ON SITE testing a curtain wall facade to the CWCT sequence, it is normal to tape off any opening products such as doors windows and vents, however,, for the MB77HS test the sliding door was left untaped to test the product in a real world scenario.
Current view of project
accepted performance levels for doors and windows in normal use, balcony doors at 32 storeys high could be subject to much harsher weather conditions common to the North West. It was decided that the specific door configuration on the project should be tested to meet the much more onerous testing that curtain walling is often tested to by testing to CWCT standards. The main difference is that the normal window and door tests take place within a cabinet, whereas weather testing to CWCT is applied externally. Tested at Wintech in the Midlands, now UL, testing was independently overseen by Fenestration Consultants, Cladtech Associates. The CWCT Sequence B test is far more intrusive than the traditional cabinet testing and is summarised as follows: Air permeability in a cabinet test will have an overall figure of 3m³/(h:m²) and an opening joint would be 0.75m³/(h:m²), for the CWCT sequence this is reduced 1.5m³/(h:m²) for overall area and 0.5m³/(h:m²) for a fixed joint which is a significant tighter specification. Typically, when
For a standard water resistance cabinet test you would have 2l/m per nozzle at the head and 1l/m per nozzle for the second row for a sample up to 2500mm in height. Spray nozzles would be set at 400mm centres and 250mm from the face of the sample. With the CWCT the sequence requires that nozzles no more than 700mm apart horizontally and vertically and then 400mm from the face, the rate of flow is increased to 3.4l/m per nozzle. This is a significant increase in the level of water, over three times the normal amount in a cabinet test and it is unlikely that many opening products would achieve a rating, but the MB-77HS system passed the CWCT Sequence B.
Staying Safe,
Looking Great
With TuffX
An elegant building requires an equally elegant safety glass solution – which is exactly what toughened glass specialists TuffX recently supplied to a residential complex in Scotland. The client required fifteen Juliet balconies to provide both unobstructed views and unrivalled safety from multiple storeys of windows. TuffX supplied 17.5mm toughened clear glass in varying sizes, with a perfectly aligned finish and brilliant polished edge, to fulfil the brief. The result are stunningly unobtrusive balconies, providing not only great views from the inside looking out, but also a barely-there high-end addition to the outside of the building. The finished balconies complement the stonework façade in a minimalist, modern manner, without imposing on the building’s original beauty.
MB-77HS Lift and Slide Door system
Aluprof systems have been installed on the scheme by Leeds based specialists Casu Consulto and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021 following a nine month fit out. Further information is available on the company’s website at aluprof.co.uk
Great views are coupled with maximum safety – with the glass providing high-fall protection for the large windows, which can be opened up completely to bring the outside in on good days. When the weather turns, the view from the closed windows is equally unimpeded, with the toughened glass ready to stand up to whatever the elements can throw at it. www.tuffxglass.co.uk WINDOW NEWS JANUARY 2021 59