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I wanted to address a reoccurring theme which has been raised in many of the conversations I have had with contractors and customers over the past 12 months and which is a ‘hot topic’ for the industry as a whole -  meeting airtightness requirements and concerns over the impending changes to Part L.

As we all know, airtightness is an increasingly critical factor for any build programme, however many of the reasons for non compliance with the design needs are overlooked until it’s too late. Many of you will have already seen presentations on insulation thickness not being the sole answer to energy efficiency, so I won’t touch on that now.

Instead I will focus on some new solutions which are coming to the market which concentrate on another problem for contractors, speed of fix. We have been working on a new stainless steel fastener range which will revolutionise envelope construction and, I am pleased to say, it is now available in the UK.

Everyone in the building trade knows just how critical onsite time is, so we have ensured that we have incorporated this into our designs. The new self drilling SX fasteners feature a hardened drill point and recessed washer which enable faster installation and also improve structural performance.

Don’t just take my word for it. To guarantee the quality and improved performance, we hosted some trials to test how quickly the new fasteners could be installed. Our results showed that you can drill up to 3 times quicker than all other generic imported stainless screws. Our on-site demonstrations prove fixers can save hours of installation time on a job, which would be a massive benefit to any project, whilst still fixing perfectly every time.

And we didn’t stop there. The range also features a step change thread design with a unique asymmetric ‘sharks-tooth’ profile within the screw thread of the fastener. This gives rapid thread engagement in the sub structure material, providing improved pull-out resistance and greater structural performance.

The drill point is another strong feature - we have made the fastener from hardened carbon steel with a longer pilot point, making it very different from imported general construction fasteners. And whereas many traditional fasteners fail due to premature thread stripping, the advanced SX fastener overcomes this issue.

And reverting back to our opening remarks on airtightness, the SX has a genuine EPDM washer with a new recess design in the fastener head. This helps to prevent washer inversion through overdriving, and EPDM ensures better airtightness compliance over the fastener design life.

At some point many contractors and installers will have had to use multiple fastener stocks but the new SX range, which has three fastener types, reduces the need for this as the individual SX application types each have a broader installation range.

There is a lot more to tell you about the range, but why not see for yourself by watching our online podcast. Better yet, give one of the team a call and we would be happy to talk you through the benefits for your project and give you a demonstration with our I-van at your offices.

NEW ROOF FIRMLY FASTENED ON £22 MILLION
GLOUCESTERSHIRE HOSPITAL

Posted by Martyn Holloway, Product Manager for SFS intec.
25th June 2010

We have completed our first project using the new ISO-TAK® TIA fastening system at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital’s £22 million Women’s Centre

Our new thermal break, self-adjusting fastener system was specified by roofing contractors Single Ply Services Ltd to secure the 2,000 m2 flat roof on the hospital.

The roof area consisted of a concrete deck followed by a 1 in 60 tapered insulation scheme, above which was installed a mechanically fastened single ply membrane.     

During the construction, I visited the hospital on many occasions to chat with Single Ply Service’s on-site team. Their reaction was very positive, and it was great to see how our tools and fasteners do their job to help contractors. The team were impressed with SFS intec’s ZAK drill extensions and ZVK-STOP drill bits because it meant that drilling could be undertaken standing up and without having to measure the depth required. What's more it also cored out the insulation making insertion of the fastener sleeves almost effortless!! 

Using the ISO-TAK® TIA system, fewer fastener combinations were required due to the self adjusting capability of the product. The same fastener and sleeve combination can be used for changes of insulation

thickness of up to 100mm. This certainly made order procurement and site management much easier and helped to significantly reduce the installation time at the Gloucestershire project.

The team were certainly surprised by how few drill bits were used - half the number that would conventionally be required in fact. This unexpected cost saving is not really surprising considering the reduced drilling required with TIA. Working at a reduced depth also meant that the drill bits stayed well clear of the reinforcement bars, thereby extending the life of the drill bits further.

In true British style the team from Single Ply Service’s had to battle with mixed weather conditions during construction, including both rain and frost. In addition, the exposed site, demanded high design load requirements from the fixing system. It was great to see how using the ISO-TAK® TIA fastening system, the installers were able to mechanically fix into the concrete deck, even when temperatures were below 5°C.

See how simple and quick the installation of the tapered flat roof, including Sika Trocal membrane, was by watching our new video.

If you would like more information on the ISO-TAK® TIA system please contact me on: 07785 577197 or email: holm@sfsintec.biz

- ENDS -

Chris Duffy, Specification Manager for SFS intec, provides an update on SFS intec’s new CPD seminar.

“As we all brace ourselves for the next changes to Part L of the Building Regulations which will take effect next next year, we have been busy preparing a new seminar to soothe the transition. 

With RIBA accreditation, this new CPD seminar on Airtightness and Thermal Efficiency provides advice for architects and specifiers when designing building envelopes to meet the more stringent airtightness and energy efficiency requirements demanded by the new legislation.

Air leakage and ingress through the building envelope is recognised as a principle area of heat and energy loss. Airtightness will be a key factor in meeting the proposed 25% reduction in CO² levels suggested in the 2010 revision of Part L2 Building Regulations and specifiers have made it clear to us that they are eager to understand simple best practice.

The 1 hour seminar covers:
- The main points of energy loss with examples and case studies
- How this can be overcome in several different design details
- The major changes in the new Part L Regulations
- The future for energy efficient and air tight envelope design 
- How control of airtightness through design and specification of purpose  designed fasteners and sealants is the most effective method to meet the 2010 efficiency requirements

The Specification team has already been touring the country with the seminar and enjoyed 150 bookings in the first six months!
 
If you have any specific questions regarding the changes to Building Regulations or fasteners for roofing and cladding, please give the technical team a call on 0113 2085 500.

To find out where the seminar’s are taking place in your area, contact Claire Pearson on 0113 2085 500.

We went on our annual SFS intec sales conference last week and in true British summer spirit the SFS intec team hit the sunny Cornish Coast, with our tents and raincoats in tow.

Every year we all do something as a team that is challenging and rewarding, and this year was no exception. We were to hit the open sea in kayaks.

Let me set the scene… 

We were all lined up on the beach in this tiny cove at St Quin, prepared in our wet suits and helmets - all awaiting the important announcement - who would be teamed up with whom!  I knew who I wanted to be with, so I aimed straight in Martyn Holloway, our Business Development Manager’s, direction because I knew he wouldn't want to be with someone who would 'rock the boat'.

As it happens I've been kayaking before and so I reassured him that he'd be safe with me in his boat.  There's a very good reason for this, Martyn can't swim and he hasn't been in a small boat before and so was very nervous.  He had told me earlier that his teenage daughter had been kayaking and so was determined that he wouldn't bottle it!  “Never!” I said - would that happen.  I knew what it meant to Martyn to go home and tell his daughter what a great time he had and how he overcame his nerves and rose to the challenge, especially when you're nearly 50 and others who were up for it were a lot older!

I have to say Martyn certainly conquered his fears, we were the last team to come in and we even followed the tutors out to the headland on some quite choppy water - heaven knows what we'd have done if we'd gone over - even I was a little spooked!  But we kept our heads and came in thoroughly whacked but so exhilarated.  The first thing Martyn said when we landed was "Can't wait to ring her when we get back."

Well done Mart, I was so proud of you…and you kept me dry when everyone else got a good dunking! 

Connie

I wonder why lobbying groups and national newspapers continue to talk about air traffic’s contribution to carbon emissions when buildings contribute over 40% of total emissions! The construction industry continues to remain low on the radar despite the prominent role it clearly plays.

Carbon tax and CO₂ reduction were top talking points in this year’s Budget and I think we all acknowledge this will have a significant impact on the future of the building industry. But there is little recognition or appreciation of the role the sector can play in reducing total emissions.

Under the Climate Change Act, the Government has set limits on carbon emissions for the next 40 years, aiming to reduce emissions by 80% (compared to 1990) by 2050. A series of five-year targets are being imposed, and the UK is reportedly on target to meet the first 22% reduction by 2012.

As one of the biggest consumers of global energy, buildings as a whole are now being targeted. Research by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development has revealed that the world’s houses and office buildings consume 40% of global energy and emit the same proportion of gases. (At this point I switch the television and printer off at the plug).

Of course, all of us involved in the roofing and cladding industry may feel we have been there before. But are you aware of the series of changes to the Building Regulations Part L (in Scotland Technical Standards Part J) that are being stacked up to achieve this, with the aim of 34% reduction by 2020?

It is anticipated that by April next year the first steps will be introduced, followed by more in 2013, which is why we need to take actions now to be ready for new changes in the future.

The industry is faced with the scenario that excessive energy consumption (including CO₂ emissions) is going to be hammered by both legislative and economic pressures. As energy and CO₂ footprints become a general business issue - perhaps even taxed - building occupiers and building owners will be demanding proof of long term efficiency.

One of the main contributors to carbon emissions is air leakage from the interfaces and lap joints within many types of roofing and cladding materials, which significantly reduces the thermal efficiency of a building. At SFS intec, we have been working hard to provide the industry with warranted butyl sealants that are designed to perform to the rigorous standards demanded by the Building Regulations, with a 25 year warranty providing sustainable performance.

Similarly, in response to innovation in the building envelope, we have developed a range of bespoke austenitic stainless steel fasteners for each specific application, including composite panel, built up roofing, aluminium standing seam, single ply, and rainscreen and façades. Examples of these can be found on the products pages of this site.

As we fight to rise out of recession and strive to make measureable cost-efficiencies when it comes to commercial and other non-residential properties, it is clear that improving our installation practices and using warranted materials are central to the future of construction.

Last September we vowed to bring essential free training to specifiers, designers, estimators and contractors across the UK with SFS intec’s mobile i-Van service. Since then we have visited over 50 locations, from Scotland to the South West and central London, bringing essential building regulation advice and hands-on product training to the industry.

Geared out with the latest product solutions and high tech equipment, we bring the training to you to ensure installers and estimators are up-to-date on fixing techniques without losing time on site and potential earnings.

In just two hours we can introduce the latest fastener innovations and identify the long-term, air-tight solutions available through SFS intec fasteners and ancillary products.

Keeping up with the latest changes in Building Regulations can be difficult, which is why our short presentation summary is so useful. We also prepare contractors for new changes about to come in to ensure your builds are air tight. New energy performance requirements, which were introduced in Part L, mean that all new buildings need an Energy Performance Certificate. The airtight security that SFS intec’s fasteners provide guarantee that contractors can limit their liabilities in the future.

The i-Van gives contractors valuable practical experience and can be easily fitted into the working day. Our visits have been so successful that many customers have requested re-visits to bring the training to the wider team.

This week the i-Van will be visiting the North East so look out for us on the road.

If you would like more information or a visit from the i-Van please contact your local SFS intec representative.

• Paul Priestly, South West, email: prpa@sfsintec.biz
• Paul Roberts, South East, email: rpau@sfsintec.biz
• Stewart Morgan, North East, email: most@sfsintec.biz
• Craig Winstanley, North West, email: wcra@sfsintec.biz
• Mick Steeples, Midlands, email: smic@sfsintec.biz
• Dave Osborne, Scotland, email: osda@sfsintec.biz