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10mm Petrarch Mechanical Secret Fixed with DCS004 to DCS031 Helping Hand System
BBA Agrément Certificate
Certificate type
This reconstituted stone rainscreen cladding system comprising Downer, our original Helping Hand rainscreen framing, offers a dependable and aesthetically pleasing rainscreen solution.
Petrarch engineered stone rainscreen panels in application
Petrarch reconstituted rainscreen cladding is suitable for a range of applications across every sector.
For rainscreen cladding applications:
Petrarch has been designed and installed as a rainscreen cladding system with open and closed joints in many developments across multiple construction sectors throughout the UK, Europe and the US.
The air gap from face of insulation to rear of the Petrarch engineered stone panels must be a minimum of:
If seeking NHBC approval, Part 6 Chapter 6.9 must be followed:
Air gaps should be adequately ventilated, and the following minimum widths maintained behind all rainscreen panels:
• 50mm for panels with open joints
• 38mm for panels with baffled or labyrinth (rebated) joints
• Open, baffled or labyrinth (rebated) joints should have a minimum 10mm opening, unless specified otherwise.
Rainscreen cladding systems that have open joints between the panels should be designed to be pressure equalised. The cavity should be compartmented by:
Fire cavity barriers that are provided to control the spread of smoke and fire may also be used to form the compartments.
Petrarch engineered stone rainscreen panels can be:
Mechanical Secret Fixed
Adhesive Fixed
Visible Fixed
(Rivets to Aluminium Subframe)
Visible Fixing
(Screws to Timber battens)
Mechanical Secret Fix Application (Downer DCS004 Support System)
The Petrarch panels are attached to the prebuilt rainscreen sub grid using a combination of the array of panel hangers and the horizontal cladding rail.
This system relies upon the use of aluminium Panel Hangers fixed to the rear face of the nominal 10mm Petrarch panels. A 7.5mm deep Fischer threaded insert is located into factory prepared blind holes drilled into the back of each of the panels. Each Panel Hanger is individually secured using two inserts and two machine screws.
The machine screws are generally factory fitted and torque loaded after installation
Petrarch is an engineered stone cladding system, created primarily from natural by-product materials such as stone and marble. A bespoke binder and woven glass fibre reinforcement result in a panel with high strength and an A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire rating (EN 13501-1).
Highly durable and impact resistant, it is considerably lighter than natural stone and cement based systems. This man-made alternative to stone cladding is highly weather resistant, yet just like natural stone, Petrarch engineered stone rainscreen panels mature over time, giving character and depth to any architectural scheme.
Petrarch reconstituted stone rainscreen panels are manufactured in the UK where the product has been supplied to the rainscreen industry for 50 years and to this day remains the natural choice when specifying rainscreen cladding which balances competing and exacting specification criteria.
Features and benefits of Petrarch reconstituted stone panels:
Unique Surface Characteristics
An aesthetic as unique and appealing as natural stone. Thanks to Petrarch rainscreen panels' unique manufacturing process, the surface takes on an open texture, which can be seen on the face of the panel post pressing, whilst in production the surface pattern emulates distinctive marble effects - creating completely random patterns meaning that there will be areas with a higher or lower density of each marble colour.
These nuances enhance its ‘natural stone’ aesthetic and does not affect its integrity. Matt or honed finishes are achieved by removing the surface layer of Petrarch rainscreen cladding panels; exposing the core texture for a distinctive stone- like look.
Petrarch Engineered Stone Cladding Core & Surface
As Petrarch is manufactured with a homogeneous reinforcement the product will not delaminate and is immune to both insect and vermin attack. Additionally a pressure moulded manufacturing process creates a high-density panel which is unaffected by freeze-thaw degradation due to a surface which is virtually non-porous with a water absorption ratio of less than 0.2% after a 24h immersion. Petrarch reconstituted stone cladding panels are hereby ideal for the UK construction market thanks to these excellent weather resistant qualities.
Petrarch rainscreen panels in application
Rainscreen panel applications:
A non-loadbearing external wall assembly comprising two layers.
A protective outer skin of rainscreen cladding panels and an insulated and airtight backing wall both separated by a ventilated cavity.
Types
Closed jointed - back ventilated and drained system
Ventilation is achieved by openings at top and base of the rainscreen cladding. Moisture build-up at rear of panels will be either drained at the base or thermally evaporated.
Open jointed - Pressure equalised system
When the outside air pressure is transferred to the
air cavity behind the cladding panel, the cladding
is exposed to a near-zero pressure differential thus avoiding wind driven rain getting into the cavity through the open joints. A compartmented air cavity is required.
Where can Petrarch engineered stone rainscreen cladding be used?
Design Highlights
Technical Advantages of Petrarch engineered stone rainscreen cladding
• Main building structure protection
• Lightweight materials
• Reduction of applied loads
• Durable and low maintenance finish
• Thermal & Condensation control
• Reduced installation times
• Fabrication offsite
• Reduction of on-site waste
• Accurate cost estimation
Worldwide and multiple sector applications
Petrarch has been designed and installed as a rainscreen cladding system with open and closed joints in many developments throughout the UK, Europe and the US.
The air gap from face of insulation to rear of Petrarch reconstituted stone panels must be a minimum of:
Environmental promise
At Architectural Panel Solutions (APS) we are committed to our environmental promise and are ISO 14001:2015 certified.
As a company we are conscious of our environmental responsibility and recognise the potential environmental impact of our processes and products. This extends to the manufacturing of our Petrarch reconstituted stone rainscreen panels.
At all times we adhere to the latest environmental legislations and standards. Additionally, we endeavour to maximise positive effects on the environment.
In all our activities we aim to:
Physical Properties of Petrarch reconstituted stone panels
Reaction to fire classification:
Petrarch A2 A2-s1, d0 Petrarch B-s2, d0
EN13501-1:2007+A1:2009
Façade fire performance
PASS
NFPA 285 (US)
BS8414, assessed by BRE 135 (UK)
Large Scale test as part of a standard assembly Petrarch B-s2,d0
Flexural Strength
>25MPa
EN14617-2:2016
Freeze-Thaw
No significant loss in performance
EN14617-5:2012
Modulus of elasticity
>11,000 MPa
Water Absorption
0.2% by weight
24hour total immersion
Impact Resistance
Category B
10mm - Soft & Hard Body
Class 1 / Negligible Risk
7mm -
Soft Body - Class 1 / Moderate Risk
Hard Body - Class 1 / Negligible Risk
CWCT TN76
Wind Load Resistance
2.4 kN/m2 - Serviceability 3.6 kN/m2 - Safety
CWCT Standard Test Methods for Building Envelopes 2005
Cyclic Loading
2.4 kN/m2 - Serviceability
CWCT, based on BRE Digest 346, Part 7, which is compatible with BS 6399
Fatigue test representing typical UK service loads in 50-year exposure period
Linear coefficient of thermal expansion
22x10-6 / oC
BS 1902-Section 5.3:1990
Density
2240 kg/m3
Color | Beige Brown Cream Grey Red |
Finish | Smooth Matt Textured Natural Anti-graffiti |
Material | Cast Stone Aluminium Stone Reconstituted stone |
Shape | Rectangle Other |
Length | 3040 mm 2430 mm Bespoke |
Width | 1210 mm Bespoke |
Height | 7 mm 10 mm Bespoke |
WarrantyDescription | 50 year |
Uniclass |
System performance | Fire performance (Petrarch A2): To EN 13501-1, Class A2-s1, d0.Fire performance (Petrarch): To EN 13501-1, Class B-s2, d0. |
Thermal insulationInsert requirements. | - |
Breather membrane | - |
MaterialInsert requirements. | - |
FastenersInsert requirements. | - |
Secondary support structure | DCS031 Helping Hand System and DCS004 Horizontal Carrier Rail. |
Cavity fire barriers | - |
HorizontalInsert requirements. | - |
VerticalInsert requirements. | - |
Cladding panels | - |
Material | Petrarch reconstituted stone panels. |
Panel jointsMinimum joint width 10 mm. | Open joints.Martlett joint.Factory fabricated overlapping concealed joint. Closed joint - flat profile.Joint profiles are available in any colour; insert requirements. Closed joint - birdsbeak profile.Joint profiles are available in any colour; insert requirements. |
Corners | Prefabricated mitred corner. Factory fabricated. Butt corner. Closed corner. Corners closed with box profiles, available in any colour. Insert requirements. |
Surface finish | Riven. Smooth. Smooth matt. Riven matt. Custom. Custom textures, etched patterns and a polish-honed finish are also available upon request. |
ColourInsert requirements. | - |
Thickness | 10 mm. |
Fixing | Mechanical secret fixed with DCS004 Panel Hangers. |
Panel size | 3048 x 1219 mm. 2438 x 1219 mm. |
Contains Red List materials | No |
Country of material origin | United Kingdom |
Country of product manufacture | United Kingdom |
Recycled content | 80 % |