Using a new solution to fix non-combustible insulation to a steel
frame structure, ROCKWOOL delivered on creating a fire proof and thermally
sound building for students in Norwich.
Pablo Fanque House is part of a rejuvenation of Norwich’s city
centre and provides brand new state-of-the-art accommodation to over 244
students. Prior to construction, this site was home to the local Mecca Bingo
Hall, which stood vacant for more than two years.
With the aim of regenerating the area, Alumno Developments
partnered with HG Construction to design a building that stood out for its
vibrancy and would attract students. The main brief was to create a building
that would be future-proof, structurally sound and fire safe for its occupants.
The architects, Carson and Partners, wanted to use an SFS steel
structure in conjunction with a masonry façade, but this presented a challenge
to the developer and main contractor, as they were required to create a
non-combustible façade without changing the predetermined cavities of the
building.
Traditionally, brick workers and main contractors revert to foam
insulation boards for this construction type due to the requirement of using
channel ties, which have not been approved for use with mineral wool. The
alternative option — frame cramps — are not easy to install and can add
unnecessary time and costs onto a build.
Wanting to reach the highest standard of fire safety by using
non-combustible insulation, Alumno Developments and HG Construction were
determined to push the boundaries and approached ROCKWOOL to see if the stone
wool manufacturer could provide a solution.
ROCKWOOL’s Technical Specification Manager, Hedley Thompson,
worked with structural building components manufacturer ACS to develop a fully
tested solution that would allow ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® to be used in
conjunction with ACS ROCKWOOL Framefix.
“This is a solution that the industry has needed for some time,
and this project is the first site to use the products together” comments
Hedley. “Thanks to the ambitions of Alumno Developments and HG Construction,
and the close partnership between ACS and ROCKWOOL.”
This new development allows a masonry wall to be tied to a light
steel frame or other structural element through ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation
using a suitable fixing. Composite, high compressive capacity sleeves are used
at every fixing position to provide a rigid, high capacity fixing detail. The
channel is fixed back to the structure via the pre-punched holes in the
channel. Once fixed, ACS 25/15 4000 range ties are position at any point along
the channel to suit the coursing of the masonry panel.
ROCKWOOL SP Firestop was installed alongside 125mm ROCKWOOL
RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB®.
Specifically designed for high rise buildings, ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN
DUO SLAB® is a dual density insulation board that is manufactured from volcanic
rock and comprises of a robust outer surface and a resilient inner face. By
compressing the primary fleece onto the top 15mm of the insulation, the product
can be used, unprotected, in conditions of severe climatic exposure, including
strong wind and rain as experienced at high altitudes. ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO
SLAB® complies with Approved Document B, achieving the highest Euroclass
classification: A1.
ROCKWOOL SP Firestop is designed to form an open-state cavity fire
barrier within external cladding systems that allow for ventilation and
drainage of the cavity under service conditions. The SP Firestop VRB has been
tested with ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® to ASFP TGD 19: “Fire resistance test
or ‘Open State’ cavity barriers, used in the external fabric of buildings”. The
combination of non-combustible insulation and an effective fire barrier
supports fire safe façade systems and aids the design of high-rise buildings
above 18m.
All parties on this project worked well together to provide an
innovative system that will now change the way that masonry facades are
insulated in the future. This solution ensures Pablo Fanque house provides the
students and business residents with a fire safe property.
