Every building site must follow the obvious rules and regulations relating to safety of its employees and visitors. The actual building process with the ICF system is a very safe, relying on lightweight components to build the structure. No heavy or manual lifting is needed, allowing the contractors to carry out the job unhindered.

When the concrete is poured, care and attention must be used to provide a safe working environment.

As with any construction project, a structural engineer is required to sign off the design and specification of the building to ensure it complies with the relevant building regulations. The ICF system we use is no different.

There are a number of qualified structural engineers who have a close understanding of the product and concrete design. We recommend the use of these engineers who will be able to deliver the best economic design for your project.

Although the production of concrete is not the most environmentally acceptable material, it is the sustainability and whole life environmental cost that must be considered.

Concrete is a long lasting material. When it is fully covered with a high-density insulation it is now protected form the effects of weathering, increasing its longevity. The insulation gives excellent energy performance levels throughout the building’s life reducing its impact on the environment.

The ICF system we use does not use the ordinary polystyrene or insulation you will find in packaged goods. This is white expanded polystyrene that uses beads fused together with steam to give integrity.

Instead a high-density insulation (extruded polystyrene) is used that provides 3 inherent advantages over expanded polystyrene:

Greater mechanical properties meaning it is much stronger and therefore able to hold significant pressures placed on it.
Enhanced thermal performance over the white expanded polystyrene (on average 25% better)
Is totally waterproof, where white expanded polystyrene will allow seepage of moisture through its material.

The ICF system we use is perfect for building retaining walls such as basements. The product will allow the concrete core in between the insulation to be increased from 150mm (6”) to 300mm (12”). Therefore reinforcing steel can be placed inside the wall with sufficient room for the concrete to cover the steel.

Adequate tanking must be taken into consideration to prevent the passage of moisture through the wall.

When comparing the cost of traditional formwork or the time to construct a retaining wall using dense blocks, The ICF system we use provides an ideal solution to an ever-popular design concept.

When The ICF system is used for a retaining wall such as a basement the concrete is now placed into tension, for which the structure is not as strong. To enhance the strength reinforcing steel is used to stop any flexing in the concrete.

As with any structure, the ICF system will require a qualified structural engineer to design and specify the product, this will include any reinforcing steel needed.

The best way to internally line the system structure is to mechanically fix plasterboard to the plastic rail. Using the plasterboard manufacturers recommendations for screw centres, each section of plasterboard is fixed into position with joints taped and filled. A single skim of plaster can then be used to finish the wall.

Alternatively a wet plaster mix can be placed directly onto the wall to provide the finish.

The ICF system we use’s concrete core provides an excellent acoustic barrier to the transmission of noise. By specifying a 200mm concrete core the mass of the concrete will go towards providing acoustic compliance with the relevant building regulations.

NB: Please note that appropriate flanking details for the floors and roof connecting to The ICF system we use have also to provide the necessary acoustic performance ratings.

Fire performance rating is also crucial for party walls and the 200mm core will also offer the necessary 1hr fire performance rating required for compartment and party walls.

Although we predominantly use the system to form basements, as long as a qualified structural engineer has specified the design. The ICF system we use does not have a limit on the number of storeys constructed in a single structure.

Buildings constructed up to 4 stories can either be regulated by the masonry or structural building codes in operation in the UK. Over 4 storeys the use of a structural frame or building method forming a structural wall will only be permitted. The ICF system we use can be designed to either of these building codes.