Steel Framing
Metsec developed and now lead the market when it comes to light gauge, galvanised steel structural framing systems suitable for a wide range of applications in most sectors of construction. At Hyland Ceilings are glad to announce we approved installers of this top quality product. SFS Infill Walling The most common application for Metsec SFS is infill walling. In this scenario the Metsec is constructed from the floor to soffit of the primary structural frame to ‘infill’ the external wall zone. This option is typically the most economical solution and allows the SFS to be installed from the inside of the building. SFS Continuous Walling Continuous walling is where the SFS is designed so that it ‘oversails’ the edge of the primary structure. This method is often used when a design team wants to maximise the amount of internal floor area or if they are using a cladding which cannot accommodate horizontal deflection joints at each floor level. Continuous walling is typically constructed from the outside of the building. Metsec External Walling System Metsec’s External Walling System (MEWS) is a new pre-panelised option of installing SFS. The system uses Metsec’s experience of working with pre-panelised construction with our Metframe product and applied this to the SFS continuous walling system. The full benefits of MEWS can be exploited by engaging Metsec early in the project development to ensure maximum savings to the site programme and minimise on-site construction costs. MEWS is a pre-panelised system to ensure that there is zero waste on site. The panels are designed so that they are restrained to the primary frame with minimal fixing points whilst cantilevering past the edge of the floor slab, to provide edge protection. This helps remove the scaffolding from the critical path of the construction programme. The panels are constructed with cement particle board to the external face and a compressible joint between the panels which allows for the installation to deal with any site tolerances of the primary frame construction. This compressible joint also provides an early weather tight seal between the panels allowing internal trades to start earlier in the construction programme. SFS High Bay Separating Walls High bay walls are similar to infill walls, except they are used internally to provide high separating walls for factory units or atriums. As they are often constructed within hot rolled steel portal frames, the amount of primary frame deflection that needs to be accommodated can be much greater than required for infill panels and bespoke details are typically provided to suit project requirements. Metsec high-bay walls can be constructed up to 20m high and because of their lightweight construction there is rarely any need to provide additional foundations underneath the wall. The high strength to weight ratio of the Metsec studs enables these high separating walls to be constructed without any need for any hot rolled steel wind posts which would be necessary in an equivalent wall of masonry construction. Walls can also be designed to meet project specific acoustic and fire rating requirements. SFS Load Bearing Structures Load bearing structures make use of the axial capacity of the Metsec SFS studs, with studs designed as a series of columns to provide complete load bearing wall panels. Joists are provided to produce the floor and roof construction. These structures are typically ‘stick built’ on site, which ensures maximum flexibility of the structure to suit site requirements. This flexibility makes load bearing structures ideally suited to penthouses or high level inset structures where it is important to keep the loads to a minimum. They also benefit from reduced crane and transport costs, when compared to pre-panelised solutions. Metframe Metframe is a pre-panelised system which is used to provide the load bearing structure for low to medium rise structures. The system uses the studs in the same way as load bearing SFS, except they are bolted together off site to form panels. The incorporation of heavier gauge studs and the bespoke designs allow structures to be constructed up to 11 storeys in height. Metframe structures can incorporate steel joisted or concrete floors, depending on the client’s requirements. Joisted floors will offer a much lighter structure, but concrete floors generally provide a higher level of acoustic and fire protection. Pitched, dormer or flat roofs can be readily incorporated in Metframe structures as well as balconies, cantilevers, insets etc. Metframe is an extremely competitive building solution when compared against the cost of timber and volumetric construction. Metframe delivers a high quality building but importantly a major key benefit is speed of build, with Metframe structures taking under two weeks per floor to construct. Sustainability is at the forefront of Metframe buildings which offer zero waste and a low carbon footprint. |