Design

Design Flexibility

The Kingspan TEK Building System leaves ample scope for individual design. The panels are pre-cut in the manufacturing plant according to individual construction plans. The complete System is delivered to site ready for erection by the fully qualified construction team. The Kingspan TEK Building System can be used to create the walls (loadbearing and non-loadbearing), roofs and floors of a complete building. Alternatively, roof and wall elements of it can be used individually with other non-Kingspan TEK Building System components. For example the Kingspan TEK Building System can be used as a roofing system in conjunction with masonry or timber frame walls. The Kingspan TEK Building System can be erected on any flooring system, however the foundations must have specific tolerances as per guidance available from the Kingspan Off-Site Technical Services Department

Applications

The Kingspan TEK Building System can be used to create buildings up to 4 storeys. The panels are lightweight compared to brick and block, at a maximum of 25 kg/m², therefore they are ideal for use, where heavy constructions are not possible. As with all construction methods, including traditional masonry, a long lasting external weather proofing is also a necessary part of the Kingspan TEK Building System. NB: The System is not recommended for cellars or basement constructions. If a building guarantee is required e.g. 10 year warranty from Building Life Plans, Homebond, NHBC, Zurich Municipal, then guidance should be sought from the organisation offering the guarantee. Typically, a third party independent certificate would be required e.g. BBA or IAB certificate.

Recommended Constructions

Internal / Partition Walls

Internal / partition walls are supplied as kiln dried timber stud components.

Where cabled services are required, it is recommended that they be fixed into a timber or steel stud wall. However, where cabled services need to be fixed to an internal wall that is constructed from Kingspan TEK Building System wall panels there are two options (see Figures 8-10 on page 22):

• single layer of minimum 15 mm plasterboard on minimum 10 mm deep by 38 mm wide vertical timber battens; or
• double layer of minimum 12.5 mm plasterboard – the layer closest to the Kingspan TEK Building System wall panel should be chased out to create a cavity for services. The second layer should be 12.5 mm plasterboard.

Where cabled services do not need to be fixed to the
Kingspan TEK Building System wall panel, a single layer of
15 mm sound resisting plasterboard can be fixed direct to
the wall panel.

NB: Requirements for minimum thickness and number of layers of
plasterboard will vary depending on fire rating required.

External Walls

Internal Cladding
All Kingspan TEK Building System wall panels should be lined internally with vapour check plasterboard. Please consult with the Kingspan Off-Site Technical Services Department for definitive guidance on your construction.

Where services need to be fixed on an external Kingspan TEK Building System wall, there are two options for creating a service cavity (see Figures 8-10 on page 22):

• single layer of 12.5 mm plasterboard on min. 10 mm deep by 38 mm wide vertical timber battens; or
• double layer of 12.5 mm plasterboard – the layer closest to the Kingspan TEK Building System wall panel should be chased out to create a cavity for services. The second layer should be 12.5 mm vapour check plasterboard.*

Where cabled services do not need to be fixed to the Kingspan TEK Building System wall panel, a single layer of 12.5 mm vapour check plasterboard* can be fixed direct to the wall panel.

External Cladding
Before cladding Kingspan TEK Building System walls, a non-tenting breather membrane (e.g. Kingspan nilvent) is fixed direct to the wall panels. A minimum cavity of 25 mm should be maintained between the breather membrane and the wall cladding.

The following are wall cladding options for the Kingspan TEK Building System (see Figures 11–16 pages 23–24):

• outer leaf of brickwork / stone, ensuring a minimum 50 mm cavity is maintained between the breather membrane and the brickwork;
• lightweight render coating carried on calcium silicate board which is supported by min. 25 mm deep by 50 mm wide vertical treated timber counter battens;
• feather edge timber boarding on min. 25 mm deep by 50 mm wide vertical treated timber counter battens;
• wall tiling mounted on tiling battens which are supported by min. 25 mm deep by 50 mm wide treated timber counter battens; and
• proprietary brick slip system supported by min. 25 mm deep by 50 mm wide vertical treated timber counter battens;

If other wall cladding options are being considered, contact the Kingspan TEK Technical Services Department.

Separating Walls (Party Walls)

Timber Frame
Typically, party walls are manufactured from kiln dried timber stud components. Both timber frame wall panels that form the separating wall should be lined internally with (in order of application):

• 9.5 mm plasterboard; 19 mm gypsum plank or 12.5 mm vapour check plasterboard*; or
• 2 x 15 mm sound resisting plasterboard.

Roofs

Internal Cladding
All Kingspan TEK Building System roof panels should be lined internally with vapour check plasterboard*.

Where services need to be fixed on a Kingspan TEK Building System roof panel, there are two options for creating a service cavity:

• single layer of 12.5 mm vapour check plasterboard* on min. 10 mm deep by 38 mm wide vertical timber battens;
  or
• double layer of 12.5 mm plasterboard – the layer closest to the Kingspan TEK Building System roof panel should be chased out to create a cavity for services. The second layer should be 12.5 mm vapour check plasterboard.*

Where services do not need to be fixed to the Kingspan TEK Building System roof panel, a single layer of 12.5 mm vapour check plasterboard* can be fixed direct to the roof panel. Please consult with the Kingspan Off-Site Technical Services Department for definitive guidance on your construction.

External Cladding
Before cladding the Kingspan TEK Building System roofs, a non tenting breather membrane (e.g. Kingspan nilvent) should be fixed direct to the roof panels.

The cladding options available for Kingspan TEK Building System roofs are:

• tiles on tiling battens;
• slates on slate battens; or
• profiled metal sheeting onto horizontal battens.**

All roof cladding options should be supported by 38 mm x 50 mm vertical treated timber counter battens.

If other cladding options are being considered contact the Kingspan Off-Site Technical Services Department.

The roof cladding option should be decided upon at the earliest opportunity, as loading design values must be calculated when designing your project in the Kingspan TEK Building System.

 

*Calculations in accordance with BS 5250: 2002 (Code of practice for control of condensation in buildings) will determine whether there is a requirement for a vapour control layer with the Kingspan TEK Building System. However, it is always good practice to install a vapour control layer as buildings have a tendency to alter their psychrometric conditions (relative humidity) through change of use.

This can be installed in the conventional manner, using 500 gauge polythene sheet, or by using vapour check plasterboard.

Free condensation risk calculations for specific projects are available upon request from the Kingspan Off-Site Technical Services Department. These calculations are performed to BS 5250: 2002 (Code of practice for control of condensation in buildings).

**The need for battens may be negated with the use of a suitable breathable underlay.