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METSEC STEEL FRAMING SYSTEM CUTS CONSTRUCTION COSTS BY UP TO 39%
It’s now official - Metsec Steel Framing System (SFS) reduces construction costs by up to 39%. That’s the conclusion of a newly published report from Faithful & Gould, which analyses the main construction cost differences between traditional block work and Metsec SFS to the inner skin of an external wall.
The Report was based on a four-storey residential building and compared Metsec SFS against block work both in conjunction with facing brickwork on the ground floor and lightweight render or timber cladding on the upper floors. The average cost saving on the building was 32% summarised in Appendix A of the Report.
In the first scenario - facing brickwork, the relatively cheap block was counter-balanced by the requirement for wind posts, head restraints, site attendance and site preliminary costs. In the second and third scenarios - insulated render or timber cladding, the cost of the cement particle board required with the SFS was significantly lower than that of the additional wind posts and head restraints necessary for the block work. For block work, the timber cladding proved to be the most complex and labour intensive and required a secondary timber frame as well as relatively expensive plywood backing resulting in a 39% cost saving in favour of SFS.
The research also highlights a number of other advantages to using Metsec SFS over block work. These advantages relate particularly to time savings and environmental issues. The Report recommends that building users and clients seriously consider the consequence of building delivery being earlier and the resultant earlier rental and return income, when deciding whether to use block work or SFS.
METSEC STEEL FRAMING SYSTEM CUTS COSTS BY UP TO 39%
Main Contractor, Shepherd Construction Limited, was particularly pleased with the way that Metsec SFS assisted in the construction of Greenquarter Block 6 in Manchester. They calculated that Metsec SFS could be erected over three times faster than block work. This quicker installation allowed the envelope substrate works (cement particle board and EPDM weathering operations) to start much earlier. Once two floors of the substrate had been completed, work started on window installation to a given floor. Using this system meant that floors were weather tight and internal fit-out could commence dramatically quicker than using block work would have allowed. The installation of Metsec SFS was programmed in tight behind the removal of the back propping for the RC concrete floors.
Adrian Bellingham, Sales Director of Metsec Framing Division, says: “We commissioned this research to provide independent evidence of the benefits of using Metsec SFS. Specifiers no longer need to simply take our word for it that significant savings can be achieved. Obviously each job is different and there will a variety of factors to take into account, but SFS offers such a range of advantages, that it has to be a serious option, whatever the project.”
Faithful and Gould’s full report can be downloaded from Metsec’s website: http://www.metsec.com.
ISO ACCREDITATION
ISO 9001 - QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - We have achieved the ISO 9001 standard in February 2009. This is an internationally recognised standard for Quality Management of Businesses. It applies to the processes that create and control the products and services an organisation supplies.
OHSAS 18001 - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - We achieved the OHSAS 18001 in February. This helps promote a safe and healthy working environment by providing a framework that allows your organisation to consistently identify and control its health and safety risks, reduce the potential for accidents, aid legislative compliance and improve overall performance.
ISO 14001 - ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - This again is an international recognised standard for environmental management of businesses. It prescribes controls for those activities that have an effect on the environment. These include the use of natural resources, handling and treatment of waste and energy consumption. We have recently completed the full assessment and now have full accreditation of the ISO 14001.
Achilles Certificate of Accreditation
The BuildingConfidence accreditation programme has been developed by founder member Bovis Lend Lease in partnership with Achilles Information Ltd. The programme is designed to assess the construction industry supply chain in safety, environmental, sustainability, quality, occupational health and financial areas.
Mansell Finishes Ltd are pleased to announce that we have successfully achieved the BuildingConfidence accreditation standard, having completed an online pre-qualification questionnaire and been subject to a two-day onsite audit.
NEW JOBS - SCHOOLS
EAST MANCHESTER ACADEMY, BESWICK for Balfour Beatty; part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme which is due to open in September 2010. The 31.5 million Academy will also house the District Library. £600,000 value. SFS and Drylining.
ENTERPRISE ACADEMY, WYTHENSHAWE for Balfour Beatty; also part of the BSF programme is an exciting new Academy being constructed in Wythenshawe. £500,000 value. SFS and Drylining.
BURNAGE MEDIA ARTS CENTRE, BURNAGE for Balfour Beatty; part of the BSF programme will be the only specialist Media College in Manchester. Due to be completed in 2010. £500,000 value. SFS, Internal Partitions and Ceilings.
NEW JOBS - BIRMINGHAM
We have just commenced work on the ASTON UNIVERSITY VILLAGE Project for CARILLION plc which for MFL has a Metsec and Versapanel value of £800,000. This first phase of the Project will see Carillion plc build two residential blocks on the south side of campus providing 1,300 high-specification, en - suite bedrooms.