EXTERIORS


Mayplas Thermal Soffi t achieves A2 Reaction to Fire classifi cation


M


ayplas’ Thermal Soffi t, just launched in March, has now achieved an A2 Reaction to Fire classifi cation and


has been renamed ‘Thermafi re A2 Soffi t’. The product is part of a range of insulation that Mayplas, a specialist manufacturer in passive fi re protection, acoustic and thermal insulation, off ers the housebuilding and construction industries.


Confi rmed following testing as Reaction to


Fire A2-s1,d0 according to BS EN 13501-1, the limited combustibility slab provides thermal and acoustic insulation within the soffi t at the party wall junction. Available in thicknesses of 100 mm and 150 mm, permitting the design of thermal performance to suit the construction, the Mayplas Thermafi re A2 Soffi t facilitates thermal resistance values to Approved Document L. It is suitable for both masonry and timber frame constructions. It also provides resistance to the passage of sound, synonymous with stone mineral wool insulation. Standard 600 mm x 600 mm slabs can be


cut to size on site to ensure an accurate cut to fi ll the full soffi t void at the party wall. The soffi t can be secured through the product to the timber truss or masonry block using the correct length of fi xing for the width of the product. Mayplas can supply appropriate fi xings. In terms of application, the Thermafi re


A2 Soffi t is valid for any wooden-based substrate and is also valid with or without a cavity to the opposite side. “Achieving an A2-s1, d0 Reaction to Fire


classifi cation for our Thermafi re soffi t product is proving very useful,” comments Michael Hunter, Mayplas’ technical director. “The test results open up new applications which we look


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forward to exploring with our housebuilder customers and with the construction industry more broadly.” The Thermafi re A2 Soffi t is foil faced to


provide an eff ective vapour barrier and the foil also prevents fi bre migration.


0161 447 8320 www.mayplas.co.uk/housebuilding-solutions


Unique facade for property developer I


mpress with surprising choices and stylish combinations? Arteco does the trick. The property developer showed off its skills


in the French town of Saint-Nazaire, fl anked by the surging Loire. The impressive facade is dominated by the Linius facade cladding from Renson. The invisible screens ensure pleasant indoor temperatures. The Arteco house in Saint-Nazaire, in Loire-Atlantique, is a conceptual building. “This local branch is about 200 square metres,” explains branch manager Mickaël


Euzenat. “For this project, we relied on suppliers of high-quality and utilised special products,


such as external insulation,


innovative heating systems, and Renson’s aluminium facade cladding.”


High-end concept with refi ned materials The ‘out the box’ building combines a domestic exterior with an offi ce interior. Aesthetics and practical added value come together in a selection of refi ned materials. “The principle of a high-end concept, but in a homey atmosphere,” emphasises Mickaël. “Customers can see the products here in a different way. And our ideal geographical location called for a real eyecatcher.” Instead of traditional wooden or aluminium cassettes as facade cladding, the architects opted for blades, for external insulation and to really draw attention. The horizontal aluminium Linius blades – resistant to the salty sea air – create unique and fascinating shadow effects. The white facade cladding on the fi rst fl oor is a nice contrast to the Linius blades on the ground fl oor.


Lessons from the past Renson was also the point of contact for effi cient and windproof (up to 130 km/h) sun protection, a practical choice with no impact on the facade appearance, despite the thick layer of insulation. In opting for blinds, Arteco drew lessons from the past. A branch in Lorient, built in 2007 without sun protection, quickly ran into an overheating problem and needed active cooling. The Fixscreens prevent the same scenario in Saint-Nazaire. All whilst maintaining the sleek architecture.


www.renson.net


WWW.BUILDINGCONSTRUCTIONDESIGN.CO.UK


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