NEW Catalogue

Simpsons leading in engineered structural connectors fasteners & building solutions

 #constructionindustry #sustainable #architects #localauthorities #contractors #developers #innovation #buildingtechnology #mmc #structuralconnectors #newcatalogue #fasteners #crosslaminatedtimber @strongtie

 

Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors, fasteners and building solutions, has launched a comprehensive offering of regulated and quality tested connectors and fasteners to serve the growing demand for CLT construction in our all NEW ‘’Connector & Fasteners for CLT Construction Catalogue’’.

Backed by a robust product range and distribution system, along with first-rate service, support, and training, the collection of versatile, high-performance products will allow for design flexibility while enabling CLT projects to be built stronger, faster, and more easily than ever.

 

 

First introduced in the 1990s, cross-laminated timber (CLT) and other mass timber -framed buildings. Recognized as a green building product for its ability to sequester carbon, CLT is proliferating as specifiers seek sustainable structural building materials and builders embrace the efficiency and reduced waste of factory-based construction solutions.

Rigorously tested and designed to provide strength across a wide range of designs, Simpson Strong-Tie’s fasteners and connectors for CLT are now available, offering Europe’s largest range of solutions for CLT connections. Linked to our established national network of construction suppliers, for what-you-need and when-you-need-it, we are leveraging our dual passions of service and innovation to meet the industries unique demands.

“With over 25 years of designing and manufacturing here in the UK, Simpson Strong-Tie is now proud to offer smart solutions for CLT,” says Jon Head, Sales Director. “In addition to a nationwide supply network, ready to deliver high-performance connectors and fasteners at a moment’s notice, Simpson Strong-Tie is looking forward to bringing our tradition of product quality, training, service, sales and technical support to this unique and fast-growing construction method”.

Additional innovations making up the Simpson Strong-Tie Cross-Laminated Timber launch include the Premium Fasteners – SSH Screw for use with a wide variety of connectors where a high load capacity is required and designed as an ideal solution for CLT applications.

The new catalogue is now available to download on the website.

www.strongtie.co.uk

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SURVEY SHOWS TIMBER SPECIFICATION INCREASE

There has been a definite increase in the specification of timber as a construction material in the UK, according to a recent survey conducted by Södra Wood

63% of respondents say they believe timber is growing in popularity as a construction material.

 

The survey generated insight from almost 350 architects, consultants, contractors and merchants. The objective was to ascertain whether the UK is beginning to recognise the merits of timber and the results were clear to see:

  • 69% of those questioned said they already worked with it;
  • 68.75% of respondents felt that timber can help meet government housebuilding and sustainability targets.

When asked to rank the benefits of timber as a construction material in order of importance, sustainability took the lead, followed by the fact that it is a quick and efficient material to work with. Great aesthetics took third place, then versatility, cost-effectiveness and offsite capabilities.

Nigel Buckley-Ryan, sales director of merchants, at Södra Wood, said: “As a timber business, we have been working hard to position the benefits of what wood can do for our construction industry – it’s really rewarding to see so many people working with timber. We believe it can help meet many sustainability and housing targets in the UK, so I’m delighted to see recognition of that.

“Sustainability is something that we are very passionate about here at Södra, which is why for every tree we fell, we plant another three and operate according to a tree’s natural lifecycle. It is welcoming to see that the UK construction industry is becoming more conscious of timber’s excellent sustainability credentials.”

Jeremy English, sales director of manufacturing, at Södra Wood, added: “While timber’s popularity is clearly growing, there remains lots of opportunity for further development, especially in terms of timber’s offsite capabilities, and cost and time efficiencies.

“The interesting thing about this survey is that it also shows that work still remains to be done to raise awareness around timber’s benefits. We’ll certainly continue to build its case and, as always, endeavour to drive the industry forward.”

 

Sourcs: PBC Today

 

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Fassarend timber frame system is here

Fassa Bortolo, one of the leading Italian manufacturers of renders and integrated building systems has brought its popular Fassarend timber frame system to the UK market, making off site construction easier than ever.

To meet the soaring demand for timber frame and modular builds, this system is made with the potential to be installed off or onsite. Using a four-stage application process, light-weight carrier boards are mechanically fixed onto the frame batons and finished on site with Fassa’s high quality, thin-coat render, either by hand or by machine once the project reaches the final stages.  

With superb insulation options, this system can be combined with a mechanical external wall insulation (EWI) rail system, in the form of mineral wool or Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) inside the timber frame, to help the build reach a required u-value and reduce emissions, as well as protect the structural integrity of the frame from any foreseeable damage.

The Fassarend timber frame system has been third party certified by KIWA BDA and approved by the National Housebuilding Council (NHBC).

 

www.fassabortolo.com

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James Jones partners with Ockwells

James Jones Timber Systems Division forms partnership with Ockwells to offer stairwell protection systems to UK housebuilders.

James Jones & Sons’ Timber Systems Division, the maker of the UK’s market-leading I-Joist system, JJI-Joists, has entered into a partnership with specialist building and protection materials manufacturer Ockwells, which will see it recommending Ockwells’ Stairwell Hatch System to all JJI-Joist customers in the future.

After months of research in to available stairwell protection systems, James Jones’ Timber Systems Division has opted to recommend the Ockwells temporary site protection system because of its superior build quality, flexibility in applications of use and the simplicity of installing the system to house building and construction sites without adaptation to existing build practices.

Independently tested and verified, the Ockwells Stairwell Hatch System is designed to provide full cover platforms over the stairwell openings in various combinations to suit all build sites and conditions. Once installed, the system prevents falls through large stairwell opening whilst giving access for operatives and materials.

The system is designed to be lightweight for handling and ease of use on site and it allows safe and fixed access to a ladder prior to a staircase being fitted. The system comprises three parts – hinged and framed glass reinforced plastic (GRP), a steel ladder plate for securing a ladder and a steel box sections adjustable telescopic joist, which allows openings next to party walls to be accommodated by the system.

Speaking of the joint venture Mark Tilston, Systems Development Manager for James Jones’ Timber Systems Division, said: “Stairwell protection systems is something that our business has been investigating and researching for a while now and we are delighted to have found in Ockwells a partner that provides a robust and safe solution for all JJI-Joist distributors and end users.

“The Stairwell Hatch System is well designed, solidly manufactured and above all, it works. They have also produced a simple step by step installation guide which gives you clear advice on many applications. The system allows you to continue using crash deck systems and bird cage platforms which is unique. Their product has been independently tested to give you confidence.”

John Gray, Sales Director at Ockwells, said: “Ockwells are delighted to be partnering with James Jones’ in this new and exciting development. Having spent a great deal of time developing the Stairwell Hatch System it’s great to see that our customers are seeing the benefits from our safety system.

“As well as providing a safe working platform over stairwell openings, the Stairwell Hatch System is also very cost-effective, being reusable means that the initial investment is quickly recouped when compared to the cost of using sacrificial joists, which can run into hundreds of pounds per plot. We believe that the combined expertise of James Jones’ and Ockwells will result in significant health and safety, and cost benefits to James Jones’ customers.”

www.jamesjones.co.uk

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CROSS LAMINATED TIMBER (CLT) AND ITS USE IN STRUCTURES

Premier Guarantee Technical Standards Manager, John Gilbert, provides technical guidance on the treatment of Cross Laminated Timber. The recent interest in ‘modular buildings’ as a solution to the housing crisis and current skills shortage, has brought forward the potential use of ‘CLT’ (Cross Laminated Timber) as a structural panel to produce wall panels or indeed modular pods.

A number of CLT products have third party product approval for the use as a structural plank for construction uses. However, it is also important that manufacturers have a quality management process to ensure consistent quality. Usually these approvals and manufacturing processes are for the solid plank and therefore full designs of the construction including its external cladding. are required on a site by site basis. CLT as a structural timber product isn’t preservative treated. It is also difficult to ‘post treat’ the panels due to the compact layers of softwood timber making penetration of the preservative across the full cross section difficult to achieve. So, it is important that the design keeps the CLT panel completely dry, particularly at ground level and around critical junctions.

Where structural timber, such as these wall panels are to be used in an external wall construction consideration should be given whether timber treatment is necessary if the species of the timber isn’t sufficiently naturally durable.

The vulnerability of timber in external walls is particularly critical where the timber is positioned in certain areas including at the horizontal damp proof course without the inclusion of a treated sole plate. Whilst the use of CLT panels in external walls is a relatively new occurrence in the UK, wall panels incorporating CLT have been successfully used in Europe.

Premier Guarantee are actively involved with the Structural Timber Association and have recently supported and endorsed technical guidance produced by the STA. The recently reviewed CLT guidance is available via:

STRUCTURAL TIMBER ASSOCIATION: www.structuraltimber.co.uk

BM TRADA: www.bmtrada.co.uk

FOR OUR WARRANTY PURPOSES:

Where projects are proposed that incorporate CLT wall panels; they must not be used with a render or other cladding system that is directly bonded to the wall panel. A drained and vented cavity must be provided.

The CLT panel must be suitably protected as follows:

At DPC level:

The CLT wall panels can be positioned directly onto the horizontal dpc (over the substructure

walls) without a treated timber sole plate providing that:

• The DPC extends at least 50mm past the face of the CLT and in the case of on the cavity wall side- extends down 50mm below the horizontal DPC without bridging the cavity.

• The lowest level of the CLT panel where it sits onto the horizontal dpc must be not less than 150mm above the finished ground level. The residual cavity must extend 225mm below the lowest horizontal DPC level.

• Open brick perpends / Weeps should be sited under the external horizontal DPC in the cladding at 1200mm centres.

• Measures to prevent cold bridging at the substructure wall / ground floor / CLT wall panel junctions must be in place.

• Ground levels immediately in front of the external wall should slope away from the building cladding.

• CLT panels must not be constructed into ‘troughs or pockets’ e.g. for an internal wall panel on a structural slab. The risk of hidden damage from accidental water leaks could lead to moisture collecting around the panel.

Above horizontal DPC level:

• All exposed end grain to the wall panel must be suitably treated (e.g. end grain edges of the panel or where holes are cut through the panel to form openings – windows, doors, flues etc.) The end grain sealant should extend 50mm onto the panel sides.

• There must be a drained and vented cavity with a minimum 50mm residual cavity retained.

• The external wall insulation must be a ‘breathable’ type insulation and directly fixed to the CLT wall panel.

• An approved breathable membrane must be installed to protect the insulation on the cavity side.

• Suitable approved wall ties must be used which are secured to the CLT panel.

• The CLT panels should be protected on the ‘Warm side’ by a suitable vapour control layer

(vcl) unless interstitial condensation risk analysis calculations prove that the risk of interstitial condensation will not occur within the construction.

• The structural engineer must provide details of suitable mechanical fixings to secure the CLT panels to the substructure.

Generally:

• The project using CLT panels must be supported by full structural design specifications.

• General construction should follow the guidance contained within Timber frame section of the Technical Manual.

• Detailing for Gas membranes must be considered on a project by project basis and you should consult with our Warranty Surveyor for further advice.

 

www.premierguarantee.com

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