DCS032
Horizontal System
DCS032 SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Downer DCS032 framing system is designed to provide horizontal support to vertically installed cladding panels using the principle of a ventilated façade.
Downer DCS032 Horizontal Adaptor combined with DCS031 HELPING HAND® brackets and extruded aluminium L & T profiles provide the installer with an adjustable system allowing for thermal and structural movement and variation in cavity depth to suit project specific requirements.
DCS031 HELPING HAND® brackets are available as standard with Ø6.5mm holes (SFS/Timber) and 22xØ11mm slots (masonry/concrete) to suit project specific primary anchors.
Note: All illustrations are representations of the system and structural design analysis must be sought on a project basis.
COMPONENTS
Primary Structure (Concrete, Masonry, SFS or timber)
Insulation
DCS031 Isolator Pad
Primary Fixing (varies dependent on Primary Structure)
DCS031 Single HELPING HAND® Bracket
FDS 4.8x19mm
DCS032 Horizontal Adaptor
DCS031 “L” or “T” rails
Cavity Range
Downer DCS031 HELPING HAND® brackets are available in different sizes ranging from 40 to 400mm projection offering the following cavity ranges when combined with DCS032 Horizontal Adaptor.
DCS032 ADAPTOR
* Special order, minimum quantity applies.
SITE CHECKLIST
Before commencing installation of DCS032 framing system please make sure you have received the following information:
- Project specific static calculations from your Downer Designer portal. Or get in touch with the team direct –info@downerdesigner.com. These will dictate maximum vertical HELPING HAND® bracket centres, location
of fixed and sliding point brackets and size / type of primary fixing based on project specific dynamic and dead loads. - DCS032 horizontal adaptor, DCS031 HELPING HAND® brackets and rails set out drawings showing location of fixed point, sliding points and rails spacing.
Get project specific stats direct via Downer Designer – your dedicated portal.
Just provide us with your project info and we’ll prepare your optimised project pack.
HELPING HAND BRACKETS
SUBSTRATES
All our DCS031 HELPING HAND® brackets are available with both Ø6.5mm holes and 22xØ11mm slots to suit primary anchors specified by project specific static calculations and/or on-site pull out tests.
Concrete or masonry substrates
Ensure fixings are fitted through the 22xØ11mm slots. 2no. per double and 1no. per single bracket.
Steel or timber substrates
Ensure fixings are fitted through the Ø6.5mm holes. 4no. per double and 2no. per single bracket.
FIX & SLIDING POINTS
DCS032 Adaptor is supplied with 2no. 15xØ5.5mm slots.
Fix point (Absorbs dead load)
Horizontal rail secured using 4.8x19mm framing drills screws at opposite side of 15xØ5.5mm slots.
Sliding point (Absorbs live loads and rail expansion)
Horizontal rail secured using 4.8x19mm framing drills screws centred in 15xØ5.5mm slots.
Please refer to project specific static calculations for correct location of fix & sliding point brackets and quantity of each. DCS032 Adaptor must be fixed to DCS031 HELPING HAND brackets through 2no. 5.1mm holes.
Typical Rail Set Out
Design Considerations
Rails and HELPING HAND® brackets should be set out in accordance with the structural engineer’s calculations or necessary building regulation.
Typically, rails are installed in lengths to suit panel width module. T rail sections generally provide support at panel joints and L rail sections provide support for intermediate fixing.
Rainscreen cladding fixings should be positioned close to the centre line of the front face of the L rail, note the orientation of the bracket/rail leg.
There must be a minimum 10mm gap between the ends of adjacent rails to allow for expansion and cladding panels should never be fixed to two adjacent rails across the expansion gap.
Cladding panels must not span across and be fixed to the other side of a stud wall floor deflection head. Rails must not span across and be fixed to the other side of a vertical expansion joint unless the DCS032 Horizontal Adaptor installed on the other side of the expansion joint has been specially adapted with elongated slots to accommodate the specified expansion tolerance.
DCS032 Horizontal Adaptor must always be fitted to the DCS031 HELPING HAND® brackets through the holes, not through the slots.
For ease of lining and levelling rails start from a predetermined datum line corner/opening or return.
DCS031 HELPING HAND® bracket isolator pads must be used when there is risk of bimetallic corrosion or thermal bridging.
Fix point DCS032 Adaptor distance to either rail end should not be greater than 3m.
Please ensure that the horizontal rail does not block the vertical ventilation path.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
Cladding panels are usually supplied flat packed from the factory, fully fabricated and ready for the attachment of the panel hanger brackets and required fixings.
Mark-up location of HELPING HAND® brackets ensuring that single and double HELPING HAND® brackets are positioned correctly for the fixed and sliding points. Check for line and level and note the orientation of the bracket projected leg.
Install HELPING HAND® brackets with isolator pads positioned between the rear of the brackets and the building substrate. Use the appropriate primary anchors as dictated by project specific static calculations.
All our brackets are supplied with both Ø6.5mm holes (SFS / Timber) and 22xØ11mm slots (masonry / concrete) to suit project specific primary anchors.
Insert DCS032 Horizontal Adaptor into the HELPING HAND® brackets.
There should always be a minimum of 20mm of the Adaptor leg inserted into the HELPING HAND® bracket.
Check the inserted depth and face alignment before fixing the adaptor using the S/S 4.8mm x 19mm TEK screws through the holes in the DCS031 HELPING HAND® brackets (NOT THROUGH SLOTS).
Insert the horizontal “L” or “T” rails into the DCS032 Horizntal Adaptor to the required cavity depth. Check the setting out and face alignment with a laser level or string line.
Note: If leaving the HELPING HAND© grid overnight and partially constructed ensure the rails are secured with temporary fixing screws.
Using the S/S 4.8mm x 19mm TEK screws fix the horizontal rails to the DCS032 Horizontal Adaptor through the pre punched screw slots. Ensure that the TEK screws are fitted in the correct positions for the fixed and sliding points, and from the under face of the Horizontal Adaptor.
Safety note: sharp drill point of the TEK screw will be exposed. Please ensure the installation team takes special care when installing the cladding panels or while working near the frame. Alternatively, sharp drill point can be removed using cutting pliers.
Proceed with the installation of the remainder of the rainscreen framing system.
When completed and before commencing cladding panel installation, final checks should be carried out on:
Proceed with cladding panel installation following cladding manufacturer guidelines.
Delivery and Packaging
Most deliveries are made by standard courier unless specific vehicles are requested
(For 6m lengths a rigid sided or larger lorry may be required). All products leaving our factory are packed in a manner to ensure safe delivery to site.
This entails protection by shrink-wrapping and strapping, and with delivery on suitably sized pallets, frames, crates, bundles, or boxes. These normally contain a maximum of 1200kg for pallets and 35kg for non-palletized items for safe handling on site. It should be noted that it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure safe unloading of delivery vehicles.
Pallets are made suitable for forklift off-load only as standard. If pallets are required for craning off-load, maximum loading and size must be advised at the time of ordering.
Site Handling
Components must be handled with care in order to avoid loss or damage. Should it be necessary to store the material on site for any length of time, it should be protected from the elements and the environment. A suitable storage area will need to be set aside, storage should be as near as practicable to the areas of working to minimise handling, damage, and waste.
Maintenance Instructions
Aluminium profiles and façade accessories subjected to normal circumstances and proper cleaning and maintenance, are guaranteed a long-life span in excess of 35 years.
Contamination by concrete, mortar, cement and such, is extremely harmful and needs to be rinsed immediately with pure water.
CONTACT US
Please contact using the details below or by using the form opposite.
Downer Framing
5 Wainwright Close
Churchfields Industrial Estate
Saint Leonards-on-Sea
East Sussex
TN38 9PP
Tel: +44(0)1424 852 641
Email: info@downerframing.com
