COVER FEATURE
BUILDING PERFORMANCE IN FACADES
Mark Halliday, Head of Technical-ARBO at CARLISLE Construction Materials, discusses the specification consideration for maximising façade performance.
We all know the importance of façade specification in delivering visual impact, but there is much more to a façade than aesthetics. Many of the materials that determine performance, service life, thermal properties and safety can’t be seen once construction is finished, but they are just as vital as the cladding.
With the challenges of sustainable construction, the Building Safety Act (BSA), and the need for buildability considerations to underpin on-time project delivery and building performance, it’s essential to apply joined-up thinking to specification choices and select systems designed for optimised performance.
FIRE SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE
The BSA 2022 embeds accountability across the delivery chain and CARLISLE prioritised performance and fire safety when developing ARBOSHIELD Pro; a range of high-performance systems that combine Class A or B reaction to fire with W1 resistance to water penetration.
Structural openings are the most vulnerable parts of any façade, and poor performance or installation can compromise the airtightness, watertightness and fire safety of the whole façade. For this reason, selecting rigorously tested and compliant systems that combine performance with ease of installation is essential. The ARBOSHIELD Pro External Perimeter Class A
Membrane (EPAM) has been developed to address these requirements by ensuring a neat, fire safe, compliant, and trusted installation on all window, door and façade structural openings.
BUILDABILITY
The effectiveness of any façade component is only as good as the installation values, which is why the CARLISLE fire-rated façade systems range has been extended to included two pasted fire-resistant membrane systems. This means specifiers can choose both the fire-rating and installation method best-suited to their project which is independently tested and certified to EN 13501-1.
The ARBOSHIELD Pro Class A2 Pasted Façade System (ARPS) and ARBOSHIELD Pro BRPS Class B Pasted Façade System complement the self-adhesive membranes in the range, with the same level of performance, durability and buildability. While many Class B-rated pasted façade membrane systems on the UK market carry only a Class B s3, d0 rating, ARBOSHIELD Pro BRPS has an industry-leading ‘s1’ certification, which means it is more effective at limiting smoke.
For projects where an EPDM façade membrane has been specified, the HERTALAN Easy Stick GS EPDM provides an airtight, waterproof membrane for around windows and structural openings. Naturally UV-resistant, permanently flexible, and resistant to extreme temperature variations, it provides a robust, long-term solution for improved building performance.
SEALING FOR SUCCESS
Sealants can also play an important role in façade performance, delivering a waterproof seal that acts as a barrier against moisture, air infiltration, dust, and other contaminants.
CARLISLE’s extensive range of sealants includes solutions for all façade requirements, including the Arbosil range of silicone sealants, which are ideal for applications as varied as perimeter pointing of windows, cladding panels, and glass to glass joints, and are available in a variety of colours. The range also includes intumescent sealants and tape to complement the ARBOSHIELD Pro façade systems.
Selecting products designed to work together can make a substantial difference to the safety, thermal efficiency, and longevity of the façade, and CARLISLE has taken this joined-up approach to delivering high-performance building envelopes. Scan the QR code to order a free sample pack. www.arbo.co.uk
Creating a watertight and airtight seal with certified fire resistance, the ARBOSHIELD Pro EPAM connects a concrete structural frame or steel frame to SFS sections and exceeds the current Building Regulation and Approved Document B requirements for a fire and weathertight seal.