A PFI Extra Care complex at Abbey Hulton, a village just outside Stoke-on-Trent, is another UK project benefitting from a faster build time by using innovative off-site manufacturing that combines Isokorb® structural thermal break units from Schöck with the Hollowcore system.

Many of the apartments throughout the complex feature spacious balconies, so the prevention of thermal bridging is a critical consideration. Quite apart from heat loss, condensation can lead to structural integrity problems and worse, it encourages mould growth, which could have serious medical implications for elderly residents in the form of possible respiratory problems and dermatitis. One of the most effective countermeasures on the market is the Schöck Isokorb® structural thermal break; units that offer outstanding thermal insulation properties and unobtrusive connection detail.

They dramatically reduce thermal energy loss in connective areas and enable inner surface area temperatures to remain well in excess of those likely to cause mould formation and condensation.It is the Isokorb® type KS14, for concrete-to-steel connectivity that is being in-stalled at Holdcropft Fields to meet the steel cantilever requirements. This is in conjunction with the Hollowcore floor system and to facilitate the method, the precasters broke out selected cores and cast reinforcement bars in their works.

The KS14 thermal breaks were then fixed to a template, so they would match the broken out Hollowcore, the complete modules supplied to site, dropped into position and the broken out Hollowcore filled with insitu concrete.