A unique test facility for the engineered timber flooring industry has been launched.

Called the “Concept Floor”, the facility is a full-size calibrated rig that enables timber engineering connectors and engineered floors to be rigorously tested simultaneously under actual “on site” conditions.

The Concept Floor, which has been designed and developed by Cullen Building Products, is backed by Scottish Enterprise Fife.

The test facility, which is next to Cullen’s Glenrothes factory, was launched by Napier University‘s Centre for Timber Engineering director Professor Ban Seng Choo.

It will be available to all Cullen’s partners in the construction and engineered timber industries and in research and education.

&#8220Such partnership approaches are very important for the future well-being of the timber engineering industry”

Napier University’ Centre for Timber Engineering director Professor Ban Seng Choo

Professor Choo congratulated Cullen’s managing director Doug Cullen for his “unique approach to collaborative activity with industry and academia” and added: “Such partnership approaches are very important for the future well-being of the timber engineering industry.”

Mr Cullen anticipates that engineered flooring systems manufacturers, their customers and research bodies will work with his company to develop and improve the connector element in engineered floors, in terms of product performance, speed of erection and site safety.

During the launch, which was attended by more than 70 people, two live tests involving the Concept Floor and new Cullen products were carried out. The first comprised tests on masonry hangars which are designed to develop their full load carrying capacity on newly constructed masonry walls without the need for additional masonry above them.

The second test involved the UI, HUI and C-clip connectors developed to simplify the construction of I-joist floors.