February 2024

Cladding & Facades Updates
DEMAND GROWS FOR FR-A PANELS
Panel Systems, a leading supplier of
architectural panels, is gearing up for a busy
year ahead for its range of non-combustible
FR-A glazing infill panels.
Since launching the FR-A panels, Panel
Systems has experienced strong demand from
contractors switching to using non-combustible
materials in external walls of buildings over
11m in height, in order to meet the latest
Approved Document B Building Regulations. In
these cases, building materials must now be
Euroclass A1 or A2-s1, d0.
Manufactured at the company’s centrally
located UK facility to approved IOS 9001:2015
management standards, the FR-A panels
achieve A2-s1,d0 classification when tested
against the procedures detailed in EN 13501-
1:2018. These non-combustible architectural
panels are suitable for both glazing and curtain
walling applications.
A spokesperson for Panel Systems,
said: “Our FR-A panels provide
architects, developers and
contractors with peace of mind
when specifying panels to achieve
the latest building regulations.
These panels have been really popular, and we
expect to see demand rise even further.”
The FR-A panels are available with both Anodised
and Powder Coated (PPC) aluminium facings, in a
variety of thicknesses. Each panel goes through a
controlled manufacturing process, which includes
stringent quality checks on each component to
ensure they meet the required standard of the
tested specifications. As well as meeting fire
safety regulations, Panel Systems’ FR-A panels
offer excellent aesthetics and are available in a
range of colours and finishes.
Each panel is made up of a fire
resisting, non-combustible core
of Nexus Stonewool Lamella, the
fire safe material for composite
structures. This core has superb
integrity, rigidity, flatness and
built-in structural performance,
and its uniform vertical fibre structure provides
optimum mechanical performance. The unique
open filament net allows a strong adhesive
bond, which is complemented by Panel
Systems’ adhesives, which are applied to
ensure uniform, consistent coating.
The FR-A panels have been carefully designed
and engineered to offer architects and
developers a wider choice when specifying
glazing and curtain walling materials that meet
the strict building regulations for fire safety.
www.panelsystems.co.uk
VIVALDA LAUNCHES METSKIN SYSTEM
Vivalda Group has expanded its product range to
include MetSkin, a new, UK designed and
manufactured solid aluminium cladding system.
Supplied as a whole tested and warranted system,
MetSkin is manufactured within the group by MSP
Façade Solutions, which has more than 30 years’
experience in high performance cladding production.
Available in Interlocking Plank (2mm thickness),
Hook-on Cassette (3mm thickness) or Tray Panel
(3mm thickness) Systems, MetSkin is fabricated
using premium grade, non-flammable, solid
aluminium sheet. Once formed, this is then powder
coated on-site to the globally recognised Qualicoat
standard. This chrome-free, environmentally
friendly process is undertaken by sister company
Prism Powder Coating, which has also gained Akzo
Nobel approved applicator status.
In addition to being available in more than 740
RAL colours, MetSkin can also be supplied in an
A1 anodised finish or A1 PVDF pre-coated
aluminium, providing architects and specifiers
with limitless creative possibilities.
Andy Thomas, Trading Director at Vivalda Group,
explained: “MetSkin represents an important step
for us, adding the manufacture of a fully tested
system to our established business as the UK’s
biggest cladding distributor. While we are already
well-known by contractors for the supply of worldclass,
non-flammable cladding materials including
fibre cement, GRC, terracotta and solid aluminium,
it’s exciting to be able to provide customers with our
own fully approved and tested envelope system.
“We see a significant market for this product in
the UK, on both new build and retrofit
developments. We have worked hard during the
two-year development phase to create a
complete solution for architects and specifiers –
MetSkin has been tested to CWCT standards at an
accredited test centre and is distributed exclusively through
the Vivalda Group, which includes Vivalda, BBS Facades and
Pura Facades.
matching existing colours or helping them bring to
life their latest vision. For contractors, this means
that we supply a total A-rated, tested system,
including fixings, rails and ancillary products
such as membranes and insulation as required.
“We’ve designed MetSkin with creativity in mind,
which allows the use of various substructure
configurations, without compromising on the
safety or aesthetics of the façade. We’ve also not
forgotten about contractors and made our system
easy to order and easy to install.”
www.vivalda.co.uk
34 TC FEBRUARY 2024