Are you willing to take the risk? Construction material experts Sandberg publish conclusive report on fixing requirements

With every new industry regulation that passes, the implications for failing to meet these new standards become more expensive and more damaging to a company’s reputation.

Here at ACS, we’ve always prided ourselves on staying one (often two) steps ahead of these changing regulations. However, with many manufacturers in the industry focusing on price alone, it’s not uncommon for seemingly less expensive products to steal the spotlight from those prioritising safety, reliability, and longevity, such as our Framefix Ultra Channel system.

When we first launched this market-leading channel system, competitors labelled many of the innovative design features as non-essential. We knew this wasn’t the case, and now, thanks to a pivotal independent report conducted by Sandberg, we have the evidence to back this up.

The 3 key report findings

ACS commissioned independent testing and inspection by Sandberg, one of the world’s most respected construction material experts, to answer some key questions surrounding the use of channel fixings.

If, like many others in the industry, you’re unsure of 1) whether compression sleeves are necessary in mineral wool insulation, 2) whether brickwork cavities need stainless steel screws, and 3) what material your sleeves should be made from, then Sandberg’s report has the answers.

KEY FINDING 1: For type 1 and type 2 wall ties, sleeves are essential

To achieve type 1 or type 2 performance (required in nearly all concrete frame/SFS infill designs), compression sleeves are essential in all thicknesses of mineral wool insulation. In other words, the report has shown that sleeves must be used on all residential buildings over 15m.

With mineral wool insulation, the ACS Framefix system has always utilised sleeves.

KEY FINDING 2: Fixing material should be limited to stainless steel fixings

To achieve any reasonable design life (50-60 years), stainless screws must be used in all types of brickwork cavities in the UK.

Several years ago, there was not a stainless steel small diameter concrete screw available on the market that would allow for the increasing sizes of insulation commonly seen on site, which is why we developed a compatible solution.

Our new fully tested fixings offer a 50-year warranty (vs 25 years for competitors) and meet the requirements set out in the independent report.

KEY FINDING 3: The use of stainless steel sleeves over composite material will add to thermal transfer across the cavity

The introduction of updated thermal regulations within the industry (Approved Document L) has encouraged a move to more thermally efficient products. In order to adhere to these new regulations, the Sandberg report states that compression sleeves should ideally be made from a composite material, not stainless steel.

At ACS, our compression sleeves are made from a composite material that results in a 3-fold reduction in heat loss compared to a stainless sleeve. This is a massive advantage at the best of times, but even more so in a time of soaring and uncertain energy prices.

What the independent report tells us

Thanks to our own detailed third-party testing, we’ve always known that the innovative design features of the Framefix Ultra Channel were not merely a ‘nice-to-have’.

However, the 3 key findings from the Sandberg report serve as indisputable confirmation that investing in Framefix is the best way to get ahead of inevitable safety and energy legislation changes.

In summary:

1. To achieve type 1 or type 2 performance (required in nearly all concrete frame/SFS infill designs), compression sleeves are essential in ALL thicknesses of mineral wool insulation.
2. To achieve any reasonable design life (up to 50 years), stainless screws must be used in all types of brickwork cavities in the UK.
3. Compression sleeves should ideally be made from a composite material; not stainless steel. This is down to cold bridging concerns.

For a full copy of the Sandberg report, speak to your account manager or email info@acsstainless.co.uk and a member of our team will gladly be in touch.