The cold-rolled 63 x 37mm galvanised steel sections are stacked in double-sided wheeled racks (stillages), each side of which holds the required section lengths to form a complete pod.
At this stage, each pod first receives its unique production number, which initiates the paper trail for all subsequent quality control.
The stillages are wheeled to the panel assembly area where the sections are riveted to form the frame for the wall panels. For added rigidity, the studs are set at 400mm centres, compared with 600mm centres in conventional partition construction. Externally, this steel frame can also subsequently be used by the site contractor as studding for dividing walls if required.
The wall panels are lined with 15mm Rigips moisture-resistant fireline board which is machine-cut to size before being wheeled to the panel assembly area where it is fixed with self-tapping screws.
The Rigips fireline board is manufactured to British Standards, which specify a lower moisture content than European building regulations. All fireline board offcuts are returned to Rigips for recycling.
The lined panels are now ready for the pod assembly procedure.
