What
are ICS-Structural Insulated Panels?
ICS-SIPs panels are manufactured
by injecting polyurethane
foam between two surfaces. Embedded within the panel are structural
pieces that give tremendous strength to the panel. The panels are
joined together by a cam lock system that ensures a tight fit. A typical
4 1/2" (11.3 cm) panel has an R Value of 28. A 6 1/2" (16.3
cm) panel has an R Value of 42. The surfaces can be OSB, Fiber Cement,
Galvanize, Stainless, or FRP Laminated.
The result is a building
product that is predictable, resource efficient and cost effective
that are used as floors, walls and roofs on all types of buildings.
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Why
are ICS-SIPs so much better?
ICS-SIPs outperform other
building methods in virtually every category because the structural
strength, ease of erection and insulation value of the components.
When someone says "R-value",
what they're really talking about is resistance to heat flow in a
given medium, such as fiberglass insulation. The higher the number,
the greater the resistance.
In reality, this reasoning
doesn't take into account all the other components that go into making
a wall: wood or steel studs ever 16" or 24", bracing, nails
or screws, wiring and switch boxes - any number of things that are
not insulation, and in all likelihood, have R-values that fall well
short of the stated insulation batt.
A new study by the Oak
Ridge National Labs (ORNL) proves that a 4-inch SIP wall outperforms
2"x4" stick and batt construction, and even edges out 2"x6"
construction in terms of thermal performance. Because SIPs are the
structural elements, there are no studs or braces to cause breaks
in the insulative action. The end result is a more comfortable, energy
efficient structure that performs up to spec in real-world conditions.
Unlike stick and batt construction, which can be subject to poorly
installed - even missing - insulation, the nature of SIPs is such
that the structural and insulative elements are joined as one. There
are no hidden gaps, because a solid layer of foam insulation is integral
to panel construction.
The ORNL study found that
SIPs perform at approximately 97% of their stated R-value overall,
losing only 3% to nail holes, seams, splines, and the like. Wiring
chases are precut or preformed into the foam core, providing a continuous
layer of insulation keeping the elements at bay ant the interior free
of drafts and cold spots.
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Why
are ICS-SIPs so much stronger?
- SIPs are a structural
composite like an "I-beam". The two skins act like the flanges
and the rigid core is similar to the web. In short, the three components
work together, rather than against one another.
- This composite assembly
yields stiffness, strength and predictable responses.
- Not only do test results
show that sip panels are stronger, but real live natural disasters
have proven it time and again. the Great Hanshin (Kobe, Japan) and
North Ridge earthquakes, hurricane Andrew, a Colorado tornado, a Portland
gas explosion and an Omaha fire, have done more to prove SIP strength
to the homeowners than all of the scientific tests.
- Finally, the ICS-SIP
has addressed headon, one of the weakest points of any structure,
by incorporating a (1) piece solid corner in its
wall system. By design, these one piece corners have tremendous strengths
when subjected to hurricane force winds. They also have another feature,
that due to their one piece design, you can easily attach adjacent
panels because of their stable footprint.
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How
much are they?
- Depending on the configuration,
the s.f. cost of a 4.5"x4-0x8-0 high panel is approximately the
same as block construction, when you take into consideration that
the ICS-SIP is ready for drywall finish.
- A affordable home recently
budgeted showed that by incorporating the ICS-SIP wall system, the
overall cost was increased by approx. $80.00.
- The efficiencies of any
system becomes more evident with time. Not having job site waste,
for instance, can save considerably in landfill fees. These, along
with labor savings, faster dry in time, better drywall utilization
and a host of other real monetary savings are realized when you choose
the ICS-SIP System.
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Why
do they outperform other houses?
SIP buildings are vastly
more energy efficient, stronger, more quiet and draft free than older
technology systems, like stud framing with common fiberglass insulation.
Fiberglass is sometimes used for furnace filters because air moves
through so freely. Rigid insulation i used as a solid component insulation
in almost every industry for its inherent efficiency and lack of air
movement. These attributes are built right into the SIPs building.
Less air movement or leakage translates into less drafts, fewer penetrations
for noise, lower energy bills and a significantly more comfortable
and controllable indoor environment.
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How
are electrical and plumbing installed?
In commercial construction,
wiring is pulled through laid out pipe called conduit. There are actually
"chases" that are built into the foam cores that work like
conduit. Electricians use a fish tape and feed the wires through panels
without compressing insulation or drilling through studs. Plumbing
is not usually placed in walls, especially exterior walls, but through
the floor into the bottom of cabinets. Island vents or loop vents
are also common practices and can be found in the plumbing codes.
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How
do ICS-SIPs react to fire?
Fire requires three components,
fuel, ignition and oxygen. SIPs have no 'air' within their solid cores
of insulation. The fire cannot "run up the wall" cavity
even when balloon framed. SIPs have passed every standard fire test
that is required of wood based or Type IV construction. A key element
of fire safety is protection of the SIPs and any other underlying
structure with thermal barriers like gypsum wallboard. ICS-SIPs are
rated as a Class 1 panel.
Manufactures across North
America have proven the fire performance of SIP systems through some
of the most extensive fire assembly testing in the construction industry.
The results of this destructive testing allow documentation of SIP
performance under rigorous test standards. National standards like
ASTM-E119, ASTM-E84 and UBC 17-5 have been met by protecting SIPs
in a similar fashion as other wood based structures. 'One Hour' fire
resistive assemblies are achieved by combinations of underlying structure
and protection of that structure by Gypsum Wall Board.
Residential structures
are typically required to meet a fifteen minute standard and meet
that standard by applying 1/2" common gypsum over Structural
Insulated Panels.
Light commercial and multi-family
structures can be required to meet the more restrictive one-hour fire
resistive standards. Some of these prescriptive assemblies are listed
in the UL® Fire Resistive Assembly Manual, but can be summarized
as follows;
1.) One layer 5/8"
fiber rock panel will produce a one hour fire related wall.
2.) Two layer 5/8"
fiber rock panel will produce a two hour fire related wall.
As with any fire resistive
issue, the local jurisdiction requirements will vary by region, building
classification and structure occupancy. You should contact your local
building and fire departments to determine those local requirements
and involve the design professional to ensure compliance with local
and national codes.
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Why
are SIPs more Environmentally Responsible?
- Less job site waste means
less landfill use.
- Lower heating bills translates
to lower energy (fossil fuel) consumption.
- Use of fast growth harvested
farm trees rather than old growth forests.
- Up to 35% less raw timber
use in SIP buildings.
- Lower reported embodied
energy costs.
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Why
Isn't Everyone Using SIPs?
Because better educated
consumers demand more for their dollar, SIPs are one of the fastest
growing segments in the construction industry. Like other engineered
wood products, time and care have been taken to evaluate and produce
a complete systems approach. Since the Mid - 1980's Major Model Building
Codes have accepted SIPs as structural building components and systems.
Over 20 years of laboratory testing to nationally recognized code
standards, along with over 60 years of proof in real life homes and
businesses, have proven that SIPs are the best choice for homes and
light commercial construction.
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How
about ventilation?
All of the advanced technology
building systems require some sort of mechanical ventilation These
systems bring fresh air into the home or building. Often they can
be combined with filter systems or other fresh air devices. Not only
is ventilation practical, but a code requirement in many areas. Many
HRV's or heat recovery ventilators are available from your mechanical
contractor.
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Why
have I not heard of this system before and why aren't more construction
companies using this type of construction
Actually the SIP concept
is not new. The first instance of SIP construction dates back into
the 1930's. It is only within the last few years that SIP type building
has emerged due to the energy crisis and the costs of construction
in the replacement of homes and businesses ravaged by the forces of
hurricanes in Florida and other southern states. The reason more construction
companies are not using the SIP method is because most Architects
and Engineers have not included them as part of the scope of work
- it is as simple as that.
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How
do I install the panels?
The panels are set in a
galvanized receiving channel which is secured to the foundation. As
the panels are set in the channel, they are locked together with a
special cam-lock system that contributes to the overall ability to
install the panels at a rate of 40 feet per hour.
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How
heavy are the panels and how are they carried?
The total weight of the
fiberock outer skins and steel stud frame that are encased in a high
density polyurethane foam equal approx. 7.5# per sf of wall, =
4'0" x 8'0" panel = 32 sq. ft. x 7.5 = 240#. Four workers
can easily transport and install the panels.
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You
have said that the walls can be fire rated. Can they be used as a fire
separation wall?
Yes they can. When we
apply 5/8" fiberock to the SIP, the panel not only meets the
(1) hour fire separation rating, but due to the inherent strength
of the ICS fiberock SIP, you can directly attach a floor system such
as may be needed in apartment and townhouse construction. Your contractor
may field apply a second layer of either 5/8" fiberock or 5/8"
type "X" drywall to each side and you will have a (2) hour
fire separation wall.
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The
ICS SIP wall system sounds great, but what about the rest of the structure?
Isn't a chain only as strong as its weakest link?
That is certainly true.
We believe that the entire building envelope should meet the standards
of our ICS fiberock SIP wall system. As stated on the first page of
this Q and A sheet, we will be pleased to meet with you or your architect.
We can assist you with the ICS SOLUTION FOR:
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What
are the advantages of using the ICS Fiberock Panel?
Besides the fact that
they will save 30-50% of your energy costs, are Cat. 4 hurricane rated,
have one of the highest resistance ratings for moisture and mildew
, and are built on non-combustion able standards, they will expedite
your construction time and save considerable labor, plus in a matter
of days you are dried in and your building is secure. Additionally
you will have minimal waste and cleanup; no concrete block laying
around that you paid for and did not use and no termite damage.
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