Norbec boasts the ability to develop custom solutions for custom needs, and on the Molson Coors Canada facility in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada, the company proved it.

For this project, Norbec was tasked with producing an 8″-thick variation of its rock wool Noroc-L panel, boasting a 3-hour fire resistance rating. Unfolding such a panel required the adaptation of Norbec’s assembly line to increase the capacity of the line to handle panels weighing 7-8Ibs / sq. ft.

The panels had to be tested and certified within a short period of time, and though the time frame was challenging, the company got the certifications just in time for the installation.

The building is very tall and the spacing of the structural elements was greater than required for the installation of the panels. To marry the panels to the structure, Norbec’s R&D team developed a unique anchoring system that increased anchoring capacity by nearly 30% and thus meeting the structural constraints. The anchor, although larger and taking longer to install, allows Norbec to respond to certain special cases that would have previously required structural modifications. The additional cost for the anchors is minimal compared to modifying a steel structure.

The modified 8” panel used on the Molson Coors project features 26-gauge interior and exterior steel skins. The smooth, Silkline Plus interior skins are painted Regal White. The smooth Silkline exterior skins are finished in Imperial White.

The project’s architect was GKC. The general contractor was Pomerleau and Alberici Constructors. Handling the installation of the Norbec panels was Frimasco.

Construction on the Molson Coors Canada facility started in 2018 and was completed in 2021.