construction Details
have been developed. These
allow improved heat loss
percentages to be used within
the SAP and SBEM calculations
provided the details are adhered
to (effect shown in table 2
opposite).
Although SIPS are not
demonstrated specifically within
these details, it has been
accepted and proven through
third party accreditation
processes (such as BBA) that
the inherent benefits of SIPS,
exceed Accredited Construction
Details requirements and
therefore the 8% heat loss value
can be used as a minimum.
Upgrading to meet Enhanced
Construction Detail requirements
is achievable using SIP through
modelling and assessment of
specific junction details at
project level.
Airtightness
Part L has put increased focus
and weighting on the air
tightness of the building
envelope – ‘build tight – ventilate
right’ is the mantra that has been
adopted. The flow of air through
a building is either controlled,
i.e. through ventilation, or
uncontrolled, i.e. through
air leakage.
Current
Building
Regulations
Maximum Air
Permeability 10
(m3/(h.m2)
@ 50Pa
Table 3: Airtightness requirements to meet Code for Sustainable Homes levels
15
Air leakage is created by
gaps and cracks in the fabric
of the building and leads
to unnecessary heat loss,
discomfort, interstitial
condensation, increased sound
transmission, degradation of the
building envelope and increased
energy costs.
Air leakage (or air permeability)
is the rate of leakage in cubic
meters of air per hour per
square meter of envelope area at
a reference pressure difference
of 50 Pascals.
Energy Savings SIPS
Trust best Deliverables
practice a standard
3 <3
16

layout and building usage The move towards dry-lining

(minimising heat gain through systems means that the air space
internal loading). There are behind the plasterboard has
numerous publications and effectively insulated the room air
literature on this area that are from the structural envelope and
reliant on many external factors limited its ability to absorb heat
and therefore not covered here. and provide thermal mass
However to regulate these gains, benefits (regardless of the
the building fabric’s thermal structural envelope type).
storage needs to be considered.
Utilising wet plaster and dense
Thermal Storage finishing materials such as
Lightweight construction ceramic tiling on a SIP system
SIP systems are capable of
techniques such as SIP, timber provides a relatively high thermal
achieving excellent airtightness
frame and light steel frame have mass within a well insulated
figures without the need for
been criticised in the past due to envelope, giving an adequate
additional measures that would
their lack of density and therefore balance between thermal
be required for most other
their associated low thermal resistance and storage.
building methods. The use of
mass. However, it is a misnomer
two layers of OSB and a central
that the use of low density This is highlighted in the Energy
insulation core within a SIP
structural materials automatically Saving Trusts paper “Reducing
provides a multi-layered air
prevents the provision of thermal overheating – a designer’s guide”
barrier combining low
storage within a building which provides admittance values
permeability materials. Large
and vice versa. for typical construction types,
format panels and manufacturing
and shows that a timber based
tolerances limits the air leakage
The thermal mass (or admittance) external wall panel with a
at connections and junctions.
of a material indicates how plasterboard and wet plaster
This can assist in providing an
quickly a building element can finish has a better thermal mass
air tight construction as low
absorb thermal gains. The performance than a standard
as 1m3/hour/m2 at 50 Pa.
thermal mass is reliant on three aircrete block with taped and
key requirements: jointed plasterboard finish.
In general due to the large
- material density (In general only
number of joints and junctions
the first 100mm depth of It is worth noting that conversely
created by the majority of
a dense material will absorb too much thermal mass can
construction techniques
heat from the air) cause problems due to the
combined with the inherent
- surface area (increasing the difficulty in cooling during
permeability and porosity of the
available surface area allows warmer nights since it would put
materials involved means that
the heat to be absorbed a greater reliance on ventilation
creating an efficient air barrier
more rapidly) to lower internal temperatures.
can be difficult. This often means
- coupling (the dense material
that the effectiveness of the air
needs to be in direct contact with
barrier is based on the quality of
the air to provide the required
site workmanship, however the
thermal mass benefits)
SIP system reduces this reliance
on onsite workmanship through
its detailing. Offsite manufacturing
tolerances allow it to achieve
excellent air tightness values that
are more difficult to achieve with
most other building methods.

SIPS and Thermal Gains

Limiting thermal gains needs to
be considered at the building
design stage and will inform
decisions on; orientation and
aperture design (minimising heat
gain through solar radiation);

- the voice of the UK SIP industry

 17

Summary
SIP systems provide a balanced
approach to the hygrothermal
performance that maximises
gains in all areas without
compromising others. The
flexibility of the system permits
a wide and varied building type
and style to be built with very
little restriction on size, shape
and form – perfect for the
self-builder!

With the Government’s

commitment to the lowering of
C0² Emissions in construction,
together with numerous
Government announcements that
all new homes will be ZERO
carbon by 2020 together with
the launch of The Code for
Sustainable Homes in May of
2007, thermal insulation and
lower air leakage requirements
within dwellings will increase
dramatically. By adopting the
use of Structural Insulated
Panels, these new requirements
can easily be achieved,
especially when the SIP provider
is integrated early enough in the
design process to allow efficient
and effective design.
 18
sip technology
SIPS
SIP technology has been
developed around pre-
manufactured panels made in
a precision factory-controlled
environment. They are composite
(or sandwich) panels consisting
of two parallel faces – usually
Oriented Strand Board,
sandwiching a rigid core of
Polyurethane (PU) foam or
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS),
making them lightweight, quick
to erect and free from problems
of compression shrinkage and
cold bridging associated with
other forms of construction.
SIP panels offer superior
- the voice of the UK SIP industry
the future of low energy
construction
insulation, structural strength
and incredible airtightness over
alternative construction methods
and systems.
They offer a modern, cost-
effective, energy efficient
solution to a wide range of
building types and are used in
floors, walls and roofs providing
low carbon residential, industrial
and commercial structures.
SIPS can be combined with
many building materials
including brick, steel and
concrete, allowing a wide range
of design and build options.
The materials used and the
composite structure of the
finished panel removes the need
studwork, vapour barriers and
breather membranes.
Due to the offsite manufactured
process of production, onsite
work is at a minimum and
installing SIP panels is very
Structural Insulated
Panels – SIPS panels
– are one of the
fastest growing
systems of building
within the timber
sector and
construction industry
generally and
are increasingly
appealing to
architects, designers
and building
technicians.
quick giving reduced labour
times and site costs. The factory
environment means less product
faults, less waste plus cabling
routes, window and door
openings or protective coatings
can be can factory fitted and
fault free.
Due to the lightweight structural
panels, a lower foundation
specification can be used and a
watertight shell can be achieved
within days, allowing external
cladding and follow-on trades
to progress quickly. SIPS are
compatible with most cladding
materials including brick, stone,
copper, aluminium or timber.
For more information why
not download the UKSIPS
Technical Bulletins from:
www.uksips.org/
technical-bulletins
 19

JOIN UP NOW
With over 40 members and constantly growing, the UKSIP
Association is one of the leading trade associations in the
timber and construction sectors and is the only organisation
10
exclusively representing the SIP industry in the UK.
It engages in a wide variety of issues and requirements Reasons to
that are relevant to the effective promotion and exploitation join the UKSIP
of SIP construction methods. Membership is open to all
organisations involved with or that have an interest in SIP Association
technology. Our members come from across the entire
supply-chain and are united by a commitment to stringent 1 Participation and
standards of quality and service to their customers. representation on technical
committees and at
industry events
• Engaging with Government 2 Credibility in the marketplace
– providing customer
and major public sector
confidence
clients and decision takers
• Safeguarding the interests of 3 PR and marketing through
members and ensuring that our comprehensive
the growth of SIP technology marketing and
communications activities
is controlled in a structured
manner. 4 Exhibition, conference and
seminar activities
Free Trial Membership 5 Technical and Health &
Try it now. If you would like to Safety advice, ensuring
find out more about what the UK correct interpretation and
SIP Association has to offer, we implementation of legislation
are offering a 3 month trial and standards
membership. With the free trial 6 Technical support via
membership, you will be given a dedicated Technical
Our activities include:
access to our Members Area - Committee – a recognised
• Promoting exemplar SIP source of technical
construction projects via our log in button – where you
can view a limited set of the guidance and information
• Facilitating communication on SIP technology
and knowledge transfer information available to our
members. New member 7 Education and training –
of SIP techniques
categories include Manufacturers, access to CPD training
• Promoting the development of materials and seminars on
education and training on SIP Engineer/ Consultant,
Processor/Supplier, Architect, a range of topics relevant
technology to increase levels to the SIP industry
of professional and technical Installers and Professionals.
8 Networking and knowledge
awareness of what quality
exchange forums in which
SIP construction methods Trial Membership will last
for 12 weeks from point of to do business
can offer
approval by the Association 9 Benefit from the interactive
• Engaging with technical or
Board and you can upgrade Association website to
other impediments to the
to full membership at any time upload case studies
effective utilisation of SIP
and take advantage of a 10 Opportunity to present at
construction methods wealth of industry information.
• Collaborating with Members meetings of
important developments
organisations that have a To apply for a free trial relevant to the SIPs
shared ambition to work in membership, please click here industry.
support of a better more
effective construction industry www.uksips.org/join
 Thermal Bridging Solution

s Because it fixes to the face of the SIP panel, the IUQ (and heavy duty HIUQ) joist hanger provides the perfect
solution to prevent thermal bridging at the junction between the joist and the wall.
s It saves time and money too, as blocking pieces are no longer required.
s IUQ provides an impressive safe working load of 4.1kN (the HIUQ gives 8.1kN).

Simpson Strong-Tie® | www.strongtie.co.uk | 01827 255600

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 21

The UKSIP Association recently collaborated with the UKTFA at Fabric First
in Birmingham. The full day event was sold out and those attending saw
and heard why SIP panels are in prime position to take advantage of this
building approach.
With rapidly increasing energy
costs, the importance of energy
efficiency has become a central
concern to architects, developers
and property owners across the
UK. To deliver energy efficient
buildings the construction
industry is developing new ways
of working and embracing the
principles of Fabric First.
“The whole principle of Fabric
First makes sense, said UKSIPS
chairman, Charles Stewart.
“Why complicate buildings
with complex micro-generation
renewables if you don’t need to?
Building well insulated, airtight
structures using SIPS or
advanced timber frame
technology addresses the energy
efficiency challenge head-on.”
The event was the second major
collaboration between the UK SIP
Association and UKTFA and
brought together nearly 200
designers, architects, engineers,
homebuilders and developers to
gain in-depth knowledge of the
FabricFirstEvent
latest thinking behind this
approach.
With the impending changes to
Part L and the 2016 ‘zero carbon’
target looming, the choice of
building envelope is vital to low
carbon construction. Professor
Nick Whitehouse of Oxford
Brooks University, believes to get
the best results from a Fabric
First strategy is to combine this
approach with offsite
construction, saying: “Offsite
prefabrication not only means
improved performance in terms
of energy efficiency because
components and systems are put
together in a controlled factory
environment. It also results in
significant health and safety
improvements, together with
50-80% less energy used onsite,
70% saving in transport to site
and 50-90% less waste.”
Much talk centred on Fabric
Energy Efficiency (FEE) meeting
Building Regulations and how
SIPs will contribute to the
government’s target to lower CO2
emissions by 2050. Speaking on
behalf of Ingleton Wood, architect
Jon Boon’s challenged the name
of the event. “It should actually
be Fabric Second,” he
suggested. “To achieve maximum
energy efficiency, the industry
needs to go beyond Fabric First
and apply the principles back
at the planning stages. It also
demands collaboration right
down the supply chain to ensure
components and materials work
together to the best advantage.”
The Fabric First event was hailed
a great success by delegates and
exhibitors and many attendees
spoke of the ‘feel good factor’
surrounding the future of the
methodology. If you are
interested in getting involved
in the next event or need
information on speaker and
sponsor opportunities contact:
danielle.garner@radar-
communications.co.uk

Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2013

Many UKSIP members will be in attendance during the year at the series of
Homebuilding & Renovating Shows being held in various locations across the
UK. Aimed at Self Builders, SIPS Industries have constructed a two-storey
house made out of SIPS panels without roof trusses at the Glasgow SECC,
Scotland 18/19th May.

This modern contemporary structure will include some finishes allowing visitors to see first-hand
all stages of the construction process. Visitors will be able to stand inside and experience the true
feeling of height and space and understand how a large open plan layout can be achieved using this
construction method. They will also be able to discover how SIPS construction systems can save money
on heating bills, have less impact on the environment and ultimately cost less than a variety of other
alternative building methods.
For more information visit: www.homebuildingshow.co.uk
 22
Action
case studies
Our Members have successfully completed a wide range of projects using SIPS across
a broad spectrum of sectors and all of the Case Studies demonstrate what can be
achieved with this technology. To view the case studies in full visit:
www.uksips.org/case-studies/
Physics of Medicine Building,
Cambridge University
The project was successfully
completed by SIPS UK in a little
less than 5 weeks. After nearly
a year tendering for and then
tweaking the specification and
price due to architect’s variation,
SIPS UK partnered with Willmott
Dixon to clad their concrete
portal frame using the SIP Infill
Panel System. One of the main
reasons SIPS UK won the
project was due the ability to
manufacture curved SIPs panels,
which were a requirement for
what was commonly termed
the POD.
www.sips.uk.com
- the voice of the UK SIP industry
Pease House The developer, Urban Splash,
Contemporary Cottage retained the original facade of
SIPS UK worked closely with AC the houses whilst replacing the
Architects to incorporate the structure of the house with a
structural elements that the steel frame.
engineers required whilst still www.thesipcompany.com
being able to maintain the
design requirements of the client
- one of which was to introduce
thermal mass into the building
by way of a rammed earth wall.
The owners are extremely
pleased with what they have
achieved in building their dream
home. One year on, the house
has proved to meet the design
parameters; being cool in
summer and warm in the winter.
www.sips.uk.com Commercial Curtain Walling,
Manchester
SIPS were utilised to provide
curtain walling on the steel
frame of an apartment block,
comprising the complete thermal
envelope. Because the panels
were prefabricated and cut to
size before they reached site,
the volume of site wastage was
considerably reduced, along with
the need for waste disposal
facilities. As each floor was
Chimney Pot Park, Salford completed, the first fix trades
SIPCO helped create a thriving were able to follow on behind.
new community. This project This floor-by-floor approach
involved the complete ensured a structured and tightly
refurbishment of 359 terraced manageable programme. In total,
houses in Salford. The client was SIPS Industries provided around
looking to retain as much of the five acres of cladding for the
original appearance of the apartments.
property as possible whilst www.sipsindustries.com
ensuring that the new buildings
were both efficient in terms of
envelope performance and living
space utilisation. The scheme
was a mixture of four basic
house designs in terraced
blocks of 16 units.
24
CSH Level 5 Housing
Development, London
Innovaré teamed up with
Osborne and Family Mosaic
Housing Association to complete
an affordable housing
development in Greenwich,
South London, built to Level 5
of the Code for Sustainable
Homes (CSH) using its i-SIP
structural insulated panel
system. Working in collaboration
with the project architects BPTW
Partnership, Innovaré were able
to influence the design of the
i-SIP building structure to meet
the Code for Sustainable Homes
requirements for Level 5 from
the beginning, helping the
scheme to achieve the initial
planning requirements.
www.innovaresystems.co.uk
- the voice of the UK SIP industry
TESCO Eco Store, Dublin
Tesco Ireland with Precision
Construction appointed SIPFIT
to design, manufacture, supply
and install an innovative and
sustainable SIP-based cladding
solution that not only met
the strict green credentials
required by Tesco but was also
competitively priced and would
eliminate the amount of time on
site to meet strict deadlines.
The store opened in November
2011 and is expected to be a
new benchmark in low energy
sustainable stores for the
company.
Inman’s Primary School,
www.sipfit.co.uk Hedon, near Hull
Hemsec SIPS was used to
create the whole structure of
this school, the use of Hemsec
structural insulated panels
allowed the engineers to
eliminate 70% of the structural
steelwork in creating the
structure. The client, East Riding
of Yorkshire Council and their
main contractor, George Houlton
& Son, needed a modern,
thermally efficient structure
Park Inn Hotel providing fast build speed,
Hemsec SIPs were challenged excellent sustainability
with the goal of using a modern credentials and minimal site
method of construction for the waste at a competitive price.
structural envelope but Structural insulated panels were
maintaining concrete floors also used to create the pitched
traditionally found in hotel and flat roof areas for the whole
applications. Maintaining the building. External finishes
concrete floors was key in included traditional brickwork,
providing a quality feel insulated renders, single ply
to this hotel. Through design and finishes, cedar cladding and
testing, Hemsec SIPs were able green roof build up.
to provide a rapid build method
whilst maintaining the client’s
key requirements.
www.hemsecsips.com
For more information on these
Case Studies and the work of
UKSIP Association members
visit: www.uksips.org
 COME AND SEE US
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ON STAND B7 AT
TIMBER EXPO
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Open panel
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HECO-TOPIX® perfect for

modern methods of timber
SIPS technology
construction such as SIPS panels,
Glulam structures, timber frames,
façade and roof insulation.

• European Technical Approval

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Volumetric modular • Assessed by TRADA technology to

BS EN-14592/2008

• Complies with NHBC building regulations

and the forthcoming Eurocode 5 design codes

• German national approval in accordance

to DIN 1052-2008-12

• Shear strengths comparable with a bolted joint

Glulam technology
• Patented combi thread of the TimberConnect
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technology

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Salterwood Drive, Denby,
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Tel: 01773 740410
sales@aptusfasteners.co.uk
www.aptusfasteners.co.uk
26

Technical Knowledge at Your Fingertips

For those unfamiliar with what SIPS can

do, the UK SIP Association have five REV
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Structure – this bulletin covers all Acoustics – this bulletin covers the
aspects of the building phase from walls, improved sound performance levels
floors, roofing cladding and services to that can be delivered by SIP panels.
tolerances for walls and sole plates. There SIPS contribute to improved airborne
are two fundamental applications for SIPS sound insulation for floors roofs,
– full structural and infill for a concrete, external, internal and separating/party/
steel or engineered timber frame. In all compartment walls. Much like timber
Fire
cases the product will be engineered for studwork, SIPS rely on the mass and
loadbearing capability, racking resistance continuity of plasterboard linings to
and wind loading. provide the majority of the sound
insulation performance.
Fire – all forms of construction need to
comply with the fire performance Durability – the long term performance
requirements laid down by national of a SIP building will be largely dependent
Building Regulations. There is no difficulty on repair and maintenance. During
in SIP- based structures meeting the construction the SIP structure may
required levels, given correct design, be exposed to the prevailing weather
standards of manufacture and conditions and may be exposed to rain.
Structure workmanship. The fire resistance of a SIP This is not an issue for SIPs as long as
structure is primarily achieved by the use a number of general precautions are
of fire resistant lining materials. followed. Cladding systems can take the
form of masonry such as brick, rendered
Thermal - ‘Fabric First’ is a popular ethos block work or stone or lightweight
that has grown from the German systems such as timber, metal or
Passivhaus standard. This is where proprietary render systems.
energy efficient buildings are created by
focusing on the performance of the Coming Soon – Sustainability
external envelope of the building before Technical Bulletin– technical data
using or ‘bolt on’ renewable energy and everything you need to know
Thermal technologies. With SIP structures about how SIPS can contribute to
excellent U-Values can be achieved. Learn an energy efficient, low carbon
more about U-Values, thermal bridging, air construction project.
permeability and SAP Assessments.

- the voice of the UK SIP industry


THE WOOD AWARDS 2013
FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES - DEADLINE 24th May
There is still time to enter the
Wood Awards 2013 and get
recognition for your expertise.
To enter, all you need is:
1) Permission from the owner
of the building or furniture
2) Contact details of the key
companies involved
3) A brief description of
the project
4) At least 3 .jpeg high
resolution images which
really show off your project.
And that's it!
The Wood Awards is open
to architectural projects and
furniture pieces designed in the
UK (GB and Northern Ireland),
completed in the last two years
and not entered before. With
permission from the owner,
anyone associated with an
eligible project - architects,
designers, manufacturers,
engineers, timber suppliers,
consultants or even the client
themselves - can enter.
It’s free to enter, any number of
entries can be submitted and the
brand new online entry form on
www.woodawards.com features a
"save your progress" option to
make the entry process even
easier and more convenient.
This year, entrants don’t even
have to be shortlisted to benefit
27
from entering the Wood Awards.
All entries will be featured on the
Wood Awards Twitter, Facebook
and Pinterest sites, helping grow
your social media presence. This
online exhibition of entries will
give entrants the opportunity to
increase their profile before the
shortlist is even considered.
The Wood Awards is the
UK’s premier award scheme
recognising, encouraging and
promoting outstanding design,
craftsmanship and installation
in wood.
Visit www.woodawards.com
now for details and to enter
 NEC BIRMINGHAM
24&25 SEPTEMBER 20I3

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