MgO panels target timber frame sheathing market

19 March 2012

The prospect of magnesium oxide (MgO) panels taking market share in the timber frame sheathing market is increasing following the launch of a product by Glenrothes-based Intelligent Wood Systems (IWS).

 

IWS's FAST (Fire, Acoustic,Structural, Thermal) Board, an MgO panel with reinforcing fibreglass layers, has been developed by IWS specifically to be used as a sheathing board in the UK timber frame industry.
The company described it as the final piece of the jigsaw in its build system designed to prevent the spread of flame in timber frame developments.
Other recent moves to use MgO products in timber frame include fire testing of Econicboard, in conjunction with Scotframe and Walker Timber, within the ValUtherm timber frame system as a non-combustible internal and external sheathing board.
A further product - Magnaliner - has recently completed a series of racking tests, which supplier Euroform Building Products Ltd says now allows it to be used as a non-combustible timber frame sheathing board.
These moves follow concern after several large timber frame fires on construction sites in recent years and the recent publication of new UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) guidance to minimise fire risks during the construction stage.
IWS director Doug Cullen told TTJ that its breathable, non-combustible racking FAST board had been developed with a Chinese manufacturing partner specifically to meet its requirement for the timber frame sector.
"It's more expensive than OSB, but it's doing much more than OSB," he said.
Mr Cullen said MgO board had been used extensively in the steel frame sector and in many Structural Insulated Panel (SIPS) projects globlally. But he warned the timber frame sector it was dangerous to think any MgO board could be used for timber frame, as products were on the market for a wide variety of applications.
The FAST board has been tested to relevant UK and European standards, including Euroclass A1 in reaction to fire and Category 1 - BS5268 part 6.1/6.2 for racking resistance.
The board becomes a key component in the IWS/Arch flame retardant system - as an open panel system - to meet Category C of the UKTFA's guidance on resistance to fire spread and reduction of emitted heat to neighbouring properties.
The approved system also comprises use of the fire retardant system on studs, timber joists and 18mm ply decking. Open-web joists (MiTek, Gang-Nail, ITW and Wolf) treated with the IWS system are also approved.
"Timber frame manufacturers do not need to change their current manufacturing processes to adopt the IWS Cat C option and the significant increase in robustness to fire comes at negligible cost, with manufacturers estimating an increase to their current timber frame panels of circa 4%," said IWS marketing manager Jonny Bell.

The company described it as the final piece of the jigsaw in its build system designed to prevent the spread of flame in timber frame developments.

Other recent moves to use MgO products in timber frame include fire testing of Econicboard, in conjunction with Scotframe and Walker Timber, within the ValUtherm timber frame system as a non-combustible internal and external sheathing board.

A further product - Magnaliner - has recently completed a series of racking tests, which supplier Euroform Building Products Ltd says now allows it to be used as a non-combustible timber frame sheathing board.

These moves follow concern after several large timber frame fires on construction sites in recent years and the recent publication of new UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) guidance to minimise fire risks during the construction stage.

IWS director Doug Cullen told TTJ that its breathable, non-combustible racking FAST board had been developed with a Chinese manufacturing partner specifically to meet its requirement for the timber frame sector.

"It's more expensive than OSB, but it's doing much more than OSB," he said.

Mr Cullen said MgO board had been used extensively in the steel frame sector and in many Structural Insulated Panel (SIPS) projects globlally. But he warned the timber frame sector it was dangerous to think any MgO board could be used for timber frame, as products were on the market for a wide variety of applications.

The FAST board has been tested to relevant UK and European standards, including Euroclass A1 in reaction to fire and Category 1 - BS5268 part 6.1/6.2 for racking resistance.

The board becomes a key component in the IWS/Arch flame retardant system - as an open panel system - to meet Category C of the UKTFA's guidance on resistance to fire spread and reduction of emitted heat to neighbouring properties.

The approved system also comprises use of the fire retardant system on studs, timber joists and 18mm ply decking. Open-web joists (MiTek, Gang-Nail, ITW and Wolf) treated with the IWS system are also approved.

"Timber frame manufacturers do not need to change their current manufacturing processes to adopt the IWS Cat C option and the significant increase in robustness to fire comes at negligible cost, with manufacturers estimating an increase to their current timber frame panels of circa 4%," said IWS marketing manager Jonny Bell.



 

News Source: http://www.timber-building.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/843/MgO_panels_target_timber_frame_sheathing_market.html

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