Hemsec SIPs panels achieve FR30 & update FR60 in new fire resistance tests to BS EN 1365-1:2012

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Stuart Cottle • Aug 08, 2024

(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.

What is BS EN 1365-1:2012 for fire resistance?

BS EN 1365-1:2012 is a crucial European standard that specifies the method of testing the fire resistance of load-bearing walls, both internal and external applications. The test measures a wall's ability to resist the spread of fire from one side to another while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.

What does BS EN 1365-1 Fire Resistance Test include?

The fire resistance test outlined in EN 1365-1 focuses on several key areas:

Loadbearing Capacity (R): The walls ability to maintain a load. This is determined by measuring the vertical deflection of the wall.

Insulation (I): The test evaluates how well the wall insulates and prevents the transmission of heat to the unexposed face. This is determined by measuring the temperature rise of the unexposed face of the wall with thermocouples.

Integrity (E) refers to the wall's ability to continue functioning without developing cracks or openings through which flames or hot gases can pass.

Hemsec Fire Resistance Testing

Efectis UK tested Hemsec Residential SIPs panels with a thickness of 142 mm, consisting of a perimeter frame (C16 grade softwood), a core (rigid urethane foam), facings (OSB), and splines (OSB). Battens, referenced as C16 softwood grade battens with dimensions 38 x 25 mm, are fixed to the exposed face of the SIP panel. The total load applied was 40kN, on a 3000 mm high sample.

For FR30 (30 minutes fire resistance test) Knauf gypsum based plasterboard 12mm thick was through-fixed to the battens.

For FR60 (60 minutes fire resistance test) Knauf gypsum based Fire Panel 15mm thick was through-fixed to the battens.

Gypsum board, also known as plasterboard or drywall, is the most commonly used fire-resistant interior finish and is commonly used to achieve FR30. Fireline gypsum board is treated with additives to improve its fire-resistance property, making it suitable to achieve FR60.

Are Hemsec SIPs panels Fire Rated?

What did Hemsec SIPs Fire Resistance Tests Achieve?

The FR60 test passed the 60 minutes fire resistance and Hemsec stopped the test prior to failure at 66 minutes, achieving 10% over the test requirement, to allow for full examination rather than burning to failure. The 142mm Hemsec SIP panel achieved a fire resistance classification under 13501-2:2023 of REI60.

The FR30 test passed the 30 minutes fire resistance and Hemsec stopped the test prior to failure at 40 minutes. The 142mm Hemsec SIP panel achieved a fire resistance classification under 13501-2:2023 of REI30.

The extended field of application includes:

a) decrease in height.

b) increase in the thickness of the wall.

c) increase in the thickness of component materials.

d) decrease in linear dimensions of boards or dimensions of panels of but not thickness.

e) decrease in stud spacing.

f) decrease in distance of fixing centres.

g) decrease in the applied load.

h) increase in the width provided that the specimen was tested at full width or 3m wide, whichever is the larger.

Please feel free to download the Hemsec Fire Resistance Classification Reports for FR30 & FR60 here for more information.

The Hemsec team are here to give you assistance – If you're interested in how our SIPs panels are #ReshapingTheBuiltEnvironment for a more #SustainableFuture, contact us today.

Written by Juliette Mullineux, Product Manager.

About Hemsec

Hemsec is committed to reshaping the built environment, together, for a better tomorrow.

We are a leading UK-based insulated panel manufacturer. Since 1928, we have been one of the largest and longest-standing insulated panel manufacturers in the UK.

Hemsec SIPs are extensively tested for Structural, Acoustic, and Thermal performance, including Fire Resistance, and are BBA-certified to give our customers confidence in our superior quality standards. By combining structural and insulating properties, Hemsec SIPs can be used alongside a wide range of construction materials as load or non-load-bearing structures. This improves energy performance and reduces wall thicknesses, which helps to maximise internal space and minimise energy bills.

What are SIPs (structural insulated panels) used for?

SIP panel applications include:

- Energy Efficient SIP Homes

- SIPs Residential Park Homes

- SIP Hotel and Leisure Facilities

- SIP Commercial Buildings

- SIPs Cabins, Annexes and Extensions

- SIPs garden Rooms and Outbuildings

For more information about our products and community initiatives, visit our news pages.

To find out more about Hemsec insulated panels and how we can support you with your build requirements, please contact us today.

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Hemsec Updates Branding to Reflect Purpose-Led Direction

By Stuart Cottle • 02 Sep, 2024

(2 min read) Hemsec Unveils New Brand Identity Aligned with Purpose-Led Direction and Sustainable Growth. We are excited to announce a brand refresh that reflects our commitment to ‘Reshaping the Built Environment, together, for a better tomorrow’ We are on a challenging journey to becoming a B-corp certified manufacturer, and this transformation represents more than just a new look; it embodies Hemsec’s purpose-led direction and our dedication to a sustainable and responsible future. At the core of this brand refresh is Hemsec’s ongoing commitment to driving innovation through panelised MMC (modern methods of construction), improving the baseline standards of living for all and providing high performance building fabric materials for energy conservation. This renewed vision emphasises the company's goal to collaborate with partners, clients, and suppliers in driving innovation and creating resilient, sustainable spaces that benefit both people and the planet. Commenting on the brand refresh, Stuart Cottle, Marketing Manager at Hemsec, said: “Our new brand reflects our values and ambitions for the future. It symbolises our dedication to enabling sustainable living for all and our passion for creating a positive impact within the built environment. We are passionate about enabling our customers to reach net zero targets with a high performance fabric first approach to construction across the industries we operate in. While our look has changed, our mission remains the same — to reshape the built environment, together, for a better tomorrow.” This refresh marks a new chapter for Hemsec, reinforcing our dedication to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. The company invites all customers, suppliers, and partners to join in this exciting journey towards a brighter, more sustainable future.

Hemsec Donates SIP Kits to Riverside College and Cronton Sixth Form

By Stuart Cottle • 30 May, 2024

(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.

LCR Mayor Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Press at SIP Panel Hub

By Stuart Cottle • 24 Apr, 2024

(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."

Hemsec Donates 23 Mental Wellbeing Boxes for Families via UK Unplugged

By Stuart Cottle • 08 Apr, 2024

(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.

Hemsec hosts Riverside College & Cronton Sixth Form students at SIPs Manufacturing Hub for Aspire Week

By Stuart Cottle • 15 Mar, 2024

(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.

The Big Help Project Christmas Raffle Raises £1000

21 Dec, 2023

(4 m in read) On Tuesday Hemsec employees came together in good Christmas cheer at our annual Christmas party. Through a spirited raffle, the company successfully raised an impressive £1000 for The Big Help Project . What is The Big Help Project? The Big Help Project was set up with the mission to feed the hungry, overcome poverty, free people from the burden of unmanageable personal debt, help people into affordable housing, and to assist people onto a better future. For over ten years Big Help Project has formed a social impact eco-system, providing on-the-ground wrap-around services to make sure nobody is left in crisis. Every day of the week Big Help Project is making a difference and helping people break the cycle of poverty. So far, the project has helped thousands of people across the UK — but they still have a lot of ground to cover. That’s where local businesses like Hemsec, our customers, suppliers and partners come into the picture.