Tutorials
General, Construction Methodology & Procurement
The first section of the tutorial serves as both – an introduction and an outline of the key features of this façade type. The clip outlines the critical aspects of this construction method and shows their interconnection.
The explanation usually starts with the suitability of the construction method of the façade and outlines the typical project context, such as location, building height, etc.
The unique features of the façade are explained in terms of their impact on an outlook of the building. This includes the geometry of the façade and signature visual elements.
The video outlines the access method used in the construction of the facades and mentions the key implications for the choice of the discussed façade type.
The selected interfaces were deemed to be most critical for the representation of the chosen façade construction method. The shown areas are representative of the potential buildability and cost issues.
Condensation & Thermal Performance
This section of the tutorial presents the thermal properties of the key façade interfaces and explains the potential issues affecting thermal performance. The selected interfaces were deemed to be most critical for ensuring high-thermal performance. These areas of façades are often found to have numerous thermal bridging issues and include locations in front of the slab, openings’ jambs, and areas of the load transfer. The video may also touch upon the specific areas of interface with an emphasis on a particular component of the build-up to highlight potential risks to thermal performance and condensation.
The overlay of the Finite Element Analysis results with corresponding areas shows the thermal capabilities of the key interfaces. The configuration of the dew point line is a result of condensation risk analysis, which has been proven to be absent under conditions specific to each individual case.
Fire safety
The fire-related part of the tutorial shows the most efficient way of placing the fire separation means such as cavity barriers, cavity closers, and fire stops. The clip outlines the use of materials and compartmentation in line with the requirements of the Approved Document B and BS EN 9999.
The shown configurations are a result of undertaken measures to reduce the risk of fire and its spread. The key interfaces of the fire separation include the zones around openings and the front area of the slab. The location of the fire separation means is specific to the overall fire compartmentation strategy issued by the project-specific Fire Engineer. The fire separation within the shown interfaces often presents the most onerous scenario and should be viewed holistically with the compartmentation across the entire façade.
The presented solutions include standard, off-the-shelf system readily available on the current construction supply market and specific to the technical context of the project.
