polystyrene new build

[Danny Gray]

Has anyone had any experience of working on an ICF new build? A builder we do a lot of work for has started a new project and we're going to be starting first fix soon. it will be the first time ive seen it let alone worked with it. any help and advice will be appreciate

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

was asked to fit a builders supply and supply to a caravan at a site with this icf stuff. it is basically 'polystyrene' that is filled with concrete and is meant to be super energy efficient when cured. can do all sorts of shapes and designs with it. they use timber frames to hold it in place when poured etc... if they get the timber support or polystyrene wrong then it can collapse when poured.
seemed a lot of work to me for barely noticeable gain, its meant to be cheaper but only if you have a good team doing the work. i assume inside the walls will be dot and dabbed and you will run cables in capping? as you will likely find you arent allowed to go cutting into the polystyrene or concrete for fear of affecting the thermal qualities and such nonsense.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

http://becowallform.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/BuildIt.0616.ICF_.pdf
seems it can be designed with conduit in the concrete for utilities and cables but must take a lot of planning, makes me think of prefab social housing that has metal conduit put in at the factory ready for singles to be run in