British Gypsum launches industry first Secured by Design system

British Gypsum is pleased to announce the launch of its new Secured by Design (SBD) accredited GypWall QUIET system, which incorporates Gyproc Habito® and provides sufficient robustness to withstand attack, passing the onerous STS 202 BR1 test.

GypWall QUIET is a non-load bearing, twin framed acoustic separating wall, which has been designed for use within apartments, where high levels of acoustic performance are required.

Following the integration of British Gypsum’s Gyproc Habito® plasterboard, the new version of GypWall QUIET is the first system available on the market that fulfils the SBD attack requirement, and also meets fire and acoustic regulations for a residential separating wall. You can see a pilot case study of the new system here.

British Gypsum has been working closely with SBD and SD Plastering to develop, test and approve this new system, which meets the initiative’s rigorous requirements and will provide peace of mind to all building end users that they are safe within the space that they occupy.

Paul French, Systems Manager at British Gypsum commented: “In addition to our new GypWall QUIET system having to pass the difficult tests set out by the SBD, there was another requirement: the system could only be installed by an approved installer, in order to achieve full SBD membership.

“As such, we worked with SBD to create a Secured By Design Approved Installer course to educate sub-contractors about the system itself and how to install it. We have already had one sub-contracting company take the course, S D Plastering, which is now working on a L&Q Housing Trust project, Erith Baths, that is piloting the new system.”

British Gypsum’s Gyproc Habito® plasterboard has been included within the GypWall QUIET System as it features an engineered core, which provides enhanced levels of strength, durability and fixability. This results in walls that not only provide good peace of mind when it comes to building security, but also enable fixtures and fittings such as radiators or TVs to be positioned anywhere on the wall without the need for pattressing or specialist fixings.

David Martin, Senior Site Manager at L&Q, commented on the project: “We want our customers to feel safe and comfortable within the homes that we provide them, so we ensure that all of our schemes are SBD compliant. On the Erith Baths project we decided to incorporate British Gypsum’s new GypWall QUIET system to give the best, most robust fire and acoustic system to not only fulfil the array of regulations, but also to provide our tenants with the level of security and assurance they require.

“When we decided to pilot the system, British Gypsum worked closely with the team at L&Q, the architect and acoustician on the project to educate them about the system and provide the details they required. This new system is very clean, simple and will benefit everyone within the industry as it will eliminate ‘hybrid’ systems, which have materials such as ply wood introduced in the build up of them – it’s a one stop shop system!”

Secured by Design (SBD) is a national police crime prevention initiative. It seeks to achieve sustainable reductions in crime through design and other approaches to help people live in a safer society.