Cladding system demonstrates exceptional air tightness for new BBC Media Centre development
An exceptionally low air leakage will be achieved for the 26-storey building in the new Media City UK development at Salford Quays in Manchester using metal roofing and cladding from CA Group.
Tests in the Wintech testing facility in Telford of the Piano-Therm and Twin-Therm system have demonstrated air leakage of 0.17 m3/h/m2 at a pressure of 600 Pa. The assembly was also tested at up to 2250 Pa to simulate wind load and monitor structural integrity and deflection. Even at 150% of positive design wind load, the test sample did not suffer structural failure.
The section was then exposed to controlled pressures and inundation with water from a turbo-prop aircraft engine and a series of water nozzles, followed by a concentrated high pressure to test strength. The Piano-Therm and Twin-Therm assembly passed all aspects of testing and, as a result, has been approved for use on the BBC building currently under construction as Block A of Media City UK.
