Part 2 – Composite make-up of panels

Our blog series on controlled environment solutions continues with a look at what components make up an insulated panel and how they are put together.

Hemsec began manufacturing insulated panels way back in 1928 as discussed in Part 1 of our blog series , and we have continued to play a key role in innovation in the industry, so we know a thing or two about them. Today, the COVID-19 public health emergency has put into focus the requirement for urgent buildings and NHS projects, using structural insulated panels, metal and timber-faced. Our aim in the series is to give you useful information.

What are insulated panels made from? How are they made?

It’s important to explain the manufacturing capabilities of an insulated panel and how they are made.

All of our galvanized steel faced panels are auto-adhesively bonded together during the manufacturing process, where the application of pressure injected liquid foam expands and fuses between top and bottom coated steel facings.

The insulated core is made from Polyisocyanurate (PIR), Hemsec use this as it has superior insulating qualities when compared with the other types. This closed cell chemical technology ensures that Hemsec panels are extremely versatile, incredibly airtight, can resist moisture and are impervious to water.

There are an array of different colour and steel finishes from various suppliers to meet all project requirements; the facings are completed with our Smooth, Microrib or 100 Rib detail facing options. Panels are pushed together using an engineered tongue and groove joint system, meaning no unsightly joins need to be formed. And the panels are strong, so you do not always require supporting frames, meaning it’s clean, attractive and cost effective.

We have the ability to form rebates and thermal breaks in our panels during the manufacturing process. Rebates are particularly suited for internal Wall to Ceiling junctions, where the insulated ceiling panel will sit upon a horizontal landing (rebate) at the top of the insulated wall panel, these rebates are cut to suit the thickness of the ceiling panel and the landing depth is 50mm (80mm thick wall panels have a 40mm landing depth. 50mm N/A).

Thermal breaks are suited for internal Wall to Floor junctions, particularly for Freezers. A 20mm deep saw cut is made at a height of between 80mm to 300m from the base of the panel.

Hemsec Insulated wall panel to ceiling panel detail showing top rebates and bottom thermal breaks

What are insulated panels used for?

Our controlled environment panels are used in many industry sectors as well as construction; they are amongst the strongest and most thermally efficient panels available anywhere in the world. It’s no wonder that with Hemsec, our clients tell us “you know what you get” – providing them with absolute confidence when they buy and use our panels.

Being able to control the temperature and humidity of an environment is nowadays crucial in a wide range of industries and sectors, particularly health at the present time. Applications include:-

Healthcare product manufacturing (Including hygienic/clean rooms and temperature controlled environments)
Health services (theatres, treatment rooms, and pharmaceutical storage)
Accommodation (temporary isolation rooms, home-working pods, and hospital wards)
Food manufacture (food safe freezers, chillers and ambient areas), storage, and distribution
Warehousing and data centres

These are only selection of environments which require flexible yet robust solutions. Hemsec insulated panels are made for this very purpose, in a variety of thicknesses and finishes, giving plenty of scope for project-by-project customisation.

What are the benefits of insulated panels?

They are versatile and strong enough to be used as internal walls, external walls, partitioning and ceilings as well as high performance doors. They are also resistant to fire, which is clearly an important factor in every sector, so all our panels are subject to intensive testing to meet the highest safety standards.

Here are just a few of the significant benefits that insulated panels can provide:-

Superb thermal performance and energy efficiency
Temperature control (ambient, chilled and frozen, from – 40°C to +60°C)
Fire resistance
Quick installation due to precision jointing
Hygienic steel-faced coatings
Eco-friendly and cost effective

Let us look now at why Hemsec’s panels are the industry leaders.

What industry standards are used for the insulated panels?

Trust in our products is extremely important to Hemsec. That’s why we have invested over the years in BS EN standards and CE marking, together with rigorous testing to ensure that our panels consistently meet your expectations, needs and the highest standards.

Resistance to fire is priority number one. Hemsec’s insulated panels guarantee up to 60-minute fire performance with both Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) and Factory Mutual (FM) approved certifications.

Taking responsibility in today’s environment is similarly important. Hemsec is committed to achieving the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality for all our products within the built environment, manufacturing insulated panels which are energy efficient, highly effective for temperature control and cost little to run.

Further Information

Do you have a project that needs a controlled environment solution ? Please get in touch.

Contact: Phil Montgomery, Account Manager 0151 432 7567.

Email: phil.montgomery@hemsec.com

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LCR Mayor Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Press at SIP Panel Hub

By Stuart Cottle • 24 Apr, 2024

(4 min read) Liverpool City Region Mayor Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Press Machine at Hemsec’s New £4 Million SIPs Manufacturing Hub. Today (Liverpool, UK - 22 April 2024) marks a significant milestone in the region’s manufacturing landscape as Mayor Steve Rotheram officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art press machine at Hemsec’s new £4 million Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Manufacturing Hub, located in the heart of Knowsley, Liverpool. The unveiling ceremony, attended by key stakeholders and industry leaders, showcased Hemsec’s ambitious vision and cutting-edge capabilities of the press machine, which stands as the only one of its kind in the world. This groundbreaking technology is positioned to drive crucial innovation in the construction sector and a fabric-first approach to achieving a net zero built environment, particularly in the area of social and affordable housing. With a manufacturing capacity unlike any other, the new manufacturing hub and press promise unparalleled efficiency and precision in the production of SIPs, a building material known for its superior energy efficiency, speed of build and long-term sustainable impact. This advancement comes at a crucial time as the UK faces a significant shortfall in social housing, with communities across the country in dire need of affordable and high-quality accommodation. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram emphasised the importance of this new manufacturing hub and its potential to address the housing crisis and other key issues important to the region's communities. Managing Director at Hemsec, Stephen Painter commented: "The opening of Hemsec’s SIPs Manufacturing Hub represents a transformative moment for Liverpool and the British manufacturing industry. With the capabilities of this pioneering press machine, we have an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the construction of much-needed truly affordable social housing, providing safe and sustainable homes for our communities. A fabric-first approach to sustainable buildings is crucial for ensuring the performance of our homes is optimised now and remains for the lifetime of the building, securing longevity in energy efficiency."

Hemsec Donates 23 Mental Wellbeing Boxes for Families via UK Unplugged

By Stuart Cottle • 08 Apr, 2024

(3 min read) Hemsec are committed to reshaping the build environment for a better tomorrow. We are proud to sponsor 23 mental wellbeing boxes created by UK Unplugged and support families in our local community in the North West. The 23 boxes will help 23 families promote and prioritise mental wellbeing, in a time where this has never been more crucial. UK Unplugged started as a local community group in 2019, dedicated to supporting parents and carers to balance their family time on and off screens. The group is made up of professional and student volunteers from Liverpool John Moores University, who create learning activities and experiences for families in Liverpool in the form of an activity box. Families can subscribe to the boxes on a monthly basis. UK Unplugged work to bring local, regional and international communities together to share experiences, all whilst ensuring that the activities reduce screentime and improve mental wellbeing for the families they support. In April, UK Unplugged will be working to donate their boxes to low-income families & those on the CAMHS waiting list. They have pulled together a team of Architecture students and volunteers who are creating specialised boxes and Hemsec has agreed to sponsor the creation of 23 these boxes. The boxes provide: · 10 hours of screen-free fun · Education on new ideas and cultures · They are accessible & eco-friendly This year UK Unplugged – Architecture box are focusing on Sustainability and diversity; the boxes will educate families on different living spaces and sustainable choices around the world. Investing in the education of sustainable buildings for families across the northwest is a brilliant cause that we are proud to be part of.

Hemsec hosts Riverside College & Cronton Sixth Form students at SIPs Manufacturing Hub for Aspire Week

By Stuart Cottle • 15 Mar, 2024

(2 min read) Hemsec hosts Riverside College & Cronton Sixth Form students at SIPs Manufacturing Hub for Aspire Week. Last Friday, (15 th March 2024) we welcomed students of digital built environment, architecture, and built environment skills from Riverside College Widnes & Runcorn and Cronton Sixth Form College to our Huyton SIPs panel factory. Students enjoyed an informative morning learning about SIPs And getting hands-on with our panels to help inform their studies. The students received a talk from Dan Haworth , Head of Manufacturing, and a factory tour, followed by round table speed meetings with staff from all areas of the business. They also had the unique opportunity to get hands-on with building miniature SIP Panel structures. And to add a little extra fun, we set up a bit of friendly competition with a structural design challenge with custard creams! Because why not? SIPs panels and custard creams are distant cousins, after all! We're looking forward to hosting more students and future construction talent in the future.

The Big Help Project Christmas Raffle Raises £1000

21 Dec, 2023

(4 m in read) On Tuesday Hemsec employees came together in good Christmas cheer at our annual Christmas party. Through a spirited raffle, the company successfully raised an impressive £1000 for The Big Help Project . What is The Big Help Project? The Big Help Project was set up with the mission to feed the hungry, overcome poverty, free people from the burden of unmanageable personal debt, help people into affordable housing, and to assist people onto a better future. For over ten years Big Help Project has formed a social impact eco-system, providing on-the-ground wrap-around services to make sure nobody is left in crisis. Every day of the week Big Help Project is making a difference and helping people break the cycle of poverty. So far, the project has helped thousands of people across the UK — but they still have a lot of ground to cover. That’s where local businesses like Hemsec, our customers, suppliers and partners come into the picture.

Hemsec Announces Christmas Shutdown Dates.

09 Nov, 2023

To avoid disappointment, place your orders ready for Christmas and the first few weeks of the New Year. (2 min read) It’s that time of year again! In an effort to allow our hardworking team some well-deserved time with their families, Hemsec has scheduled our usual temporary shutdown over the Christmas period. We want to ensure our customers are well-informed about the key dates to avoid any inconvenience in the run up, during and following this period. We encourage all our valued customers to place their orders in the coming weeks to avoid any disappointment over the Christmas period and the first two weeks of January. Our team is committed to ensuring your needs are met, and early orders will help us achieve this goal. **Place Your Orders Before Monday 20th November to secure delivery before Christmas** Production slots are booking up fast, so please plan your orders accordingly to ensure timely delivery and secure lead times running into the new year. **Final Dispatch Day - Monday 18th December, 2023** To ensure your orders reach you before the holiday break, our last day of dispatch will be on Monday, December 18th, 2023. Please place your orders early to guarantee timely delivery. **Last Day in the Office - Friday 22nd December, 2023** Our team's last day in the office before the holiday closure will be on Friday, December 22nd, 2023. We will be available to assist with any inquiries until this date. **Reopening - Tuesday 2nd January, 2024** Hemsec will resume operations and be fully open for business on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024. We look forward to continuing to work with you in the new year. All the team at Hemsec wishes you a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year. Thank you for your continued support and understanding during this temporary shutdown. We look forward to working with you in 2024!

Hemsec Raise Over £400 for Macmillan Coffee Morning

24 Oct, 2023

(2 min read) Earlier this month, our Macmillan Coffee Morning at Hemsec was a huge success! There was fierce competition in the ‘teacup toss’, along with an impressive 'Is it Cake?' panel replica competition, and a mouthwatering bake-off, all while raising an amazing £489 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The fundraising didn't stop there! We held a second coffee morning for our staff who couldn't make it, and the deliciousness and generosity did not disappoint. 🙌💚☕ Together the Hemsec team smashed last year's total! So we are already looking forward to the next event, keeping the momentum going, and making a difference for those who need it most. 💪☕🍰 Our Competition Winners Teacup Toss – Lyndon Gaskall Hemsec Bake-off – Liz Moran Is it Panel? Is it Cake? Competition – Stuart Cottle All our winners helped to raise an impressive sum of money for Macmillan and received a half-day holiday for their efforts in the process.