The proprietary VERSA-BLOC™ detail by Boise Cascade is the simple, low cost way to ensure fire resistance at floor level in timber frame party walls.
VERSA-BLOC™ provides a sacrificial shield to the VERSA-LAM® or VERSA-STRAND® rim boards offered by the company, ensuring that sufficient structural columns remain at the end of the 60-minute fire resistance period required by Part B of the Building Regulations.
VERSA-BLOC™ is designed to be fixed along the rim construction at centres of at least 600mm using ring-shanked nails in accordance with the Technical Guidance Bulletin provided by Boise Cascade to its timber frame customers.
The VERSA-BLOC™ detail not only allows the reduction in full length rim board to a single ply on the party wall, it also alleviates the need to block out the ends of the incoming BCI Joists, thereby significantly reducing material and installation labour costs.
“Close working relationships with our customers allowed us to observe and challenge accepted practice. The flexibility of our Engineering Support team to work with a variety of industry experts in terms of manufacturing, engineering, construction, fire and sound resistance, allowed us to develop this revised party wall rim detail that provides highly effective and repeatable cost savings” says Simon Jones, Boise’s UK Business Development Director. “With VERSA-BLOC™, it is no longer necessary to install two layers of rim along the party wall” he adds.
As well as satisfying the Part B fire resistance requirements, VERSA-BLOC™ also satisfies the efficacy of Robust Details E-WT-1 and E-WT-2 of Part E of the Building Regulations.
For further information on Boise Engineered Wood Products, please call 01993 871235 or visit www.BC.com/eu.
