As part of its ongoing review of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the NHBC has accepted Fusion Building Systems light steel frame solutions for residential buildings up to and over 18m in height.
Fusion Building Systems has recently undergone a new series of fire performance tests to demonstrate how its bespoke offsite manufactured light steel frame solutions can be used in buildings up to 18m. The offsite manufacturer has also introduced a new product, called FusionX which excludes the use of combustible materials, to extend the height to 30m. These systems have both been accepted by the NHBC.
Since April 2019, Fusion has been working closely with the NHBC. Independent fire test data has been submitted to meet new criteria for both its Thermashield 162 external wall solution for buildings up to 18m in height, and its new high performance FusionX system for buildings up to the height specified and over 18m. The process also assessed Fusion's system for situations where the use is not restricted to the loads imposed during fire testing - including an approved method to extrapolate loads, beyond fire testing requirements.
Mike Fairey, Fusion Director, said: "The cladding ban has seen significant changes throughout the construction industry and we have all had a responsibility to review our systems and materials to meet the new standards. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has set relevant new criteria for residential buildings and we've worked hard to prove the performance of our existing systems, as well as placing significant investment in new products.
"We've worked with the NHBC for many years and they understand the Fusion system. I hope their confirmation of the system acceptance, will lead to housebuilders opting for Fusion as a tried and tested offsite method of construction."
Richard Lankshear, NHBC's Innovation Manager added "Our review of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is designed to give confidence to homeowners in the quality of homes built with MMC. We frequently reappraise MMC systems and our review of the Fusion Building Systems has included the structure, performance in fire, durability and factory production controls. Only systems that are rigorously and frequently reviewed are listed on the MMC Hub (www.nhbc.co.uk/mmchub)".
Independent fire testing of Fusion's Thermashield 162 external wall solution passed 60 minutes for fire from inside of a building, below 18m in height. Its new FusionX system has passed both the 90-minute and 120-minute test for fire from the inside with 3 x 12.5mm fire boards - as well as 90 and 120-minute tests for fire from the outside with 100mm mineral wool slab and a 12mm sheathing board.
