Architects and specifiers looking to comply with the new revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations, which are expected to be published in April this year, will find that the super-insulated versions (.SI) of Schueco's most popular facade systems, FW 50+ and FW 60+ answer their needs precisely.
Both .SI systems deliver extremely low Uf values through the use of innovative isolator technology that improves insulation in the area between the inner structural profile and the outer pressure plate and cover cap. In anticipation of government demands for even higher levels of insulation, both systems have been designed to accommodate double or triple glazing up to a maximum thickness of 64mm.
As an example of what the Schueco .SI facades can achieve, Uf values for the FW 50+.SI system range from a typical 1.27 W/m2K with a 28mm double-glazed unit, down to 0.73 W/m2K with a 64mm triple-glazed unit, including screw influence, a factor often overlooked in thermal calculations.
The .SI versions use all the existing transom, mullion and cover cap profiles of the standard 50 and 60mm facade systems but feature, in addition, new glazing supports to allow for increased glass loads of up to 400kg per transom for FW50+.SI and 600kg per transom for FW60+.SI.
As a final benefit, Schueco's photovoltaic panels can be seamlessly integrated into both FW 50+.SI and FW 60+.SI facades, fulfilling the company's Energy2 concept of developing systems and products for 'Saving Energy - Generating Energy'.