The construction industry is under constant pressure to establish and maintain high standards in all areas of it's operations and is undoubtedly one of the most scrutinised industries - Fire Safety, Acoustic and Thermal Performance, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, Clarity of Information and Quality Are Governed by a host of Technical Performance Standards and codes - both mandatory and voluntary.
For the construction products manufacturer, success obviously relies on ensuring that their products and systems meet all necessary requirements in performance and quality, with independent verification of any claims made. It also requires the manufacturer to stay ahead of industry trends and developments, such as sustainability and accuracy of information, which are becoming increasingly important to specifiers and end clients. voestalpine Metsec continues to raise the bar when it comes to conducting business in the right way, leading the industry when it comes to the early adoption of game-changing initiatives and innovations, particularly in the key areas of sustainability and product information.
A Sustainable Approach
Few, if any, construction materials, products, systems or methods can justifiably claim to have zero impact on the environment. The key is to ensure that construction's impact on the environment is minimised. For the light steel framing industry, this means ensuring that a manufacturer's operations are carbon neutral and that the steel it uses is as responsibly sourced as possible. Carbon neutral operations may seem a far-off dream for many but as part of voestalpine AG, the global steel and technology group, voestalpine Metsec is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2035, some fifteen years ahead of the targets set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Achieving this industry-leading target requires a focused effort within our company together with the co-operation of suppliers and others in the value chain. To date, this initiative has seen us move our electricity requirements to 100% renewable sources, which has resulted in a 67% reduction in our carbon footprint, from 1500 tonnes of CO2 to 500 tonnes of CO2 per year. We have also embarked on a £2million investment in the installation of solar PV panels on the roofs of our manufacturing facilities. Phases One and Two have already been completed and Phase Three will commence soon.
In total, the solar panels will cover in excess of 10,000 square metres of roof space across three production unit. They will generate more than 2,000,000kWh of electricity per annum, which is the equivalent of powering more than 750 homes for a whole year.
Further measures aimed at reducing our impact on the environment include a host of energy-saving schemes throughout our facilities, replacing company cars with hybrid and electric vehicles, installing charging points across our site and reducing gas consumption.
Reduced Carbon Steel
voestalpine Metsec's commitment to sustainable construction is emphasised by the introduction of responsibly sourced steel to our product ranges.
Manufactured by processes which minimise carbon output by using state-of-the-art electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy rather than the traditional blast furnace which burn fossil fuels – Metsec Decarb promises to make a significant contribution towards reducing the carbon dioxide and carbon footprint of the building project.
Metsec Decarb is backed up by project-specific Environmental Product Declarations which accurately calculate the project savings on embodied carbon.
Integrity
Continuous investment in independent performance testing and quality assurance keeps voestalpine Metsec's construction solutions at the forefront of the construction industry. Ensuring that the data and information derived from these tests is conveyed in a clear, unambiguous fashion is key to providing specifiers, installers and users with confidence in the systems' capabilities and suitability for their projects.
It is why voestalpine Metsec has become one of the earliest adopters of the Code for Construction Products Information (CCPI), introduced by the Construction Products Association in response to Dame Judith Hackitt's review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, set up following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
CCPI aims to address the stipulation from Dame Hackitt's review that construction product information needs to be communicated in a clear and accurate way. Its aim is to help organisations drive for higher standards in the presentation of construction product information, with a priority on building safety. Assessments are undertaken by Construction Products Information Ltd. and are carried out on a company's specific products and systems, not the company as a whole. As such, an organisation or brand cannot, in itself, gain verification or make any claims of conformance beyond a specific product set.
Recent company-wide investment in new systems and resources has seen three of our 'product sets' achieve successful assessment to the CCPI. They are roof, side rail and mezzanine floor systems from our Purlins Division, dry lining metal framed components for gypsum plasterboard systems and SFS light gauge galvanized steel structural framing systems from our Dry Linings Division and SFS light gauge galvanized steel structural framing systems from our Framing Division.
Chris Holleron, Sales Director for voestalpine Metsec's Framing Division, states: "SFS has been the construction industry's leading steel framing system for years, enjoying a reputation for independently verified performance and quality. This is backed up by dedicated design and sales support which ensures that we deliver effective, valueengineered solutions that meet our customers' requirements.
"Our messaging has always been founded on open, honest presentations of our capabilities and the recent CCPI verification is testament to this. It will give specifiers and customers even greater confidence when choosing SFS."
Conveying the Message
Hot off the press is our latest Steel Framing Systems (SFS) Specification Manual, the industry's most comprehensive resource for anyone involved in the specification, installation and use of light gauge steel framing systems.
Widely recognised as the industry bible for SFS, the 176-page manual is packed with just about every piece of information required to assure the successful design, specification, selection and application of voestalpine Metsec's SFS.
Based on years of experience, expert technical knowledge and a vast library of independent testing, the manual is a perfect example of why voestalpine Metsec SFS light gauge galvanized steel structural framing systems have achieved verification to CCPI.
Its content includes details on SFS benefits versus alternative building systems, performance standards, BIM design, CPD presentations and installer training together with detailed information on the major SFS applications as infill walling, load bearing situations, continuous walling and high bay walling.
Each application area contains detailed information on relevant performance criteria, use of SFS with popular sheathing and cladding materials, architectural drawings showing typical wall build-ups and case studies.
Doing it the Right Way
The voestalpine Metsec experience underlines the importance not only of ensuring that products and systems meet the needs of the modern construction industry but also that they are supported by a company which has the interests of the construction industry at heart, providing professionals working in design, specification and installation with total assurance in the company and its products.
For more information visit: www.metsec.com
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