Nova Track
Innovation overview and development
An overview of the product
Nova Track is designed to simplify and streamline the installation of plasterboard ceilings while ensuring a quality finish. The track creates a uniform surface which plasterboards can be attached to, allowing every wall-ceiling junction to be fitted securely without the need for additional noggins or MF5 Top Hat. Due to the design, the track also creates a tight seal where walls and ceiling boards join, which can provide improved household fire ratings by starving potential fires of oxygen.
How the new product was developed, including effective collaboration, knowledge transfer and partnership along the project team
The recognition on site of ‘weak areas’ when fixing plasterboard ceilings opened up a conversation of how a product that could provide better security and stability for fixing plasterboards to ceiling, could potentially benefit the construction industry in a number of ways.
The conversation started on the construction site, progressed into a commercial office meeting and then transformed into a national discussion whereby members of Nova travelled up and down the country to present and receive constructive criticism on the product. This included speaking to National House Builders to find out what the causes of majority of their defects are, as well as, talking to manufacturers to understand the practicality of producing Nova Track and talking to other trades such as Carpenters to understand the impact of Nova Track against other current methods of construction.
From these collaborative events, the innovation behind Nova Track exceeded the single thought of being a product that can provide a better fixing area, to becoming a product that can benefit those in the industry in many ways, financially, productively and with fire safety.
Through the positive engagement with third parties, Nova were made aware of the significance that ‘InNOVAtion’ cannot be spelt without NOVA.
How might this product have an influence on the specification
Nova Track will improve standard specifications by improving fire and smoke resistance between rooms. As the product has been produced by those already in the industry, it has been designed to compliment existing specifications without the need for disruption, the Track can be fitted to current specifications for walls and ceilings.
The product may encourage a specification to venture away from the use of timber where the Track provides a better alternative, for example timber is prone to ‘warping’ leading to high waste levels, increases costs and more skip usage. Additionally, metal cutting does not generate harmful dust, unlike timber, thus reducing the respiratory risk for on-site workers.
How the product improved productivity in the process and/or quality and performance of the interior system
Nova Track improves productivity and quality in the following ways –
Addresses known vulnerability in plasterboard installation by securing the board at the head track, eliminating weak points caused by unsecure edges. Enhanced board stability reduces the likelihood of blown tapes and settlement cracks thus improving finish quality and minimising remedial works.
Nova Track contains 0% moisture, unlike timber (17-20%), moisture causes movement when drying out which can cause cracking and blown tapes.
Through using Nova Track, there is no need to measure individual studs when constructing walls. The elimination of noggins saves on production 1/2 a day for standard noggins and a full day for all noggins including perimeter.
We believe that the above will potentially increase customer satisfaction.