A suspended ground floor assembly

Abstract

A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly of a prefabricated modular building comprising one or more floor panels, a cavity wall, and at least part of the one 5 or more floor panels being

Description

The present invention relates to a thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly for use in the construction of prefabricated modular buildings and a method of constructing the prefabricated modular buildings. In the construction of the ground floor of a building, the process initially involves a plethora of steps in preparation for the construction of the ground floor, such as the setting out and formation of the foundation of the building, construction of the rising walls, backfilling and the installation of service pipes and a radon barrier. Once the preparatory steps have been completed, the ground floor may be constructed, whereby said floor is commonly formed by the pouring of concrete or installation of a pre-cast concrete slab. In the poured concrete approach, polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation is laid and a reinforcement mesh is installed before the concrete is poured and floated. Once complete, the concrete must be cured for up to twenty eight days. In the pre-cast slab method, the slab is installed on site however following installation, the floor is grouted, screeded, and allowed to cure. Whilst the pre-cast slab approach is advantageous in speeding up the process of forming the ground floor, both methods are plagued by several issues. For instance, the time for curing of concrete or screed ultimately extends the time taken in the initial stages of the construction of a building. Furthermore, the nature of both approaches makes them susceptible to weather-related delays, thereby increasing the total time required for construction. The use of concrete in both approaches may also give rise to adverse effects to the health and safety of a worker on site, such as contact dermatitis from repeated exposure to concrete. A further issue to consider is the environmental impact of the use of concrete in the formation of the ground floor. It has been estimated that between 4-8% of total global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions can be attributed to concrete. The embodied emissions for the use of concrete in the construction of a building can be assigned to a multitude of different elements, such as the highly energy intensive process required for the formation of the cement used in concrete as well as the reinforcement meshes used in formation of the concrete floor. Also, the logistical impact of the transport of the materials used for concrete as well as the concrete itself, and fuel usage associated with the use of vehicles such as diggers and lorries on site also contribute to the emissions problem. An area of increasing interest to combat the delays associated with the conventional methods of building houses is the use of modular construction, wherein prefabricated components are transported from an off-site location to the construction site for installation. The prefabrication of modules enables a more rapid construction process and helps to mitigate against some of the aforementioned adverse effects. The use of materials such as timber for the construction of these modular homes enables the embodied carbon associated with the construction of a home to also be significantly reduced. However, in the construction of these modular homes, the use of concrete slabs or poured concrete to support the building is still prominent; hence, an opportunity exists to further reduce the use of this highly energy intensive material in the construction process. Accordingly, the present invention provides a thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly of a prefabricated modular building comprising: one or more floor panels, a cavity wall, and at least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported on the cavity wall. Ideally, at least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported on an inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, at least part of the one or more floor panels comprising a means for engaging a part of the cavity wall. Preferably, the means for engaging a part of the cavity wall comprises a projecting portion projecting from at least part of one edge portion of the one or more panels. Ideally, the means for engaging a part of the cavity wall comprises an underside recess extending along one edge portion of the panel. Preferably, the projecting portion defines the underside recess. Ideally, the projecting portion has a flat underside surface for engaging an upper surface of the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the projecting portion has a flat upper surface for engaging a lower surface of a building component mountable thereon. Preferably, the projecting portion is a rectangular slab portion formed for resting between the inner leaf of the cavity wall and the building component mountable there above. Ideally, the projecting portion is supported on an upper surface of the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Preferably, the underside recess comprises a rectangular cutaway portion formed for receiving the rectangular component forming the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Preferably, the underside recess comprises a rectangular cutaway portion formed for receiving the rectangular masonry component forming the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the at least one or more floor panels comprising an insulating material. Preferably, the insulating material is locatable within each of the one or more floor panels. Advantageously, the insertion of the insulation within each of the one or more floor panels provides a thermally efficient floor panel to mitigate or obviate the loss of heat through the flooring and reduce the embodied carbon associated with the construction of a building. Ideally, the insulating material locatable within the floor panel may be made of a material to meet a desired U-value. In one embodiment, the insulating material may be made of mineral wool. In other embodiments, the insulating material may be made of another material such as fibre glass or foam for example. Advantageously, the insulating material can be selected and inserted into each of the one of more floor panels prior to installation, such that a thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly may be easily and rapidly installed on the building site. Preferably, the one or more floor panels comprise a breather membrane. Advantageously, the breather membrane prevents moisture collecting on the inside of the prefabricated modular building. The breather membrane allows water vapour to escape from the inside of the prefabricated modular building. Ideally, the breather membrane is capable of securing the insulating material within each of the one or more floor panels. Ideally, each of the one or more floor panels may comprise a plurality of joists. Preferably, each of the one or more panels may comprise a planar floor surface member. Ideally, each of the one or more floor panels may comprise a pair of bracing boards. Preferably, each joist within the plurality of joists may be spaced apart from an adjacent joist to form a series of cavities therebetween, most preferably in a parallel orientation. Beneficially, this allows the insulating material to be inserted into the cavities formed between the plurality of joists. This enables the insulating material to be locatable directly beneath the floor surface member, thus increasing the thermal efficiency of each of the one or more floor panels. Preferably, each joist of the plurality of joists are of an open-web configuration, whereby a webbing framework supports a top chord and a bottom chord, said top chord and bottom chord spaced apart from each other to form a cavity therebetween. Advantageously, the openweb configuration enables the insertion of additional insulating material into the cavity formed, thereby helping to obviate or mitigate heat loss through the ground floor. Ideally, each joist within the plurality of joists comprises a top chord of length dimension and a bottom chord of length dimension, whereby the length dimension of the bottom chord of each joist is shorter than the length dimension of the top chord. Advantageously, the discrepancy in the length dimensions between the top chord and bottom chord provides each joist of the plurality of joists with a recess at a first end and / or second end, thereby providing each of the one or more floor panels with a first engaging means and / or a second engaging means for enabling the one or more floor panels , to be supported on and ideally top hung on the cavity walls of a building. In other embodiments, the plurality of joists may be of a different type, such as an I-joist whereby the insulating material can be inserted into series of cavities formed from the spacing of adjacent joists, or the plurality of joists are solid timber joists. Preferably, the plurality of joists are made of structural grade treated timber. Beneficially, this obviates the need for concrete in the formation of the ground floor, thus reducing the embodied carbon of the constructed building. In a preferred embodiment, the top chord and bottom chord are formed from structural grade treated timber. Ideally, the webbing framework may be formed from metal. In another embodiment, the top chord, the bottom chord, and the webbing framework may be formed from structural grade treated timber. Ideally, the pair of bracing boards are found at the first end and second end of the plurality of joists. Preferably, one of the bracing boards is found at the first end of the plurality of joists and the second bracing board is found at the second end of the plurality of joists. The pair of bracing boards are configured to adjoin the bottom chord to the top chord at the first end and second end of each of the one or more floor panels. Preferably, the engaging means of each of the one or more floor panels is locatable on an internal leaf of the cavity wall. In a preferred embodiment, the first engaging means and / or second engaging means have a width dimension and the internal leaf is of a width dimension, and wherein the width dimension of the engaging means is equal to or less than the width dimension of the internal leaf of the cavity wall. By width we mean in a direction between the outer leaf and the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the first engaging means and / or second engaging means of each of the one or more floor panels rests on the internal leaf of the cavity wall of a prefabricated modular building, such that each bracing board, the bottom chord of each joist of the plurality of joists and the engaging means at the first end and / or second end of the plurality of joists abuts the internal leaf of the cavity wall of a building, thereby forming an abutting surface for each bracing board, the bottom chord of each joist of the plurality of joists at the first end and / or second end, and the engaging means at the first end and / or second end of the plurality of joists. Ideally, a damp proof course is placed between the engaging means of each of the one or more floor panels and internal leaf of the cavity wall. Beneficially, the presence of the damp proof course between each of the one or more floor panels and internal leaf of the cavity wall facilitates the prevention of moisture ingress. Preferably, the planar flooring surface member has an upper surface and a lower surface, whereby the lower surface of the planar flooring surface member is attached to the top chord of each joist. Advantageously, the top hung configuration of the one or more floor panels, and thus the thermally efficient suspended ground floor, ensures levelling of the upper surface of the one or more floor panels with the cavity wall, thereby enabling level access for users of the building. In one embodiment, a compression strip is locatable between the engaging means of each of the one or more floor panels and the damp proof course resting on the internal leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the compression strip provides a compensating means for inaccuracies in the build. Advantageously, the use of a compression strip may facilitate the removal of any discrepancy in the under-build to ensure levelling of the upper surface of the one or more floor panels with the cavity wall, thereby enabling level access for users of the building. Ideally, the planar flooring surface is formed from OSB. In other embodiments, the planar flooring surface may also be formed from other materials such as plywood or chipboard. Preferably, the breather membrane laps around each of the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the breather membrane laps across the underside of the plurality of joists. Preferably, the breather membrane laps across the abutting surface of the bracing boards. Ideally, the breather membrane laps across the abutting surface of the bottom chord of each joist of the plurality of joists at the first end and second end of each of the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the breather membrane laps across the first engaging means and / or second engaging means of each of the one or more floor panels. Advantageously, the lapping of each of the one or more floor panels with the breather membrane secures the insulating material in place in the cavities formed within each of the one or more floor panels, thereby improving the thermal efficiency of each of the one of more floor panels. Ideally, the breather membrane lapping each of the one or more floor panels is lapped with a means for fixing the breather membrane thereto such as a tape. Advantageously, the lapping of the breather membrane with the fixing means such as tape secures the breather membrane in place and also ensures that adequate air tightness is achieved in an interface between the engaging means of each joist within the plurality of joists and the lower surface of the planar flooring surface member. Preferably, each of the one or more floor panels may be locatable adjacent to another floor panel such that the planar flooring surface member of one floor panel may adjoin the planar flooring surface member of an adjacent floor panel forming a panel joint therebetween. In one embodiment, the panel joint is fixed using any suitable fixing means such as nailing and / or gluing to fix said panel joint. Beneficially, the fixing of the panel joint ensures that adequate air tightness is achieved. In another embodiment, the panel joint may be screwed and / or glued to fix said panel joint to achieve adequate air tightness. Ideally, the thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly comprises an air void locatable beneath the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the cavity wall comprises an air vent. Ideally, the air void locatable beneath the one or more floor panels is in fluid communication with the external environment via air vent Advantageously, the thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly is therefore a ventilated thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly. Ideally, the air void comprises a depth of at least 150 mm. Ideally, the thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly is ventilated to provide at least 1500 mm2 of ventilation openings for each metre run of wall. Ideally, the thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly comprises a drainage sump pipe locatable beneath the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly comprises a radon barrier locatable beneath the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly comprises technical services and / or equipment for technical services such as piping. Ideally, the equipment for technical services is clippable to the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the equipment for technical services is clipped to the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the equipment for technical services is clippable to the underside of the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the equipment for technical services is clipped to the underside of the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly comprises a means for locating technical services and / or equipment for technical services such as piping. Ideally, the means for locating technical services and / or equipment for technical services such as piping is locatable within the one or more floor panels. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a prefabricated modular building having a thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly comprising: one or more floor panels, a cavity wall, and at least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported on the cavity wall. By prefabricated modular building we mean volumetric modular buildings which are prefabricated in a factory environment and delivered to a site on a lorry as flat panels to be erected. It will be appreciated that the prefabricated modular building may comprise any of the preferable, advantageous or optional features, components, arrangements or details as described in relation to the any preceding aspect of the invention, and vice versa. According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a thermally efficient suspended ground floor for a prefabricated modular building, said thermally efficient suspended ground floor comprising: one or more floor panels, and at least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported on a cavity wall. It will be appreciated that the thermally efficient suspended ground floor may comprise any of the preferable, advantageous or optional features, components, arrangements or details as described in relation to any preceding aspect of the invention, and vice versa. Ideally, the thermally efficient suspended ground floor is configured to be top hung on the cavity wall of the building. Ideally, the thermally efficient suspended ground floor is configured to be top hung on the inner leaf of the building. Ideally, at least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported on an inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, at least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported only on an inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, at least part of the one or more floor panels comprising a means for engaging a part of the cavity wall. Preferably, the means for engaging a part of the cavity wall comprises a projecting portion projecting from at least part of one edge portion of the one or more panels. Ideally, the means for engaging a part of the cavity wall comprises an underside recess extending along one edge portion of the panel. Preferably, the projecting portion defines the underside recess. Ideally, the projecting portion has a flat underside surface for engaging an upper surface of the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the projecting portion has a flat upper surface for engaging a lower surface of a building component mountable thereon. Preferably, the projecting portion is a rectangular slab portion formed for resting between the inner leaf of the cavity wall and the building component mountable there above. Ideally, the projecting portion is supported on an upper surface of the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Preferably, the underside recess comprises a rectangular cutaway portion formed for receiving the rectangular component forming the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Preferably, the underside recess comprises a rectangular cutaway portion formed for receiving the rectangular masonry component forming the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the at least one or more floor panels comprising an insulating material. Preferably, the insulating material is locatable within each of the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the insulating material locatable within the floor panel may be made of a material to meet a desired U-value. In one embodiment, the insulating material may be made of mineral wool. In other embodiments, the insulating material may be made of another material such as fibre glass or foam for example. Preferably, the one or more floor panels comprise a breather membrane. Advantageously, the breather membrane prevents moisture collecting on the inside of the prefabricated modular building. The breather membrane allows water vapour to escape from the inside of the prefabricated modular building. Ideally, the breather membrane is capable of securing the insulating material within each of the one or more floor panels. Ideally, each of the one or more floor panels may comprise a plurality of joists. Preferably, each of the one or more panels may comprise a planar floor surface member. Ideally, each of the one or more floor panels may comprise a pair of bracing boards. Preferably, each joist within the plurality of joists may be spaced apart from an adjacent joist to form a series of cavities therebetween, most preferably in a parallel orientation. Beneficially, this allows the insulating material to be inserted into the cavities formed between the plurality of joists. This enables the insulating material to be locatable directly beneath the floor surface member, thus increasing the thermal efficiency of each of the one or more floor panels. In prior art arrangements, the insulation is not locatable directly beneath the floor surface member, which results in heat loss from the inside of the building. Preferably, each joist of the plurality of joists are of an open-web configuration, whereby a webbing framework supports a top chord and a bottom chord, said top chord and bottom chord spaced apart from each other to form a cavity therebetween. Advantageously, the openweb configuration enables the insertion of additional insulating material into the cavity formed, thereby helping to obviate or mitigate heat loss through the ground floor. Ideally, each joist within the plurality of joists comprises a top chord of length dimension and a bottom chord of length dimension, whereby the length dimension of the bottom chord of each joist is shorter than the length dimension of the top chord. Advantageously, the discrepancy in the length dimensions between the top chord and bottom chord provides each joist of the plurality of joists with a recess at a first end and / or second end, thereby providing each of the one or more floor panels with a first engaging means and / or a second engaging means for enabling the one or more floor panels , to be supported on and ideally top hung on the cavity walls of a building. Preferably, the plurality of joists are made of structural grade treated timber. Beneficially, this obviates the need for concrete in the formation of the ground floor, thus reducing the embodied carbon of the constructed building. In a preferred embodiment, the top chord and bottom chord are formed from structural grade treated timber. Ideally, the webbing framework may be formed from metal. In another embodiment, the top chord, the bottom chord, and the webbing framework may be formed from structural grade treated timber. Ideally, the pair of bracing boards are found at the first end and second end of the plurality of joists. Preferably, one of the bracing boards is found at the first end of the plurality of joists and the second bracing board is found at the second end of the plurality of joists. The pair of bracing boards are configured to adjoin the bottom chord to the top chord at the first end and second end of each of the one or more floor panels. Preferably, the engaging means of each of the one or more floor panels is locatable on an internal leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the first engaging means and / or second engaging means of each of the one or more floor panels is configured to rest on the internal leaf of the cavity wall of a prefabricated modular building, such that each bracing board, the bottom chord of each joist of the plurality of joists and the engaging means at the first end and / or second end of the plurality of joists abuts the internal leaf of the cavity wall of a building, thereby forming an abutting surface for each bracing board, the bottom chord of each joist of the plurality of joists at the first end and / or second end, and the engaging means at the first end and / or second end of the plurality of joists. Preferably, the planar flooring surface member has an upper surface and a lower surface, whereby the lower surface of the planar flooring surface member is attached to the top chord of each joist. Advantageously, the top hung configuration of the one or more floor panels ensures levelling of the upper surface of the one or more floor panels with the cavity wall of a prefabricated modular building, thereby enabling level access for users of the building. Ideally, the planar flooring surface is formed from oriented strand board (OSB). In other embodiments, the planar flooring surface may also be formed from other materials such as plywood or chipboard. Preferably, the breather membrane laps around each of the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the breather membrane laps across the underside of the plurality of joists. Preferably, the breather membrane laps across the abutting surface of the bracing boards. Ideally, the breather membrane laps across the abutting surface of the bottom chord of each joist of the plurality of joists at the first end and second end of each of the one or more floor panels. Ideally, the breather membrane laps across the first engaging means and / or second engaging means of each of the one or more floor panels. Advantageously, the lapping of each of the one or more floor panels with the breather membrane secures the insulating material in place in the cavities formed within each of the one or more floor panels, thereby improving the thermal efficiency of each of the one of more floor panels. Ideally, the breather membrane lapping each of the one or more floor panels is lapped with a means for fixing the breather membrane thereto such as a tape. Advantageously, the lapping of the breather membrane with the fixing means such as tape secures the breather membrane in place and also ensures that adequate air tightness is achieved in an interface between the engaging means of each joist within the plurality of joists and the lower surface of the planar flooring surface member. Preferably, each of the one or more floor panels may be locatable adjacent to another floor panel such that the planar flooring surface member of one floor panel may adjoin the planar flooring surface member of an adjacent floor panel forming a panel joint therebetween. In one embodiment, the panel joint is fixed using any suitable fixing means such as nailing and / or gluing to fix said panel joint. According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a floor panel for a thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly, wherein at least part of the floor panel is configured to be supported on a cavity wall. It will be appreciated that the floor panel may comprise any of the preferable, advantageous or optional features, components, arrangements or details as described in relation to any preceding aspect of the invention, and vice versa. Ideally, the floor panel is configured to be top hung on the cavity wall. Ideally, the floor panel is configured to be top hung on the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the floor panel is configured to be top hung on the cavity wall of a building. Ideally, the floor panel is configured to be top hung on the inner leaf of a building. Ideally, at least part of the floor panel being configured to be supported on an inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, at least part of the floor panel being configured to be supported only on an inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, at least part of the floor panel comprising a means for engaging a part of the cavity wall. Ideally, the means for engaging a part of the cavity wall is configured to engage the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the means for engaging a part of the cavity wall is configured to only engage the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Preferably, the means for engaging a part of the cavity wall comprises a projecting portion projecting from at least part of one edge portion of the one or more panels. Ideally, the means for engaging a part of the cavity wall comprises an underside recess extending along one edge portion of the panel. Preferably, the projecting portion defines the underside recess. Ideally, the projecting portion has a flat underside surface for engaging an upper surface of the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the projecting portion has a flat upper surface for engaging a lower surface of a building component mountable thereon. Preferably, the projecting portion is a rectangular slab portion formed for resting between the inner leaf of the cavity wall and the building component mountable there above. Ideally, the projecting portion is supported on an upper surface of the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Preferably, the underside recess comprises a rectangular cutaway portion formed for receiving the rectangular component forming the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Preferably, the underside recess comprises a rectangular cutaway portion formed for receiving the rectangular masonry component forming the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the floor panel comprises an insulating material. Preferably, the insulating material is locatable within the floor panel. Ideally, the insulating material locatable within the floor panel may be made of a material to meet a desired U-value. In one embodiment, the insulating material may be made of mineral wool. In other embodiments, the insulating material may be made of another material such as fibre glass or foam for example. Preferably, the floor panel comprises a breather membrane. Advantageously, the breather membrane prevents moisture collecting on the inside of the prefabricated modular building. The breather membrane allows water vapour to escape from the inside of the prefabricated modular building. Ideally, the breather membrane is capable of securing the insulating material within the floor panel. Ideally, the floor panel may comprise a plurality of joists. Preferably, the floor panel may comprise a planar floor surface member. Ideally, the floor panel may comprise a pair of bracing boards. Preferably, each joist within the plurality of joists may be spaced apart from an adjacent joist to form a series of cavities therebetween, most preferably in a parallel orientation. Beneficially, this allows the insulating material to be inserted into the cavities formed between the plurality of joists. This enables the insulating material to be locatable directly beneath the floor surface member, thus increasing the thermal efficiency of the floor panel. In prior art arrangements, the insulation is not locatable directly beneath the floor surface member, which results in heat loss from the inside of the building. Preferably, each joist of the plurality of joists are of an open-web configuration, whereby a webbing framework supports a top chord and a bottom chord, said top chord and bottom chord spaced apart from each other to form a cavity therebetween. Advantageously, the openweb configuration enables the insertion of additional insulating material into the cavity formed, thereby helping to obviate or mitigate heat loss through the ground floor. Ideally, each joist within the plurality of joists comprises a top chord of length dimension and a bottom chord of length dimension, whereby the length dimension of the bottom chord of each joist is shorter than the length dimension of the top chord. Advantageously, the discrepancy in the length dimensions between the top chord and bottom chord provides each joist of the plurality of joists with a recess at a first end and / or second end, thereby providing the floor panel with a first engaging means and / or a second engaging means for enabling the floor panel to be supported on and ideally top hung on the cavity walls of a building. Preferably, the plurality of joists are made of structural grade treated timber. Beneficially, this obviates the need for concrete in the formation of the ground floor, thus reducing the embodied carbon of the constructed building. In a preferred embodiment, the top chord and bottom chord are formed from structural grade treated timber. Ideally, the webbing framework may be formed from metal. In another embodiment, the top chord, the bottom chord, and the webbing framework may be formed from structural grade treated timber. Ideally, the pair of bracing boards are found at the first end and second end of the plurality of joists. Preferably, one of the bracing boards is found at the first end of the plurality of joists and the second bracing board is found at the second end of the plurality of joists. The pair of bracing boards are configured to adjoin the bottom chord to the top chord at the first end and second end of the floor panel. Preferably, the engaging means of the floor panel is locatable on an internal leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the first engaging means and / or second engaging means of the floor panel is configured to rest on the internal leaf of the cavity wall of a prefabricated modular building, such that each bracing board, the bottom chord of each joist of the plurality of joists and the engaging means at the first end and / or second end of the plurality of joists abuts the internal leaf of the cavity wall of a building, thereby forming an abutting surface for each bracing board, the bottom chord of each joist of the plurality of joists at the first end and / or second end, and the engaging means at the first end and / or second end of the plurality of joists. Preferably, the planar flooring surface member has an upper surface and a lower surface, whereby the lower surface of the planar flooring surface member is attached to the top chord of each joist. Advantageously, the top hung configuration of the floor panel ensures levelling of the upper surface of the floor panel with the cavity wall of a prefabricated modular building, thereby enabling level access for users of the building. Ideally, the planar flooring surface is formed from oriented strand board (OSB). In other embodiments, the planar flooring surface may also be formed from other materials such as plywood or chipboard. Preferably, the breather membrane laps around the floor panel. Ideally, the breather membrane laps across the underside of the plurality of joists. Preferably, the breather membrane laps across the abutting surface of the bracing boards. Ideally, the breather membrane laps across the abutting surface of the bottom chord of each joist of the plurality of joists at the first end and second end of the floor panel. Ideally, the breather membrane laps across the first engaging means and / or second engaging means of the floor panel. Advantageously, the lapping of the floor panel with the breather membrane secures the insulating material in place in the cavities formed within the floor panel, thereby improving the thermal efficiency of the floor panel. Ideally, the breather membrane lapping the floor panel is lapped with a means for fixing the breather membrane thereto such as a tape. Advantageously, the lapping of the breather membrane with the fixing means such as tape secures the breather membrane in place and also ensures that adequate air tightness is achieved in an interface between the engaging means of each joist within the plurality of joists and the lower surface of the planar flooring surface member. Preferably, the floor panel may be locatable adjacent to another floor panel such that the planar flooring surface member of one floor panel may adjoin the planar flooring surface member of an adjacent floor panel forming a panel joint therebetween. According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a thermally efficient suspended grounded floor, said method comprising steps of: prefabricating one or more floor panels in an off-site location, wherein at least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported on a cavity wall; delivering the one or more floor panels to an on-site location; and assembling the one or more floor panels onto a cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor. It will be appreciated that the method of assembling a thermally efficient suspended grounded floor may comprise any of the preferable, advantageous or optional features, components, arrangements or details as described in relation to any preceding aspect of the invention, and vice versa. Ideally, the method comprises a step of inserting insulation within each of the one or more floor panels to provide a thermally efficient floor panel. Advantageously, this helps to mitigate or obviate the loss of heat through the flooring and reduce the embodied carbon associated with the construction of a building. Ideally, the step of inserting insulation within the one or more floor panels to provide a thermally efficient floor panel is conducted in the off-site location. Ideally, the method comprises a step of lapping of each of the one or more floor panels with a breather membrane to secure the insulating material in place. Ideally, the lapping of each of the one or more floor panels with a breather membrane to secure the insulating material in place is conducted in the off-site location. Advantageously, this enables delivery of a thermally efficient one or more floor panels to the on-site location. Further advantageously, this reduces the on-site labour required and enables rapid installation of the thermally efficient suspended ground floor. Yet further advantageously, the lapping of each of the one or more floor panels with a breather membrane secures the insulation in place and allows water vapour to escape from the inside of the prefabricated modular building, thereby preventing structural damage to the timber whilst also improving the thermal efficiency of the thermally efficient suspended grounded floor. In prior art solutions for ground floors, such as the poured concrete approach, there is the need to wait for the concrete to cure as well as need for the hire of equipment throughout the pouring and setting of the concrete, which leads to long wait times before the next stage of building can occur as well as incurrence of extensive costs. Ideally, the step of assembling of the one or more floor panels onto a cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor comprises lifting and positioning the one or more floor panels onto the cavity wall. Ideally, the step of assembling of the one or more floor panels onto a cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor comprises lifting and positioning the one or more floor panels onto the internal leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the step of assembling of the one or more floor panels onto a cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor comprises lifting and positioning the one or more floor panels onto the cavity wall such that the one or more floor panels form a top hung configuration on the internal leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the step of assembling of the one or more floor panels onto a cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor comprises lifting and positioning the one or more floor panels onto the internal leaf of the cavity wall such that the one or more floor panels form a top hung configuration on the internal leaf of the cavity wall. Advantageously, this enables level access for users of the prefabricated modular building comprising the suspended ground floor assembly. According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided method of constructing a prefabricated modular building having a thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly comprising one or more floor panels, a cavity wall, and at least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported on the cavity wall, wherein the method comprises steps of: prefabricating the one or more floor panels in an off-site location; delivering the one or more floor panels to an on-site location; assembling the one or more floor panels onto the cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor. It will be appreciated that the method of constructing a prefabricated modular building may comprise any of the preferable, advantageous or optional features, components, arrangements, steps or details as described in relation to any preceding aspect of the invention, and vice versa. Ideally, the method comprises a step of erecting prefabricated panels that have been delivered to the on-site location. Ideally, said prefabricated panels that have been delivered to the on-site location are erected subsequent to the step of assembling the one or more floor panels onto the cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor. Ideally, said prefabricated panels are configured to form at least part of the prefabricated modular building. Ideally said prefabricated panels are configured to form at least part of the walls and / or upper floor or floors of the building. Ideally, the method comprises a step of delivering the prefabricated panels from a factory environment to the on-site location. Ideally, the step of delivering the prefabricated panels from the off-site location to the on-site location comprises the delivery of prefabricated panels as flat panels on a lorry. Advantageously, this enables stacking of the flat panels, thereby maximising space usage and reduces the number of journeys required between the off-site location and the on-site location. Ideally, the method comprises a step of inserting insulation within each of the one or more floor panels to provide a thermally efficient floor panel to mitigate or obviate the loss of heat through the flooring and reduce the embodied carbon associated with the construction of a building. Ideally, the step of inserting insulation within more floor panels to provide a thermally efficient floor panel is conducted in the off-site location. Ideally, the method comprises a step of lapping of each of the one or more floor panels with a breather membrane to secure the insulating material in place. Ideally, the lapping of each of the one or more floor panels with a breather membrane to secure the insulating material in place is conducted in the off-site location. Ideally, the step of assembling of the one or more floor panels onto a cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor comprises lifting and positioning the one or more floor panels onto the cavity wall. Ideally, the step of assembling of the one or more floor panels onto a cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor comprises lifting and positioning the one or more floor panels onto the internal leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the step of assembling of the one or more floor panels onto a cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor comprises lifting and positioning the one or more floor panels onto the cavity wall such that the one or more floor panels have a top hung configuration on the internal leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, the step of assembling of the one or more floor panels onto a cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor comprises lifting and positioning the one or more floor panels onto the internal leaf of the cavity wall such that the one or more floor panels have a top hung configuration on the internal leaf of the cavity wall. Advantageously, this enables level access for users of the prefabricated modular building comprising the suspended ground floor assembly. Preferably, the engaging means of each of the one or more floor panels is locatable on an internal leaf of the cavity wall. In a preferred embodiment, the first engaging means and / or second engaging means have a width dimension and the internal leaf is of a width dimension, and wherein the width dimension of the engaging means is equal to or less than the width dimension of the internal leaf of the cavity wall. By width we mean in a direction between the outer leaf and the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Ideally, a damp proof course is placed between the engaging means of each of the one or more floor panels and internal leaf of the cavity wall. Beneficially, the presence of the damp proof course between each of the one or more floor panels and internal leaf of the cavity wall facilitates the prevention of moisture ingress. The invention will now be described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. Referring to the drawings:- Figure 1 is a vertical section view of the thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly. Figure 2 is a cutaway perspective view of the thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly; Figure 3 is a second cutaway perspective view of the thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly; Figure 4 is a cutaway perspective view of the plurality of joists of the panel. Referring to the drawings generally, there is illustrated a thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly indicated by the reference numeral 1 of a prefabricated modular building 2. The prefabricated modular building 2 has a floor panel 3 and a cavity wall 4 where at least part 5 of the floor panel 3 is configured to be supported on the cavity wall 4. The at least part 5 of the floor panel 3 is configured to be supported on an inner leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4. At least part 5 of the floor panel 3 has an arrangement 5 for engaging a part of the cavity wall 4. The arrangement 5 for engaging a part of the cavity wall 4 has a projecting portion 5 projecting from at least part of one edge portion 7 of the panel 3. The arrangement 5 for engaging a part of the cavity wall 4 has an underside recess 8 extending along one edge portion 7 of the panel 3. The projecting portion 5 defines the underside recess 8. The projecting portion 5 has a flat underside surface 9 for engaging an upper surface 10 of the inner leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4. The projecting portion 5 has a flat upper surface 11 for engaging a lower surface of a building component 12 mounted thereon. The projecting portion 5 is a rectangular slab portion 13 formed for resting between the inner leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4 and the building component 12 mounted thereon. The projecting portion 5 is supported on an upper surface 10 of the inner leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4. The underside recess 8 comprises a rectangular cutaway portion 14 formed for receiving the rectangular masonry component 15 forming the inner leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4. The at least one or more floor panels 3 have an insulating material 16. The insulating material 16 is located within each of the one or more floor panels 3. The insertion of the insulating material 16 within each of the one or more floor panels 3 provides a thermally efficient floor panel 3 to mitigate or obviate the loss of heat through the floor and reduces the embodied carbon associated with the construction of the prefabricated modular building 2. The insulating material 16 located within each of the one or more floor panels 3 is made of a material to meet a desired U-value. In one embodiment, the insulating material 16 is made of mineral wool. In other embodiments, the insulating material 16 is made of another material such as fibre glass or foam for example. The insulating material 16 is selected and inserted into each of the one of more floor panels 3 prior to installation, such that the thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly may be easily and rapidly erected on the building site. Furthermore, each of the one or more floor panels 3 comprises a breather membrane 17. The breather membrane 17 prevents moisture collecting on the inside of the prefabricated modular building 2. The breather membrane 17 allows water vapour to escape from the inside of the prefabricated modular building 2. The breather membrane 17 secures the insulating material 16 within each of the one or more floor panels 3. Referring now to Figures 2-4, there is shown a floor panel 3 having a plurality of joists 18, a planar floor surface member 19 and a bracing board 20. Each joist 21 within the plurality of joists 18 is spaced apart from an adjacent joist 21 to form a series of cavities 22 therebetween to enable the insulating material 16 to be inserted into the cavities 22 formed between the plurality of joists 18. This enables the insulating material 16 to be located directly beneath the planar floor surface member 19, thus increasing the thermal efficiency of each of the one or more floor panels 3. Furthermore, each joist 21 of the plurality of joists 18 are of an open-web configuration, whereby a webbing framework 23 supports a top chord 24 and a bottom chord 25, said top chord 24 and bottom chord 25 spaced apart from each other to form a cavity 26 therebetween. The open-web configuration enables the insertion of additional insulating material 16 into the cavity 26 formed, thereby helping to obviate or mitigate heat loss through the ground floor. The plurality of joists 18 are made of structural grade treated timber. This obviates the need for concrete in the formation of the ground floor, thus reducing the embodied carbon of the prefabricated modular building 2. The top chord 24 and bottom chord 25 are formed from structural grade treated timber and the webbing framework 23 is formed from metal. In another embodiment, the top chord 24, the bottom chord 25 and the webbing framework 23 are formed from structural grade treated timber. The bracing board 20 as shown is found at a first end of the floor panel 3. In another embodiment one of the bracing boards 20 is found at the first end of each of the floor panels 3 and the second bracing board 20 is found at the second end of each of the one or more floor panels 3. The pair of bracing boards adjoin the bottom chord 25 to the top chord 24 at the first end and second end of each of the one or more floor panels 3. The engaging means 5 of the floor panels is located on the internal leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4. In another embodiment the first engaging means 5 and / or second engaging means 5 have a width dimension and the internal leaf 6 is of a width dimension, and wherein the width dimension of the engaging means 5 is equal to or less than the width dimension of the internal leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4. By width we mean in a direction between the outer leaf 27 and the inner leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4. The first engaging means 5 and / or second engaging means 5 of each of the one or more floor panels 3 rests on the internal leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4 of the prefabricated modular building, such that the bracing board 20, the bottom chord 25 of each joist 21 of the plurality of joists 18 and the engaging means 5 at the first end and / or second end of each of the one or more floor panels 3 abuts the internal leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4 of the prefabricated modular building 2, thereby forming an abutting surface for each bracing board 20, the bottom chord 25 of each joist 21 of the plurality of joists 18 at the first end and / or second end, and the engaging means 5 at the first end and / or second end of each of the one or more floor panels 3. The damp proof course 28 as shown is placed between the engaging means 5 of each the floor panel 3 and internal leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4. The damp proof course 28 between the floor panel 3 and internal leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4 facilitates the prevention of moisture ingress. The planar flooring surface member 19 has an upper surface 29 and a lower surface 30, whereby the lower surface 30 of the planar flooring surface member 19 is attached to the top chord 24 of each joist 21. The top hung configuration of the floor panel 3 ensures levelling of the upper surface 29 of the floor panels 3 with the cavity wall 4, thereby enabling level access for users of the prefabricated modular building 2. The compression strip 31 is located between the engaging means 5 of each of the floor panel 3 and the damp proof course 28 resting on the internal leaf 6 of the cavity wall 4. The compression strip 31 provides a compensating means for inaccuracies in the build. The use of the compression strip 31 facilitates the removal of any discrepancy in the under-build to ensure levelling of the upper surface 29 of the planar flooring surface member with the cavity wall 4, thereby enabling level access for users of the prefabricated modular building 2. In one embodiment, the planar flooring surface member 19 is formed from OSB. In other embodiments, the planar flooring surface member 19 is formed from other materials such as plywood or chipboard. The breather membrane 17 as shown laps around each of the one or more floor panels 3. The breather membrane 17 laps across the underside of the plurality of joists 18, the abutting surface of the bracing boards 20, the abutting surface of the bottom chord 25 of each joist 21 of the plurality of joists 18 at the first end and second end of each of the one or more floor panels 3 and the engaging means 5 of each of the one or more floor panels 3. The lapping of each of the one or more floor panels 3 with the breather membrane 17 secures the insulating material 16 in place within the cavities 22 formed within each of the one or more floor panels 3, thereby improving the thermal efficiency of each of the one of more floor panels 3. The breather membrane 17 lapping each of the one or more floor panels 3 is lapped with a means for fixing the breather membrane 17 thereto such as a tape 32. The lapping of the breather membrane 17 with the tape 32 secures the breather membrane 17 in place and ensures that adequate air tightness is achieved in an interface between the engaging means 5 of each joist 21 within the plurality of joists 18 and the lower surface 30 of the planar flooring surface member 19. Each of the one or more floor panels 3 is located adjacently to another floor panel 3 such that the planar flooring surface member 19 of one floor panel 3 adjoins the planar flooring surface member 19 of an adjacent floor panel 3 forming a panel joint 33 therebetween. In one embodiment, the panel joint 33 is fixed using any suitable fixing means such as nailing and / or gluing to fix said panel joint 33. The fixing of the panel joint 33 ensures that adequate air tightness is achieved. In another embodiment, the panel joint 33 is screwed and / or glued to fix said panel joint to achieve adequate air tightness. The skilled person will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application. In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment. The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly of a prefabricated modular building comprising:- one or more floor panels,a cavity wall, andat least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported on the cavity wall.

2. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported on an inner leaf of the cavity wall.

3. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the at least part of the one or more floor panels comprises a means for engaging a part of the cavity wall.

4. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for engaging a part of the cavity wall comprises an underside recess extending along one edge portion of the panel.

5. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the underside recess comprises a rectangular cutaway portion formed for receiving a rectangular masonry component forming the inner leaf of the cavity wall.

6. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the means for engaging a part of the cavity wall comprises a projecting portion projecting from at least part of one edge portion of the one or more panels.

7. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 6 when dependent on claim 4 wherein the projecting portion defines the underside recess.

8. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the projecting portion has a flat underside surface for engaging an upper surface of the inner leaf of the cavity wall.

9. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the projecting portion has a flat upper surface for engaging a lower surface of a building component mountable thereon.

10. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the projecting portion is a rectangular slab portion formed for resting between the inner leaf of the cavity wall and the building component mountable there above.

11. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the at least one or more floor panels comprises an insulating material.

12. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the insulating material is locatable within each of the one or more floor panels.

13. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the insulating material is made of mineral wool or fibre glass or foam.

14. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each of the one or more floor panels comprise a plurality of joists.

15. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein each joist within the plurality of joists comprises a top chord of length dimension and a bottom chord of length dimension, whereby the length dimension of the bottom chord of each joist is shorter than the length dimension of the top chord.

16. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the discrepancy in the length dimensions between the top chord and bottom chord provides each joist of the plurality of joists with a recess at a first end and / or second end, thereby providing each of the one or more floor panels with a first engaging means and / or a second engaging means for enabling the one or more floor panels to be supported on the cavity walls of a building.

17. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in 16 wherein the engaging means of each of the one or more floor panels is locatable on the internal leaf of the cavity wall.

18. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each of the one or more panels comprises a planar floor surface member.

19. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 18 when dependent on 15 wherein the planar flooring surface member has an upper surface and a lower surface, whereby the lower surface of the planar flooring surface member is attached to the top chord of each joist.

20. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the top hung configuration of the one or more floor panels ensures levelling of the upper surface of the one or more floor panels with the cavity wall, thereby enabling level access for users of the building.

21. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein each of the one or more floor panels may be locatable adjacent to another floor panel such that the planar floor surface member of one floor panel may adjoin the planar floor surface member of an adjacent floor panel forming a panel joint therebetween.

22. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein the panel joint is fixed using a fixing means.

23. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the one or more floor panels comprise a breather membrane.

24. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in 23 when dependent on claim 11 wherein the breather membrane laps around each of the one or more floor panels to secure the insulating material within each of the one or more floor panels.

25. A thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein the breather membrane lapping each of the one or more floor panels is lapped with a means for fixing the breather membrane thereto.

26. A prefabricated modular building having a thermally efficient suspended ground floor assembly comprising:- one or more floor panels,a cavity wall, andat least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported on the cavity wall.

27. A method of assembling a thermally efficient suspended grounded floor, said method comprising steps of:prefabricating one or more floor panels in an off-site location, wherein at least part of the one or more floor panels being configured to be supported on a cavity wall;delivering the one or more floor panels to an on-site location; and assembling the one or more floor panels onto a cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor.

28. A method of assembling a thermally efficient suspended ground floor as claimed in claim 27, wherein the step of assembling of the one or more floor panels onto a cavity wall to form a suspended ground floor comprises lifting and positioning the one or more floor panels onto the internal leaf of the cavity wall such that the one or more floor panels have a top hung configuration on the internal leaf of the cavity wall.

Images