Interesting to be on a real building site today..

[Bitpipe]

I'm a governor at the local senior school (both kids go there) and got a site tour today of a new 3 storey teaching block that will be completed in October.

 

They're at the 1st fix stage so structurally complete.

 

Really interesting to see the construction method...

 

Steel frame with poured concrete floors, the external walls are framed with what looks like galvanised ribs to which a heavy cement board is attached with ring nails. The exterior has an insulated brick slip facade that has an inner metal reinforcement. Internally, rock-wool is layered in between the ribs before the cavity is closed with plasterboard. The internal walls are very robust, twin layers of 15mm PB either side of a 40mm insulated galvanised rib (to minimise sound transmission between classrooms). 

 

Underfloor heating and air-con - didn't ask about airtightness but didn't see any membranes. 

 

Also, boys and girls loos are now a thing of the past, all unisex units each with a lockable door and own sink & hand dryer - also used by pupils and staff alike.

 

 

 

[Ferdinand]

Interesting.

 

Does it have good insulation levels?

Edited May 31, 2019 by Ferdinand

[joth]

My office overlooks a giant building site (3 new buildings immediately next to us, part of the sprawling Kings Cross development). It can be quite a distraction to watch!

 

The building directly below us is of particular interest, as it's being built directly over the tunnel out of Kings Cross (just sub-surface level, so more on a giant bridge really) with trains moving directly underneath as they work. It confused as at first they started pouring concrete with absolutely no pile-driving -- made sense when we figured what lies below!  Even all the landscaping around that tower block is just concrete over Geofoams.

 

 

Here's a truck collecting the EPS offcuts: (" you can drop those at my house!")

 

 

Here's a concrete pour a few weeks ago

 

And here's an excavator unearthing a chunky looking orange cable this morning (I was waiting for the bang)

 

 

Edited May 31, 2019 by joth

[Bitpipe]

1 hour ago, Ferdinand said:

Interesting.

 

Does it have good insulation levels?

 

I'd say about 200-250mm rockwool (couldn't see exactly, could be more) on inside face and the brick slips panel had a 30-50mm layer of EPS as part of the system. Roof obscured so couldn't see what's in that.