Specifying Under Scrutiny: Rainscreen Systems That Perform as Designed

Last December, Part B (Fire safety) of the Building Regulations (England and Wales) banned the use of combustible materials in certain build-ups, such as rainscreen façade systems, of residential buildings between 11m and 18m.

Materials with Euroclass A1 or A2,s1-d0 reaction to fire classification must now be used, unless a full-scale fire test to BS 8414-1 and -2 has been undertaken. The Building Safety Act has also introduced project ‘Gateways’ to ensure specification integrity is maintained from design through to build.

With this new level of scrutiny, it’s crucial that buildings deliver the required performance not just on paper, but in the real world too.

For rainscreen applications, the simplest solution is to specify non-combustible products, like Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab. It has the best possible Euroclass A1 Reaction to Fire Classification and is also BBA certified for the broadest range of build-ups and the widest range of thicknesses of any rainscreen solution on the market.

But insulation doesn’t exist in isolation; it must interact correctly with other systems in the cavity. That’s why Knauf Insulation developed Rocksilk® RainScreen FFCB, the only cavity barrier that can be fixed to the face of the sheathing insulation in masonry façades. Because the insulation doesn’t need to be cut post-installation, it’s quicker and easier to install correctly, reducing the risk of gaps and compromised performance.

Products like these – developed with the real world in mind – help you to create buildings that perform as designed.

For more information contact Knauf Insulation at the website below.

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