Steel Infill / Encapsulated Panels

Solid Calcium Sulfate Panel NORTEC	Steel Encapsulated Panel
Steel Infill Panel

System designation	Steel Infill / Encapsulated Panels	Solid NORTEC Panel
Safety in Case of Fire	Non-combustible, BUT: - Since steel is an intense heat conductor, the surface gets extremely hot within minutes and there is no protection for people inside the buildings	- Non-combustible - Panel resist heat for up to 60 minutes, thus this raised floor could be used for escape routes adding an additional important protection for people inside the building
Dimensional Accuracy	Panels have to be screwed onto pedestals to avoid: - Moving of panels - Groaning and squeaking	- Panels can be laid on pedestal, without screwing, thus high accessibility - No moving of panels - No groaning and squeaking
Accessibility	- Panels are very often screwed to pedestal - Low interchangeability of panels - High operation costs	- Panels are held in position by a gasket - No screwing of panel necessary - High interchangeability of panels - Low operation costs
Welding Points	- Welding spots at the steel sheets become unfastened rather easily under working load, often creating a noisy panel under foot traffic as well as decreasing load-bearing capability	- No welding points at all
Bottom Side of Panel	- Often has dent on bottom side which breaks air stream	- Smooth bottom ideal for flow of under floor air
Air Leakage	- Low tightness of joints - Uncontrolled air flow - High leakage of air - High operation costs	- Good tightness of joints - No loss of air when floor plenum is used as air channel - Best air-leakage rates ever tested at B.I.T.S. (Building Investigation and Testing Laboratories), thus tolerance 0.2 mm (1/128”)
Coverings	- Low variety - Coverings are not protected	- High variety (e.g. stone, parquet) - Protected by edge trim
Sound-Proofing	- Noise is transferred from room to room due to the metal link between steel sheet on top and steel sheet on bottom	- No transfer of noise due to the missing direct link between panel top and panel bottom
Airborne Acoustic Value	- Up to a max. of 38 dB	- Up to a max. of 58 dB
Walking Comfort	- Low comfort due to the metallic sound accompanying walking	- Very good walking comfort guaranteed by the calcium sulfate material
Panel Cutting	- Special tools required	- Standard tools
Cut Panels	- Parts of the light concrete may fall out - Results in a decrease of load bearing means	- Strong cut edges, no loss of material - Decrease of load bearing means only at smaller strips