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STRUCTURALINSULATED PANELSYSTEMS

SIPFIT Limited is a leading provider of StructuralInsulated Panels within the UK. The founders ofSIPFIT have extensive experience of deliveringTimber Engineered Solutions.

SIPFIT has invested in ‘state of the art’

computer controlled equipment to

machine panels to exact shape and

size. The sophisticated technology

assures a consistent high quality

product manufactured to a controlled

tolerance. A fast response and

controlled volumes are achievable and

can help to reduce build programmes.

SIPFIT has built its reputation

on customer care, high quality

products with a market leading

blend of guaranteed performance

and competitive pricing. Continual

innovations have resulted in

reduced installation costs and

improved performance.

SIPs in the UKSIPs were first really introduced

into the UK in the 1970’s but

are still considered as a modern

method of construction although it

has been a long established form of

house/ building construction in North

America and Scandinavian Countries.

The systems in the UK have adapted

the construction and site practice

from the European market. Accurate

foundations, mechanical handling

and good scaffolding are all key

requirements to exploit the potential

of SIPs construction.

Hot Property

Key advantages of SIPs• Environmentally friendly – CFC Free

and ODP zero insulation core and

OSB/3 faces made from

sustainable forest resources

• Excellent thermal performance

– insulation U-value, lack of thermal

bridging and airtightness helps

reduce energy and heating costs

• Save construction time and cost

– large engineered components,

• Space-maximising design flexibility

– for housing the open habitable roof

space is a winner. 3-bed houses can

be 5-bed houses for little extra cost

• Light-weight structural strength

– saves on foundations. Pile and pad

foundations are a real alternative.

This can save time and cost. Also,

if contaminated land is an issue

the structure can be above ground

level. Extra floors or mansard or

replacement roof can be added

to existing properties.

• SIPs are a key enabler to achieving

code level 4 and 5 sustainable

construction.

One of the principal benefits of the

panel is that it is very easy to apply

finishes directly or indirectly to suit

aesthetic requirements. For walls

you can use cladding, brick slip and

render systems that can offer a cost

effective finish which is aesthetically

pleasing and speeds construction.

A conventional brick outer skin is

also easy to use. For roofs various

lightweight systems can be used as

self-weight of the roof covering to

resist wind uplift is generally not a

consideration.

Structural performance• SIPs form a light and strong

structure

• Excellent for in-plane loads

• SIPs buildings actually behave as

thin shell structures, dispersing

point loads throughout the entire

surface area.

Working with SIPFITSIPFIT concentrates on developing

and manufacturing the highest

quality products. Through a number

of partner companies, customers are

offered a full service – from design,

structural engineering to construction

on site. This package of services can

be tailored to meet the needs of each

customer – from self-builder to large

developer or housing association.

At all times SIPFIT is available to give

technical and design support.

• Environmentally friendly

• Reduce energy and heating costs

• Excellent thermal performance

• Save construction time and cost

• Space-maximising design flexibility

• Light-weight structural strength

• Full design and technical support

Hot Property

What are SIPs?SIPs is an acronym for Structural Insulated Panel Systems.Joining high performance rigid polyurethane foam insulationto oriented strand board, (OSB), produces these engineeredbuilding components.

The result is a building solution that

is predictable, resource efficient and

cost effective. SIPs are used as floors,

walls and roofs on all types of buildings.

Why are SIPs so muchbetter?SIPs out perform other building

methods in virtually every category

because the insulation is a component

of a system, rather than an addition.

SIPs are a structural composite

like an ‘I’-beam. The two faces act

like the flanges and the rigid core

is similar to the web. In short, the

three components work together,

rather than against one another.

This composite assembly yields

stiffness, strength and predictable

responses. Not only do test results

show panels are stronger, but real

life natural disasters have proven it

time and again.

Are SIPs new?SIPs have been used and improved

in the USA, Japan and Canada since

the 1950’s, and are not a new untried

method of building homes. Founders

of SIPFIT have been manufacturing

SIPs for several years and adapting

and improving the technology to

meet the needs of the stringent

UK market.

Why are SIPs not morepopular?Simply a lack of awareness and the

conservative nature of the UK building

industry has held back the introduction

of SIPs. However, higher insulation

standards driven by the Building

Regulations and the importance of

sustainable building methods has

made people look to SIPs as the

most economical method of meeting

new requirements. U-values as low

as 0.14 W/m2K can be achieved in

walls and roofs using SIPs which

means the system can easily exceed

the values within Building

Regulations and the codes for

sustainable construction.

Why are SIPsenvironmentally friendly?• SIPs buildings are more energy

efficient, stronger, quieter and

draft free than older technology

systems, like timber framing. Less

air movement or leakage translates

into less drafts, fewer penetrations

FAQ

for noise, lower energy bills and a

significantly more comfortable and

controllable indoor environment. The

result is lower energy consumption

and CO2 emissions.

• Factory made with minimal site

wastage and less landfill use

• OSB is made from sustainable

harvested spruce, thinning and

managed plantations.

• Up to 35% less raw timber use in

SIPs buildings.

• Combining SIPs and modern

heating / ventilation systems

dramatically reduces the carbon

footprint.

How do SIPs react to fire?SIPs have passed every Standard fire

test that is required. A key element

of fire safety is protection of the SIPs

and any other underlying structure

with thermal barriers like gypsum

wallboard.

How do SIPs save so muchlabour?SIPs are manufactured efficiently and

to high quality and accuracy in

SIPFIT’s factory. They are transported

direct to site in much larger

dimensional sizes than other

building materials. Erection is fast

and easy using SIPFIT’s spline

jointing system that rigidly locks the

panels together. The building is

weather proof faster and other

subcontractors can get a head start

on the work that needs to be done.

What are the options forexternal finishes?Almost total choice from bricks,

natural stone, brick tiles, polymer

and cement renders, timber cladding

and metal cladding.

Who can design SIPs?Professionals are increasingly aware

of SIPs and there should be no

problem designing a building from

scratch to use SIPs or modifying an

existing design. SIPFIT and its

partner companies will be happy to

provide technical advice and support

to professionals and self-builders.

Is planning a problemwith SIPs?SIPs is an accepted building

technology and will not cause

problems with planning approval. In

the same way a well detailed and

engineered SIPs design will not raise

difficulties with building control.

SIPFIT is always

available to give advice.

Are SIPs houses covered bywarranty schemes?All the companies offering warranty

schemes accept SIPs construction.

A well-designed and constructed SIPs

house should have a life expectancy

equal to present types of construction.

Most lenders are able to offer

mortgages on SIPs houses.

What foundation shouldbe used?Any construction can be used but the

tolerance to level must be +/- 5mm

to ensure the most efficient erection

of the SIPs panels.

What is the best heatingsystem for a SIPs house?Any conventional heating system can

be used although SIPS are also

ideally suited for more innovative

and energy efficient solutions such

as air source heat pumps, solar,

photovoltaic and mechanical vented

heat recovery systems.

SIPFIT have strategic partners who

can provide bespoke solutions such

as smart metering / control on

community or social housing

schemes.

Where can SIPs be used?SIPs can be incorporated into all

forms of construction. They can be

used as structural elements or for

in fill roof or wall panels within

masonry or steel frame structures.

FAQ

ConstructionThe SIPs panels consists of two facings of 11mm OSB [orientedstrand board] bonded by pressure injection to CFC free/ODP zeropolyurethane closed cell foam. The option of 15mm OSB is alsoavailable. The facings and core act as a composite structure.

OSBOSB/3 board comprises softwood

flakes/strands bonded together with

MUPF (melamine urea-phenolic) resin,

MDI (diisocyanate diphenylmethane)

binder and waxes. The board is

manufactured to the specification

detailed in BS EN 300 : 1997 for

OSB/3, loadbearing oriented strand

boards for use in humid conditions.

All OSB/3 used by SIPFIT is from

sustainable timber sources.

DimensionsOverall thickness 75mm, 100mm,

125mm, 142mm and 150mm.

Individual panel widths up to

1220mm.

Individual panel lengths up to

6250mm.

Wall and roof panels made up of

multiple sections are also available.

Other widths and thicknesses are

available on request.

ThermalThe thermal conductivity of the

SIPFIT polyurethane core is typically

0.024 w/mk. The SIPFIT panel can

provide extremely low U-values for

walls. Depending on the detail of

construction this can be in the range

0.26 to 0.12.

SIPFIT are happy to give advice on

specific fabric solutions with both

U Value calculations and

Condensation risk analysis.

Fire performanceThe SIPs panel will meet all the

requirements in the Building

Regulations with regard to fire

resistance when lined with

plasterboard. These requirements

are similar to those for timber frame

construction. A single layer will

provide 30 minutes rating and a

double layer 60 minutes rating.

SIPFIT can provide standard

construction details and results from

independent fire tests.

Technical Data

AcousticsAcoustic insulation between rooms

and externally is improved by the

plasterboard lining. SIPFIT can

advise on constructions to achieve

levels of sound reduction required by

the Building Regulations.

DurabilityA building constructed with SIPs

panels will have durability comparable

to other forms of construction. As long

as the design follows best practice

and the building is maintained and

weathertight, a life of at least 60 years

may be expected.

The durability of SIPFIT system has

been independently assessed and

approved by the BBA. Contact SIPFIT

for a full copy of the BBA certificate.

Air tightness and ventilationUse of the SIPs panel and jointing

system can create an airtight structure

that meets requirements in the new

Building Regulations. Such is the

effectiveness of the system that

positive ventilation methods should

be considered. At the same time

positive ventilation systems can be

linked to heat recovery that can save

energy costs. SIPFIT will be pleased

to advise.

Structural performance• SIPs form a light and strong

structure

• Excellent for in-plane loads

• SIPs buildings actually behave as

thin shell structures, dispersing

point loads throughout the entire

surface area.

SIPFIT has invested in an extensive

structural testing program. These

include loading the panels with a

uniformly distributed load, axial

loads centrally and eccentrically

placed, racking loads, long-term

creep, fixing pullout and shear and

bending loads on the panel joints.

All tests have been done by independent

UKAS approved laboratories. For

more information on the test results

please contact SIPFIT.

The strength of the joints between

the individual panels is such that

panels can be used to span over

openings and be supported by

the panels each side. Its easy to

incorporate additional timber to

support localised concentration of

loading. Routinely this is done at the

joints in the panels. However, with

careful detailing, much of this can

be avoided.

Structural strengthAxial load

The maximum permissible design

values(1) that can be used when

evaluating the vertical resistance

of 100 mm thick wall panels with 11

mm OSB/3 skins, up to 3 m high are:

• 64(2) kNm–1 when axially loaded

• 53(2) kNm–1 when eccentrically

loaded by not more than 25 mm

from centre line of the panel.

(1) The values given as above are for

medium-term loads and are based on

two sets of tests to failure of six

panels using the methods of BS 5268-

2 : 2002, Section 8. Data for other

panel configurations is available on

request. The engineer must take into

account the reduction in axial load

capacity that will occur when the

panel is also subject to transverse

loading such as wind. The values also

assume a serviceability deflection limit

of span/333 and any limitations that

may be imposed due to fire resistance.

Permissible transverse load values to

be used when evaluating the design

resistance of the panels are given in

the below Table (1). The values are

based on test results carried out on a

150 mm thick SIP with 11 mm OSB/3

skins and analysis carried out in

accordance with BS 5268-2 : 2002.

Technical Data

Advantages of SIPs• Environmentally friendly

– ODP zero insulation core and OSB from sustainable

forest resources

• Excellent thermal performance

– insulation U-value, lack of thermal bridging and

airtightness

• Platform to achieve Code Level 4 and 5 for Sustainable

Homes

• Save construction time and cost

– large engineered components,

• Space-maximising design flexibility

– for housing the open habitable roof space is a winner.

3-bed houses can be 5-bed houses for little extra cost

• Light-weight structural strength

– saves on foundations. Pile and pad foundations are a

real alternative

Permissible transverse load for 150 mm thick roof panels

Span condition Load at span/333 Admissible load

with FOS of 2.25 applied

(kNm–2) (kNm–2)

3 m double span 4.1 9.0

4 m single span 2.1 8.0

Notes:(1) Load limit assuming a serviceability deflection limit of span/333.

(2) The figures are the result of short-term loading tests. When assessing deflections, the engineermust take into account simple bending, shear deflection and creep effects. We are able to providefurther design advice on request.

SIPFIT Limited1 Milltown Industrial Estate

Upper Dromore Road

Warrenpoint

Northern Ireland

BT34 3PN

Tel: +44(0)28 417 59310

Fax: +44(0)28 417 54526

E-mail: info@sipfit.co.uk

Web: www.sipfit.co.uk

SIPFIT LimitedSuite 10

Oakland's Office Park

Hooton Road

Hooton, Cheshire

CH66 7NZ

Tel: 0151 327 8248

Fax: 0151 345 0065SIP BUILDING SYSTEMS