Code of Practice for the Installation of Cellular Pvc-U Cladding Systems
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CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF CELLULAR PVC-U CLADDING SYSTEMS (REF: 349/1 JULY 2008) THE BRITISH PLASTICS FEDERATION 6 BATH PLACE RIVINGTON STREET LONDON EC2A 3JE TEL: 020 7457 5000 FAX: 020 7457 5045 1 CODE OF PRACTICE SECTION: One General 01. Scope 02. References 03. Definitions SECTION: Two Materials & Components 04. Extruded Cellular, Rigid and Moulded PVC-U 05. Fixings 06. Timber 07. Sealants 08. Waterproof Breather Membranes 09. Preservative / Treatments 10. Supplementary Fitments SECTION: Three Design 11. Weather Resistance 12. Structural Stability 13. Condensation / Ventilation 14. Durability, Fire Resistance, Quality and Environmental SECTION: Four Application 15. General 16 Installation 17 Mistakes to avoid SECTION: Five Repairs and Renovation 18. Surface treatments 19. Replacement procedures SECTION: Six Safety and Precautions 20. General 21. Safety 22. Precautions 2 SECTION ONE - General 1.0 Scope, The purpose of this Code is to emphasise the good practices for the successful and safe installation of non-structural cellular PVC-U products in cladding applications. Design/Application is considered and recommendations given. Repair/Renovation aspects are also addressed, and appropriate methods outlined. For aspects beyond the scope of this code, advice should be sought from the product supplier, e.g. colours other than white and secondary finishes 2.0 References, The titles of the standard publications referred to in this code are listed in Appendix A 3.0 Definitions, For the purpose of this code the definitions in BS 6100 and BS ISO 6707-1:2004 apply. Terms which are particularly relevant are explained below, together with others not in BS 6100. Glossary of building and civil engineering terms, general terms 3.1 Cladding: - a board system (often ornamental) used as a covering to a structure as a rain screen or for aesthetic purposes. 3.2 Perimeter Trims: - A rigid PVC trim designed to act as a start/finishing component to the edges of the cladding application. 3.2.1 Bottom Edge Trims: - Commonly a starter trim pre-fixed to the cladding support battens – having a lip to engage the first plank without the need for face fixing. 3.2.2 Top Edge Trims: - Commonly a two part trim that is pre-fixed to the support battens designed to finish a top edge where the cladding top plank has been cut to suit. 3.2.3 Side Trims:-Similar in design to the top edge trim also available as a single part version to finish the edge of a cladding application designed to allow for the required thermal expansion and waterproof the application. 3.2.4 Joint Trims or Centre Joint Trim: - Either single or two part for use at intersections, 3 SECTION TWO – Materials & Components 4.0 Extruded PVC-UE, extruded PVC-U & Moulded PVC-U 4.1 Cladding - The materials used for cladding products should be as follows: 4.1.1 Profiles complying with the British Standard Specification of Extruded cellular unplasticised PVC (PVC-ue) profiles (BS 7619:1998). General 4.1.2 Extruded PVC-U profiles manufactured in accordance with manufacturers agreed specifications. Perimeter trims available in a standard length, to cater for (cladding board joints, corners, abutments and ends). 4.1.3 Mouldings manufactured with good manufacturing practice. Mouldings are designed to cater for specific joints and corners and end cap details. 5.0 Fixings 5.1 Stainless Steel Fixings All steel fixings should be A4 grade and comply with BS EN ISO 3506-1&2 1998 Note (The composition of Grade A4 corresponds to Austensic steel 316 alloy). 6.0 Timber 6.1 General, Timber for use as support work or battening should be of sound quality and treated as defined in Section 9, where necessary. Where the timber substrate is preservative treated with copper/chrome/arsenic care must be taken to ensure that sufficient time is allowed for complete fixation of the preservative (approximately seven days) to avoid corrosion of fixing nails. (See-BS 5589: 1989) Introduced battens and support timber work should be cut from one of the species listed in appendix B. Plywood sheathing material should comply with the requirements of BS5268; Part 2 and exposed edges shall be treated as in section 9 of this Code. 7.0 Sealants Sealants, adhesives used as sealants shall be of a type recommended by the manufacturer as suitable for exterior applications. Typical specification being- Low modulus silicone to BS5889 (Type A) and solvent free or moisture cure adhesives are specified. 8.0 Breather Membranes All product should comply with and be installed in accordance with BS 4106:1997 4 9.0 Preservatives/Treatments Timber should be preserved in accordance with BS 5589:1989 10.0 Supplementary Fitments 10.1 Flue Vents A clearance should be allowed at any point between the flue and the cladding products complying with current building regulations. Minimum requirement: - A 75mm clearance should exist between flue and cladding and where appropriate a non-combustible shield should be fitted to deflect heat away from the cladding surface. 10.2 Other Supplementary Fitments Other supplementary fittings which apply loads e.g., telephone lines, TV aerial brackets, should not be fixed directly to cellular PVC-U products. 5 SECTION THREE - Design 11.0 Weather Resistance Design in accordance with the minimum requirements of this code will ensure that the cladding area is weather resistant. Cladding as specified in this Code has been satisfactorily tested up to 2000 Pascals. 12.0 Structural Stability 12.1 All fixings must be capable, when used in accordance with manufacturers instructions and other relevant building Codes of Practice, of accepting imparted loads through climatic or other anticipated loadings (refer to Code of Basic Data for the Design of Buildings :-BS 6399-2:1997. 12.2. Battens and Support Timberwork Battens and support timber work should be constructed in accordance with the good working practice. Recommended battens to be 25mm x 38mm and a minimum of 19mm x 38mm.There should be a double batten arrangement where appropriate e.g. when joining together cladding lines and corner intersections. Support timber work should be rigid and have sufficient width and depth to avoid splitting on penetration of fixings. 13.0 Condensation and Ventilation. A recommended 25mm (minimum 19mm) vented airspace should exist behind the cladding. 13.1 General: Condensation occurs when warm moisture laden air meets a surface the temperature of which is below the dew point of the air. Sheathing and insulation should be protected by a waterproof breathable membrane and in all installations minimum 19mm vented airspace should be maintained between the cladding and the substrate (Practice Note 5-1982, NHBC Regulations also refers to this). 14.0 Durability PVCU is a strong durable material that is resistant to moisture and most corrosive elements. PVCU products have been in use externally throughout the world for the last 50 years.The material is not aversely affected by atmospheric gases, dirt or dust and also not affected by liquids in normal use. It is also resistant to alkalis and acids but liable to attack by aromatic solvents, key tones and esters. 14.1 General: Installations carried out in accordance with the recommendations of this code can be regarded as having a life appropriate to a minimum of 10 years. Durability may be influenced by climatic conditions and by atmospheric pollution. 6 14.2 Timber: ' Must be treated with preservative according to section 6 and 9 in order for it to have an adequate lifespan. 14.3 Fixings: A4 Grade stainless steel is intended to give "high performance" corrosion resistance. 14.4 Fire Requirements The fire performance of cellular PVCU materials should be tested in accordance with BS476 part 7:1987 Surface spread of flame test. Care should be taken to ensure the correct specification of material is used taking into account the criteria identified in the current Building Regulations. The key factor relates to the index measuring surface spread of flame. Class 1: Products suitable for all applications that require a Class 1 performance (BS476: Part 7) Class 2: Products suitable for all applications that require a Class 2 performance (BS476: Part 7) Class 3: Product suitable for all applications that require a Class 3 performance (BS476: Part 7). 14.5 Quality and Environmental Cellular PVCU materials should comply with BS 7619 and manufacturers should have a Kite Mark approval to this standard. PVCU is an environmentally friendly material and conforms to the requirements set out in the BRE Green Guide. PVCU cellular cladding is awarded an overall rating of A+ for environmental performance. The material achieves an A and A+ in all of the environmental categories set out by BRE (Building Research Establishment). 7 SECTION FOUR - Application 15.0 General To achieve a successful and safe installation, it is essential to create a sound, rigid, working substrate (refer to section 12). The work area must never be accessed using an unsupported ladder or unsuitable access system .Always use full scaffolding and suitable access equipment recommended and in accordance with the current edition of the CDM/HSE recommendations 2007 for scaffolding and other health and safety factors. It is recommended that total replacement rather than covering of existing timbers be adopted where possible. Over cladding effectively seals moist and potentially decayed timber, resulting in a more rapid deterioration of the existing timber. The cladding will tend to 'insulate' the rot and promote conditions whereby the fungus can multiply and spread. 15.1 Survey: To be carried out after removal of redundant materials and before installation of PVC-U products. 15.1.1. Inspection of existing substrate is important. Any defective timber should be treated in accordance with BRE digests 299 and 345.