Built Up Systems
A profiled wall utilises metal cladding with trapezoidal, sinusoidal or half round profiles fixed to the steel structure of a building.
Cladding panels can be produced in different profiles which can be laid horizontally or vertically and can be manufactured from prefinished steel or aluminium in a vast array of colours; providing a wide choice of aesthetic finish. Profiles are induced into sheets of material which are fed through banks of forming rollers in dedicated, state-of-the-art production machinery.
A profiled wall system offers a range of profiles, materials, colours and orientations to give a huge choice of aesthetic finish. The acoustic and thermal performance of built up cladding using profiled sheeting fully complies with Building Regulations Part L and can be adjusted to achieve specific requirements of the project. Standard lead times are five days from receipt of cut lengths, depending on the profile and colour.
Quilt insulation, unless supported, will tend to sag. In a vertical orientation system the spacer system runs horizontally, supporting the insulation. In a horizontal wall system the spacer system runs vertically, offering no support. This is overcome by using semi-rigid slab insulation. This is stacked into the system as the external sheet is installed, ensuring continuity of insulation and no risk of sagging.
Wall cladding systems firewall options to be available where there are boundary conditions to consider. All fire walls must be constructed in accordance with fire testing accredited to BS476, with particular reference to part 22 which tests integrity and insulation ratings. Always consult manufacturer's recommendations, but in general you should always:
- Fire protect the main steel for the duration of resistance required
- Use slotted holes and low melt washers for the secondary steelwork which is not fire protected
- Use an entire system from one source - mixing and matching profiles, spacer systems and components may result in a construction that has not been tested.
