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'Full Systems' fire testing and why 'Desktop Studies' are a thing of the past...

The UK construction industry’s approach to fire testing has changed significantly in the last 2 years. Any architect or contractor working on large commercial projects will have noticed the increased scrutiny that products and build-ups have come under in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster of 2017. Several revisions of the UK Government’s centrally issued statutory guidance on Fire Safety - ‘Approved Document B’ have been made following the ‘Hackitt Report’, an independent review of our guidelines released in 2018 – which stated clearly the requirement of any composite product to be ‘full systems’ fire tested, reflecting the actual end use configuration and build-ups that are to be used on a building, not simply relying on individual component fire testing and ‘desktop studies’.

This move has meant that timber fire treatments have come under close attention and it turns out, can vary widely in performance depending on the species, profile timber slat size, spacing and any other additional variations to a timber slatted wall or wood ceiling’s build-up. It is also true that fire retardant treatments are often tested in more ‘forgiving’ scenarios than in ‘real world’ scenarios, utilising calcium silicate boards and minimal gaps / ventilation in order to limit the combustibility profile during certification.

This all means that as a specifier and buyer you must be very aware of the degree of fire testing that is available for the product you are using. You cannot rely on individual timber certification or 3rd party testing and must ensure that you have ‘full systems’ fire tests that have tested the panel product in its entirety and furthermore, align accurately with the configurations, build-up and scenario of its actual end use.

BCL work continually to ‘full systems’ fire test our timber cladding panels & internal acoustic timber panels and provide a library of accurate and transparent fire test data to accompany your specification, including project specific fire testing where necessary (now a regular occurrence). For more information on our EN 13501-1 fire testing and your specific requirements, please call us to discuss directly on 01189 344 155, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Kier Awards York St. John's University to BCL

 

BCL have recently been awarded the contract by Kier construction to deliver approx. 2,500sqm of external timber cladding panels to the new major arts centre at York St. John’s university.

Architect's impression of YSJU Creative Centre building clad in BCL external timber panels

The project, designed by Tate Harmer architects involves a unique pre-curved concave panel design in Siberian Larch (FSC® certified), creating a fluted external wood envelope intended to complement the tall thin niches of the nearby York Minster. The BCL prefabricated timber panel system will bring several advantages to the project, not only in terms of on-site efficiency through the reduction of on-site waste and installation time, but also increased coating lifetime due to all timber being secretly rear fixed. The system, that provides a design life of over 40 years, will form a central feature of the building’s language and BCL are delighted to be working with Kier on another major scheme and to partner with Tate Harmer architects for the first time.


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New Project: Portsmouth University

 

BCL have recently been awarded the supply & fix contract by Wates construction for the delivery of over 3,000sqm of Class A & Class B acoustic timber wall panels and wooden slatted ceilings to the groundbraking Ravelin Park.

Architects impression of Portsmouth University Building wrapped in BCL timber cladding system

Designed by Faulkner Browns and regarded as one of the UK's greenest sports centres, the new £57M building will provide outstanding facilities to its students, including multi-use courts, pools and pitches - even a ski-simulator. High Impact timber slatted wall panels in US Ash wood will be used in the sports hall and a much lower density American Yellow Poplar wood for the Ground level acoustic timber ceilings around main circulation and office spaces.


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