Through the latter part of December 2013, Southern England experienced some of the worst storms that had hit the country for many years. High Winds and driving rain not only had an impact on householders, who suffered damage to their properties, but for the construction industry with incomplete and exposed structures, it proved to be an extremely challenging time.
Innovaré are currently nearing the end of the largest, and highest, s infill project ever done, in the construction of student accommodation at the Mayflower Halls site in Southampton. This will provide more than 1100 flats over 3 blocks, being 9, 12 and 16 floors respectively, with over 4500 panels being fitted to an RC frame. The site is very close to the Solent, with a great view of the Cruise Ships being offered by the higher levels of the buildings.
When the high winds started, very little of the external finishes had been completed, so the s, with their semi-permeable membrane on the exterior, were fully exposed to all that nature could throw at them. This was particularly the case on the Southerly and Westerly elevations which are exposed to the prevailing westerly wind blowing right off the Solent. There was possibly some scepticism, by those who were not familiar with our product, that the s would remain in place and whether the membrane would be ripped off by the wind
However, on return to site after the Christmas break, all were really impressed to see how little impact the wind had had. Whilst the membrane had indeed been torn by the wind in very few places, the panels had survived with everything intact. There is no evidence of damage or movement anywhere and the structure is as sound as it was when installed.
This was a very good test of the integrity of the I-SIP panel; it was truly extreme conditions and whilst other elements on site were affected, the s remained untouched. When you consider that it is not usual for the exterior of the panels to be exposed – other than in the construction phase – and that they will be covered by some sort of external finish in normal use, this has proved that they are extremely robust and the engineering principles behind their construction and installation are sound.
From a personal perspective, this experience has only confirmed my confidence in the product; I’m very pleased to say that the impact of extreme conditions on a very exposed site was minimal and has answered any questions regarding the s integrity in such conditions.
