Qube Building was established in 2021 to create small and versatile habitable structures which have been utilised as garden studios, forest lodges, pool changing rooms, gymnasiums and for other applications with performance and demountability at their heart. Crucially, its Bio-SIP™ panel system is able to match the coveted PassivHaus standard and has now undergone further evolution to incorporate the ArmaPETR Eco50 insulation from Armacell. This is produced from 100% recycled material, including waste plastic and has recently been awarded Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) status with a Global Warming Potential of 23.2 Kg/CO2 eq/m3.
Qube Building’s Director, Justin Murray explained: “The Bio-SIP™ system offers unique innovation in sustainable modular building systems with unmatched thermal stability. Modular buildings built using the Bio-SIP™ system can also be dismantled and reassembled multiple times, extending their shelf-life and usage, unlike anything we’ve seen in the current market today. Organic materials such as flax or hemp fibre matting are combined with a bio-resin to form a strong and watertight skin, sandwiching the insulating PET core together. The Bio-SIP™ is finished with the addition of 12mm Magply MgO boards, which offer complete and necessary fire resistance to the overall building, improving structural performance and creating a versatile substrate to paint, render or print onto.” Combined, these materials create a higher performing alternative to traditional SIPs, with Bio-SIP™ delivering a U-value of 0.10 W.m2K within an overall wall thickness of just 310mm. For the purpose of the EN-1365-1 fire test, the panels were assembled as part of a 3m wide frame on the rig, with the 12mm Magply boards being screw-fixed to either side.
Gordon Pirret, founder and Managing Director of IPP, commented: “As a Class 1 certified non-combustible panel product, we have seen Magply become much more widely specified for various applications as the construction industry has had to change its approach to providing fire protection, especially in high rise residential buildings. The product is regularly being used as the sheathing to steel framing systems (SFS) and timber frame systems, as well as for pattress boards within walls to support kitchen cupboard or bathroom fittings, while it’s also popular for flat roof build-ups and as a substrate board for render finishes. In the case of Qube Buildings, their technical manager approached us to investigate how Magply could assist in ensuring they achieved a successful half hour fire test they were planning to carry out. As well as providing technical details on the boards to base calculations on, Qube Buildings came to our premises in Essex for half a day to discuss the best ways of fixing the 12mm Magply to their rig.
Our own testing gave us full confidence that the whole assembly would achieve the required performance and it was no surprise to learn the boards were still intact when the test was halted after 53 minutes. We remain ready to supply whatever quantities Qube Buildings requires as the company steps up production as it wins more contract orders.”
Despite offering good adhesion for decorative render systems, Magply boards are very fire resistant thanks to their modified MOS formulation that also represents an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plywood or OSB sheets. The production process keeps the chlorine content to just 0.01%, enhancing long term durability, while Magply boards carry a variety of internationally recognised accreditations. Accordingly, they are widely specified as part of the build-up for cladding systems on high rise properties, as well as pattress boards to carry bathroom or kitchen fittings for the fit-out.
