FOCUS


Cladding solutions


Cavity barriers


The particular challenge of maintaining air fl ow whilst providing an effective hot smoke and fi re seal for the rainscreen cladding on high rise towers can be met by using a rainscreen cavity barrier system. The system allows continuous ventilation and drainage behind the external cladding of the building to continue to function, while at the same time affording levels of fi re performance of up to 120 minutes’ integrity and 90 minutes’ insulation. In the unlikely event of a fi re breaking into


the cavity, the cavity barrier system activates to close off the cavity, stopping further spread of the fi re and other products of combustion, and effectively creating a seal or compartment. Time to activation needs to be swift, with this cavity barrier system demonstrating impressive times of two minutes and, on some products, less than one minute.


Regulatory approach


In England and Wales, Approved Document B of the Building Regulations (ADB) provides guidance on ways to satisfy the Building Regulations and relevant performance requirements. In Scotland,


44 JUNE 2019 www.frmjournal.com


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