Bio SIP Building System

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Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK

£249,510

May 31, 2023

March 31, 2024

The UK has a domestic housing shortage problem and there is need for increased or temporary accommodation.

Many modern houses or additional habitable lodges are built from a SIP Panels (Structural Insulated Panel).

Qube Buildings (Qube) has developed a revolutionary combination of sustainable materials to make thermally efficient sustainable modular buildings. Qube has developed the Bio-SIP(tm) building system. A truly sustainable alternative to traditional SIP panels.

Qube has started by making garden offices, but the long-term goal is to use these Bio products for truly sustainable housing.

The Bio-SIP(tm) building system is made from PET Foam Core (recycled plastic) and Natural fibre Pre-preg (A pre-preg is a composite material that is a layer of fibres "pre-impregnated" with a measured amount of resin. This is heat cured in a hot press. Having the fibres pre-impregnated with resin makes the process much easier and faster). The Bio-SIP(tm) thermally outperforms traditional SIP panels and are between 18% and 60% lighter in weight.

Bio-SIP(tm) combines structural performance, insulation, air and weather tightness into a single component. Being a single component, complexity of structure is reduced and build times are greatly reduced. These structures can be constructed by semi-skilled workforce.

The next step after making garden offices towards full-size houses is to move into the Habitable Spaces market.

Habitable spaces require Building Regulations approval to ensure that the building is structurally safe. This means that the following items will be assessed;

• That any new or existing foundations are adequate for the building.
• That drains and rainwater are handled in a safe manner.
• That stairs, balconies etc. meet the safety requirements.
• That the regulations covering ventilation, thermal insulation and fire safety are met.

The Bio-SIP(tm) is a new and innovative untested combination of materials, so there are no existing approvals or prior classification work that can be referenced for approval. Approval cannot be self-certified from open-source building regulations guide either. The BBA have to do the test if they are to issue approval.

The BBA have confirmed that they can run the materials and designs through their requirements and tests to see if it passes. They have provided costs and these are the majority of the project spend.

Obtaining BBA certification will enable us to build habitable lodges/cabins using our Bio-SIP(tm). We will also be able to sell the building system as a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional SIP panels.