Steel Building

Solutions

Confusion over standard SFS constructions and best practices can lead to frustration, re-work
and increased costs. To help avoid this possibility on your project, Kingspan have compiled a
brief “Do and Don’t” list that will help you achieve “Best Practice” in SFS installation.

Steel Framing System Installation Tips DON’T forget to have your tools and leads PAT tested every year,
check leads and equipment on a regular basis for damage.
DO call the Kingspan Technical Team if you have any queries -
DON’T work outside internal handrails without clipping on. You are
do this before building anything to avoid re-work.
responsible for your safety on site. Do not accept unsafe working
DO review the Kingspan drawings, detail, technical and practices or conditions.
installation manuals before starting a project.
DON’T forget to read your method statements.
DO clean up cut edges grind off slivers of steel and coat edges
DON’T forget interfaces with drylining and curtain walling. Check that
with a galv. spray. This will prevent any possibility of damaging
stud centres are at 600mm external/internal lining boards. Ensure
effects of corrosion to the system in years ahead. Most
fixings do not foul or push boards out of line.
importantly, clean edges are much safer to handle and will help
prevent accidents. DON’T forget deflection. Only fix external boards to head tracks if it is
clear that deflection within the building will not cause a clash with the
DO consider using an acoustic barrier between tracks and
vertical members. Check your design guide.
substrate (concrete or structural steel). This can be a neoprene
strip or acoustic sealant and will reduce the amount of post DON’T splice any stud or track sections, unless following project
installation sealing required to pass on site testing. specific details. In general, studs should be ordered to length to suit
the vertical SFS span (with additional tolerance). Tracks come in 3m
DO use the specified fixings and check the drawings for any
or 4m lengths as standard for use as head and base track – wide
special details and extra requirements. If you decide to use an
structural openings using nested SFS details may require stud and
alternative product or fixing detail, you must forward product
track sections ordering separately at greater lengths to form these
specification and data sheets to be structurally checked by
openings.
Engineers.
DON’T forget vent penetrations through the steel system. This may
DO check access, loading out, scaffolding and ground conditions
require alterations, notching of tracks additional steelwork or a special
before you start.
construction detail.
DO take time to sequence the installation at window jambs and
DON’T forget to provide for movement joints in steelwork where there
other structural openings. Ensure that you have proper access to
is masonry fitted back to the system. Also, remember any
install cleats and that you have the correct constructions for that
requirements at window openings, i.e. a stud positioned within
particular area of the building. Install insulation within any nested/
150mm for a brick tie rail to pick up the first brick tie run from the
boxed sections. This reduces cold bridging and the risk of being
opening.
instructed to replace nested constructions.
DON’T forget to read your drawings. These are produced with you in
DO remember to check the architect’s party wall details. There
mind, to help “DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!”.
may be a requirement to adopt a specific detail that may mean
you are required to cut tracks and position studs to suit as the For further information, please contact the Kingspan Steel
design requires. Building Solutions Technical Team Tel: +44 (0)121 753 7050

DO leave expansion gaps (5mm) between external sheathing

boards. These should be filled with an acoustic sealant, using foil
tape behind the board to ensure a clean joint. If in doubt, refer to

Kingspan Steel Building Solutions

Sherburn, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8PQ, England
t: +44 (0) 1944 712000 f: +44 (0) 1944 710555 www.kingspanpanels.co.uk/sbs
Registered Office at Greenfield Business Park No.2, Greenfield, Holywell, Flintshire, N. Wales CH8 7GJ. Company Reg. No. 1037468