Sophy, Author at Locker Architectural Mesh

Finleigh Palmer Architectural Mesh Photograph 4

Architectural Metal Mesh and Lighting

Metal mesh has a huge number of inherent qualities which make it excellent for a multitude of architectural applications. Corrosion resistance, durability, flexibility, strength, open area for air flow, fire rating etc. are all prioritised by architects and contractors alike.

One of the benefits that we don’t celebrate quite so often is the range of aesthetics. The varying textures, openings and profiles of metal mesh are perfect for creating both dynamic and dramatic lighting features, whether they be for bar grilles or huge multi storey car park facades.

Finleigh Palmer Architectural Mesh Photograph 1

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Finleigh Palmer Architectural Mesh Photograph 1

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Brera Expanded Metal

Dependent on your application and criteria, Brera Expanded Metal mesh is available in the following materials:

Mild Steel
Pre-galvanised
Aluminium

A secondary powder-coated, or anodised (aluminium only) finish can also be applied in a myriad of different colours and effects.

Standard sized panels are typically 1000mm x 2000mm, 1250mm x 2500mm and 1500mm x 3000mm, but bespoke panel sizes are available on request.

Brera is a mid-range expanded metal mesh in terms of pitch and density, making it ideal for a wide number of different applications, including but not limited to:

We manufacture the finished article, inclusive any cutting, framing or finishing.

In case of any bespoke requirements, our experienced in-house design and fabrication team will develop and supply the system and components you need to install goods on site.

Contact our sales team to talk to us about your specific requirements.

Lakeside Developments

With over 40 years successful use in the offshore industry to protect people and equipment from radiant heat, Locker were approached by Galliford Try (now Vistry Partnerships) to provide a bespoke solution that would provide protection for personnel and infrastructure from the effects of a fire scenario at the adjacent processing plant, whilst also providing something that would also be aesthetically pleasing to look at.

The desired protection could easily have been provided with Lockers standard Heatshield range of panels but would have been unsightly, being a purely industrial product.

With a vast amount of experience in Architectural facades Locker were able to incorporate our standard offshore product the Mini ES Heatshield with a layer of RMIG ImagePerf to provide a decorative architectural image perforated façade with a practical application.

Standing at 4m in height the Heatshield fence which replaced the existing 2m high acoustic fence provides an excellent practical solution allowing for safe occupation of the new housing estate whilst also providing an attractive feature for the occupants.

Working with their Architectural counterparts Locker Heatshielding were able to offer a full turnkey solution, supplying not only the vast amount of 3m long Heatshield panels, but also providing the design of a bespoke support structure and installation of the panels.

The Heatshield wall is constructed in 3m wide sections, supported by 200mm SHS sections with a mounting flange plate which is bolted back to the cast in anchors. The support structure has been designed and verified by our engineers to accommodate both the weight of the panels and the associated wind loads. The structural integrity of the proposed Heatshield fence was independently verified by a structural engineer.

Locker Heatshields have undergone extensive testing at independent N.A.M.A.S. approved laboratories and, with a front face radiant heat up to 60kW/m², the resultant radiant heat reduction recorded at a distance of 150mm behind the Heatshield was in excess of 83%.

Further details are available on request.

The combination of the Locker Heatshield and Architectural façade has huge potential for use in both industrial and commercial applications such as service stations and fuel storage / power generator enclosures to name but a few.      

Fire Performance Ratings

Building safety during construction and occupancy is important for everyone involved in the process; from architects, product manufacturers, to contractors and end users.

Fire safety is of upmost importance when considering which external cladding material to specify for the building’s façade. Fire breaking out in or around a residential or commercial building has the potential for disastrous consequences such as severe structural damage or even worse, the loss of life.

Fire ratings for Cladding and Juliet Balconies in High Rises

Since the Grenfell tragedy in 2017, the materials used to construct high rise buildings have been under incredible scrutiny.

Architects and specifiers are now acutely aware that the materials they specify must carry the appropriate fire rating, lest they end up like Studio E, the architectural practice in charge of the Grenfell tower refurbishment in 2015-16.

Studio E filed for liquidation after becoming embroiled in a lawsuit and unable to afford legal representation at the Grenfell Tower inquiry.

Fire Ratings Made Simple:

The UK Building regulations on fire safety were issued in 1991 and use (from best to worse) Class 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ratings to classify materials. However, since then, the UK Government has adopted the far more thorough and exhaustive Euroclass system:

Class 0 is not a fire classification identified in any British standard test. Despite that fact, people still incorrectly cite Class 0 – 4 when talking about Fire Ratings.
European fire ratings (Euroclass) are (from best to worse) A1 , A2, B, C, D, E or F.
Smoke emissions are indicated using a (from best to worse) S1 , S2, or S3 rating.
Smoke classifications are not given to products with an E or F Euroclass rating.
Flaming Droplets/particles are indicated (from best to worse) using a d0, d1 or d2 rating.
A1-rated products are not given a smoke or flaming droplet rating, as it is assumed they do not contribute to fire growth or spread.

The building (Amendment) Regulations 2018 specifies that materials used for and attached to the external wall of buildings 18m+ high must achieve Class A2-s1, d0 or A1 in accordance with BS EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 (later superseded by BS EN 13501-1:2018).

The UK Government is also exploring a proposal that would further include 11m+ high buildings.

What does this have to do with Juliet Balconies and Cladding?

Though it wasn’t applied retrospectively, this effectively resulted in a ban on the future use of laminated glass infill panels for balustrading and Juliet balconies in high rises, as they fail to achieve the necessary fire rating.

As of today, there are few companies who have managed to achieve this fire rating using glass materials. Those that have are offering a product which is too expensive to be practical. At the time of writing, none have ever managed to achieve an A1 rating.

Just in case you were wondering – the glass panes in windows and doors are specifically exempt from this rule and can be made using laminated glass.

Locker Architectural Products

EU Publication 96/603/EC lists materials that are class A1 rated without fire testing (provided they are not finely divided) inclusive:

Steel
Zinc and zinc alloys
Stainless steel
Aluminium
Copper and Copper Alloys (including brass)

Locker Architectural metal meshes are generally made entirely from aluminium or stainless steel before the introduction of a secondary finish.

This means that they are automatically classed as A1 fire rated and can safely be specified for high rise buildings, be it Juliet balconies, façade cladding, rain screening, sun screening etc.

Mancunia gold expanded architectural mesh

Mancunia Expanded Metal

Download PDF Technical Sheet

Expanded metal mesh combines strength and rigidity with a high percentage of open area for air flow, making it suitable for a wide range of decorative and functional applications. The precise level of screening and open area can be tailored to your requirements.

Dependent on your application and criteria, Mancunia Expanded Metal mesh is available in the following materials:

Mild Steel
Pre-galvanised Steel
Aluminium

A secondary powder-coated, or anodised (aluminium only) finish can also be applied in a myriad of different colours and effects.

Standard Panel Sizes

1,000mm x 2,000mm
1,250mm x 2,500mm
1,500mm x 3,000mm

Bespoke panel sizes are available on request.

Applications

Mancunia mesh is extremely rigid, developed specially for the No. 8 First Manchester project and perfect for a number of different applications, including but not limited to:

Locker manufacture the finished article, including cutting to size, framing, finishing, and ancillary components.

In case of any bespoke requirements, our experienced in-house design and fabrication team will develop and supply the system and components you need to install goods on-site.

Contact our sales team to talk to us about your specific requirements.

Tees Transporter Bridge, Middlesbrough

About the Project

Rope diamond ferruled mesh installed as decorative and safety balustrade infills on the recently refurbished, world famous Transporter Bridge over the Tees in Middlesbrough.

As well as providing strength and security, this modern design pattern aesthetically blends perfectly with the Edwardian architectural metalwork.

The stainless steel Rope diamond ferruled mesh was customized for this project to 80mm aperture and 50mm aperture.

View the Tees Transporter Bridge visitor leaflet:

About the Project

BBC Home Front in the Garden commissioned architectural wire mesh to be installed as part of a garden design for their popular TV series featuring Dairmuid Gavin.

A variety of wire mesh patterns were used to create structures within the garden:

Distinctive tunnel linking different areas of the garden - Brocklebank 20/5
Decorative and protective cages for fruit trees - Gladstone PC 100/10 (floor) and Brocklebank 50/50 (walls)
Screening for a Japanese bath house - Serenity 36