Kingspan Welcomes ABI Technical Briefing On Panels

Kingspan Insulated Panels has given strong backing to the publication of the long-awaited Technical Briefing on the Fire Performance of Sandwich Panels Systems from the Association of British Insurers

Kingspan - Europe's largest producer of pre-engineered insulated roof and wall systems - believes that the new document adds an authoritative and independent voice to the whole insurance/fire debate.

Crucially, according to Kingspan it should help to draw a line under the confusion and misinformation, which has been all too evident over the past two years where the insurability of composite, insulated or sandwich panels is concerned.

Said Mark Harris, Fire Engineering Services Director, Kingspan Insulated Panels: "The 24-page Technical Briefing is undoubtedly a major step in the right direction when it comes to bringing much needed clarity to the situation, educating key groups from specifiers to insurance brokers about the real issues associated with sandwich panels and avoiding the temptation to treat all panel types as being exactly the same.

From a Kingspan perspective the ABI document is also very positive in the way it deals with Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) approved panel systems: * 'Sandwich panel systems approved by LPCB to LPS 1181 will not make a significant contribution to a fire'.

(Section 3.5, Page 6) * 'External claddings that are LPCB approved to LPS 1181 can be regarded as satisfying the original grade 2 construction rules or be classed as non-combustible building.

(Note: this grading does not imply that the material is non-combustible)'.

(Section 4.4, Page 11).

* 'Sandwich panels approved by LPCB to LPS 1181 should not create a problem for firefighting if adequately supported, as any burning will be considerably reduced'.

(Section 3.9, Page 8) Added Harris: 'Differentiation and risk assessment through knowledge such as this is the definitely way forward.

It is also encouraging that in general terms the contents of the document are very much in line with the messages that we at Kingspan have been putting into the marketplace.

When all factors are taken into account it is clear that Kingspan Firesafe panels systems, approved to LPS 1181 provide an effective design solution of a broad range of commercial and industrial projects." A downloadable copy of the document is available by visiting: www.kingspanpanels.com.

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