Introducing HIANDRI - A fully ‘Patented’ system that lifts the whole frame above the floor, keeping bottom plates dry eliminating the need for DPC and allowing unwanted external moisture to escape, helping to ‘future-proof’ the building from expensive repairs and claims!
HIANDRI adds very little to the initial build cost and has the potential to save you literally thousands!
There are many reasons for installing HIANDRI in any building:
1. Reduces building delays at ‘Pre-line’ stage due to moisture in the frame.
Framing timbers should not exceed 20% moisture content prior to being lined, according to NZS3604. However, the linings standard AS/NZ2589 requires 18% max. and equally important, the major manufacturer of plasterboard in NZ, also require 18%. New Zealand climatic conditions can result in high levels of moisture being held in the timber framing for considerable periods of time. A bottom plate, high in moisture content, effectively acts as a barrier to allowing moisture to freely dissipate by gravity through the bottom plate – the HIANDRI system helps rectify this situation with its 12mm gap.
Should the Building Inspector prohibit the lining of the building until the moisture content in the framing has dropped to at least 18%, as required by the manufacturer and the 'Linings' standard, during a wet period, as required, it is realistic to expect a delay of 1 – 3 weeks or even longer. This is costing everyone big money including additional rent or mortgage payments for the owner! By its very nature, it also creates a friction between all parties, the client, the council and the builder which can be largely avoided by using HIANDRI, as the moisture content in the frame will remain lower.
To mechanically dry a frame using heaters and dehumidifiers, the cost is approximately $1500+ for a standard dwelling, and this may still take a week prior to approval to install the plaster-board linings. However, builders have reported that although the frames may have dried to a certain moisture level using mechanical means, it is still not satisfactory and may not completely solve the immediate problem as the frames will continue to suck up water from the sides of saturated blockwork around the perimeter of the dwelling.
However, that is just part of the problem for the builder. Invariably he has suppliers, sub-contractors and labour to pay, commitments to meet and ‘Progress Payments’ that often depend on the wall linings being installed - FROZEN. This situation is extremely frustrating when there is one house or building involved, let alone several – simply install HIANDRI and this expensive problem can virtually disappear!
2. To provide the builder with a safe, dry, working platform.
By lifting the bottom plates up 12mm off the floor, it allows water landing on the slab or floor to freely move off the floor and not reach depths up to 45mm when trapped by the bottom plates during heavy rain. In addition, any water that has ponded, can be quickly and simply swept off the building platform under the plates, saving both time and money and a waste of expensive labour.
The 12mm height is less than the 13mm height where vermin proofing would be required, and greater than the 6mm required to prevent capillary action. It also allows for variation in the floor slab.
As we all know, the building industry has become very safety and health conscious, and perhaps the most obvious danger is builders and sub-contractors slipping on wet floors, and injuring themselves. Ask yourself, can you afford to lose a valuable staff member for several weeks as a result of this type of accident? What are the real costs associated with that happening – our guess is, significant! If you are self-employed and cannot work, the cost is even greater.
The next obvious danger is the use of multi-boxes and live electrical cables, randomly draped across flooded floors, when using power tools. We have all seen it. This is a recipe for disaster - water and 240 volts just don’t mix!
Everyone is not only entitled to, but deserves a SAFE working environment that drastically reduces the risks outline above – HIANDRI does just that!
3. To help eliminate the ‘leaky home’ concerns that everyone has when building or for that matter, buying a house.
Over the past 15 – 20 years in New Zealand, we have all been subjected to the ‘leaky home’ syndrome; the cost of it, the stress of it and the huge additional expense it has added to building of homes in this country.
HIANDRI was specifically invented to help solve this problem at minimal cost to the consumer, but as you can see, it contributes and does much more than that!
Should the building at any stage in its life, develop a leak, for whatever reason, even a leaking pipe, HIANDRI will help manage the moisture from that leak. This is particularly relevant in the single and lower story frames. The water will run down the frame, on reaching the underside of the bottom plate, will drip onto the floor and run outside the building, minimising any issues. The insulating foam helps stop it going inside, and even if it was to go inside, alarm bells would start ringing immediately, and you would know you had a problem which needs rectifying. The dampness left around the bottom plate using the HIANDRI system, has the ability to evaporate due to the 12mm gap and the air movement that surrounds it.
What happens when there is no HIANDRI system installed? In other words, the way we have been building in New Zealand to date. The water runs down the framing, hits the bottom plate, tracks under the bottom plate between the damp proof course and either the flooring or the timber, but invariably both. The moisture can be held in this position for a long period of time, continually being added to, and can creep several metres both ways along the bottom plate undetected, rising up through the studs and framing resulting in major rotting of the framing timber and surrounding timbers plus all the associated problems that this brings.
HIANDRI is the simple, low cost solution that goes a long way to solving to this major industry problem!
4. No Damp Proof Course required and no H3.2 timber bottom plates.
The HIANDRI packer is made out of tough, durable polypropylene plastic that cannot absorb moisture, and transfer it to the timber or on to metal framing. It is in reality, a very effective ‘Damp Proof Course’ eliminating the need for traditional dpc’s such as malthoid. The cost of not having to install traditional damp proof courses, contributes in the order of $150 on an average New Zealand home and goes a long way to off-setting the cost of installing the HIANDRI system PLUS you get all its benefits!
The fact that the timber frames can now drain, dry with air circulation, will never sit in water, the need for H3.2 treated timber bottom plates is unnecessary. The chances of a frame rotting is remote. Specify H1.2 treated timber. This saves about $0.50/m on the timber – just another reduction on the installation cost.
5. A conduit for electrical cables.
The design of the HIANDRI bottom plate packer, and the manner in which it is installed, permits a number of electrical cables to be run under the bottom plate, should you wish to do so. At times, this could quicken the electrical installation, reducing costs, and limit the mess often caused through the drilling of holes for cables.
A significant bonus is definitely the ability to retro-fit cables by simply removing the skirting board, running the cable under the bottom plate, then replacing the skirting board. This is a huge plus particularly on dwellings with a concrete floor and no roof cavity, not to mention applications in commercial buildings.
The following applications are just some examples.
Installing an additional power point.
Running computer cables.
Additional phone line or sorting out a faulty line.
Installing a surround sound sysyem.
Running a 4mm cable for a large heat pump.
Replacing a gas oven with an electric oven – a larger cable may be required.
Installing security systems.
Getting power to the motor of a retractable awning over a patio.
In commercial applications like schools, offices, apartments where partitions are being changed from time to time and new tenants sign a lease, having a simple conduit that is easily accessible for running electrical cables is all important - HIANDRI does exactly that.
6. Simplifies bottom plate fixing & improves connections.
HIANDRI bottom plate packers are installed using standard bolting systems on concrete floors. The fact that the timber is lifted 12mm off the concrete simplifies the fixing process for the builder. He can use a wood-bit to initially drill all the holes in the timber without blunting the bit. He then goes back and drills all the concrete holes. The 12mm gap has the added benefit of allowing both the saw-dust and the concrete dust to be blown away prior to the fixing bolt being installed, enabling and ensuring a more positive fixing than what at times could be considered suspect connections.
7. Timber treatment of framing and bottom plates.
There is real concern within the building industry regarding the treatment of timber with toxic chemicals, and with good cause. Obviously this is done to prevent damp timber rotting and in particular, the bottom plate which is often subject to high moisture content due to its location; moisture being held between the floor, the damp proof course and the timber.
HIANDRI goes a very long way to eliminating moisture as an issue in timber, particularly the bottom plate. It allows moisture to escape and/or become obvious to someone. A strong case could be made for frames supported on HIANDRI to have lower levels of timber treatment.
Douglas Fir is a classic example. Bottom plates in Douglas Fir frames are invariably H3.2 tantalised Radiata Pine. This introduces two species of timber in the one frame, which must create issues with pre-cutters and builders alike plus add cost. Having two different timber gauges also presents its own problems. Douglas Fir frames supported on HIANDRI bottom plate packers lifts the bottom plate above the floor making it no different to any other part of the same frame. Councils who adopt a common sense approach should have no issue with Douglas Fir bottom plates on HIANDRI packers eliminating the use of toxic chemicals and their exposure to the builder and those handling it.
8. Facilitates the removal of bottom plates across openings.
Bottom plates across openings are normally removed by use of a hand saw. The fact the timber is held 12mm above the concrete or particle board floor, makes its removal that much easier without damaging the teeth on the saw.
9. Reinstatement of flooded dwellings.
Some areas of the country are more prone to flooding than others. The cleaning and drying prior to reinstating, of a flooded dwelling is a stressful and time consuming process.
If this same dwelling was constructed using HIANDRI bottom plate packers, the wall linings could all be removed, the dwelling hosed and cleaned far more thoroughly and quickly, and certainly the timber would dry a lot quicker.
The whole process would be less stressful for all concerned and even reduce the possibility of timber needing to be replaced.
10. Particleboard Flooring - Exposure Time.
Standard particleboard flooring has a weather exposure time of 2 months. Excessive water on a particleboard floor for any length of time is certainly an issue. HIANDRI installed on particleboard floors, rather than holding the water on the floor, as currently happens, permits the water to discharge over the sides. The reduction of moisture must extend the in service life of the flooring during the construction phase and improve the natural finishing of the floor if that is specified.
11. Using HIANDRI to space out studs.
The HIANDRI plastic packer will be used in many other areas of the building industry. One area would be separating a number of studs using say 4 packers spaced over the height between studs, in order that moisture is not held between the studs, another area where timber has the potential to rot due to the retention of moisture. It would also permit electrical cabling to be run vertically between the studs simplifying this installation.
12. Consumer Confidence - a Selling Feature.
The fact that, as a builder, you are using HIANDRI bottom plate packers, demonstrates you are a market leader. It provides you with an excellent selling feature for all the above reasons. It will also instil confidence not only in your clients but all involved in the project from designer to council to insurer.
It significantly increases the certainty that surrounds the building programme and the completion dates given to clients.
You can purchase Hiandri Bottom Plate Packers here.