(4 min read) The Importance of EN 1365-1:2012 for Load-bearing Wall Fire Resistance Testing for SIPs On 10 th April 2024, Hemsec SIPs panels achieved FR30 (30 minutes fire resistance test) & FR60 (60 minutes fire resistance test) in new, more stringent, fire resistance tests to BS EN 1365-1:2012 for residential applications. The test were carried out at Efectis UK and will enable customers to achieve improved fire-resistant performance with Hemsec SIPs. Hemsec upgraded the existing fire resistance test from BS 476 pt21:1987, FR60, to meet market demands moving towards the more stringent test BS EN 1365-1:2012. SIP panel FR30 Fire Resistance test was also added to our product certification using standard 12mm gypsum plasterboard. By updating the new FR60 to more stringent standards and adding FR30 for residential builds, Hemsec SIPs can offer better design flexibility for fire-resistant performance. What is Fire Resistance in building materials? Fire resistance is the ability of a material to withstand the effects of fire, or to resist ignition and burning. This characteristic is crucial as it determines how long structural elements and components within a building can function during a fire, providing critical time for evacuation and reducing the damage to the property. The ability of a building structure to withstand fire, at least long enough for safe evacuation and effective intervention, can mean the difference between a minor incident and a catastrophic loss. In construction and building safety, fire-resistant materials are both a regulatory requirement and a fundamental component of modern design, construction and safety planning. While no practical building material is truly fireproof, well-constructed houses and buildings can help prevent tragedies by using materials, systems and build up’s that offer fire-resistant performance. What are Fire Resistance Ratings and Standards in construction? The goal is to construct a building that slows down the spread of fire, allowing occupants to escape and giving emergency responders time to arrive. This is why materials are rated in respect of how long it would take fire to affect their structural abilities.  To ensure building materials meet necessary safety standards, they are subjected to fire resistance tests which assess performance under controlled conditions. By understanding fire ratings and fire performance, architects, builders and SIPs installers can make informed choices about the materials they use, significantly enhancing the safety of the buildings they design and construct.

(2 min read) Hemsec Donates SIP Activity Kits to Riverside College and Cronton Sixth Form for Student Sampling Days Hemsec are committed to reshaping the built environment for a better tomorrow. We’re proud to donate Structural Insulated Panels Kits (SIP Kits) to Riverside College and Cronton Sixth Form. These panels will be used by current and prospective students during the colleges' Student Sampling Days and in future curriculum activities, providing an invaluable opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in sustainable building practices. Students will develop relevant and valuable practical skills whilst sparking interest in future-proof energy-efficient, eco-friendly construction methods. At Hemsec, we’re dedicated to supporting the next generation of builders, innovators and trades people. By equipping students with practical skills and exposure to emerging construction methods, we aim to inspire and empower them to contribute to a more sustainable future. We look forward to seeing the creative and innovative projects that these talented students will develop using our SIP panels to aid their understanding. Riverside College and Cronton Sixth Form, are colleges local to the Widnes Area. They offer A-Level and vocational education for students aged 16-18. They are both outstanding colleges and we are proud to build on our strong relationship with both campuses to help support the future pipeline of talent.

(4 min read) Liverpool City Region Mayor Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Press Machine at Hemsec’s New £4 Million SIPs Manufacturing Hub. Today (Liverpool, UK - 22 April 2024) marks a significant milestone in the region’s manufacturing landscape as Mayor Steve Rotheram officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art press machine at Hemsec’s new £4 million Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Manufacturing Hub, located in the heart of Knowsley, Liverpool. The unveiling ceremony, attended by key stakeholders and industry leaders, showcased Hemsec’s ambitious vision and cutting-edge capabilities of the press machine, which stands as the only one of its kind in the world. This groundbreaking technology is positioned to drive crucial innovation in the construction sector and a fabric-first approach to achieving a net zero built environment, particularly in the area of social and affordable housing. With a manufacturing capacity unlike any other, the new manufacturing hub and press promise unparalleled efficiency and precision in the production of SIPs, a building material known for its superior energy efficiency, speed of build and long-term sustainable impact. This advancement comes at a crucial time as the UK faces a significant shortfall in social housing, with communities across the country in dire need of affordable and high-quality accommodation. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram emphasised the importance of this new manufacturing hub and its potential to address the housing crisis and other key issues important to the region's communities. Managing Director at Hemsec, Stephen Painter commented: "The opening of Hemsec’s SIPs Manufacturing Hub represents a transformative moment for Liverpool and the British manufacturing industry. With the capabilities of this pioneering press machine, we have an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the construction of much-needed truly affordable social housing, providing safe and sustainable homes for our communities. A fabric-first approach to sustainable buildings is crucial for ensuring the performance of our homes is optimised now and remains for the lifetime of the building, securing longevity in energy efficiency."

(3 min read) Hemsec are committed to reshaping the build environment for a better tomorrow. We are proud to sponsor 23 mental wellbeing boxes created by UK Unplugged and support families in our local community in the North West. The 23 boxes will help 23 families promote and prioritise mental wellbeing, in a time where this has never been more crucial. UK Unplugged started as a local community group in 2019, dedicated to supporting parents and carers to balance their family time on and off screens. The group is made up of professional and student volunteers from Liverpool John Moores University, who create learning activities and experiences for families in Liverpool in the form of an activity box. Families can subscribe to the boxes on a monthly basis. UK Unplugged work to bring local, regional and international communities together to share experiences, all whilst ensuring that the activities reduce screentime and improve mental wellbeing for the families they support. In April, UK Unplugged will be working to donate their boxes to low-income families & those on the CAMHS waiting list. They have pulled together a team of Architecture students and volunteers who are creating specialised boxes and Hemsec has agreed to sponsor the creation of 23 these boxes. The boxes provide: · 10 hours of screen-free fun · Education on new ideas and cultures · They are accessible & eco-friendly This year UK Unplugged – Architecture box are focusing on Sustainability and diversity; the boxes will educate families on different living spaces and sustainable choices around the world. Investing in the education of sustainable buildings for families across the northwest is a brilliant cause that we are proud to be part of.

(2 min read) Hemsec hosts Riverside College & Cronton Sixth Form students at SIPs Manufacturing Hub for Aspire Week. Last Friday, (15 th March 2024) we welcomed students of digital built environment, architecture, and built environment skills from Riverside College Widnes & Runcorn and Cronton Sixth Form College to our Huyton SIPs panel factory. Students enjoyed an informative morning learning about SIPs And getting hands-on with our panels to help inform their studies. The students received a talk from Dan Haworth , Head of Manufacturing, and a factory tour, followed by round table speed meetings with staff from all areas of the business. They also had the unique opportunity to get hands-on with building miniature SIP Panel structures. And to add a little extra fun, we set up a bit of friendly competition with a structural design challenge with custard creams! Because why not? SIPs panels and custard creams are distant cousins, after all! We're looking forward to hosting more students and future construction talent in the future.