Welsh roundhouse constructed using engineered joists
As a member of the Trussed Rafter Association (TRA), Fforest Timber Engineering has been a manufacturer of Wolf Systems' easi-joists for the past three years and covers an area stretching from central Wales up the M4 corridor to London. In the case of the Regalian Clyne development, which sits close by Clyne Castle, the company was supplying a site-specific package of easi-joists to one of Laing O'Rourke's trade sub-contractors. Fforest worked closely on the design with the Cardiff office of Arup, the structural engineer on the project, to accommodate loadings, service penetrations and features such as stairwells. The key reasons for Fforest being awarded the contract to supply its high specification metal web joists for the two and three-storey dwellings - now on the market for between £695,000 - £1.25 million - focused on the ease of manual handling as well as strength and other performance attributes. The majority of the 342 joists supplied were manufactured with the top flange being extended to sit directly on top of the main steel beams. The open web design then permitted the plumbing, electrics and high-speed data cabling to be routed along with mechanical air handling ducts. The stability of metal web joists such as easi-joists not only helps avoid the nuisance of squeaking floors, but also contributes to achieving the creation of party floors complying with the requirements of Approved Document E to the Building Regulations. In total, Fforest Timber Engineering supplied 595 linear metres of the easi-joist beams at a depth of 219mm.