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EJOT UK provides fully tested standing seam fastening solution for Aberdeenshire’s new ‘civic hub’

Two types of our EJOT JT3 fasteners were provided for the installation of the

Kalzip system, one of which is purpose-designed for fixing standing

seams and brackets back to steel and aluminium substructures.

EJOT UK’s technical team has supported Tektum Supplies and roofing and façade contractor Fowler McKenzie to develop a robust fixing specification for the building envelope of a highly sustainable new multi-purpose civic building in Aberdeenshire.

The two-storey £11.4million development in Ellon provides the community with a new family resource centre, library and council offices, representing an important part of the wider masterplan for the area. It has been designed to elevated sustainability standards to reflect its significance, with the aim of achieving ‘net zero’ in operation through the incorporation of renewable energy systems, including photovoltaic (PV) panels, heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation, as well as a highly insulated and airtight envelope to minimise energy use.

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One of the challenges associated with the construction of the building envelope for ‘Formartine House’ was identifying how best to ensure the Kalzip standing seam system would be securely fixed to the building’s structure. This is formed of glulam beams and supporting secondary steelwork, with the envelope also featuring a thick layer of insulation to ensure the building will meet its high sustainability targets and design to Passivhaus standards.

To determine the most effective fixing solution for this unconventional envelope design, the project’s appointed roofing and cladding contractor, Fowler McKenzie, consulted with leading Scottish distributor of metal roofing, cladding and façade products Tektum Supplies, with whom EJOT UK has a strong working relationship.

Fowler McKenzie were aware of EJOT’s global capability, and in particular Kalzip’s long standing collaboration with EJOT throughout Europe, for applications of this kind. And, with Tektum’s support, they were keen to extend this to the UK and establish the most effective fixing approach for the Kalzip standing seam system.

This three-way collaboration enabled the project team, which included main contractor Morrison Construction and the client, Aberdeenshire Council, to tap into a wealth of fastening systems knowledge and testing experience to arrive at a definitive fixing recommendation quickly and reliably.

The process started with Tektum utilising their unique prognosis software to generate the calculations necessary and confirm that the fasteners recommended by EJOT would satisfy Kalzip’s own technical criteria.

Tektum’s calculation program has been developed specifically for specifications such as this, proving to be a real game changer. The data yield enabled EJOT’s technical team to conduct a range of detailed tests, recreating applications scenarios within the EJOT Applitec Centre, its state-of-the-art laboratory in Yorkshire.

 

Mike Saini, Managing Director of Tektum Supplies said:

“Collaboration with the fastener manufacturer at an early stage is key to the success of projects like this and, through our work with the EJOT UK team on previous projects over many years, we knew they would have the products, resources and expertise to confirm our own calculations.

“Combining our prognosis data with Applitec’s physical testing capabilities meant we could achieve a fastener specification that everyone in the project could depend on. In going the extra mile to analyse the material characteristics of the building substrates, Fowler McKenzie could move forward with the envelope construction with complete confidence, providing both the main contractor and client with the peace of mind that the roof will perform as specified.”

Pullout tests conducted by EJOT’s technical team confirmed the suitability of the two recommended fasteners, and tensile testing in accordance with EN 6892-1 verified the mechanical characteristics of the steel. The Applitec team were also able to look deeper into the material characteristics of the proposed envelope build-up, starting with an analysis of the steel section using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology, one of several state-of-the-art machines, to achieve this.

Withdrawal testing, as is typical for such applications, was then undertaken in line with international provisions, and prior to this the glulam sections were conditioned in one of Applitec’s dedicated chambers for one week. Finally, installation depth was carefully monitored to further ensure quality control and consistency.

Jon Knaggs, Technical Manager for Industrial Light Weight Construction at EJOT UK added:

“When Tektum approached us for a standing seam fixing solution for this unconventional building design, we immediately recommended two types of our JT3 fastener. One of these, the FM Approved JT3-X2-6.0, is actually purpose-designed for fixing standing seams and brackets back to steel and aluminium substructures, and has been used on projects where Kalzip is specified, as well as other similar systems, for many years.

“The data Tektum gave us from their own calculation software enabled us to assess and analyse the application in great depth. With the extensive resources and testing equipment available within Applitec’s laboratory, we could go further and support our recommendations to the project team with detailed evidence to confirm Tektum’s own calculations and their suitability for the application”.

In addition to the building performance goals designed to minimise energy consumption, the development of Formartine House also considers the ecology of the site. Amongst the measures taken were the preservation of a walnut tree, believed to be 130 years old, a landscaping scheme that includes planting to support pollinating insects and the use of ‘swift bricks’ and ‘bat bricks’ in the building construction which allow for roosting.

CLICK HERE to find out more about EJOT UK and its technical support

for building envelope designers and installers

 

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We need to look at lifespans, not one-use buildings

Urban Splash commercial property conversion in Plymouth (image Urban Splash)

 

David Connacher, Marketing Manager at West Fraser, discusses the need to design and construct buildings that can be adapted and transformed

Across millennia, buildings have been altered to meet changing needs. Recent centuries have seen Georgian and Victorian houses become highly sought-after for their flexibility, enduring character and build quality. The potential of old factory and mill buildings has also been recognised with developers, such as Urban Splash, building their brands on converting such structures into state-of-the-art accommodation, retail and office spaces.

 

This transformative process succeeds due to a building’s adaptability and durability. It is a concept Sir Alexander John Gordon, a former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, addressed more widely in 1971 when he argued for long life, loose fit, low energy buildings.

 

These holistic principles readily translate into today’s language of sustainability but, while low energy design has moved up the agenda, the concept of long life and loose fit is less evident. The notional lifespan of new homes is just 60 years*; the construction and demolition of some commercial and office buildings may occur in a timeframe of as little as 20 years. We cannot continue to design such one-use, short-lived buildings; we must consider lifespan. To do this, we must deconstruct the design process and create buildings adaptable to functions that may not initially be obvious.

 

Designers, cost consultants and clients should remember that it is easy to be seduced by the immediate gain of introducing systems and technology without considering the longer-term validity of these interventions. Poor material choices and over‐specification can result in a lack of flexibility and structures that are neither durable nor open to future adaptation.

 

Despite attitudes to buildings and spaces being shaken profoundly by the coronavirus pandemic, mindsets must shift. A room is just a room and could, in many buildings, be purposed in numerous ways: sitting room, bedroom, study, office, showroom, workplace, classroom, shop, gallery, studio.

 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEST FRASER WEBSITE

or for further infomation call 01786 812 921

 

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