High-rise buildings
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High-rise buildings Meeting the guidance within Approved Document B Volumes 1 & 2 (England)

6 Guidance: Approved Document B Compliance without compromise: ventilated façades Introduction Requirement B4 of Building Regulations Ban on combustible materials in the external walls of buildings over 18m Systems using non-combustible ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation can minimise the risk of fire spread within ventilated rainscreen cladding and external wall systems in high rise buildings. Building types excluded from the ban: Option 1: Meeting the guidance in Approved Document B to Requirement B4 Option 2: Meeting the criteria of BR 135 via BS 8414 ROCKWOOL rainscreen systems 12...

Introduction With literally thousands of material, texture and colour combinations available, rainscreen cladding and external wall systems offer designers increased flexibility and the freedom to design bespoke systems for clients and building owners. Modern methods of construction, like ventilated rainscreen systems, are becoming increasingly popular and often replace more traditional building techniques. considering the use of insulation and other materials within the external wall systems of buildings with a storey 18m above ground level. A combination of innovative construction methods...

The importance of defining non-combustibility The following guidance is given in section 10.1 of Approved Document B1 and 12.1 of Approved Document B2: “The external wall of a building should not provide a medium for fire spread if that is likely to be a risk to health and safety. Combustible materials and cavities in external walls and attachments to them can present such a risk, particularly in tall buildings.” Further, related guidance is provided in the advice note issued by MHCLG in January 2020, “Advice for Building Owners of Multi-Storey, Multi-occupied Residential Buildings”:...

Ban on combustible materials in the external walls of buildings over 18m On the 29th of November 2018, the Government announced a ban on the use of combustible materials in the walls of certain buildings over 18m, effective from 21st December 2018. Excluded building types The ban is implemented by changes to Regulation 7 of the Building Regulations (‘Materials and workmanship’) and the guidance in Approved Document B. Regulation 7(2) Subject to paragraph (3), building work shall be carried out so that materials which become part of an external wall, or specified attachment, of a relevant...

Option 2 - Meet the performance criteria given in BRE report BR 135 for external walls, using test data from external cladding system fire performance test BS 8414-1 or BS 8414-2. ROCKWOOL recommends that non-combustible materials (including insulation and cladding panels) be used in the external walls of all high-risk buildings, including: ROCKWOOL recommends that non-combustible materials (Option 1) be used in the design of the external walls of high-risk buildings, rather than Option 2. We believe this is the right approach, taking into consideration the significant design and...

Step-by-step guide to compliance over 18m The simplicity, cost-effectiveness and safety of using non-combustible materials. ‘Relevant building’ under Regulation 7? Regulation 7: “Relevant building” means a building with a storey (not including roof-top plant areas or any storey consisting exclusively of plant rooms) at least 18 metres above ground level and which: All external wall materials to be A1 or A2-s1, d0 A restricted number of building materials are exempted i. contains one or more dwellings; ii. contains an institution; or iii. contains a room for residential purposes (excluding...

Compliance without compromise Designing out risk ROCKWOOL rainscreen products We believe that using non-combustible building products wherever possible is the most straightforward way of designing out risk and ultimately meeting the requirements of Building Regulations. Using stone wool products within the rainscreen cavity does not mean you have to compromise on thermal performance. ROCKWOOL RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® is non-combustible. It is classified A1 in accordance with BS EN 13501-1, the highest possible reaction to fire classification. As well as offering low risk solutions, ROCKWOOL...

Saving energy, improving lives ROCKWOOL and Rockpanel® partner in award-winning Midlands development Client: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Main Contractor: Keepmoat Regeneration Location: Smethwick Building Use: Residential flats ROCKWOOL and Rockpanel® have joined forces in developing a high performance, fire resilient cladding project which has transformed three high-rise residential towers for Sandwell Borough Council. The challenge The Crofts in Smethwick consists of 270 homes within Ashcroft, Birchcroft and Elmcroft houses. This development is located on a major arterial route...

Notes The ROCKWOOL Trademark ROCKWOOL Limited reserves the right to alter or amend the specification of products without notice as our policy is one of constant improvement. The information contained in this brochure is believed to be correct at the date of publication. Whilst ROCKWOOL will endeavour to keep its publications up to date, readers will appreciate that between publications there may be pertinent changes in the law, or other developments affecting the accuracy of the information contained in this brochure. The applications referred to within the brochure do not necessarily...

May 2022 ROCKWOOL Limited Pencoed Bridgend CF35 6NY Tel: 01656 862 621 info@rockwool.co.uk rockwool.com/uk Version 1.01 May 2022 © ROCKWOOL 2021. All rights reserved.