Colorcoat-Online - Building Performance

Building Performance

Attention to detail in the specification of any building envelope will pay dividends in the long-term performance of that building. The primary areas of performance are driven through the Building Regulations, so it is important to understand what the Regulations mean and how to achieve compliance. Pulling together the final specification requires consideration of all the issues highlighted, together with the detailing of how they fit together and the specification of the necessary ancillary components which complete the system.

Building Regulations

Building Regulations are the codes by which the health and safety of people using and working in and around buildings is provided for. This is achieved by providing minimum standards and functional requirements for building design and construction. Here we provide an outline of the main Building Regulations in the UK and Ireland, and highlight those that have an impact on the building envelope.

Thermal Performance

Environmental concerns and the rising cost of fuel mean that there is an increased focus on the minimisation of energy use during the natural occupational life of a building. The thermal performance of the building envelope can make a significant contribution to reducing the overall building energy usage.

Detailing

The junctions between cladding elements can make the difference both in terms of performance and appearance between a building that works well and one that does not. Here, detailing strategies are provided for the main junction points supported by thermal modelling to demonstrate their effectiveness.

Fire Performance

Two major considerations for fire performance are compliance with the Building Regulations and insurance requirements. These are not necessarily the same. The focus here is specifically on the building envelope and understanding how to satisfy these requirements when using pre-finished steel cladding systems.

Acoustic Performance

Noise and its control are important aspects of building design. Whilst Building Regulations in this area focus on the transmission of noise between separating wall and floor constructions and not the external shell, the building envelope can play a key role in keeping internal noise in or external noise out.

Functional Design

A key purpose of the building envelope is to enclose the interior of the building and protect it from the elements. The envelope does not, in most cases, provide primary support to the building, however the need for it to withstand the worst of the weather has structural implications for the performance of the cladding.

Building Components

Whilst the pre-finished steel and cladding system play a vital role in the appearance and performance of a given building, there are a number of components used in this type of construction that also need to be considered and specified correctly. Here, an overview of the main components and their role and interaction with the building envelope is provided.

Further Information

Colorcoat-Online is intended to provide a good source of information and guidance on the key areas that need to be considered when designing, specifying and constructing metal envelopes. Sources of further information relating to Building Performance are included here to provide an additional source of guidance should this be required. Additional information and guidance is also available from the Colorcoat Connection® helpline.