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Hotel destroyed in fire was constructed offsite using insulated panels, documents show
A hotel in the Shetlands destroyed in a major fire last week was constructed offsite, out of modules formed from plastic insulated panels.
The Moorfield Hotel in the Shetland Islands was burned to the ground in a devastating fire last Monday, which completely destroyed the 106-bed hotel. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is investigating the blaze.
Documents available online reveal the hotel was built in 2013 by contractor McAleer & Rushe from structural insulated panels (SIPs), made by Merseyside-based company Sip Building Systems (SBS).
The panels were built into fully furnished hotel rooms in a factory in Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland, by subcontractor Sipfit Ltd, before being shipped to the Shetlands and assembled on site.
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A promotional video describes the construction method as “a first for a hotel of this size”.
The insulated panels were used as the main structural component for the hotel. These panels are made of combustible polyurethane insulation held between two sheets of oriented strand board – a product made from compressed wood flakes.
These strand board linings were given a ‘Class 3’ rating for surface spread of flame, three notches below the highest standard of Class 0 and only one notch above the worst rating (Class 4), according to a British Board of Agrement (BBA) certificate for the product. It is considered a ‘high risk’ rating by building guidance in Scotland.
However the BBA certificate also says: “With adequate protection, panels used in external walls and separating walls will meet the required fire resistance periods given in the relevant national building regulations.”
Fire resistance is a different rating from surface spread of flame. There is no suggestion the building was constructed against regulations.
A spokesperson for McAleer & Rushe said: “It was with sadness that we learned of the fire at the Moorfield Hotel and we welcome that all guests and staff members are safe. We have provided the fire authority with the contract documentation and all compliance certificates relating to the project which was completed in 2013.”
SBS and Sipfit Ltd did not respond to requests for comment.
The hotel was owned by BDL (Shetland) Ltd mainly to provide accommodation for staff at the nearby Shetland Gas Plant.
Stuart McCaffer, director of BDL, told local newspaper Shetland News: “There will be a full investigation to identify the cause but it would appear that the fire safety systems have worked early to identify the outbreak of fire and evacuate the hotel.
“We are grateful to the firefighters for their response.”
It was due to close at the end of this month after the gas operator did not renew its contract.
