TI Smith Properties Delivers Code 3 Homes with Insulslab SFRC

Insulslab SFRC, the innovative super insulated and fully integrated foundation system, has been installed at a new affordable housing development in Newport, Wales. Commissioned by Fairlake on behalf of Charter Housing, contractor TI Smith Properties designed high levels of insulation into the building fabric, including Insulslab SFRC, to achieve Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Delivering the foundation up to ground floor level, Insulslab SFRC gives the developer greater flexibility over thermal envelope design by significantly improving the insulation performance of the floor. With expanded polystyrene (EPS) pods integrated within the system design, Insulslab SFRC can easily achieve very low U values while keeping the floor depth to a minimum. Tim Smith, TI Smith Properties, comments: “We feel that the Code for Sustainable Homes is about more than point scoring, which is why we aim to build homes that are highly thermally efficient and will continue to perform over time. With this latest development, we’ve succeeded in achieving Level 3 exclusively through building fabric design and Insulslab SFRC has played a key part in this. The system is proven to perform thermally and also delivered significant efficiency gains on-site.” Roger Williams, project manager, Fairlake, continues: “We are constantly seeking new ways to improve both our designs and build methods to deliver homes that are highly energy efficient and require little maintenance over time. This latest development demonstrates that through intelligent design, Code 3 can be achieved without the use of renewables – and we have been impressed with the use of innovative materials, such as Insulslab SFRC, to achieve this.” Built on the brownfield site of a former factory, the flexibility of Insulslab SFRC provided an ideal foundation solution. While the lightweight pods were easy to manage, helping TI Smith Properties to realise cost savings through reduced labour time, the system materials also proved safe to maneouvre through the busy residential access road. Unlike traditional foundation systems, which can require steel reinforcement bars, Insulslab SFRC utilises steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) from ArcelorMittal. Poured directly on to the EPS pods to complete the foundation structure, the system design is fully covered by a BBA certificate from ArcelorMittal. Mark Gray, technical manager Insulslab SFRC, concludes: “Insulslab SFRC is the only system of its kind on the market. The system is increasingly being adopted based on its sustainable credentials as developers, particularly in social housing, are under pressure to achieve greater levels of energy efficiency and thermal insulation. As insulation is an integral part of the system design, Insulslab SFRC is particularly suited to these affordable home developments.” For further information on Insulslab SFRC and full technical and specification support materials, please visit www.insulslab.com -ends-

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