Length and width - Individual panels can be manufactured up to a maximum of 6200mm x 1200mm. They can then be engineered to any size.

Condensation

Condensation is caused when warm air that's full of water vapour meets a cold surface, which causes the air to drop in temperature. This happens at a temperature known as the dew point and is expressed in degrees Celsius. Due to the high thermal insulation properties of the panels condensation will not occur on the walls, but may occur on other cold surfaces in the structure. Adequate ventilation is therefore an important aspect of any SIPs design.

Fire Performance

In common with other building methods SIPs require to meet strict building regulations. SIPs achieve a Class 1 Fire Rating when internally lined with 12.5mm plasterboard, when tested to BS 476 part 7 (1993). Load bearing walls tested to BS 476 part 21 (1987 clause 8) also passed for capacity, integrity and insulation.

The solid core construction of the panel does not allow fire to spread with ease or speed, as can be the case through more conventional hollow built walls. As a result rigorous fire endurance tests have been passed.

Air Tightness

The panel and jointing system creates a very airtight structure with air changes achieved of less than 1 per hour.

Structural Strength

The SIPs used have been independently tested for structural strength and meet British Standards and Codes of Practice for design. These tests include both transverse loads; which is the combined total of the dead load (the weight of the assembly) the live load (e.g. people, objects and snow) and the wind load, and axial loads; which are the compressive forces which put load on a wall.

Acoustics

Field tests to BS EN ISO 140.4 (1998) on an internal SIP wall clad with 12.5mm plasterboard on one side and 19mm plank along with 9.5mm plasterboard on the other side achieved an average sound reduction of 58db. A single wall panel with no internal lining achieved a reduction of 31db.