Utilising light steel frame as the principle structural component in a building creates many design opportunities. To help understand this better, the Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA) has launched a new Specification & Engineering Guide for Light Steel Frame.
Established to support the overall objectives and growth of the sector, the LSFA formed a working group with some of its members including EOS, DACS, Evolusion Innovation, Fusion Building Systems, Sigmat, Siderise, Ayrshire Metals, Cogent Consulting and the Steel Construction Institute, to develop a Specification and Engineering Guide to ensure that construction professionals gain maximum benefits from specifying light steel framing systems.
Engaging the manufacturer’s design team early ensures that their knowledge and expertise in the use of the system permeates through the design process. Many crucial factors that can transform design, engineering and specification decisions not only streamline the construction process but can also save a vast amount of time and money.
“There is often a misconception within design circles that the use of offsite construction limits architectural flare and leads to uninspiring box-like structures. This is far from the case as can be seen from the wide range of structures in differing architectural forms which members of the LSFA have produced.”
Freely available to download, the guide outlines design opportunities, fire safety, performance in construction and in-use together with the different types of systems, applications, and interfaces of light steel frame. Most importantly, the Specification and Engineering Guide outlines the sustainability benefits of steel that are not widely understood. Steel construction provides highly sustainable and economic buildings, representing an efficient use of resources. This longevity combined with the inherent value of an asset that can be recycled or reused at end of life means that steel is not a cost but can be a valuable investment.
The LSFA collaborate with the SCI – a trusted, independent source of information and engineering expertise globally for over 30 years – and a leading, independent provider of technical expertise and disseminator of best practice to the steel construction sector. Throughout the Guide there are links through to useful documents published by the SCI and other leading industry organisations. As the construction industry looks to raise the bar to meet new Building Regulations and sensitivities surrounding of combustible materials, the light steel frame industry is witnessing unparalleled demand for panelised and volumetric modular systems, together with ‘through wall’ solutions which are delivered to site complete with wall linings and sheathing boards.
To read full article, go to Offsite Magazine issue 27!
