System Based Solutions

BTS System based solutions will benefit architects, designers, main contractors and installers.

Working with our supply chain partners we have now have two full through wall and façade options for system based solutions.

This safety first approach has the following benefits

• Tested systems with either CWCT or BS8414-2:2020
• One stop shop using market-leading products either in house or via our supply chain
• In-house technical experts either in house or via our supply chain
• The stone wool core on both options offers  ‘built in passive fire protection’
• Non combustible and limited combustibility rated products all A2 rated or better
• The Paroc composite option offers ease and speed of installation to create a weather tight building envelope early on in the build programme meaning the facade installation can be removed from the critical path to simplify and accelerate the construction process
• Both systems offering excellent acoustic, airtightness and weathering

With one system suiting multi story residential projects and the other on quick build commercial offices, retail, data centres and warehouses we believe these innovations and collaborations will put us as market leaders within the construction industry.

BTS Facades and Fabrications collaborates to create the Vantage® SF-PS

We’re proud to announce the launch of Vantage® SF-PS (Secret Fix-Panel System) – an innovative collaboration of manufacturers offering a single source supply for a full wall system, including CWCT tested Vantage® SF Rainscreen showcased on the front face.

This is all thanks to our partnership with  Paroc, and full support and collaboration from Nvelope / SFSIntec and Siderise.

The Paroc Panels offer an all-in-one solution, allowing for significantly quicker installation than traditional building envelope solutions.

SF-PS is made up of a high-class sandwich panel with a core of structural non-combustible stone wool, providing an air and water-tight structural base to support the rainscreen. The panels themselves come in an array of architectural options including DELIGN. The Paroc panel system offers many solutions for a variety of applications, including fire rated and acoustic, as well as for the hygiene and food industries.

Additionally, the system is capable of long spanning, meaning secondary galvanised purlins are not always necessary, as the panel can span between primary steelwork.

Other benefits are reduced cold bridging, excellent acoustics and, with panels from 80mm to 300m, an excellent choice of thermal insulation / U Values.

The panels can be used for both new-build construction and refurbishment projects, and provide a completely fire-safe system; the panel itself carries a Euroclass A2 – s1, d0 rating. This panel system offers an ideal base support for the Vantage® rainscreen range. The full system is due to be tested to the latest version BS8414-2:2020 standard in QTR 1 2021.

Vantage® SF-PS is an ideal solution for data centres, retail outlets and commercial office developments like our own office extension we built four years ago. The system favours any potential customers that require a fast, water-tight solution allowing other work to continue inside.

A safety first for manufacturer

Press release – 26th October 2020

A rainscreen and facade manufacturer is leading the way in safety after its latest product became one of the first in the UK to be tested against the latest BS 8414-2 standard – despite the upheaval caused by Covid-19.

BTS Facades and Fabrications, which is based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, and manufactures metal rainscreens and facades for the construction industry, has launched the Vantage® Secret Fix-Full System SF-FS, a complete through-wall system incorporating an external rainscreen facade that can be used in both new builds and refurbishment projects.

Developed in partnership with suppliers EOS, ETEX, Siderise, DuPont, Knauf Insulation and SFS and Nvelope, the system is believed to be the first in the UK to have successfully completed two large scale tests in accordance with the most recent BS 8414-2 standard.

Mark Wiper, BTS’ technical manager, said: “Production on the project was initially launched in April 2020 – just as the coronavirus lockdown was in full force – on the publication of the latest test standard from BSI. However, through the dedication and commitment of our supply chain partners, the system has been delivered to market in record time, allowing us to meet the latest safety test standard.”

“As a natural evolution of the already well established & CWCT tested Vantage® SF panel range, this collaboration allows specifiers and contractors alike, the ability to procure a complete wall and façade package from a single source whilst also utilising the power of a tried and tested supply chain.”

The system was recently tested for fire performance in accordance with BS8414-2:2020 by UKAS-accredited test lab Efectis UK and Ireland, in Belfast, and complied with all measures of both internal and external spread of flame, as well as mechanical failure.

Mark said: “Our team and our partners worked hard throughout lockdown to make sure the system was ready to be tested as soon possible once the new standard became available, and I’m extremely proud that all the effort has paid off.

“Working collaboratively enables us to harness the collective intellect of industry-leading experts as well as deliver proven performance. This has given us the ability to develop a complete wall system that is not only fully compliant with the latest building regulations, but under certain conditions can also be employed to facilitate extended application assessments such as BR135.

“Our ability to demonstrate compliance with BS 8414-2 gives us technical credibility that, for some specifiers, can be a pre-requisite for tender opportunities, giving us an important advantage over our competitors.

“It was important for us to be ready for testing as soon as it was available, not only to gain specification advantage in the open market but also to demonstrate our technical ability to a wider audience.

“As well as demonstrating our commitment to regulatory compliance within the facade market, fully tested and certified systems such as this can also help restore confidence in the construction sector as a whole.”

The testing result is an important boost for BTS, which recorded a 20 per cent increase in turnover in 2019, as the team look to the future after a challenging 2020.

Mark added: “We launched this project during lockdown, and this clearly proves our ambition and desire to be best in our sector, as well as driving force for the advancement of safety within the sector.

“Whilst, like most other businesses, we have suffered in a difficult market, we have plans to rebuild and grow as we move into our next financial year, continually evolving in line with updated legislation.

“The development of SF-FS represents a significant investment in time, money and resources and is testament to the directors’ vision for the future direction and success of BTS.

“This level of testing and collaboration gives clients the confidence in our system knowledge – and in our ability to bring projects to market, no matter how difficult the circumstances.”

For more information please contact vantage@btsfabrications.co.uk

BS 8414-2:2020

Fire Performance of External Cladding Systems

Part 2: Test method for non-loadbearing external cladding systems fixed to, and supported by, a structural steel frame

Decorative, structurally strong and, most importantly watertight, This Vantage®-Clip-On Coping system is available in a comprehensive range of materials and finishes to compliment or contrast with the overall building aesthetics.

No fixings pierce the capping top which removes the risk of leakage from defected installed screws; specially designed grooves on the robust extruded alloy bracket secures the rubber gasket that ensures a snug watertight antidrum fit.

This system is quick and easy to install with the advantage of being able to fit from the roof, reducing access costs. A suite of ancillary items, including stop ends, corner pieces, T-sections, weatherproofed support brackets, junctions and up stands complete the system. The design team can also work with you to produce bespoke feature components to bring real individuality to your project.

Vantage® CS Coping system