H1 Compliant Foundations

From 1 May 2023 new building work in homes must meet the new wall, floor, and roof insulation performance requirements. These minimum insulation requirements for new housing are set out in clause H1 Energy Efficiency of the New Zealand Building Code – known as H1 changes.

Essentially, for floor foundations – concrete slabs – most will require edge insulation at the very minimum, and foundations with underfloor heating will require edge and base insulation.

Depending on where in New Zealand you’re building, there are different minimum R values (thermal insulation) your foundation must hold. The country is separated into six zones; the R value a foundation must hold also depends on if there is underfloor heating included.

It might seem a little complicated but don’t stress – Allied Concrete is all over it.

READY Super Slab is the answer to all H1 changes. With the collective strength of Allied Concrete, QuickSet and QPOD, Super Slab is an engineered, fit-for-purpose solution that meets the requirements of changing R values under the H1 changes, as well as being CodeMark certified and BRANZ appraised.

READY Super Slab is an above ground engineered flooring system, known as a raft foundation. With a grillage of beams within the concrete slab, it provides a stiffer and stronger final product than a conventional 100mm slab. Because of its inherent strength a deepened perimeter footing can usually be omitted.

READY Super Slab delivers the following benefits over conventional floors and foundations:

• Speed of installation offers labour saving and reduced build time
• Minimal excavation
• Suitable for poor sites with low soil bearing capabilities
• Improved thermal performance (R value)
• Easy installation of services

Combined with QuickSet (formwork and edge insulation) and QPOD (in-slab insulation), READY Super Slab foundations meet the requirements of thermal insulation (R value).

QuickSet is an insulated, internally-braced, and permanent formwork system for raft foundations that can exist either as a fully-insulated system or as edge insulation alone.

This innovative type of formwork saves time and materials – no time wasted on stripping or removing formwork once the concrete is poured. By using insulation as the formwork and patented internal bracing mechanisms, QuickSet has simplified and improved the build process for foundations.

The patented system is a revolution in foundation design, with the incorporation of the insulation panel with permanent formwork. Designed to be suitable for 90mm, 140mm framing, and above, the system is highly adaptable.

QPOD is a sustainable alternative to traditional polystyrene pods within the READY Super Slab system. QPOD replaces polystyrene pods with no engineering changes required.

QPOD forms part of the READY Super Slab package where a foundation requires underfloor heating to be built in.

Manufactured in Hawke’s Bay from recycled material and 100% recyclable with zero landfill waste, the QPOD flooring system is first choice for the eco-conscious. QPOD Raft Configuration is an above ground engineered flooring system, commonly known as a raft foundation, pod floor, waffle slab or floating foundation, that delivers real benefits. A grillage of beams within the concrete slab provides a stiffer and stronger final product and the system boasts a radically improved R value due to the encapsulated air pocket formed.

Key benefits include:

• Made from recycled material and 100% recyclable with zero landfill waste
• Clean work site with no styrene fly-aways and poly beads
• Efficient transportation and storage (pods for a 180sqm home can be transported on the back of a ute or single axis trailer)
• Integrated 40mm spacer eliminates the need for mesh chairs
• Stability – pods interlock to stay put during concrete pour and windy conditions