20 Futurebuild Show Preview; Building Fabric


By bringing together the entire supply chain, Futurebuild is uniquely placed to engage representatives from senior specifi ers and architects through to major contractors and developers


can better use existing knowledge and the need for social transformation, rather than solely exploring novel technical solutions.” “Futurebuild is where mission meets market. We’re not just a conference or a


showcase. We’re a platform for delivery. We connect people, ideas and solutions in ways that accelerate the shiſt to a net zero, resilient and regenerative future.” By bringing together the entire supply chain, Futurebuild is uniquely placed


to engage representatives ranging from senior specifi ers and architects through to major contractors and developers – all actively looking for innovative solutions and ideas to shape their projects.


CONNECTING IDEAS & IMPACT To this end, the Innovation Trail, a curated path showcasing products and systems with measurable sustainability impact, will be spotlighting the biggest breakthroughs, featuring brands including Dimplex, Anzen Walls, T e Concrete Centre, 7 Steel UK and ZapCarbon. T e FutureX stage – home of Futurebuild’s innovation content – will also


Futurebuild has invited these well connected networks to execute a series of seminar ‘stage takeovers’. By partnering to deliver content shaped by the industry, for the industry, the event organisers are bringing fresh thinking to the fore with a particular emphasis on dissecting the role of innovation.


INNOVATION AT THE HEART Martin Hurn, Futurebuild event director, comments: “As ever, innovation will be central to the discussion but we’ll be fl ipping the script to explore how we


return for 2026 taking on a sharper, digital focus. Dedicated sessions will cover AI, circular tools and data-led design as digital solutions become increasingly essential for monitoring performance, reducing waste and improving project outcomes. To register for your ticket, please scan the QR Code.


Article supplied by Futurebuild


Glidevale Protect supports fi re safety at refurbishment of Manchester homes


F


rameSafe FR, Glidevale Protect’s Class A2, fi re rated external wall breather membrane has been installed to help improve safety


standards as part of the cladding remediation works being undertaken at a major medium rise residential development in Greater Manchester. T e Life Building in Hulme off ers a wide range


of living options that allow for fl exible and urban living. Working on behalf of Homes England, principal contractor Cubic Facades was appointed to install full cladding remediation works to ensure full compliance with fi re safety regulations in alignment with the Building Safety Regulator. Glidevale Protect was a key supply chain partner on the project, supplying fi re rated membranes in collaboration with RGB Facades, a specialist within the rainscreen cladding sector. T e mandatory remedial works involved


three blocks of cladding being replaced with non-combustible materials on all external walls for the entire building envelope as well as internal courtyards, balconies and public walkways. As part of this, a fi t for purpose, independently tested fi re rated membrane was required to be used as part of the external wall build up. Glidevale Protect’s FrameSafe FR external breather membrane, which exceeds the current requirements set down in Building Regulations Approved Document B in the UK,


was supplied by partner RGB Facades for use throughout the scheme. T e Protect FrameSafe FR breather


membrane has been installed by Cubic Facades onto the external wall fi re boards throughout the development to ensure integrity of fi re performance and to reduce the risk of fi re spread. Its Protect FR tape has also been used to seal membrane laps which creates a full wall membrane and tape system solution. Protect FrameSafe FR and Protect FR tape products have been independently fi re tested both with the membrane free hanging and as a system application fi xed over A1 and A2 substrates, achieving a Class A2-s1, d0 reaction to fi re. Mike Dickinson, commercial director of


Cubic Facades commented: “We are pleased with the overall performance of the external wall membrane for this project. It was critical that the chosen product had independent fi re test data as a membrane system with tape to back up its claims and give us the confi dence to fi t on site. T e product is easy to install and my team commented that Protect FrameSafe FR was easier to handle than other fi re rated membranes that had previously been used.” James Smith, head of technical for Glidevale


Protect said: “Fire rated wall membranes like our own Protect FrameSafe FR product, can help play


a crucial role in reducing facade fi re risk, as their performance can have a positive impact on the overall fi re strategy of a residential development like the Life Building. “Currently, UK Building Regulations generally


class external wall membranes as exemptions to the minimum Class A2 requirements for wall structures in relevant buildings in UK Building Regulations, albeit with the exception of residential buildings above 11 metres in England, where external wall membranes must achieve a minimum of a Class B-s3, d0 rating. But there’s a growing industry momentum towards specifying products that future proof against minimum standards, prompting the use of fi re rated materials with a higher reaction to fi re classifi cation, like Protect FrameSafe FR.”


0161 905 5700 www.glidevaleprotect.com Housing Management & Maintenance December/January 2026


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