An education in non-combustible elegance for Edinburgh students

Continuing collaboration 

Rockpanel Business Manager UK & Ireland, Mark Snowden, “It was good to continue our association with the owner, who we have collaborated with on similar projects in the past. The requirement at Chalmers Street was for replaced facades to achieve a fire classification of A2-s1,d0.  

“Non-combustible Rockpanel is in great demand for remediation projects throughout the country. Its popularity for both new-build and renovation projects across all sectors is due to several characteristics. Clearly, fire safety is key, but added to that, Rockpanel’s long product life – officially at least 50 years – allied to its versatility, enabling it to be curved, engraved and perforated, together with the myriad of surface designs available, make it the ideal choice.” 

Fully compliant, non-combustible systems  

The major façade remediation programme at Chalmers Street was undertaken by Topek. The Glasgow-based building envelope specialist was tasked with removing combustible materials from the external envelope of each of the blocks, replacing them with fully compliant, non-combustible systems, following recommendations identified in a ‘Fire Risk Assessment of the External Wall’. 

Topek described the scope of the project, ‘The works included the removal and replacement of ACM cladding panels, alongside the installation of a complete rainscreen build-up incorporating Klasse Board, Interface Sealing Membranes (ISM), aluminium bracket and rail systems, cavity barriers, and non-combustible insulation, with the existing EWI render system replaced with Rockpanel, using a vibrant, innovative colour scheme. 

‘Further upgrades included replacing aluminium infill and spandrel panels, PIR insulation, timber backing structures, glazed spandrel panels, decking, soffits, fascias, and internal window surrounds with fully compliant A2-s1, d0 classified materials. We were very pleased the project was delivered safely, on time, on budget, and with zero recorded accidents.’ 

A complete transformation 

Rockpanel’s Mark Snowden again, “At Chalmers Street, panels in an assortment of nine RAL-matched colours were specified. A background ‘canvas’ was created for the facades using panels of white and cream, with randomised pops of colour in two shades of yellow, orange, green, henna red, rich purple and grey panels. The result is a complete transformation, from tired and aging, to sharp, contemporary elegance. The new facades will remain looking as good as the day they were installed, throughout their long life, helping keep students safe whilst adding value to the building owner’s investment.” 

Rockpanel rates very highly in terms of sustainability, from the measures in place throughout its manufacture, through to the circular recyclability possibilities for the panels themselves. Panels can be delivered to site pre-cut to precise size but their dimensions can also easily be adjusted in situ with simple tools, speeding up the installation process, saving time and money. 

Delivering the project within a live student accommodation environment required careful planning to maintain resident safety, minimise disruption, and preserve access throughout. The project was delivered safely, on time, on budget, and with zero recorded accidents.