The acoustic and reaction to fire properties of A2 Versapanel® were key considerations in the specification of Euroform Product’s sheathing board for new apartments under construction as part of the largest regeneration scheme in the history of Worcester.
The £150 million, mixed use Sherriff’s Gate development got underway in July 2022. It is to include 468 apartments, a hotel, gym, food and beverage outlets, a multiscreen cinema, multi-storey car park and ten-pin bowling. The scheme is being developed by Worcester-based Sherriff’s Gate Developments. The main contractor is the Elliott Group.
A2 Versapanel® is a cement bonded particle board intended, as with this project, for use as an SFS sheathing board alongside multiple variations of external envelope. Due to its density of 1560 kg/m³ A2 Versapanel® provides a high mass exterior lining that contributes to the acoustic performance of the building envelope and compliance of the design to Approved Document E (ADE) – Resistance to the passage of sound.
To ensure Euroform’s offering met the project criteria, A2 Versapanel® and the building envelope system underwent rigorous independent testing by acoustic and environmental consultancy SRL for the various through wall build ups being used.
A2 Versapanel® combines the benefits of traditional cement bonded particle boards with A2 Reaction to Fire (A2-s1,d0 according to EN 13501-1) making it a material of limited combustibility, meeting the requirements of Approved Document B (ADB) of the fire regulations for tall buildings and a specification for the project.
Stock availability was also important. Several thousand square metres of the sheath board were required. Euroform Products ring fenced stock, so that the contractor could be confident it would be available as it was needed throughout the construction phase. Euroform supplied the panel via distribution and worked with installer DP Interiors Ltd.
A2 Versapanel® performs exceptionally well in the presence of moisture when compared with exterior gypsum boards as cut edges do not require sealing to prevent degradation and there is no time limit of exposure before covering with other elements of the façade.
A wide range of systems may be applied over A2 Versapanel® such as approved insulated render systems, terracotta cladding systems, high performance cladding systems and traditional brick coursework.
Euroform Products has been developing, fabricating and supplying materials for the construction industry since 1995. Euroform specialises in ensuring fire and thermal compliance across its product range. Each product is supported by an experienced and knowledgeable technical team to provide advice and guidance.
Euroform is part of Performance Technology Group an SIG Trading Ltd group of companies specialising in supporting the construction industry to meet acoustic, fire, thermal and vibration challenges.
