EPIC overview
The EPIC management team is drawn from the major manufacturers of rigid urethane products who supply over 90% of panels produced in the United Kingdom.
Objectives
The objectives of EPIC are to promote the use and knowledge of the benefits of insulated panels and to ensure the ready availability of technical information both in the use of insulated panels and their performance over their complete life cycle.
Technical advice
EPIC provides up-to-date guidance through a range of Technical Guides covering regulatory requirements, energy conservation and fire performance and end of life. Guides are available in a pdf format that can be easily downloaded from the EPIC website.
EPIC guides are prepared using the extensive knowledge and experience of EPIC member companies and with the additional help and guidance from a range of specialist consultants according to the subject. Wherever possible the Guides include supporting evidence from research, case studies and independent testing.
Guidance for regulators
EPIC represents the insulated panel industry and is a major contributor on a number of government consultative working groups, particularly in the areas of energy conservation; fire regulation; waste and life cycle analysis and sustainability.
EPIC members and associates
Members
Kingspan (Insulated Panels) Limited
Greenfield Business Park No 2 ,Greenfield, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 7HU
Tel: 01352 716100. Fax: 01352 716161.
Email: info@kingspanpanels.com
www.kingspanpanels.com
Panels and Profiles (Tata Steel)
Shotton Works, Deeside, Flintshire CH5 2NH
Tel: 0845 30 88 330. Fax: 0845 30 11 013.
Email: technical.theworks@tatasteel.com
www.tatasteelconstruction.com/en/about_us/panels_profiles/
A Steadman & Son Limited
Warnell, Welton, Carlisle CA5 7HH
Tel: 0169 74 78257. Fax: 0169 74 78530.
Email: info@steadmans.co.uk
www.steadmans.co.uk
Associate Members
Huntsman Polyurethanes
Everslaan 45, B-3078 Everberg, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 758 9268. Fax: +32 2 758 7268
Email: insulation_europe@huntsman.com
www.huntsman.com/insulation
Consultants
RSK Building Sciences
Abbey Park, Humber Road, Coventry CV3 4AQ
Tel: 02476 505600. Fax: 02476 501417.
www.rsk.co.uk/services/building-sciences
Tenos Fire Safety Engineering and Management
MacLaren House, Talbot Road, Manchester M32 0FP
Tel: 0161 872 6798. Fax: 0161 872 2777
Email: info@tenos.com
www.tenos.com
EPIC milestones
1991
EPIC formed by the UK Insulated Panel Manufacturers to inform architects, contractors and building users about the practical and performance benefits of using insulated panels
1992-1996
First EPIC guides on the performance and detailing of insulated panels. National conferences and feature articles to increase the awareness of the benefits of using Insulated Panels
1995-1996
First production of LPS 1181 and FM certificated panels
1997
On behalf of the UK, EPIC takes the Chair and secretariat of the CEN committee to prepare a European Standard for Sandwich Panels
1997-1998
EPIC commissions Europe’s largest fire test programme on the performance of Insulated Panels in fire – Management by Arup Fire: tests by Warrington Fire Research
1998
EPIC Fire Guide – Performance of external cladding systems in fire and CD-Rom – dissemination of results of fire test programme
1999-2002
Presentations to Insurance Companies and Fire Services on the results of the fire tests and the performance of insulated panels in fire
2000
Introduction of zero ODP panels by EPIC Members
2002
First major EPIC Guide on the Amendments to the Building Regulations – AD-L2 and Technical Standards (Scotland)
2002
Major EPIC Guide on Fire Safety, Specification and Insulation (2002)
2004
All panels manufactured by EPIC Members now both zero ODP and LPCB/FM certificated
2005
EPIC Guide on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005) and Insulated Panels
2006
Completion and publication of European Standard EN 14509 – Sandwich Panels under EPIC Chairmanship
2006
EPIC Guide on the Amendments to the Building Regulations – AD-L2 and Technical Standards (Scotland) (2006)
2006
Combined EPIC/MCRMA advisory supporting document [TP17] to AD-L2 on the detailing of Insulated Panels to meet the requirements
2007-2008
First Case Studies of Insulated Panels in actual fires added to website
2009
EPIC Guide on the Identification and Disposal of Insulated Panels
2009
Presentation to Institute of Demolition Engineers
2010
EPIC Guide on the Amendments to the Building Regulations – AD-L2 and Technical Standards (Scotland) (2010)
2011
EPIC Guide to the Fire Safety and Performance of Insulated Panels in Fire – major update and revision
2012
Completion of First Revision of European Standard EN 14509 – Sandwich Panels under EPIC Chairmanship
