BP2 FAQs:

 1. What are BP2 SCIPs?

a. Simply put, an Insulated Welded-Wire Reinforcing Cage for the construction of a panelized concrete building system. A fuller description is: A Code-Conforming Panelized Building System with an Insulating Core, typically EPS Foamed Plastic, inside a Welded-Wire Reinforcing Cage. SCIPs are Pre-fabricated in Panel Sections, typically 4’ in width, with lengths and thicknesses, as required. Thicknesses can vary from 2” thick to 12”, or more, and Lengths (or heights) are typically 10’, but are readily fabricated from 8’ to 20’, and longer with 8’ x 40’ being our typical maximum size, due to size limits in trucking. Once erected, the panels are covered in Pneumatically-Placed Plaster, creating Thin Cementitious Shell skins and demonstrating partial to full Composite Behavior. 

2. Are BP2 SCIPs “Green”?

a. Blue Planet Building Panels™ (BP2 ™) are the “greenest” building product with the highest rated LEED™ score for structural products in the United States. Recycled material content is 40% by weight and 60% by volume and all waste is 100% recyclable. BP2 Panels™ foam core is 20 to 70%, to even 90% “Re-Grind” (re-ground foam from post-manufacturing/pre-consumer waste stream), depending upon local manufacturer’s capacity. We have also used the BASF foam, which is “Cradle-to-Cradle” Certified. The wire mesh is 40% recycled steel (auto carcasses, etc.) and the shotcrete skins are a minimum of 40%, up to 50%, recycled coal fly ash.

In addition, the BP2 Panels™ energy performance and thermal efficiency are superior to almost any other type of construction. The insulation (the core) and exterior skin isolate the interior skin from the effects of the outdoor temperature, permitting a true thermal flywheel behavior by the interior skin. The two monolithic, joint free skins and the foam core stop almost all leaking, giving BP2 Panels™ an R-40 insulation performance. This means that a conventionally constructed building would need to be built to an “R-40 standard” to match the performance of a BP2 Panels™ building; Conventional building materials, built to R-40, would triple their shell cost.

The R-40 performance translates into a cost savings for the owner / operator of any building via energy/power savings of 40-60% better than a conventional building. The design & installation of a reduced size H.V.A.C. system, because the heating & cooling loads will be dramatically reduced, offers reduced initial capital investment savings.

3. Are all SCIPs the same as BP2 SCIPs?

a. No. BP2 SCIPs are unique among SCIPs because we can modify every element of the SCIP Panel, in response to the loads of the structure or equipment / features in the structure. BP2 SCIPs are the only SCIPs panel currently available which can be truly described as an “Engineered” SCIPs panels. All other makers of SCIPs offer their panel and then the Engineer has to figure out how to work with that basic panel to meet the loading demands of the project. Contrast this with our approach, which is to be able to modify / change every Element in the Panel – Truss, Mesh, Core, and Skin. We can do this all on the same machine. Many of the other manufacturers can make only one configuration of panel on a particular machine. To make another configuration requires another machine, which can cost even millions of dollars.

4. Do BP2 SCIPs meet the Building Code?

a. BP2 SCIPs are “Code Conforming”, meaning that our panels can be fabricated to conform to the requirements of the Code. Because they are an “Engineered Panel”, and not just a single configuration, we can certainly meet the requirements needed. Asking if BP2 SCIPs meet the Building Code, is kind of like asking, “Does wood framing meet the Building Code?” As long and the Engineer designs the correctly, the answer will always be, “yes”. Just like in a wood building where not everything can be built of 2x4’s, exclusively, and the Engineer will have to choose different members to create the desired structure, with BP2 SCIPS, the Engineer can choose to vary any or all of the Elements of the panel, Truss, Mesh, Core, and Skins, as needed to create the desired Structure.

5. Do BP2 SCIPs meet Disaster Resilience criteria?

a. Our BP2 SCIPs offer greater Disaster Resilience than any other building material we know of. We offer more than addressed by LEED+RELi, more than the Federal FLASH program, more than the FEMA Safe Room minimums, and more than the current resilience programs of PCA, etc. 

6. How do BP2 SCIPs compare to the Competition?

a. We see 3 Possible “Competitors”:

1. Conventional Materials – basically wood or metal framing. With Wood and Gypsum Wallboard you are no longer Incombustible and you have risks of Mold & Mildew. Our BP2 SCIPS have no wood and are Incombustible and use no Gypsum Wallboard so there is nothing to support either Mold or Mildew growth.

2. Alternate Building Materials – ICFs, SIPs, etc. ICFs are typically used only for exterior walls and are covered with Gypsum Wallboard for Fire Safety reasons. With ICFs the Roof and interior partitions are all Conventional Materials.

SIPs must be covered with Gypsum Wallboard for Fire Safety reasons. While SIPs may be used for Interior Partitions, often they are used only for Exterior Walls and Load Bearing Walls and the Interior non-load-bearing partitions are framed with conventional materials.

Our BP2 SCIPs are used for Exterior Walls, for Roofs and Floors, and for Interior Partitions. No Wood, and no Gypsum Wallboard in needed.

3. Other SCIPs manufacturers. We are the only SCIPs panel that is “Engineered”. All other SCIPs companies offer their configuration of a SCIPs panel and then you have to figure out how to add rebar in the field to make it work for the loading in your particular structure. We can work with the Engineer and we can modify all 4 Elements of our SCIPS – the Truss, the Face Mesh, the Insulating Core, and the Skins, to meet the design desired.

7. What is the “R-Value” or Thermal Insulation value of BP2 SCIPs”

a. Because of the isolated interior mortar skin and because our BP2 SCIPs are used for Walls, Floors, Roofs, and Partitions, we offer greater Thermal Mass than any other system. The results is approximately an R-40 Performance Value, when calculated by ASHRAE or CA Title 20 methods allowing for Thermal Mass to be a part of the evaluation.

8. What about “Thermal Bridging” in BP2 SCIPs?

a. The short answer is, there is no real Thermal Bridging in BP2 SCIPs.

The longer explanation is: The cross-sectional area and the length of the truss web wires are such that it is nearly impossible to transfer enough energy between the two skins across the Truss Web Wires. In other words, the Truss Web Wires are so skinny and long that it not possible to get heat from one skin to the other skin and heat it.

9. How do BP2 SCIPs compare to ICFs?

a. ICFs are typically used only for exterior walls and are covered with Gypsum Wallboard for Fire Safety reasons. With ICFs the Roof and interior partitions are all Conventional Materials. 

Our BP2 SCIPs are used for Exterior Walls, for Roofs and Floors, and for Interior Partitions. No Wood, and no Gypsum Wallboard in needed.

10. How do BP2 SCIPs compare to SIPs?

a. SIPs must be covered with Gypsum Wallboard for Fire Safety reasons. SIPs can be used for Exterior Walls, Floors, and Roofs. While SIPs may be used for Interior Partitions, often they are used only for Exterior Walls and Load Bearing Walls and the Interior non-load-bearing partitions are framed with conventional materials.

Our BP2 SCIPs are used for Exterior Walls, for Roofs and Floors, and for Interior Partitions. No Wood, and no Gypsum Wallboard in needed.

11. Where can I build a BP2 SCIPs house?

a. Anywhere you can build your house with Conventional Materials. We have been able to secure Building Permits in dozens of jurisdictions and in every climatic environment and in the most severe of Seismic Zones and in Hurricane Zones.

Additionally, because BP2 SCIPs are a “pre-Manufactured Building Component”, we have been able to build SCIPs homes in “Manufactured Home Communities”, as well as being able to build in traditional “Site Built” locations.

12. What is the STC (Sound Transmission Coefficient) of BP2 SCIPs?

a. We have had our SCIPs tested up to a STC rating of STC40. This is the level required for Party Walls in Apartments, and for Band Rooms and Secure Conference Rooms.

13. What is the Fire Rating of BP2 SCIPs?

a. Our BP2 SCIPs will offer a minimum of a 90-minute Fire Rating. This means that they will withstand 1800F for a minimum of 90 minutes without structural failure.

You can find additional information in our “Resources” section.

14. Are BP2 SCIPs Hurricane Resistant?

a. YES! Hurricanes are rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale from 1 to 5. The highest is Category 5, with winds of 157 mph or higher. Our BP2 SCIPs will withstand winds of 180+ MPH.

There are many examples, in FL, TX, and elsewhere, where SCIPs buildings are the only structures left undamaged after major Hurricanes.

15. Are BP2 SCIPs Tornado Resistant?

a. YES! Tornadoes are rated on the Enhanced Fujita Scale from EF-1 to EF-5. The highest, EF-5, with winds over 200 mph. Our BP2 SCIPs will withstand winds of 180+ MPH. So, it would take a direct hit of an EF-5 Tornado to threaten one of our BP2 SCIPs buildings. We actually had an EF-3 Tornado hit one of our houses, right in the Front Door, while it was being completed. The SCIPs Crew rode out the Tornado, inside the house in an interior room, away from any windows. The house suffered only minor damage to the Window Shutters.

16. Are BP2 SCIPs Earthquake Resistant?

a. A building built entirely of our BP2 SCIPs will resist earthquakes of 8.0+. There are hundreds if not thousands of SCIPs buildings surviving, undamaged, through earthquakes such as Northridge (6.7), Kashmir (7.6), Guam (7.8).

17. Are there Style limits with BP2 SCIPs?

a. NO! Please look at our Gallery and see photos and videos offering examples of everything from simple Public Toilet Buildings, to modern “sculptures in concrete”.

18. Can BP2 SCIPs be used in Commercial or Industrial Buildings?

a. YES! In our Gallery there are examples of Apartments, Offices, Light Industrial, Commercial, and Manufacturing Buildings.

19. Can BP2 SCIPs be used for interior walls?

a. Yes! BP2 SCIPs are regularly used for interior walls and partitions. You can see examples in our Gallery.

20. Can BP2 SCIPS be used for Roofs and Floor?

a. Yes! In our Gallery you can find examples of BP2 SCIPs being used for Roofs and Floors. 

Our BP2 SCIPs offer an excellent Roof and Floor choice for ICFs.

21. Can BP2 SCIPs be used for Basement construction?

a. Yes! BP2 SCIPs are an excellent material for basements. When made with BP2 SCIPs, the Basement is already “Insulated”.

22. How long will a BP2 SCIPs building last?

a. The typical Design Life on a Concrete Building is a minimum of 50 years, and when properly done, the Design Life can readily be a minimum of 100 years.

23. Can BP2 SCIPs be used to build an Insulated Swimming Pool?

a. Yes! We have built many Pools, Spas, and Fountains with SCIPs.

Most people think about the loss of heat from a Pool coming off the water surface, and they use a “Solar Blanket” or similar cover to mitigate this problem. But, rarely does anyone think about the reality that there are 5 surfaces of the Pool buried in the earth where the temperature is constantly in the 50’s and sucking off the heat of the pool water, 24/7! This is far more important to address than the one surface facing the air. 

By building you Pool with BP2 SCIPs you will certainly have an extended “swimming window” with greatly reduced heating expenses, too.

24. How are Doors and Windows installed in BP2 SCIPs?

a. Our preferred method is to use “Steel Masonry Frames” or “Fiberglass Frames”, and set the doors and windows, or at least the frames for them, in place prior to spraying the Skins. This allows the frames to be locked into the structure in the most secured and durable fashion. 

Many others will use Wood Frames or Wood Bucks, placed before the skins are sprayed on the panels. We find this to be a poor choice because wood and concrete are not “compatible” over the long term, and, there are more joints needing anchorage and caulking for an effective solution.

If there is a desire to resist high wind loading (hurricane and tornado resistant), or to construct an incombustible structure (wildfire resistant), then the use of wood frames will typically fail for both of these.