Kalzip’s FC rainscreen and aluminum standing seam systems were specified by HLM Architects for Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service’s rebuilt and eye-catching Rathfriland Fire Station in Co Down, Ireland. Peter O’Hare Ltd was the main contractor for the imaginatively-designed building and both Kalzip systems were installed by approved Teamkal contractor, LA Ltd.
The original station was substantially damaged by fire and in response to the client’s vision, HLM Architects conceived an impressive new design which allowed for the refurbishment, modernization and expansion of the fire station. The building now has a larger bay area for the two fire trucks, improved facilities for the firefighters to work, rest and train, and increased space for storing a wider range of the most modern fire and rescue equipment.
HLM’s lead architect, Steven Lennon, said, “It was important to create a striking new appearance for the fire station and to use high quality, robust materials. Kalzip’s well proven aluminum standing seam system (PVF² color coated to RAL 3002 - Carmine Red) was the obvious choice for the roof. We also specified Kalzip for extra weather protection to the fire station’s west facing elevation with sweeping smooth curved sheets at the eaves to give the building envelope a strong visual identity.
“We wanted a similarly stylish, high quality material for the fire station’s façade and so decided to specify Kalzip’s quick-fit, bi-directional FC aluminum rainscreen system (poly coated RAL 9007, Grey aluminum) because it’s attractive and extremely cost-effective,” continued Lennon. “Importantly, in the event of future damage, individual Kalzip FC panels can be easily replaced without affecting adjacent components, thereby negating the potentially time-consuming and costly task of renewing large areas of the façade.”
The Kalzip FC’s unique bi-directional (top down and bottom up) installation capability is not only innovative, but it’s also very quick to install - this can have a positive impact on the site program and allow for more flexible project scheduling. When working around onsite obstacles such as scaffold connections, individual panels can be omitted and simply affixed once the scaffolding has been removed. Installed on aligned, vertically-fixed modular click rails, a key feature of the FC system is that each lightweight panel is simply hooked at the top and then “clicked” into place at the bottom.
Being a non-penetrative rainscreen system, no rivets or screws are used to install the Kalzip FC panels and there are no visible fixings. Suitable for installation onto all common substructures from existing masonry to lightweight steel framing, this rear-ventilated, metal rainscreen system is equally suitable for internal applications. Supplied with edge folding as standard, panels are available in various cover widths ranging from 250mm - 500mm and in lengths of up to 8 meters.
Openly available to all contractors, the Kalzip FC rainscreen is ideal for all new build and refurbishment projects.