Challenges
This has been A2O’s first project with the CERTUS rainscreen system – a new system for our installers.
The CERTUS brick slip cladding panels were pre-assembled offsite before installation at the 11-storey apartment block.
The pre-manufactured panels were fast to install on site, but the highly engineered product – which is a whole system incorporating product partners (i.e. sheathing board and support system) – required very careful supervision at install.
Settling tolerances in the concrete, blockwork and brickwork had to be designed for.
The rainscreen was designed with an open back vented cavity. Fixing back to brick was not possible.
A main challenge was coordinating the coursing of the grey brickslip panels with the traditional buff brickwork and balcony stub interfaces.
Solutions
An A2O team of 7 took a day’s training with ACS Facades to become approved CERTUS installers.
A high level of upfront design detail and scheduling were needed for the pre-assembled panels, which were installed from netted scaffolding.
Less components were needed on site but the panel layout had to be very accurate. Great precision was needed to align the Certus panels on site and allow for movement joints. Extra detail was required in designing, for example, corner returns.
The bracket system was engineered to accommodate all movement in the structure.
Chemical anchors and masonry fixings had to be used to mount the subgrid, fixed back to concrete, block work, engineered bricks & perforated bricks.
As-built surveys were taken to optimise setting out of the Certus grey brickslip panels.
Fact File
Sector
- Residential
STATUS
- New Build
Value
- £520,000
Scope of Work
- Brickslip - stretcher bond panels, pre-assembled offsite, A1 fire-rated
- Subgrid with aluminium helping hand support framing
- Insulation - Rockwool
- PPC aluminium flashings & detailing
- Fire barriers