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Industry News
Industry News PUSHING THE ENVELOPE
John Nolan of Generix Facades looks at the importance of a robust approach to testing the structural integrity and capability of facade systems
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Having a solid understanding of how a facade system will perform prior to construction is crucial for architects, consultants and building specifiers. The Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) is one of the UK’s leading authorities in the field of glazing and building envelopes. Based in Bath, the centre helps to set and regulate industry standards in building envelope design and construction. The centre offers a varied range of information which apply to different aspects of a building design. The CWCT Standard for systemised building envelopes was published in 2006 and is applicable to curtain walling, walls with ventilated rainscreens, and overhead glazing. Notably, both the National Building Specification (NBS) and the National House Building Council (NHBC) standards use the centre’s ‘Standard for curtain walling’ and ‘Standard for walls with ventilated rainscreen.’
What is rainscreen CWCT testing?
A rainscreen test – or as it’s officially titled, a CWCT Sequence B Facade Test – is designed to test the serviceability and durability of a facade system in accordance with the appropriate standard (CWCT Standard for Walls with Ventilated Rainscreens). A facade system is fixed to a full scale rig at a UKAS accredited testing site, and once the system has been installed it is put through a series of tests that determine serviceability. These tests focus on:
• air leakage • dynamic pressure
• water penetration • impact.
Test 1 – Water penetration – dynamic
To measure water penetration, water is sprayed continuously at the facade for 15 minutes. An aircraft engine is used to provide direct wind force. Once the test is completed, the system is fully dried, cleaned and all joints are sealed in preparation for the next test.
developer-update.co.uk Test 2 – Wind resistance testing (serviceability & safety)
Test probes are positioned across the facade system to register panel deflection and the test rig is fully sealed. A fan is connected to the system void so either negative or positive pressure can be created. First the test simulates the system being pushed against the wall, increasing in stages until the safety point is reached. Following this, pressure is added to the void to test the system being pushed away from the wall. As before, pressure is increased in stages until the safety point is reached. The serviceability test simulates changes in high winds and measures any deflection of the system. The safety test is done at higher pressure – where the defections aren’t considered.
Test 3 – impact resistance
In the impact resistance test a series of impacts are recorded using a steel ball and a 50 kg leather bag of glass beads. These objects are swung from the pendulum to directly impact the facade system in several positions. Impact resistance is one of the most important properties for a facade designer to consider. Not only the ability of the material under test to resist impact – factors including how that material is fixed, what material it is fixed with, and how it transfers its impact load to the building will impact on its overall resistance. It’s imperative that impact testing is carried out prior to ensure the correct system is selected for the project. Understanding the specific requirements of your project ahead of testing is crucial to evaluating what CWCT results are acceptable on any live project. Ultimately, full scale mock-up testing of a facade will save significant time and money by identifying how a facade will perform, and allow for any necessary amendments to be made to design and materials prior to the construction phase. John Nolan is director at Generix Facades
Global Expansion and Re-structuring of Bond It
Bond It, one of the UK’s fastest growing manufacturers of sealants, adhesives and building chemicals, is about to undergo a huge change as we enter quarter 2 of 2021.
On the back of its recent acquisition of the Rescue Tape brand of self-fusing Silicone Tape, manufactured in North Carolina and distributed through warehouses in North Carolina and Los Angeles, the Company has now successfully launched the Bond It brand into the North American market.
As a result David Moore, one of the Company’s founding partners, will take on the role of CEO Bond It Group. He will split his time equally between the UK and the USA to oversee the smooth integration of distribution of Bond It products into the States.
To help him in this role Bond It are pleased to announce the appointment of Dean Morgan as Managing Director of the UK operation. Dean will bring with him a wealth of experience of manufacturing as well as already having a long established relationship with Bond It. “Dean was instrumental in guiding Bond It through the implementation of ISO 9001, 140001 and the recent 450001 systems and has worked with us for 12 years as a consultant.” “I believe Dean is the right person to guide Bond It to its next level of evolution” said David Moore.
Dean has gained over 40 years experience in various manufacturing companies and has in-depth knowledge of trouble shooting, product development, management systems and driving improved financial performance, so he will be a major asset in his new role. He will direct the Company looking to streamline the processes already existing as part of our ISO Management System, looking to improve efficiency, productivity and quality of the reputable Bond It brands.
For more information on Bond It contact our Sales Team on 01422 315300 or visit www.bonditgroup.com
Industry News
First social housing Passivhaus scheme handed over in Powys
The first ever social housing scheme in Powys to reach Passivhaus standard has been completed. Pave Aways Building Contractors has handed over the seven energy efficient homes in a £1.3m development it built in Sarn, near Newtown, to Powys County Council.
The homes – four two-bedroom bungalows, two two-bedroom and one three-bedroom houses – have all been certified to Passivhaus standard, the method of advanced lowenergy construction. Final air tests in the bungalows revealed 0.27 air changes an hour with the houses registering 0.49, below the maximum of 0.6 air changes per hour required for Passivhaus certification. The properties were built with heat recovery units to utilise the excess heat that is produced to warm the properties, thereby incurring lower heating bills. Each home also has 4.2 KW of photo voltaic roof panels to generate electricity. The Passivhaus housing scheme was developed by Powys County Council’s Affordable Housing Team and will help the council deliver one of its aims of Vision 2025 – to build 250 new homes by 2025.
Pave Aways also built the county’s first ever Passivhaus school for the council – the new Welshpool Church in Wales School that was finished in November last year. Managing Director Steven Owen said: “To have been able to deliver this ground-breaking project for Powys has been a privilege and we hope the tenants will be happy in their new homes. This is undoubtedly the way forward for new housing stock and an important step in tackling issues around climate change and fuel poverty. From an industry point of view, it’s been a valuable learning curve for our team and sub contractors, bringing new skills to the region.” Nigel Brinn, Powys County Council’s Corporate Director for Economy and Environment, said: “These homes will not only help to cut carbon emissions but ensure tenants will have lower energy bills. “The council is making real progress with its ambitious target of delivering 250 new homes by 2025 and this scheme contributes to that target. The scheme has also provided a boost for the local economy with local sub-contractors and the supply chain being supported by the work.” The project brought additional benefits for Powys with more than £1.1m spent locally, 10,500 hours of work provided on site and 4,900 hours spent on apprentices and training time through its employees and the supply chain.
Steven added: “One of our priorities is to ensure our projects have a wider reaching effect than just an economic one. The delivery of these new homes has had many benefits for the community in Mid Wales that will have a lasting legacy. New skills learned, training delivered and support to community groups have been just some of the side effects of this build.”
DERBYSHIRE INSULATION MANUFACTURER LANDS £250,000 FUNDING PACKAGE
One of the UK’s leading building insulation manufacturers, YBS Insulation (“YBS”), has received a £250,000 loan to progress its growth plans.
YBS secured the finance from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (“MEIF”) East & South East Midlands Debt Finance Fund, managed by Maven Capital Partners (“Maven”). The business, based in Creswell, Derbyshire, will use the funding to invest in new production machinery to increase its output capacity, as well as strengthening its sales and marketing function. The deal will help YBS continue to generate new business opportunities by enhancing its digital presence, improving its e-platform and growing its social media presence. YBS specialises in producing building insulation products for private homes and the construction sector such as multi-foil insulation, bubble laminates, cavity closers and foil membranes. Using its on-site laboratory and testing facility, YBS has developed a product range that is thinner, lighter and more energy efficient than traditional products that are on the market such as those that are made of mineral wool and polyisocyanurate (PIR) board.
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The business already supplies major UK builders’ merchants and DIY retailers such as Screwfix, Wickes, Toolstation and Homebase, in addition to retailers in Europe.
Simon Sharkey, Managing Director at YBS comments: “This marks another exciting milestone for YBS as we look to continuously improve our customer offering though new product developments and improved efficiency. We have significantly advanced the business over recent years, but this will provide the investment to really accelerate our plans. Jonathan and Maven have been instrumental in securing this investment and we at YBS are looking forward to building on this relationship.’’
Jonathan Lowe, Investment Director for Maven adds: “We are delighted to support Simon and his team with this MEIF loan as YBS look to develop to the next stage. Increasing numbers of property owners in the UK and overseas are seeing the benefits of investing in energy efficient insulation and YBS is well placed to expand further at its site in North Derbyshire.” Sajeeda Rose, Chief Executive, D2N2 LEP said “Through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, we want ambitious businesses to have the opportunity to grow and innovate. Supporting companies like YBS, which are helping to reduce energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions, will help our regions collective vision for green led recovery and growth.” The Midlands Engine Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
Over the last few years conformity with legislation and standards present in Europe have been a prerequisite for producing and selling any goods within the EEA. This included products produced here, in the EEA or from overseas. Known as ‘CE’ marking, it is applicable equally to the manufacture and sale of a paper clip to more complex fire doors and fire screens. The ‘CE mark’ is a certification mark that is widely used throughout the EU.
Now the UK has launched its own conformity mark, the ‘UKCA mark’, this means that all products produced outside or inside the UK, for UK use, must carry the new UKCA mark. Fortunately, both conformity marks CE and UKCA, can be used this year, all products sold in the UK next year, 2022, must carry the UKCA mark. In Northern Ireland, matters get a little more complicated as manufacturers have their own UK(NI) mark to comply with which must be used alongside the CE marking. Whilst Great Britain will accept the UK(NI)+CE marked products known as ‘unfettered access’, products manufactured in Northern Ireland only need to carry the CE mark if they are to be sold solely in the EEA. Part of the reason for the difference in Northern Ireland is that whilst Northern Ireland sits within the EEA, from the 1st January 2021, it is now outside the EU Customs Union. It must be reiterated that for products manufactured and sold in Northern Ireland, they must always carry both the CE mark and the UK(NI).
The ‘product’ from the ‘end fabricator’ must be CE marked (accepted up to the end of 2021) and/or UKCA marked, this refers to all the parts that make up the final product from various suppliers such as the framing system, glazing and hardware. This must be declared in one document and on installation it is not possible to substitute any part. The product, such as supplied in a firescreen, including doors and glazing, is supplied to site complete in a fabricated form, glazing can be supplied separately on a stillage but must be supplied by the ‘end fabricator’.
The door and sidescreens, or toplights, must fall within a single overall frame, it is not possible to declare and UKCA mark a coupled door frame to a side screen or toplight. The company installing the product on-site may be another company who has sourced the product from an ‘end fabricator’. It is the manufacture of the installed product that carries the responsibility for the UKCA marking by ensuring that the installer follows detailed installation instructions. The pressure is now on manufacturers to ensure that all their products are all reassessed through UK Approved Bodies before the end of this year if they are continuing to be sold in the UK and carry the UKCA mark.
From the 1st November 2019 ALL external fire rated doorsets MUST carry conformity marking, CE and/or UKCA (from the being of 2021), to ensure conformity to both BS EN 14351-1:2006+A2:2016 - ‘Windows and doors. Product standard, performance characteristics. Windows and external pedestrian doorsets’. and BS EN 16034:2014 - ‘Pedestrian doorsets, industrial, commercial, garage doors and openable windows. Product standard,
MB-86EI - Fire Rated Door and Screen System
by Wojciech Brozyna - MD of Aluprof UK
’THE MOVE TO UKCA MARKING OF EXTERNAL FIREDOORS’
Since Brexit the UK now sits outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and has a trade agreement which helps businesses trade without tariffs between the EEA and the UK. Despite the increased levels of paperwork required for such imports and exports, it is ‘almost business as usual’.
performance characteristics. Fire resisting and/or smoke control characteristics.’
The Standard, BS EN 16034 Pedestrian doorsets, industrial, commercial, garage doors and openable windows — Product standard, performance characteristics — Fire resisting and/or smoke control characteristics, cannot be used on its own for CE and/ or UKCA (from the being of 2021) marking purposes as it must be used in conjunction with BS EN 14351-1. External Pedestrian Doorsets can include sidescreens as long as they are not coupled. The required characteristics are then raised on the DoP (Declaration of Performance) by the ‘end fabricator’ based on the ITT data supplied by the systems company and the fabricator’s own CoCoP (Certificate of Constancy of Performance). A UK approved body then have to assess the fabricator to AVCP System Level 1 and only then can the UKCA mark be attached to the product. As a result of these imposed regulations, BS 476: Parts 20 & 22 can no longer be used as fire test evidence to CE and/or UKCA mark an external fire rated doorset. Whilst BS EN 16034 was first published in October 2014, it didn’t become a harmonised standard available for use as CE mark evidence until 1st November 2016. As with all new standards, there is a co-existence period in which current standards run alongside the new standard which lasted for three years ending on the 1st November 2019.
As for internal fire rated doorsets and screens we still wait for the BS EN 14351-2 ‘Product standard, performance characteristics. Internal pedestrian doorsets.’ To be cited in the Official Journal of European Union (OJEU) which was expected to be published in November/ December 2019. This means that it is currently not possible to CE and/or UKCA mark internal fire rated doorsets and screens until the harmonisation of this standard occurs. Products can still be tested to achieve stated performance and covered by third party means such as Certifire. As aluminium remains the most widely specified material for commercial windows, doors and curtain wall, it should come as no surprise that as a leading European systems company, Aluprof offer a comprehensive range of fire rated systems. With an 86mm frame depth, the new glazed window and door system, MB-86EI can achieve class EI15, EW30, EI30, according to BS EN 13501-2:2016. Complete with polyamide thermal breaks, the door system is ideal for use in both external or internal applications. Doorsets can be manufactured with both fixed lights and opening, single or double doors, in a single outerframe to be UKCA marked, but it must be remembered that external coupled screen assemblies cannot be UKCA marked to BS EN 16034:2014.
Furthermore, in what is believed to be a first for the UK industry, a cap-less, fire rated curtain wall system is available and has been installed on a refurbishment development in Manchester. The project, known as ‘The Core’, is located at 24-30 Brown Street in the city centre and uses the ‘MB-SR50N EI EFEKT’ developed by Aluprof. A fire rating of EI60 was required on part of the new cap-less, curved glass facade on the top floor. Aluprof’s new system, MB-SR50N EI EFEKT, enabled the architect to have a cap-less fire rated system whilst at the same time seamlessly blending in with areas which did not require a fire rating. The Aluprof brochure entitled, ‘Fire Rated and Smoke Exhaust Systems’, explains in detail each product and rating. Aluprof systems offer some of the highest fire protection ratings in Europe, some reaching EI120 - that’s two hours fire and smoke protection. Each system has been tested according to European industry standards with various specialist glasses and many are fully covered by the UK’s ‘Certifire’ certificate of approval. With the emergence of the separate UKCA and UKNI marking it is advisable that you contact Aluprof for further technical advice when specifying for use in the UK and Northern Ireland.
Since setting up the Aluprof Office at the Business Design Centre in London, the company has rapidly grown their specification influence in the UK with their high performance architectural aluminium systems. Further expansion of the companies headquarters in Altrincham now provides specifiers with meeting facilities and an extensive showroom of commercial systems to view. With overseas growth across Europe spreading into the Middle East and firm roots already in the East of the USA, the company is becoming a global player in facade supply.
Further information is available on the companies website at aluprof.co.uk or direct from their UK office in Altrincham on 0161 941 4005.
BT1 Ultimate Bathroom Sealant & Adhesive TRIBRID® Technology. Made in Britain NO MORE MOULD OR FUNGAL GROWTH
CT1 who lead the way in research and development have pioneered the latest technology for the building industry over the last 18 years.
The first to introduce a hybrid sealant almost 18 years ago, pioneered the way forward with a new era of sealants. CT1 showed the industry that you only need one tube for most applications with the correct raw materials and formulation. This new technology presented itself in a tube CT1.
CT1 created a formulation with no solvents, allowing CT1 to perform under any difficult conditions, even under water. CT1 can guarantee that it will never shrink or crack, so it will not lose its bonding and sealing capabilities over time.
Realising that hybrid formulations would be soon dated with old technology, as demands increase in what we expect from products and with the building industry producing more complex builds. CT1 was proactive rather than re-active.
Introducing TRIBRID® technology. Another new era of sealants and adhesives. Now three times stronger, longer colour retention and elongation, TRIBRID® CT1 can’t be matched or compared to again for a long time.
CT1’s technical field team also realised that in today’s current conditions people are demanding much cleaner environments and surface areas. Using the correct sealants and adhesives in installations and repairs is key keeping a surface area healthier. BT1- The Ultimate Bathroom Sealant and Adhesive was created as most sealants over time will allow bacterial and fungal growth. Some will grow quicker than others. The bathroom can be a contaminated area, with heat, fluids and lack of UV light. BT1 based on the revolutionary TRIBRID® formulation, was created to prevent fungal and bacteria growth happening over long periods of time.
This unique formulation makes it impossible for bacteria or microbes to form on the surface, and with almost zero indoor emissions, makes this the heathiest choice for your home. But what became apparent after vigorous testing was that using BT1 would reduce the risk of MRSA, E. Coli and campylobacter. Reducing bacteria by 99.99% and being able to retain its clinically clean white appearance is now proving to be the only sealant and adhesive being used by Hospitals, Aged Care Facilities, Clinics, Schools, Universities and Public Buildings.
Solihull Hospital in Birmingham and Good Hope Hospital in Sutton to name a few have used and will only use BT1.
BT1 - which can also be used in kitchen installations, launched initially in The IPG Member Stores. The IPG is the largest and fastest growing membership group for plumbing, heating and bathroom specialists, wanted to add BT1 to their stock profile and give their members the latest technology for plumbing and installations.
Since the growth and reputation of BT1 and the important role it plays in keeping a healthier environment, Wickes stores, will now also be stocking BT1 nationwide.
Go to www.CT1.com and https://youtu.be/kirVUrwWbaY
