Catnic is delighted to announce the British Board of Agrément (BBA) certification for Urban Seam Façade, the limited combustibility wall system for use on buildings over 11 metres in height.
This milestone achievement provides assurance for specifiers and contractors that the complete façade system is compliant, helping to simplify the overall process and de-risk projects.
Furthermore, it is the result of significant investment and a long-term commitment by Catnic in independent product testing.
As part of the BBA certification, and to demonstrate the structural integrity, durability and weatherability of the Urban Seam Façade system, Catnic carried out comprehensive full-scale testing in accordance with the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT). The extensive test program included wind loading, rain penetration and hard and soft body impact tests.
Independent third-party testing and certification, such as BBA, provides those responsible for a project with reassurance on the quality and performance of a product or system. This can cover a range of factors including mechanical resistance, safety, sustainability and energy efficiency. These certifications are more important than ever with tighter regulations and increased focus on fire safety, particularly for high-rise buildings.
Richard Price, Technical Director at Catnic said: “The independent BBA certification of Catnic Urban Seam Façade simplifies cladding specification and installation for buildings over 11 metres. As a tested and certified system, it eliminates the uncertainty of combining different products to create the façade. It is supplied as a kit of parts from a single supplier, making installation easy and we offer training to minimise any issues on-site and ensure best practice is followed.
“At Catnic we understand the value of independent third-party testing and certification when it comes to making informed decisions about product performance. As such, we have always invested heavily, as part of any new product development. In fact, we are incredibly proud that in addition to BBA Approval of Urban Seam Façade, Urban Wall Panel and Urban Roof Panel, Catnic also has the most extensive BBA coverage for lintels in the UK, including the latest Thermally Broken Lintel.”
Manufactured in the UK, the Catnic Urban Seam Façade system comprises A1 fire rated Colorcoat Prisma pre-finished steel standing seam panels fixed to a Tata Steel Trisobuild D32s carrier sheet and supported by a ‘helping hand’ and steel framing system. With the addition of A1 or A2-s1, d0 rated insulation, sheathing boards and plasterboard, the system provides a robust and fire-safe façade solution for apartments, student accommodation, hotels, mixed-use buildings and other ‘relevant’ buildings over 11 metres in height.
Supplied with a wide range of ancillaries including colour matched flashing and trims, the versatile Catnic Urban Seam Façade system can be combined with Catnic Urban Roofing for an integrated aesthetic, and also complements a wide array of modern and traditional materials. The pre-finished steel of the Catnic Urban range is fully recyclable, has a BRE A+ environmental rating and BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing certification. This helps to achieve maximum credits within BREEAM and LEED assessments.