NEW CURTAIN WALL & ROOF GLAZING ASSESSMENT

New curtain wall & roof glazing global assessment data. WF150961

Due to recent product developments and a programme of successful fire testing, our global assessment data for the curtain wall & roof glazing systems has been revised, to take into account the advances in system applications.

This new report provides our licensed fabricator base with further opportunities, and a more defined boundary on the field of applications.

Why issue a global assessment and not just use a test report?

It is a common misperception by some system companies, that a test report on its own can be used as evidence, to support the use of a system on a particular installation.

This is not the case and can lead to unverifiable installations.

When a fire test is conducted, a report is produced for the exact assembly tested. This report will verify the stability of the assembly for the timescale tested, and will not allow any variation in the tested configuration, such as different glazing modules, smaller dimensions, different profiles, direction of fire risk and even different fixing methods.

Some tests, including the new EN standards, do allow for a limited extended field of application, but this generally only allows for the installation of an assembly that is smaller than that which has been tested.

At Wrightstyle, we are continually testing our systems to a variety of international standards using different in-house glasses, profiles, direction of fire, overall dimensions and grid configurations. This ultimately gives the testing laboratories and issuing authorities, confidence in providing further extensions to the field of application of our systems, allowing us to offer a complete & guaranteed solution.

Test reports that are written by European laboratories, are currently not directly accepted by UK building regulations. All reports must be verified & evaluated by a UKAS approved laboratory, even if the test reports already refer to BS or EN standards.

This extended field of application for our systems is defined within the global assessment data, written by Warrington fire Centre; an internationally recognised & UKAS approved reporting authority, as required within the controls of UK building regulations.

What can be permitted using the Wrightstyle curtain wall & roof system ?

A summary of the approved system performance is as follows:

Uninsulated steel framed curtain wall – 30,60,90 & 120 minutes integrity only
Insulated steel framed curtain wall – 30,60,90 & 120 minutes integrity & insulation
Insulated timber framed curtain wall – 30 minutes integrity & insulation
Uninsulated steel framed roof glazing – 30,60 & 90 minutes integrity only
Insulated steel framed roof glazing – 30,60 & 90 minutes integrity & insulation

Other system features permitted within the revised test data:

• All profiles from the SR60 series curtain wall system may be used as mullions, transoms, rafter & purlins including both mild and stainless steel profiles.
• Bracketed shear block construction and/or welded constructions may be used.
• Unlimited grid module arrangements are permitted, limited only by the type of glass being used.
• Fire resistant gasket or tape glazed constructions are permitted.
• Stainless steel pressure plate for external or corrosive location applications.
• Mild steel pressure plate for internal applications.
• New alloy pressure plate permitted for fire rated insulated applications, for both internal and external applications up to 90 minutes.
• Non-combustible grid over-cladding may be applied to the system.
• Multiple aluminium capping options permitted.
• Aluminium glass supports permitted for 30/0 integrity and all insulated applications.
• Steel glass supports permitted for all applications.
• New timber grid profile permitted using 450kg/m3 softwood.

Specific to roof glazing.

Incorporating the same features as noted above with the following permitted additions:

• Slope glazing installations from 5 to 85 degrees from the horizontal plane.
• Increased rafter centres to 1500mm maximum.
• Up to 90 minutes integrity only or integrity & insulation permitted.

Glazing of the system.

In order for us to provide a complete & guaranteed glazing solution, we provide UKAS test data for both the framing and glass combined.

To show a test report for the framing using a different glass to that used on the project, is not acceptable or in accordance with building regulations .

Due to the large amount of historical test data that Wrightstyle have, using different glass types, means that the new assessment permits a much wider scope for the Wrightstyle systems as follows:

• All WSL range of glasses permitted for use.
• Any fire rated glass with UKAS test data into a steel framing system.
• Any certifire approved glass into a steel framing system.
• Non-vision fire rated panelling may be used provided it has been tested to BS476 pt 22.
• Steel or stainless steel sheet, matching the thickness of the glass may be installed.
• Single monolithic glass permitted.
• Double glazed units permitted.

Revisions to Quotations.

Due to these system improvements, all quotations for curtain walling will be produced according to the guidelines set out in our new Global assessment.

It remains the responsibility of the fabricator, to ensure the correct components are used to meet the required fire rating.

If you require any clarification on the above scope of application, please contact our technical department.