Hebel® Facade Wall System
CSR Panel Systems has developed new Hebel® external wall systems for framed construction following the principles of pressure equalisation. Pressure equalisation relates to the wall cavity being allowed to experience the same pressure as that acting on the outside wall.
The Hebel® Facade Systems suit applications ranging from low-rise industrial/commercial developments to high-rise office or medium density residential buildings.
The Hebel® system comprises an external rain screen (Hebel® PowerPanel™) and an internal air seal (plasterboard). The internal air seal is dry and not exposed to the atmosphere or UV light energy, so sealants have the best opportunity
to perform well over a long design life. On the external surface, the integrity of coatings and sealants becomes less important and minor breaches or degradation will not affect the overall weathertightness of the facade. There’s no pressure differential to cause water to be sucked into the cavity. Also, if there’s a minor hole or imperfection in sealants at the air seal, it’s of small consequence as no water is present at that point.
Contrast this with a face-sealed facade which has the rain screen and the air seal on the external surface. Under wind pressure on the wall surface, the cavity will experience negative pressure. Any minor hole or degradation of the sealant or coating will then allow a jet of water to spray across the cavity onto the building wrap or internal wall lining, causing water ingress issues. Maintenance of sealants and coatings is paramount to the ongoing performance of a face-sealed facade and that is not always practical, nor desired on multi-storey residential buildings.
Pressure equalisation is the most robust method of building facades.
Applications
Hebel® Facade Systems are non-loadbearing external wall solutions. These wall configurations consist of Hebel® PowerPanel™ secured to lightweight structural (cold formed) steel support framing.
A distinct design difference between the systems is the edge beam detailing. One system offers the conventional arrangement where the panel is positioned on the slab edge, while the alternative system utilises panels that are positioned in front of the slab edge. Locating the panels proud of the slab edge produces a single rebated external line at slab level, and provides a more flexible slab edge tolerance.
The core component of Hebel® Facade Systems is the 75mm thick Hebel® PowerPanel™. The panel is manufactured in a range of stock sizes as detailed in the following table.
Hebel Australa
Features
- Solid Masonry Feel - Due to 80% to 100% solid core.
- Lightweight - Lighter loads on the structure than conventional masonry.
- Less Waste - Minimal on-site cutting. Panels may be custom made to required height.
- No Wet Trades - Minimal gluing of joints between successive panels reduces the quantity of water required on site.
- Technical Support - Hebel® technical representatives can assist with systems advice.
- Panels not affected by wet - Installed panels are not affected by wet weather.
- Speed of Construction - Large wall areas can be completed quickly with small (2 - 3 person) crews.
Hebel Australa