Designing with a Difference
No matter what kind of design challenges you are considering, you will find that the Amvic ICF system has the answers.
Certification
Amvic ICF is certified by both the Irish Agrement Board, Cert No 070277, and the Building Research Establishment Cert No 131/07 in the UK. Both certificates apply to buildings up to 6 floors or 18 metres in height.
Our IAB Certificate also certifies Relius renders as external finishes with a 60 year design life, as required by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government for Floor Area Certificate purposes.
Amvic ICF is also accepted by Homebond and Premier Insurance.
Protection
Amvic ICF structures are constructed using structural pump-grade concrete which tremendously increases strength. Amvic ICFs are also manufactured using only approved raw material bead with flame retardant agents that provides a 3 hour fire rating.
Amvic structures are constructed with non-organic materials, which greatly minimises the growth of mould and mildew. Also, the impermeable walls prevent the entry of dust, pollens and pollution.
Superior Insulation
Amvic ICF is manufactured using Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) as the insulating medium. EPS eliminates the problems of air borne glass fibre and insulation settlement common in other insulating systems.
By definition the insulation envelope of the building is absolutely complete when building with Amvic ICF, in contrast to all other building system which require manual site intervention to install the thermal insulation after the structure is built. In addition there is no convection loss of heat within the wall as the insulation is in intimate contact with the structure.
Air-tightness
Current Building Regulations set standards for the air tightness of structures, measured using an Air Permeability Rating. A number of 10 is the required minimum with 7 being described as best practice and 3 being required for passive homes.
Because this is a poured concrete method of construction the structure is effectively monolithic, thus air-leakage is reduced to an absolute minimum. Amvic ICF is extremely airtight, with a typical structure experiencing an air permeability rating of 3 or less.
Sound Barrier
The mass of the concrete within the Amvic ICF system makes for amazing sound absorption with typical sound reduction of 52 dB across the finished wall. This is far in excess of the requirements of the building regulations and makes for comfortable homes and harmonius relations with the neighbours!
Design Flexibility
Amvic ICF have superior engineered spanning capabilities, making them ideal for long insulated window and door lintels, as well as for ground beam applications. They are also extremely flexible in design making curved, square, plumb and straight walls easily obtainable. In addition, exterior and interior wall finishes are easily attached.
Commercial Applications
For commercial construction, Amvic ICF are used primarily for the structure's exterior walls but also often for interior walls to provide compartment walls or acoustic, thermal and fire barriers between areas. Amvic ICF is certified for structures of 6 storeys high, subject to engineering considerations.
Residential Applications
For residential construction, ICFs are typically used for the structure's exterior walls from foundation to wallplate, and basements. ICFs can also be used in combination with almost any other form of construction.
Environmental Factors
Amvic ICF structures combine expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation and concrete thermal mass. This highly effective combination of materials minimizes temperature fluctuations by absorbing and storing heat. This equates to an average of approximately 50-75% reduction in running costs which results in an equivalent reduction in harmful emissions.
Construction waste is also dramatically decreased to less than 2%, over 50% less than most competing ICFs and much lower than traditional building systems. The polypropylene webs molded into the Amvic forms are made from 100% recycled plastic, making Amvic forms 60% recycled material by weight.
Amvic ICF is manufactured from EPS which is certified to be both CFCs and HCFC free.