Simco External Framing Solutions - Manufacturers of Powder Coated Roof and Cladding Trims

Lightweight Steel Framework

Light Gauge Steel Frame Construction

In recent years the use of light gauge steel frame construction has become firmly established in
the UK and is increasingly used in preference to timber, masonry and hot rolled steel structures
for all types of wall and flooring applications.

The key reasons are:

Lightweight - allowing Lighter foundations
Predictability - Light gauge steel sections are precision-engineered products manufactured to exact dimensions ensuring exact performance
Versatility - Standard product sizes allow a wide range of design options
Cost-Effectiveness - the cost of steel sections is on par with timber equivalents and, when productivity benefits are taken into account, is comparable with masonry
Productivity - Rapid on-site construction
Recyclability - steel sections are 100% recyclable
Performance - light gauge steel constructions can be designed to easily achieve high levels of structural, fire, acoustic and thermal performance
Familiarity - the benefits of light gauge steel frame construction are well understood by the whole building team, from designer to installer

Simco EFS SFS

The Simco EFS Steel Framing System (SFS) has been used in hundereds of successful projects throughout the UK including: high rise apartments; low rise housing; new and refurbished office blocks; student accommodation; university, college and school building; hospitals and health care centres; theatres and cinemas; and industrial units.

Simco EFS SFS incorporates cold rolled sections manufactured on Simco EFS's cutting edge rolling mills which puts us in a unique position to supply you with a product:

With tight tolerances
On short lead times
At competitive prices

A suburb product range is supported with an unprecedented level of customer service including provision of a comprehensive design, engineering and detailing service.

Design Considerations

Choice of Components

Simco EFS SFS offers a range of component sizes to meet all typical building applications (See Table Below for standard range.)

The main support of the structure is formed with studs or joists located in tracks and channels sized to suit.

Simco EFS SFS stud and joist sizes
Depth(mm)	Widths(mm)	Thicknesses(mm)
70 100 150 200	50 60 60 60	1.2, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 1.2, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 1.2, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 1.2, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0

All sizes responce by order.

The correct size of the stud or joist required for a specific construction will depend on:

Structural or wind loading
Allowable deflection of the structure
Stud/Joist centres
Performance requirement of the element of construction
Architectural preferences for thickness of construction

Please contact Simco EFS directly to confirm optimum product sizes.

Structural Integrity

The structural design of the steel frame system is in accordance with BS 5950 Part 5:2000 to meet structural and wind loadings defined in BS 6399.

To meet these requirements, additional support to the steel frame by bracing may be required. Flat strap diagonal bracing is fixed to the outside of the frame. Flat strap diagonal bracing is fixed to the outside of the frame - either one side or both. Designers need to consider the impact of bracing on the application of internal and external linings.

Openings

Openings in Simco EFS SFS are constructed using short lengths of stud positioned to support single tracks fitted horizontally at head of cill heights.

For larger openings it may be necessary to provide additional support by fitting adjacent vertical studs back-to-back, or by reinforcing horizontal tracks. See drawing 5.3 for a supported cill configuration.

The dimensional stability and robust nature of Simco EFS SFS allow for tighter tolerances around structural openings when compared to traditional materials. Simco EFS recommend a nominal tolerance of 10mm all round an opening to help vertical alignment between floors.

Fixing to Simco EFS SFS

In addition to the correct spacing of stud centres to meet structural requirements, consideration should be given to the fixing of internal and external linings.

Drawings 5.4 and 5.5 detail typical supported cill configuration for brick and terra cotta as external finishes.

Through Wall Performance

Avoiding cold bridging

The construction of "warm frame" elements is achieved through positioning the majority of the thermal insulation to the outside of the structure as shown in drawing 6.1. This substantially reduces the risk of condensation through cold bridging.

Additional insulation can be provided within the steel frame between the studs to provide greater levels of thermal and acoustic performance.

More comprehensive system performance advice is available from Lafarge Plasterboard or other internal lining manufacturers.

Movement and Tolerance

Simco EFS SFS systems are fully compatible with anticipated movement from both use and installation.

Please contact the Simco EFS Technical Team for further information on how our systems can accommodate live load deflection and construction tolerances to suit your requirements.

Product Range

Simco EFS SFS components are manufactured from galvanized steel type S350GD+Z275 NAC, with a yield strength of 350 Mpa supplied in accordance with BS EN 10147:2000.

The full range is shown below. Further product sizes can be made available subject to agreement.

Stud Properties
SEFS Reference	Weight kg/m	D mm	B mm	L mm	t mm	Area cm2	Ixx cm4	Iyy cm4	Zxx cm3
70M12 70M15 70M20 100M12 100M15 100M20 150M12 150M15 150M20 200M12 200M15 200M20 74BT 74HT 100BT 100HT 150BT 150HT 200BT 200HT	2.03 2.52 3.33 2.31 2.87 3.8 2.78 3.46 4.58 3.25 4.05 5.37 1.41 3.23 1.69 3.71 2.16 4.49 2.63 5.28	70 70 70 100 100 100 150 150 150 200 200 200 74 74 104 104 150 150 200 200	60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 40 70 40 70 40 70 40 70	15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0	1.2 1.5 2.0 1.2 1.5 2.0 1.2 1.5 2.0 1.2 1.5 2.0 1.2 2.0 1.2 2.0 1.2 2.0 1.2 2.0	2.58 3.21 4.24 2.94 3.66 4.84 3.54 4.41 5.84 4.14 5.16 6.84 1.79 4.12 2.15 4.72 2.75 5.72 3.35 6.72	22.75 28.1 36.72 50.65 62.73 82.35 127.53 158.28 208.53 248.87 309.24 408.21 16.20 41.48 35.47 88.44 90.03 215.65 179.15 414.85	13.42 16.5 21.39 15.23 18.73 24.3 17.43 21.44 27.82 18.99 23.36 30.32 2.75 20.52 3.03 23.01 3.34 26 3.54 28.1	6.5 8.03 10.49 10.13 12.55 16.47 17 21.1 27.8 24.89 30.92 40.82 4.38 11.21 6.82 17.01 11.69 28.01 17.56 40.67

Track Section Details

Section Properties - Z35
T R A C K S
	Section Ref	Area(cm)	Weight Kg/m	lxx(cm)	lyy(cm)	Zxx(cm)	Zyy(cm)	rxx(cm)	ryy(cm)	Mc.x(kNm)	Mc.y(kNm)
	74M12 74M20 104M12 104M20 154M12 154M20 204M12 204M20	1.46 3.37 1.76 3.86 2.23 4.67 2.72 5.48	1.46 3.37 1.76 3.86 2.23 4.67 2.72 5.48	16.39 42.01 35.85 89.50 90.88 217.98 180.64 418.97	2.86 21.37 3.17 23.96 3.49 27.08 3.70 29.28	4.43 11.35 6.89 17.21 11.80 28.31 17.71 41.08	1.43 6.05 1.58 6.85 1.75 7.73 1.85 8.37	3.00 3.17 4.06 4.33 5.73 6.15 7.32 7.87	1.26 2.26 1.20 2.24 1.12 2.17 1.05 2.08	1.55 3.97 2.41 6.02 4.13 9.91 6.20 14.38	0.50 2.36 0.55 2.40 0.61 2.71 0.65 2.93

Applications - External Walls

Simco EFS SFS applied to steel frame or masonry superstructures provide a rapid dry envelope to allow internal trades to begin sooner and takes external trades off the critical path.

The system is designed in consideration of:

Windloading
Vertical span (slab to slab height)
Loading of windows and external finish

All types of external finishes can be accommodated including brickwork, masonry slips, terra cotta tiling, metal rainscreen, insulated render and timber cladding.

Simco EFS SFS can be applied as an 'Infill' or an 'Oversail' system.

The 'Infill' system locates the light gauge steel frame between the main frame members, fixed to the top of the slab and underside of soffit.

The 'Oversail' System is positioned to the outside of the main frame and fixed back to it usually at each floor level of the main frame.

The 'Infill' system is generally preferred where the steel frame provides a support to both the internal and external lining and where access from outside the building is difficult.

The 'Oversail' system allows for very rapid construction of a continuos substrate to support the external lining but is only possible with unimpeded external access. With "Oversail" systems, greater consideration needs to be given to the application of internal finishes to ensure complete integrity of system performance.

Applications - Infill

The infill system composes Simco EFS SFS framing within the plan area of the superstructure of a building. The SFS spans vertically between the slab surface and either the steel edge beam or the soffit of the slab above.

11.2 FIXING OF BOTTOM TRACK

11.3: FIXING OF HEAD TRACK

The Oversail system comprises Simco EFS SFS framing forming the building envelope beyond the face of the super structure. the SFS is restrained back to the superstructure by a bracketry system designed to suit the specific situation.

13.2: SIMCO SFS TO CANTILEVER BRACKET CONNECTION DETAIL

13.3: SIMCO SFS TRACK TO SHELF ANGLE CONENCTION DETAIL

Fixings

Rapid assembly is a key feature of the Simco EFS SFS System. Rapid assembly is aided by the use of correct, high quality fasteners. Simco EFS recommend the use of high quality self drilling screws with appropriate corrosion resisting coating compatible with galvanized steel sections.

When connecting steel components together, a hex or wafer head screw should be used. When connecting lining boards or insulation boards, a countersunk head fixing is preferable.

The table shows the appropriate generic fasteners for a variety of connection types typically encountered in steel framing installation. Drawing and recommendations are indicative only and the specifier or installer should verify the precise fixings to be used on a project specific basis.

For specific technical queries, please contact the Simco EFS SFS technical team.

Notes:

All drawings shown are indicative and for illustration purposes only.

Where bi-metallic corrosion may occur, Simco EFS recommend the use of neoprene, Mylar or equal approved other isolation sleeves and washers.

Recommended Fixings

Application of Lightweight Steel Framework (Lightweight Steel Framework) Connections	Fixing Arrangement
SFS Stud Track (Standard) SFS Stud Track (Low Profile) SFS to Structural Steelwork SFS to Structural Concrete (Cast) SFS to Structural Concrete (Pre-Cast) External carrier board to LGS SFS to Large section bracketry	Hex Head Light Duty - Self Drilling Tek Screw Wafer Head light Duty - Self Drilling Tek Screw Hex Head Heavy Duty - Self Drilling Tek Screw Safety Stud Anchor Screw Chemical Anchor Bolt Countersunk - Self Tipped Tek Screw Grade 8.8 BZP Bolt Set (Complete with locking nut and washer)

All fixings must be installed according to the manufactured instructions

Logistics + References

Supply, Handling and Storage

When designing and installing steel framing system, Simco EFS recommend that the designer and installer consider the recommendations of the following documents:

The Control of Substances Hazardous to health Regulations
Manual Handling Operations Regulations
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations

In order to maintain the highest standards of quality in the installation of the SFS guidance on the use of recommended installers.

Guidance can be provided by the Simco EFS sales and technical teams.

References

Simco EFS SFS can be supplied in stock lengths of 3 or 4 meters, relevant to the specific project height. Components are supplied with inkjet marking/coding and strap banded into bundles.

In accordance with HSE guideline, Simco EFS recommends manual handling limit of 25Kg per person. All other loads should be lifted only by mechanical handling equipment with adequate lifting capacity.

When handling Simco EFS SFS components it is recommended that safety gloves are worn. Particular care should be taken in cutting steel section, which should be carried out using a securely-fixed chop saw with operators wearing eye protection.

Full COSHH sheets are available upon request

To reduce the risk of damage, materials should be stored under cover.

BS6399: Loading for Buildings

Part 1 Code of Practice for dead and imposed loads
Part 2 Code of Practice for wind loads
Part 3 Code of Practice for roof loads.