Warranty-backed performance packs provide ultimate reassurance

voestalpine Metsec is reporting a marked increase in interest for its MetWALL Perform packs over recent months. The industry-leading digital information package and warranty programme gives architects, developers and clients ultimate reassurance when specifying through-wall solutions incorporating Metsec steel framing systems, including Metsec SFS and Metframe.

Building Safety Act

Chris Holleron, Sales Director for voestalpine Metsec’s Framing Division, explains, “The Building Safety Act (BSA) places building safety at the core of every new building project, whether new-build, refurbishment or repurposing.

“We are finding that designers and contractors are increasingly looking to systems manufacturers to provide solutions for safety critical aspects of their projects, particularly fire performance.

“With the BSA formalising the Golden Thread of information, these solutions need to be backed up by comprehensive design information and this is where MetWALL Perform is proving invaluable, together, of course, with our in-house design department and team of chartered structural engineers.”

MetWALL Perform provides the designer, contractor and end client with a comprehensive digital package of design information which can form part of the Golden Thread and support building applications, such as the BSA’s Gateway procedures.

Founded on voestalpine Metsec’s relentless investment in independent testing, the MetWALL Perform packs not only include essential design and performance data but also enable the company to provide a 30-year warranty for its through-wall solutions.

Independent testing

Long recognised as market leaders in the design and production of light-gauge, cold-rolled steel framing systems, voestalpine Metsec invests heavily in a continuous programme of independent testing for its through-wall solutions, covering acoustics, thermal efficiency, structural stability and, crucially, fire.

Using combinations of plasterboard (British Gypsum, Knauf and Siniat), sheathing board (RCM Y-Wall, Euroform Versaroc, Siniat Weather Defence, British Gypsum Glasroc X, Knauf Windliner and other leading manufacturers) and insulation (Rockwool and Knauf Rocksilk), voestalpine Metsec framing systems are used to create typical through-wall solutions for testing.

The result is one of the most extensive and comprehensive libraries of performance data available for framing solutions, comprising hundreds of different through-wall permutations using the industry’s most popular boarding products, verified to the highest possible performance standards under UKAS-accredited test procedures and relevant BS EN standards

For architects and designers, this through-wall data is available via NBS source and is directly accessible through the NBS Chorus specification writing system. This ensures that information is held in a clear, standardised digital format for designers and contractors, enhancing the project’s digital record and contributing towards the application process.

Peace of mind

Concluding, voestalpine Metsec’s Specification Manager for Framing, David Atkinson comments, “MetWALL Perform and its 30-year warranty give the designer, contractor and client with total peace of mind when specifying our through-wall solutions.

“They instil confidence that our solutions meet relevant Building Regulations and enable projects to comply with the requirements of the BSA, including providing an accurate record of the design, which forms part of the Golden Thread.

“Together with our expert design services, MetWALL Perform is delivering a solutions package which is hard for the design and construction team to resist.”

Details on MetWALL perform can be obtained from voestalpine Metsec’s website (www.metsec.com) or by contacting the company’s Framing Division at metsec.SFS@voestalpine.com or on 0121 601 6000.