SNUG AS A BUG IN A RUG
| Pages | 11-14 |
| Date | 01 October 1980 |
| Published date | 01 October 1980 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb057102 |
| Subject Matter | Economics,Information & knowledge management,Management science & operations |
SNUG AS A BUG IN
A RUG
It takes little research to prove that
the type of building boards widely
used in the construction of industrial
buildings 20 years ago were often not
up to the task. Examination of older
structures shows all too many signs of
decay
—
boards lining ceilings and walls
which have warped or deteriorated and
rotted.
Developments over recent years have,
however, been considerable and modern
products, such as the asbestos-free insu-
lating boards manufactured by Cape
Boards & Panels Ltd. offer much im-
proved performance. The company's
achievement in developing these
asbestos-free boards, which match and
in some cases exceed the performance
of traditional asbestos-based products,
has won the 1980 Queen's Award for
Technological Achievement.
Examination of the range, although
not giving a comprehensive insight into
what is available, does highlight a num-
ber of key improvement areas.
Beginning with the construction of
a
new building, it is apparent that board
developments have increased the speed
with which a building can be erected.
Structural steel frames need fire protec-
tion, and this can be achieved by using
a product called Vermiculux, which
provides up to four hour fire-resistance.
The non-combustible, light weight
board, which has rebated edges, is
simply stapled or screwed into position
and, as it is unaffected by damp or
changing temperature, it can be installed
at any stage during the construction
programme. This, in turn, ensures that
delays do not occur due to poor co-
ordination between the contractors
working on a site, or through material
delivery problems.
Infill panels, general external appli-
cations, and composite insulation sheets
all require a cladding which is durable
and can withstand everything that the
weather can throw at it. Masterclad, a
new product in the asbestos-free range,
has been developed specifically to meet
this need. The board has a normal life
expectancy in excess of 50 years and
meets the performance of British Stan-
dard for impermeability and ability to
withstand frost. It has a Class I surface
spread of flame and is Class 0 to the
Building Regulations. At the same time,
the board offers high impact strength,
will not rot and will not support mould
growth. These features make it a highly
competitive alternative to more estab-
lished materials such as exterior grade
plywood, oil tempered hardboard and
asbestos cement flat sheets.
Once the main structure of an
industrial building has been erected,
there are still many internal applications
calling for a robust building board. In
industry these boards may need to with-
stand the effects of a wide range of
working environments. The single most
extensive application is wall and roof
linings.
Wall and roof
linings
in industry may
be subject to constantly changing tem-
perature, through the opening and
closing of warehouse and factory doors;
to high levels of damp and humidity, as
in breweries and paper mills; or may be
called upon to help maintain a comfort-
able working temperature.
All these needs are met by such
asbestos-free boards as Supalux, a non-
combustible board offering up to four
hour fire-resistance, depending on board
thickness and application, and Master-
board, a multi-purpose, Class 0 board.
The problem with many traditional
lining boards has been that, subjected to
typical industrial conditions
—
heat and
damp,
changing temperature — they
All wrapped up in asbestos-free boards
for thermal insulation and fire protection
SEPTEMBER
1980 11
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