Support systems

Dales Monocoque Support System

Trying to fix aluminium cladding or eaves systems to primary site structure usually means the aluminium cannot be installed lined and level. In fact, rather than hide deviation in the primary structure, the aluminium tends to highlight it. The solution is the Dales Monocoque Support System, which allows vertical and horizontal adjustment to hide site variances and Dales recommend their systems are supported using the Monocoque System. Example details that illustrate the almost infinite ways the monocoque system can be designed are available for download here.

Monocoque brackets are precision-made and keep components to the minimum number, whilst maintaining adequate support for the Dales eaves or other Dales system. It allows swift installation on site with maximum accuracy and minimum fuss. The result is an installed product that achieves a precise line, regardless of the inaccuracies of the primary structure.

Designed for the Dales system on each project, the Monocoque Support System will be manufactured in either galvanised steel or aluminium dependant on the location of the project and its environment. It can be used in conjunction with SFS, steel, concrete or timber primary structure.

On substantial design and build projects, by involving Dales at the earliest design stage, using the Dales Monocoque Support System has provided contractors with time and cost savings. As part of their design service Dales will prepare details and calculations to ensure that the method of support is optimised for the application.

Helping Hand Bracket & Rail Support Systems

For large soffits, ceilings and exterior rainscreen cladding, Dales can supply helping hand support systems. As part of their design service Dales will prepare details and calculations to ensure that the method of support is optimised for the application.

Monocoque Support & Curtain-walling

Dales are able to support both their solar shading and eaves systems from curtain-walling mullions by using the isol8 chocks that incorporate and patented thermal break. Contact one of our project managers to discuss this further.

Thermal Performance: Thermal Breaks

Due consideration should be given to thermal performance of walls and increasingly attention is directed to the eaves as well. This means that support system brackets or cleats will usually require a thermal break to reduce or eliminate cold-bridging. Dales recommend that any requirement to incorporate thermal breaks as part of the support system should be included in the project specification and have good relationships with companies such as Armadillo and Farrat, who can advise on how the required thermal performance can be achieved.

Fixings

Fixings present a potential weak link in any system, as such Dales take the process of fixing selection as seriously as the design of the system itself. All fixings have been selected after careful consultation with manufacturers and rigorous testing for both ultimate strengths and potential incompatibility issues. All necessary fixings are supplied as part of the complete package from Dales.

Gutter Configuration : Hidden or Exposed

Traditionally, gutters have been exposed and Dales offer a wide range of decorative and functional gutter profiles, which can be used to compliment an exposed gutter configuration.

Hidden gutter configurations provide a more contemporary appearance and allow more imaginative fascia profiles to be used, from plain fascias to trapezoidal, bullnose, raked and elliptical designs.

Rainwater pipes

A range of rainwater pipes including contemporary, traditional (Cast collars) and secret fix systems are available here.

Fascia Profiles

Dales are able to design and manufacture fascia profiles to almost any shape, size or proportion including curved and elliptical designs. As part of our specification service preliminary drawings can be prepared which can be inserted directly into your own drawings. All systems are designed on an individual project basis and a 25 year guarantee may be available, subject to terms and conditions. Example drawings can be downloaded here.

Soffit Systems

Dales offer a wide variety of different soffit types, from secret fix panels to secret-fix planks, more details are available here.

Rainscreen panels

Dales design and manufacture aluminium rainscreen panels on a bespoke basis to suit each individual project, more detail available here.

Wall Copings

Dales design and manufacture aluminium wall copings on a bespoke basis to suit each individual project, more detail available here.

Solar Shading Systems

Dales design and manufacture solar shading systems on a bespoke basis to suit each individual project, more detail available here.

Fire: Monocoque Support System

The Dales Monocoque Support System is manufactured from either galvanised steel or mill-finish aluminium and both materials are non-combustible: A1 Classification Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018 and are identified as making ‘no contribution to fire”: EU Commission Decision 04.10.96 See also https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/999ef8f3-56e7-4a99-8e20-01f910b77d2e/language-en

Fire: Helping Hand support system

Helping Hand Support Systems are manufactured from mill-finish aluminium, which is non-combustible: A1 Classification Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018 and is identified as making ‘no contribution to fire”: EU Commission Decision 04.10.96 See also https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/999ef8f3-56e7-4a99-8e20-01f910b77d2e/language-en

Fire: Aluminium Eaves Design

Dales can provide a RIBA Approved Material seminar on this subject: More information on the full title, content and how to book is available here.

With regard to all aspects of detailing for fire-prevention and prevention of spread of fire, as with all projects, specifiers, developers and their main contractors should employ and consult a suitably qualified and experienced fire safety engineer to ensure that all details submitted, specifically including those details which may involve Dales ppc or anodised aluminium products are considered appropriate, suitable and compliant with current building regulations & the overall fire strategy for the project.

Specifiers, Developers and Main contractors are further invited to consider the RIBA Fire resources web page at https://www.architecture.com/campaign/grenfell-tower

The design liability of Dales will be limited to the reasonable skill and care of a specialist sheet-metal fabricator.

Quotations provided by Dales include for the items expressly listed and do not include for the supply (or design) of any supplementary items such as, but not limited to; insulation, plywood, vapour barrier, fire protection, insect mesh or mastic/sealant (other than gutter sealant). Any reference to bill pages, specifications or drawings is listed for information only.

Dales Monocoque Support System or the Helping Hand Support Systems are not normally coated or anodised, however for other products, details of the colours and finishes available can be found at https://www.dales-eaves.co.uk/finishes

Guarantees:

Dales products, whether supplied in anodised or architectural polyester powder coated finish can usually be provided with guarantees, dependant on their geographical location and specific environment and subject to terms and conditions.

Marine Specification:

It is the specifier’s responsibility to ensure that Marine Specification is specified in the contract particulars, and our Project Managers can assist by advising on and providing appropriate NBS Specification clauses.

Acutely Exposed or Industrial Environments

For acutely exposed marine or industrial environments Marine Specification can be further upgraded in several ways, which includes one or more of the following:
• changing the base aluminium alloy to a ship-building alloy,
• changing the powder coating to Qualicoat 2 specification,
• amending secondary supports to all aluminium,
• changing fixings to A4 stainless steel (provided such suitable fixings are available) or
• moving to an anodised finish.

If you consider that your project may be in an acutely exposed marine or industrial environment, please contact one of our Directors or Project Managers to discuss this further. Please bear in mind it is not always possible to guarantee products installed in harsh environments.

Durability

Dales systems are designed to give a low maintenance life of 60 years in rural and suburban conditions & up to 25 years in industrial conditions, dependant on the exact environment. For marine environments see above.

Operation & Maintenance Information

As part of the Dales Project Management: Design & Specification Service a full technical guide is issued to site that includes A3 copies of all Dales detail proposal drawings in full colour and generic system fixing instructions as a comprehensive Technical Guide. This also includes a comprehensive ‘Fixings Identification List’ that identifies where each fixing is supposed to use, the same information is noted on the detail proposal drawings too.

It is the customer’s responsibility to request a full O&M pack from Dales, which will include a complete detail drawings pack and the relevant generic fixing instructions complete with the maintenance schedule and any guarantee originally requested in the original customer order.

Loadings: General

Both gutter and fascia soffit systems are designed to accommodate loadings in excess of those induced when the gutters are operating at full capacity. Snow guards are recommended where sliding snow may cause impact loading in excess of normal design criteria (see BS EN 12056-3 2000). For wind and other specific loadings please contact our Project management team on Tel: 0115 930 1521.

Loadings: Finite Element Analysis FEA/FEM Modelling

As part of its overall design process Dales may be required to provide a computer-generated Finite Element Analysis (FEA) or similar report that may indicate whether a system designed by Dales is likely to withstand specific wind or other loadings. In the case of wind-loadings, it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that they correctly inform Dales of the “local wind pressure design cladding load for the specific element of the works” as well as the height and location of the detail that Dales are to supply.

Please note that Dales reserve the right to pass on any costs incurred in producing any such report or calculations, as well as any additional product costs that the conclusions from the report deem necessary. Since it is not possible to fully predict all the dynamic factors that may arise, any report generated through a computer-model will always be limited to some extent in its ability to predict real-life outcomes with absolute accuracy.

It is therefore the customer’s design and financial responsibility to ensure that any such FEA/ FEM report that Dales may provide is deemed adequate, sufficient and compliant with the project design specification by the Project Structural Engineer in terms of the; model, loadings and physical properties of the materials used.

3D Modelling

Where Dales are required to design their systems, for whatever reason, using 3D modelling software, typically AutoDesk Revitt, lead times for the preparation of detail design drawings (Dales proposal drawings) or 3D models are likely to be increased. This may on occasion affect overall lead times for the provision of manufactured products and Dales are not liable for any costs however they may arise due to the increased design time that results from the need for 3D computer modelling. Dales reserve the right to charge for any such increased design time incurred in their design office that results from the need for 3D modelling.

Thermal movement

Dales design all systems to accommodate the extremes of temperature typical in the UK. For overseas projects, please contact Dales to discuss the requirements of your project.

Aluminium: The sustainable choice

Aluminium is recognised as one of the most sustainable materials for use in the building industry. This is due to the vast natural deposits of bauxite (aluminium ore) and product longevity, combined with low recycling costs. Around 98% of the aluminium used in UK construction projects is recycled.

Environmental Policy

Our environmental policy is available to view here.

Responsible Sourcing

Our Responsible Sourcing policy is available to view here.

Preferred Installer Network

Our network of carefully selected preferred installers are on hand to provide a full supply and fix package. These companies specialise in the installation of our materials and fit them on a regular basis and vary in size from large facades installers to smaller eaves and rainwater goods specialists.