Recent SCIP Building Project
FIRE SURVIVAL OF HOUSE BUILT WITH SCIP PANELS
Testimonial from fire victim
“I always wanted to build my own home, so 7 years ago I did my research and found the SCIP Panels met ALL my needs.
My lot was in the forest, so I needed fire resistance. I live 6 miles from the largest geothermal power plant in the world so I get 3-3.5 magnitude earthquakes regularly, and am close enough to major fault lines that a 5-6 magnitude is not impossible. And last but not least termites and other pests are always a factor. All the studies and testing showed that 3D Structural Panels were up for the job. It turns out the area I was in was a risk score of 12. Farmers won’t insure anything above a 6 and most companies won’t go over 4/5.
Sure enough the Valley fire which burned over 1000 homes hit my house too. Not just a glancing blow, but straight on middle of the firestorm. FINALLY, a product that lives up to (or even exceeds) it’s advertising. My house did not come out unscathed (I lost all the windows, and because of a garage door failure I lost all the contents of my garage), but the $50,000 $75,000 repair and cleaning bill is nothing compared to the $400,000+ of a total loss.
The engineer came out 3 days after we were cleared to enter the fire area and certified the house structurally sound (heck, the cantilevered deck had NO cracks where it joins the house, so even though it was directly in the fire’s path it did not sag a millimeter). The Styrofoam insulation was even intact everywhere it was not exposed to open flame (such as in the garage where my window frames burned).
During the cleanup I had over a half dozen fire chiefs and dozens of fire fighters stop by to help and also take a tour of the house that had survived. EVERY single one of them commented on how remarkable and amazing it was that my house was standing, much less that ALL of our belongings were intact (including the frilly curtains my wife installed in the bedroom). More than one stated “I know what I am building my next house out of.”
I am currently in the cleanup stage and the panels are proving their worth again. The garage was coated in a thick layer of soot from all those burning tools (whimper), paints and appliances. A couple of hours with a pressure washer and 80% of the work is done (go ahead, TRY and pressure wash a sheetrock wall). There are still signs of the fire (discoloration, melted plastic fused to the concrete, etc.), but most will disappear with a coat of paint, or be relatively easy to chip off. I expect to be back in my house within a month instead of just starting reconstruction.”
The SCIP 3-D Structural Panel Fire-safe Building Technology
We have experience building with 3D Structural Panels, otherwise known as SCIP (Structural Concrete Insulated Panels). This innovative construction product was created over 45 years ago in Austria by the EVG Company and today is used all over the world.
Olive Leaf Hills Mill – Sebastopol, CA – SCIP-3D Panels Project
Olive Leaf Hills Mill – Sebastopol, CA – SCIP-3D Panels Project
This thermo-acoustic insulated panel construction system is fire-safe, hurricane-safe, earthquake-safe, and termite-free. Extremely versatile the system is built with prefabricated stay in place panels that are easily configurable, simple to erect, and fast to construct.
The components of the 3-D System are environmentally “Green” and will assist any project in “LEED” certification. Its extraordinary design, flexibility, ease of installation, versatility of application and astonishing strength are changing the way the construction industry sees the future.At the heart of the individual panel is a super-insulated energy efficient core of rigid expanded polystyrene (EPS) sandwiched between two-engineered sheets of eleven-gauge steel wire-mesh face sheets that are welded together with the aid of 9-gauge cross wires that diagonally penetrate the interior foam to create a single monolithic structure. The diagonal cross wires are positioned 4 inches on center creating multiple strength-enhancing wire trusses in each panel. When concrete is applied, by any method, the panel becomes a structural load bearing insulated wall system – a THREE-DIMENSIONAL lightweight panel that is one of the strongest building materials you can find.
The two steel reinforced concrete faces provide tensile and compressive strength. The EPS core separates and stabilizes the cement faces against buckling under edgewise compression, torsion or bending. It also functions as a thermal and acoustic insulator protecting your privacy while keeping you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The system offers a cost-effective building alternative to traditional building methods. It is the ultimate answer for home owners and businesses who wish to create a truly hurricane-safe, earthquake-safe, fire-safe, and termite-free structure that lasts indefinitely – easily spanning multiple generations.
SCIP (3D Structural) Panels are used for residential as well as commercial construction.
We are the only authorized USA-made SCIP Panel dealer in California. We build with the panels and we market the panels as well. Our expertise extends from conception to project completion.
Whether you are the home owner, the home designer, or the home builder we can help you with cost-effective suggestions, and with engineering and architectural work.
To learn more about the SCIP (3D Structural) Panel System or if you have any other inquiries please contact us at 707-357-4150 or click here to send us an email. We welcome the opportunity to assist you.
Example Installation
The property is centered on the map at the black star between Mt. Konocti and Cobb Mountain on this relief map of Lake County.
Gravel has been shot into the basement foundation to make the floor level and ready for the slab to be poured. SCIP has to form the basement walls.
The garage foundation forms for the footing along east wall are ready for concrete.
A crew was brought over to set up the equipment and do an orientation. It turned out, however, that the rock company did not work on Veteran’s Day. Even worse – they wouldn’t be delivering any sand tomorrow either.
Now that the slab is done, the first-floor wall panels were put up. It has become clear that the basement walls will need to be repaired and re-shot.
From time to time during construction, clients flew over to watch the progress of the construction.
The south wall of the living room still needs to be completed. They are using the pressure washer to blow out the slot for the re-bar in the sliding door frame.
The second story warm-floor control box is being installed in the downstairs laundry room.
The concrete truck arrives with 6 yards of specially mixed shot-crete. It is the first of 3 trucks today!
A walkway was created on top of the lovely new concrete roof for the finishers to walk on while they finish under the eaves and work on the walls next week.
SCIP Construction Benefits
Fire Safe
SCIP (3D Structural) Panel structures are non-combustible and virtually fire proof, with a minimum 1.5-hour fire rating. A higher rating can easily be attained.
Hurricane Safe
In laboratory testing, SCIP (3D Structural) Panels withstood wind loads of 226 miles per hour.
Earthquake Safe
A two-story SCIP (3D Structural) Panel research complex jointly funded by the National Science Foundation, Southern California Edison, Inc., and the University of California withstood California’s worst earthquake in forty years. It was struck twice a (6.5) and (6.9) Richter Scale. According to Dr. Philippe Cohen who resides at the site in the Mojave Desert, the area at one point was subjected to a continuous shake lasting over a full minute. The structure went through the quakes with zero structural effects.
Termite Safe
SCIP (3D Structural) PanelS provides no nutritive value to plants, animals, or microorganisms which keeps the termites away.
Load Bearing
A typical 8-foot-high SCIP (3D Structural) Panel with 2.5” polystyrene core using eleven-gauge wire has been tested at a structural load of over 60,300 lbs. The typical wood frame and metal frame wall cannot compare to SCIP Panel strength.
Sound Resistant
The double shell configuration of the concrete plus polystyrene plus concrete sandwich minimizes sound transmissions.
Safe, durable, and long lasting
The poly core is inert, non-flammable, non-toxic, and water resistant. It will not rot and is highly resistant to mildew. Aging has no effect upon its performance and it can withstand temperatures from sub-freezing to 180 degrees, assuring long-term performance.
Flexible
The SCIP (3D panel) Building System has tremendous flexibility. It may be used in place of wood or metal-framed walls, masonry block walls or pre-cast panels. It is an excellent structural system for floors, ceilings, and roofs. You can build curved or radius walls , shelves and decorative openings.
SCIP Panel — Cutaway View
Cost-Effective and Environmentally Comfortable
The SCIP (3D Structural) Panel System has been designed with maximum environmental comfort in mind. The system saves 50% to 80% on heating cost and reduces the needed size and cost of HVAC systems. In one documented test maximum heat loss was just 5%. It will keep you cooler in summer and warmer in winter. A wood structure simply cannot compare. The modified expanded polystyrene core meets all VA, FHA, and HUD thermal requirements.
Environmentally Safe
Expanded polystyrene (EPS), which is an efficient and effective thermal insulation material, and which plays an important role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, is making a very positive contribution to the reduction of global warming. CFCs or HCFCs are not used as foaming agents in the production of EPS, therefore its manufacture does not cause any damage to the ozone layer.
Throughout the remaining useful life of the building, the SCIP 3D Panel ensures a significant reduction in the need for external energy input, thus achieving lower consumption of fossil fuels. This in turn leads to lower CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.
Expanded polystyrene is a biologically inert, non-toxic, and stable material. It does not contribute to the formation of methane gas or provide any other potential greenhouse gases. Furthermore, its waste does not pose any risk of contamination to groundwater.