Project Overview:
Background:
Built in 2019, The Residence offers purpose-built student accommodation in Coventry, within commuting range of both Coventry University and the University of Warwick. The development features individual rooms, each well equipped with desk and chair, cooker, microwave, freezer and personal shower room. The construction scheme was commissioned by Prestige Student Living.
The Brief:
Good thermal performance was an important objective for the scheme but the building design also called for a striking white brick effect.
Design and Specification:
The architect’s specification called for the use of a non-combustible insulation system with a white brick finish to meet the thermal and aesthetic requirements for the scheme. PermaRock’s technical team proposed that the various design criteria could be met using:
- PermaRock Mineral Fibre External Wall Insulation System with 160 mm insulation adhesively bonded and mechanically fixed to the substrate;
- A reinforced basecoat with additional mechanical ‘fire safety’ fixings through to the substrate;
- PermaRock Brick Slips in ice white, one of 12 standard colours available in the range, and using Sand White adhesive and pointing compound.
PermaRock Brick Slips are a synthetic resin brick that reproduces the appearance of conventional brickwork. They are designed for application onto insulated backgrounds. They are lightweight and flexible, and much faster to install than ordinary clay brick slips which are significantly heavier and which require special support structures. Hardwearing, impact-resistant and easy to clean, PermaRock brick slips are available in a wide range of colours, textures and sizes.
Performance: U-Values
The external wall insulation comprised 160 mm PermaRock Mineral Fibre Insulation boards. They were fixed to the cementitious sheathing board of the fully-filled SFS backing walls using a combination of mechanical anchors and adhesive bonding. Overall, the U-value for the externally insulated walls was calculated as 0.17 W/m2K.
Performance: Reaction to fire
The PermaRock Mineral Fibre EWI system with its Brick Slip finish has an A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire classification (EN 13501-1:2007 + A1:2009), which means that it can be used on buildings of any height and within proximity to any boundary. Being directly bonded and fixed, without a cavity, the system is optimised both for fire performance and thermal performance – there is no heat loss due to thermal bypass via a drained cavity. Moreover, no fire stopping, cavity fire barriers or fire breaks are required within the PermaRock Mineral Fibre System.
The PermaRock external wall insulation system also incorporates additional stainless-steel fixings through the reinforced basecoat layer. This provides additional support to the system in the event of a fire – something that most other systems fail to offer.
Result:
The property was completed on schedule in 2019 and has continued to deliver excellent thermal performance and to maintain its bright, eye-catching appearance.