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Technical Information SupaWall System® is a high performance closed panel timber frame system that can be used as wall, roof or floor panels for the construction of new buildings as well as for the renovation of existing buildings. These are known as SupaWall®, SupaRoof® and SupaFloor® respectively. SupaWall® may also be used for infill panels to multi-storey framed buildings. 
The design, manufacture and erection of a SupaWall® structure is based on standard timber frame industry good practice as summarised in standard timber frame industry references. The system is protected by UK Patent Numbers GB2415714 and GB2436989 and has a British Board of Agrément (BBA) Certificate No. 09/4659. The insulated timber frame building panel comprises of interior and exterior sheathing board layers with a first layer of heat insulating material interposed between these sheathing board layers, a breathable membrane layer on the exterior side of the exterior sheathing board layer and a second layer of heat insulating material on the exterior side of the breathable membrane layer. A layer of cladding is normally provided at a predetermined distance (usually 50 mm) from the exterior side of this second layer of heat insulating material, thus forming a cavity (a first insulating air gap). A heat reflecting vapour control layer (VCL) is usually added on the interior side of the interior sheathing board and then a further interior lining board (usually plasterboard) at a predetermined distance from the interior side of the heat reflecting VCL to provide a second insulating air gap. This gap also provides a service zone for running wires/pipes, etc. The first layer of insulation is normally provided by injecting a liquid form of insulating material that forms a polyurethane rigid foam insulating material between the sheathing board layers. Polyurethane rigid foam is one of the best available insulation materials, and that currently used is known as SupaWall® Foam Type 100.3 - a data sheet is available giving typical properties. Extended sheathing is provided to the base of the panel to allow for fixing to the soleplate and also usually at the head to allow for fixing to headbinder or ring beam on site. Panels are also provided with the SupaWall® male and female jointing system for fixing the panels together on site in straight runs and at corners. Thermal Performance SupaWall® can contribute to enable a building to achieve the target carbon emission rate. The standardised thermal transmittance in W/(m2.K) has been tested at 0.116 by the National Physical Laboratory using the NPL Wall-Guarded Hot-Box. This conforms to the requirements of BSENIG ISO 8990:1966 using equipment whose calibration is traceable to National Standards.
Air Leakage When the panels are properly joined and sealed, the building envelope will typically achieve an air leakage rate of less than 3 m3h-1m-2 at a pressure difference of 50 Pa in accordance with CIBSE TM 23: 2000 "Testing buildings for air leakage" site test and BS EN 13829: 2001 "Thermal performance of buildings - Determination of air permeability of buildings - Fan pressurisation method". This assumes the panels are provided with the SupaWall® male and female jointing system for fixing the panels together on site in straight runs and at corners as well as fixing to the soleplate and also at the head to allow for fixing to headbinder or ring beam on site. Behaviour in Relation to Fire The product has been tested to BS476: Part 21:1987 by BRE Certification Ltd. A fire resistance for a duration of 43 minutes was achieved against a 30 minute requirement. Assessment of the test results and design details demonstrates that the panel system with a single layer of 12.5 mm gypsum-based lining exceeds 30 minutes fire resistance and it therefore follows that greater than 60 minutes fire resistance will be achieved using a lining of two layers of 12.5 mm thick gypsum-based board with staggered joints. Condensation Risks The product can contribute to minimising the risk of condensation. This is achieved by a combination of low thermal transmittance (u-value) and minimisation of thermal bridging. This has been demonstrated by separate computer modelling of wall panels, floor panels and roof panels. Acoustic Performance Experience in acoustic testing over many years in Scotland as well as more recently as part of the Robust Details Ltd (RDL) aspect in England & Wales, has shown the importance of good workmanship. An inherent feature of SupaWall® is the patented corner joint that allows higher than normal levels of workmanship to be achieved in a relatively straightforward manner.
Sound transmission levels through external walls are normally governed by three factors: the presence, relative size and quality of windows and doors; the air tightness of the wall including weather-stripping of openings; and the sound resistance of the timber frame wall itself. In general SupaWall® provides a serene quality to the indoor living space through a combination of all of the above as relatively high quality joinery tends to be used with low u-value external walls as well as the inherent air-tightness and sound absorbing properties of SupaWall®. Breather Membrane The design of a SupaWall structure is based on standard timber frame good design practice and hence a breathable membrane layer is required on the exterior side of the exterior sheathing board layer (normally OSB). This is usually sufficient with all types of traditional self-supporting masonry claddings such as stone, brick and render on block. 
Additional breather membrane protection may be prudent depending on:
This additional breather membrane to be located with a minimum drainage cavity of 9 mm from the internal face of the rain screen type cladding. Vertical battens and larger drainage gaps may be required depending on the exact form of the cladding - please consult the cladding manufacturer. Durability The product is durable and sufficiently stable to remain effective for the life of the building as it uses proven timber frame technology. Environmental Profile The SupaWall System® that comprises SupaWall®, SupaRoof® and SupaFloor® has excellent sustainability and environmental credentials. This is because it essentially consists of two elements, both of which have similarly excellent credentials:
The rigid polyurethane foam currently used in the SupaWall System® is known as SupaWall® Foam Type 100.3. As well as providing the excellent insulation performance and required properties, its environmental credentials include:
A brief strategic statement on the SupaWall System® environmental profile is available providing an overview of this complex topic. Life-cycle analyses (LCA) are also available for the polyurethane rigid foam itself and for its constituent parts - MDI and polyol. For further information, please use the SupaWall Limited contact details.
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As SupaWall® is primarily used as external walls for thermal insulation purposes rather than for separating walls, the key aspect to consider is the flanking transmission. Robust details for timber frame walls and floors are controlled by RDL. These have been proven by field testing to avoid the need for pre-completion testing (PCT) in England & Wales. Work is underway to demonstrate equivalence between these and when SupaWall® is used as an external wall. The field test results carried out to-date by approved independent third party testing have shown equivalent or better acoustic performance. These include certification of testing to Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) standards.