When delivering large, complex commercial projects, wood ceilings need to work around intricate architecture and design, coordinate and integrate with building services / MEP and meet strict fire and acoustic regulatory standards. All without slowing the project down on site. Off-the-shelf products rarely meet that brief, but BCL’s timber panel systems are specifically engineered to do so.
Engineered around the building
The very best wooden ceilings are designed to suit the building or project itself – and at BCL we provide full BIM design coordination to reduce risk and workload, providing full panel layouts and all related design work through clear ISO accredited and factory-controlled processes.
The fact we model in Revit to BIM Level 2, means the uncertainty of installation risk and design clashes are removed before anything reaches site. Made-to-measure manufacturing means near-zero on-site cutting, creating on site efficiency savings, reduced installation time and waste, that more ‘off-the-shelf’ products simply can’t achieve.
Integration, acoustics and fire resistance
BCL’s wooden panel systems are also designed with dedicated proprietary integrated support framing, including prefabricated MEP cutouts for fixtures and fittings e.g. lighting and sprinklers – working seamlessly with almost any ceiling design. Demountable wood ceilings options also give concealed access to the ceiling void for maintenance, providing a range of flexible solutions to fit the requirements of any major commercial project.
High performance acoustic options such as our Class A acoustic ‘Alpha Panel’ range control noise in busy transport hubs, auditoriums and any other public spaces where announcements or audio clarity is of particular importance – backed by full UKAS testing.
BCL also tests the fire safety and performance of ‘complete assemblies’, not just individual components, to EN 13501-1 in UKAS-accredited labs. Solid wood slatted panels are classified up to Class B-s2,d0, and aluminium TIMBER EFFECT panels up to A2-s1,d0 or even A1 for external cladding – offering a complete range of both slatted and plain panel options for almost any fire performance or regulatory requirement.
Additionally, for highly specialised large-scale transport, airport and public projects BCL also offer advanced security support systems, pre-assessed to both SIDOS and ASIAD – including bomb blast tethering, blast loading calculations and specific design support. This allows architects and contractors to leverage the full flexibility and efficiency of BCL’s pre-tested panel options in both solid wood or non-combustible aluminium TIMBER EFFECT, on the most demanding and performance driven projects, both in the UK and overseas.
Faster, lower-risk installation
A prefabricated wood ceiling system from BCL will arrive made-to-measure and ready to install, drastically saving time and typically resulting in under 1% waste, creating significant savings in on-site ‘prelim costs’. Additionally, because BCL handles everything in-house, contractors get turnkey solutions and full accountability instead of coordinating between multiple suppliers – this provides an extra level of assurance that standard off the shelf systems simply cannot offer.
Sustainable by design
Timber is one of the most sustainable finishes available and BCL is FSC® and PEFC™ certified. Our panels typically contain 20% recycled content and about 65% natural content and are manufactured in the UK under ISO 9001, the systems have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the sector. Full GWP figures and EPDs are available to support our BREEAM credits.
Proven on landmark projects
London Bridge Station was one of BCL’s most technically demanding projects. A £400m redevelopment, designed by Grimshaw and built by Costain, BCL supplied over 7,000 square metres of Western Red Cedar slatted ceiling across the main concourse, forming the main visual focus of a station that handles 75 million passengers a year. As well as absorbing ambient passenger noise, the ceiling had to manage the structural reverberation of roughly 18 trains an hour and provide blast protection. BCL’s system delivered Class A and B acoustic performance, EN 13501-1 Class B fire treatment, fully demountable panels, integrated lighting and bespoke spring-loaded dampeners.
Another project that also illustrates the design flexibility, performance testing and assurance that BCL’s panel systems bring is 8 Bishopsgate in London. This project is another example of integrating complex geometry, multiple MEP systems, full UKAS fire testing, BCL’s BIM design coordination and unrivalled assurance through end-to-end package responsibility. To find out more, WATCH our VIDEO below:
Talk to BCL about your project
BCL Timber have over 50 years’ experience designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke timber panel systems for major commercial projects. If you’re looking for a timber ceiling for a large or complex build, our in-house team can support you from early design through to installation across the UK. Contact BCL today to start your next project.
