who makes styrene blocks

[rod1949]

I am building (external walls of a new home) with an ICF product, but my private certifier will not approve it. I disagree with him, but he claims that the product doesnt comply with the building code. All the professional advice I have received clearly suggests that they do meet the BCA - as they are only formwork. However he will not approve it and we are now forced to consider brick veneer - we are very frustrated as this seems a backward step (relative to the benefits of ICF.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. By law we can not change certifier without State Ministerial approval (and months of delay (and cost)).

Has anyone built with an ICF product that was approved by a certifier that may be able to talk with my certifier?

Thanks

What do you mean by 'Private Certifier' ? Wouldn't this be purely in the hands of the council

[durwood]

I originally asked the question about this system after seeing a house being constructed on Bribey Island in Queensland. This house was on the islands prime site, tip of the northern shore of the island on a block which went for over $1,000,000.

On the Lifestyle channnel a couple of weeks ago there was a story of a house being built with this construction in the UK. It was actually circular and the blocks were supplied to specifications by the company.

Main point of the show was this method of construction was said to be more than 3 times as strong as conventional building methods for the walls.

[Darrent]

In South Australia we can use a Private Certifier or local council. They are basically the same as I understand it. Tommorrow I will provide a list of councils (in WA) that have approved buildings using the ICF product. I am getting really frustrated as the certifer appears to have the final say (in spite of advice to the contrary from a cement industry body, my engineer, the manufacturer, other ICF manufacturers, and the fact that other councils have approved it).

The certifier to date has discounted the professional opinions provided to him - so it is hard to know when I stop throwing money at getting other professionals to provide an opinion only to have hime reject it.

Any BCA/concrete wall experts about?

[rod1949]

In South Australia we can use a Private Certifier or local council. They are basically the same as I understand it. Tommorrow I will provide a list of councils (in WA) that have approved buildings using the ICF product. I am getting really frustrated as the certifer appears to have the final say (in spite of advice to the contrary from a cement industry body, my engineer, the manufacturer, other ICF manufacturers, and the fact that other councils have approved it).

The certifier to date has discounted the professional opinions provided to him - so it is hard to know when I stop throwing money at getting other professionals to provide an opinion only to have hime reject it.

Any BCA/concrete wall experts about?

Darrent,
I'd be sacking the Certifier and just using the council.

I live in the Bayswater shire here in West Australia. I'm currently building a steel framed house that will be clad (externally) with ICF sheeting, all approved by the council. Initially I was considering the core filled foam blocks. Before I started I enquired with the shire and they did not have a problem any of the foam type constructions.
Yesterday arvo I was at Unitex's depot here in Perth and the bloke told about a ICF house that is currently being rendered in my area (Bayswater shire WA) so on the way home I checked it out. It was a core filled blocks that have been used.

[Darrent]

Thanks - unfortunately in SA we cant sack the certifier - I can encourage him to resign, but that is my only way out - assuming he will. The ICF product we are proposing to use is from WA. I may try contacting a council that has previously approved one and have a chat. Thanks again.

[woodsprite]

There are some pretty insecure little people out there! little people with a lot of power and not much sense. What a turkey your inspector is.

Just wondering? I assume you got a building permit to start constructing? When we did our extrension we had to have engineering specs for parts of it, which was arranged by the builder (who organised the intial drafting, permits, etc.). When the plans went to council, complete with the engineering documents, the council still had to check over the plans AND the engineering figures before given approval to proceed.

Seems to me that if your council approved your plans and specs then your inspector guy ought not have a leg to stand on, as basically you have built what the council has given you approval to build with the materials you nominated during the planning/permit process.

Hope you have a win with this one!
Jeff

[ausdesign]

Darrent there is obvious confusion by readers & just to clarify - you have opted to go with a private firm to process your building application. They process your application to ensure it meets the Building Code of Aus. & any local council reg's then issue a building permit, notify the local council, do the prescribed inspections [not necessarily in that order]
As far as the ICF product goes the company will have documentation as to how it meets 'the deemed to comply' requirements of the B.C.A.
If they don't - don't use it.
If your certifier doesn't have this documentation then i'm with him.