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ICF's BUILDING MATERIALS TO IMPROVE GHANANIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

By Asare Yamoah
Business & Finance ICF's BUILDING MATERIALS TO IMPROVE GHANANIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
JUN 9, 2009 LISTEN

The Ghanaian Construction Industry is demanding new and innovative building systems to meet the ever growing needs of the market. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) offer real choice and innovation. Our products are designed to provide superior quality and performance to meet your needs. Sirius Kay ICFs lightweight interlocking forms are made from two panels of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), connected by eight polypropylene webs. To construct walls, the reversible forms interlock tightly together, and are then filled with concrete which creates a stable, durable and sustainable structure.

Our experience has resulted in not only a superior product, but also superior service. We offer toll-free technical support, as well as opportunities for classroom training at locations throughout Ghana. We understand the importance of building long-term professional relationships that build trust and credibility. We look forward to serving your construction needs for years to come.


Sirius Kay ICFs offer a comprehensive 5 in 1 building solution that provides:

• SPEED OF CONSTRUCTION
• ENERGY EFFICIENCY
• STRUCTURAL STRENGTH
• SOUND BARRIER
• FIRE RESISTANCE

Advantages to Building with ICFs
Insulated concrete forms are interlocking, lightweight polystyrene blocks that serve as a form for poured concrete walls. The forms remain in place to provide insulation, a vapour barrier and attachment surfaces for interior and exterior wall finishing. Businesses and homes built this way are more energy efficient, stronger, safer and quieter.

Energy Efficiency
The expanded polystyrene (EPS) in Sirius Kay ICF walls provides a thermal resistance of R-24. Sirius Kay walls maintain their thermal performance over their lifetime, compared to other types of insulation that tend to lose R-value due to moisture, settling and age. When taking into consideration the thermal mass characteristics of concrete, as well as the lack of air infiltration, a 6-inch Sirius Kay wall is comparable to an R-50 wood-framed wall.

Strength and Safety
ICF buildings are up to 8.5 times stronger than wood frame buildings and can withstand hurricane conditions. ICF foundation walls resist buckling and cracking five times better than concrete block walls. Since Sirius Kay ICF buildings have a 3-hour fire rating compared to 15 minutes for a comparable wood frame building, they typically qualify for 10-15% lower insurance rates. Improved air quality is another potential benefit since ICF construction eliminates the studs and cavities that can hold moisture and foster mold and mildew growth.

Sound Resistance
A sound transmission classification of STC 50 (inaudible) is easily attainable. By comparison, a typical wood frame-constructed building has an average STC of only 25, which allows people indoors to hear and understand voices outside.

Moisture Resistance
ICF walls eliminate the need for an additional vapour barrier. For below-ground applications, Sirius Kay provides a waterproofing system that ensures a completely dry basement.

Environmentally Sound
Buildings constructed with ICFs are designed to last for centuries, not decades. They conserve forest resources and their energy efficiency reduces fossil fuel consumption.

Because of all these benefits, ICF buildings command higher resale values than those constructed with more traditional methods.

The Sirius Kay Difference
Our long manufacturing track record sets us apart from other ICF producers. We've translated that experience into better service and better products.

Better Service
Following our service history, we've learned the value of partnering with those who share our passion for quality service and the benefits of ICF construction. At the same time, we're committed to helping part¬ners succeed by providing them with high quality, competitively priced Sirius Kay forms, and superior training and technical support. We're also committed to updating and improving our products to meet the changing needs of the building industry in Ghana and around the world.

Along with our business practices, our products set us apart from the competition. Here's why:

Better Blocks
More Variety

Sirius Kay forms come in an industry standard 40cm height. The forms are available in standard 1.2 m lengths in 2 core thicknesses, 15 and 20cm. 90° and 45° corner forms are also available. The forms are easy to cut on site to produce unusual design features such as radius walls or arches. A number of additional forms are also available for special applications.

Various sizes of ICFs are shown below

cebicfs

Thicker Expanded Polystyrene
Most manufacturers use a variety of EPS thicknesses in their products ranging from 37 to 55mm. Sirius Kay uses 65mm thick fire retardant EPS exclusively in all form sizes. Thicker EPS means more insulating power as well as strength, which helps prevent damage during handling and distortion during concrete place¬ment. Walls stay straighter and flatter. In addi-tion, thicker EPS permits standard rough-in sizing for electrical and plumbing installations. Thicker EPS in all form sizes facilitates trouble free internal vibration during concrete placement.

Better Webs
Webs are plastic frames that connect and properly space the two panels of insulating foam. They also hold in place the steel rebar used to strengthen the concrete, and provide attachment surfaces for interior and exterior wall finishes.

The location of web fastening surfaces is clearly defined on the face of the block. These fastening surfaces are among the widest and thickest available anywhere, making it easier for wall subcontractors to attach fasteners when installing finishes. Sirius Kay webs are designed so concrete flows easily through the forms for proper consolidation. Sirius Kay webs accept up 20mm rebar that snap into place, eliminating the time-consuming step of tying all rebar.

Contact us: www.siriuskay.com
UK: 0044 776 828 5818
GHANA: 0244 138 380, 0208 116 882 and 0266 585 644
Article source: Asare Yamoah

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