EJOT UK has collaborated with Scottish distributor Tektum Supplies and roofing and façade contractor Fowler McKenzie to develop a robust fixing specification for the building envelope of a new multi-purpose civic facility in Aberdeenshire.
The two-storey, £11.4million development in Ellon provides a new family resource centre, library and council offices, and forms part of the area’s wider masterplan. Designed to elevated sustainability standards to reflect its significance, with the aim of achieving net zero in operation, the building incorporates renewable energy systems, including photovoltaic (PV) panels, as well as a highly insulated and airtight envelope construction to minimise energy use.
One of the challenges associated with the building envelope of ‘Formartine House’ was identifying how best to ensure the Kalzip standing seam system would be securely fixed to the building’s structure. This is formed of glulam beams and supporting secondary steelwork, with the envelope also featuring a thick layer of insulation to meet high sustainability targets and a design to Passivhaus standards.
To determine the most effective fixing solution for this unconventional envelope design, the project’s appointed roofing and cladding contractor, Aberdeen-based Fowler McKenzie, consulted with Tektum Supplies, a distributor of metal roofing, cladding and façade products with whom EJOT UK has a strong working relationship.
The three-way collaboration enabled the project team, which included main contractor Morrison Construction and the client, Aberdeenshire Council, to tap into a wealth of fastening systems knowledge and testing experience to arrive at a definitive fixing recommendation ‘quickly and reliably’.
Tektum utilised its unique prognosis software to generate the calculations necessary and confirm that the fasteners recommended by EJOT would satisfy Kalzip’s own technical criteria. Developed specifically for specifications such as this, Tektum’s calculation programme had the additional benefit in this project of being able to provide EJOT’s technical team with the data to conduct a range of detailed tests, recreating applications scenarios within its research, development and testing facility, the EJOT Applitec Centre.
Mike Saini, MD of Tektum Supplies, said, “Collaboration with the fastener manufacturer at an early stage is key to the success of projects like this and, through our work with the EJOT UK team on previous projects over many years, we knew they would have the products, resources and expertise to confirm our own calculations.
“Combining our prognosis data with Applitec’s physical testing capabilities meant we could achieve a fastener specification that everyone in the project could depend on. In going the extra mile to analyse the material characteristics of the building substrates, Fowler McKenzie could move forward with the envelope construction with complete confidence and both the main contractor and client have the peace of mind that the roof and façade will perform as specified.”
Pullout tests conducted by EJOT’s technical team confirmed the suitability of the two recommended fasteners, and tensile testing in accordance with EN 6892-1 verified the mechanical characteristics of the steel. The team was also able to look deeper into the material characteristics of the proposed envelope build-up, starting with an analysis of the steel section using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology.
Withdrawal testing, as is typical for such applications, was undertaken in line with international provisions, and prior to this the glulam sections were conditioned in one of Applitec’s dedicated chambers for one week. Finally, installation depth was carefully monitored to further ensure quality control and consistency.
Jon Knaggs, technical manager for industrial light weight construction at EJOT UK, added, “When Tektum approached us for a standing seam fixing solution for this unconventional building design, we immediately recommended two types of our JT3 fastener. One of these, the FM Approved JT3-X2-6.0, is actually purpose-designed for fixing standing seams and brackets back to steel and aluminium substructures, and has been used on projects where Kalzip is specified, as well as other similar systems, for many years.
“The data Tektum gave us from their own calculation software enabled us to assess and analyse the application in great depth. With the extensive resources and testing equipment available within Applitec’s laboratory, we could go further and support our recommendations to the project team with detailed evidence to confirm Tektum’s own calculations and their suitability for the application.”
