Fire-Resistance and Sustainability – the Versatility of Panelised Systems

Construction project outcomes are becoming increasingly diverse – it’s no longer just about specifications, time and cost. But, do more detailed outcomes necessarily mean that projects need to be more complex? Or does the answer lie in the greater simplification made possible by modern building systems?

Safety and sustainability are increasingly important outcomes from any construction project. Fire safety has a high profile following the Grenfell Tower tragedy and sustainability continues to gain significance as we move towards a net zero carbon built environment.

Carbon Reduction

In the case of sustainability, designers have to consider both operational and embodied carbon. Modern panelised construction systems have been proven to deliver exceptional control over thermal performance through inbuilt insulation and excellent levels of airtightness. These qualities help to limit operational carbon.

Limiting embodied carbon means using structural timber to offset the emissions generated by producing steel and concrete. One challenge for designers is how to incorporate structural timber into a building while controlling combustibility and limiting complexity.

One Panel, Multiple Outcomes

One highly effective solution is to combine fire resistance and sustainability performance into a single panel. This is what the i-FAST System achieves.

The panels use timber framing and offset studs to provide strength and rigidity. This construction allows you to easily incorporate a high percentage of structural timber into the fabric to limit embodied carbon.

Combustibility Control

The timber elements are fully encapsulated by non combustible stone wool insulation and non combustible fibre cement facing boards. Overall, the panels have a Class 0 surface spread of flame rating and have been tested to 60 minutes load bearing fire resistance (REI 60).

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) like i-FAST are precision-made and easily assembled onsite to create a simplified construction process that’s much less reliant on traditional trades. The inbuilt properties also deliver low combustibility and better sustainability – all in one panel.

If you’d like to know more about the i-FAST System contact enquiries@innovaresystems.co.uk or take a look at our resource centre.