Architects and housebuilders are under increased pressure to develop safer residential buildings on fast-track construction schedules whilst still achieving outstanding building performance. Here Steve Thompson, Managing Director of EOS Framing makes a strong case for a light steel frame systems approach.
Construction can be a complex business but as we evolve more advanced offsite technologies, we can help housebuilders reduce risk and operate with more certainty and confidence. This is vital to help deliver more energy efficient homes at a rapid rate that are ultimately more cost-effective to develop.
Through the collaborative expertise of Etex brands EOS Framing, Siniat, Promat and FSi, our light steel frame systems approach is helping construction clients to comply and compete in challenging markets.
From early design and engineering advice to simplifying specification and procurement, our products, processes and whole business philosophy show that as a manufacturer, we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. At the heart of this is rigorous testing, technically competent people and a systems approach to our solutions. Our full-scale testing regimes study the performance of products working together to see how they interact in 'real' circumstances, such as under fire conditions or when exposed to wind and rain.
A fragmented supply chain will result in components being offered by a multitude of manufacturers, therefore warranties are complex, for very limited timescales or simply non-existent. This uncertainty also extends to the costs involved, the speed of build and the quality of the final outcome.
In response to these challenges, EOS has developed an award-winning range of Thrubuild® light steel frame systems. Our Thrubuild® loadbearing range is supplied as a tried and tested custom-designed kit of parts integrating steel framing, external Siniat Weather Defence sheathing, Siniat internal drylining, ancillary parts, fixtures and fittings. By working with closely with developers EOS is now able to provide a real scalable low-rise residential solution – delivering precision-engineered homes that can be produced at scale better than, faster than and more cost-efficiently than other market offerings.
Eliminating Uncertainty
We are committed to technical competence and as part of Etex, we have some of the best fire experts in the UK on our team. They work closely with certification bodies to jointly develop and design technical solutions.
By eliminating uncertainty through rigorous testing regimes, EOS deliver light steel frame systems with certified and predictable performance. Recently presented with Best External Product trophy at the Housebuilder Product Awards, Thrubuild® is an all-in-one non-combustible certified system exploiting the latest products, technical know-how and manufacturing excellence of the combined Etex team.
Providing crucial safety, time and cost benefits, the Thrubuild® range has multiple loadbearing applications for low and medium rise developments and can be used for external or internal walls together with internal and separating floors.
In addition to the Thrubuild® loadbearing range, we have researched and developed Thruwall® - fully engineered custom-designed non-loadbearing infill systems manufactured offsite and supplied as a certified kit of parts that can be used with concrete and steel main frames.
Following the outstanding success of Thruwall®– EOS has taken factory prefabrication and preassembly to another level. Developed and rigorously tested, Pre-Assembled Frames (PAF) are an evolution of Thruwall® which are delivered to site as a unitised non-loadbearing infill system encapsulating light steel framing and external sheathing.
All components and products in the Thrubuild®, Thruwall® and Pre-Assembled Frames system range have been rigorously tested together for fire, acoustic, weathering, airtightness, durability and mechanical performance. Fire resistance periods of 60, 90 and 120 minutes are achievable. When walling and flooring systems are built with Etex Group components and materials, following a validation process — Etex award a 30-year warranty.
To discover more about Thrubuild®, Thruwall® and Pre-Assembled Frames go to the EOS information centre: www.eosframing.co.uk/information-centre/
