OPTIMA FC+ RAINSCREEN
OPTIMA FC+ IS AN EVOLUTION OF THE ORIGINAL OPTIMA FC SECRET FIX HOOK ON RAINSCREEN
Optima FC+ Secret Fix Hook-On Rainscreen offers adaptable solutions from diverse material requirements through its versatile design, and accelerating project timelines with quick adjustments for streamlined construction.
Optima FC+ features slide, and lock adjustment mechanism integrated into our secret fix hook design. The development allows installers to securely lock hooks in position on-site, streamlining the installation process and drastically reduce lead times for all parties. Its versatility is such that a multitude of materials and thicknesses (from 2.0mm to 4mm) used on one universal carrier.
BENEFITS OF THE OPTIMA FC+ SYSTEM
The Optima FC+ Rainscreen system offers a superior alternative to traditional cladding with a range of benefits that enhance the functionality and look of your building. Designed for both aesthetic appeal and performance longevity, it's the ideal solution for modern architectural needs. The Optima FC+ Rainscreen system offers an innovative slide and lock adjustment mechanism, with the secret fix hook on rainscreen system enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of your building. Designed with aesthetic appeal and performance life in mind, Optima FC+ offers an ideal solution for the demands of modern architecture.
- Independently Tested: Certified to meet CWCT's rigorous specifications for rainscreen cladding.
- Drained & Ventilated: Features a labyrinth-jointed series of panels creating an effective weather shield.
- Non-Adhesive fixing methods: For true A1 and A2 cladding, mechanical fixing methods are solely used to avoid the use of adhesives.
- Secret Fixings: Offers a sleek, uninterrupted façade appearance that is free from visible fixings, maintaining the benefits of a drained and ventilated façade.
- Seamless Integration: Engineered to integrate with all other building façade elements.
- Fire Safety: Fire tested to BS8414-2:2015 and classified to BR135 for high rise buildings.
- Comprehensive Range: Offers a full range of Euroclass A1 and A2 – s1,d0 panel materials. Learn more.
- Bespoke Design: Can also be incorporated. View case studies.
- System Guarantee: Available upon request.
- Technical arrangement details: Available here.
- CAD details: Are available, please contact our technical team 0191 5879213.
- Experience FC+: In our interactive VR here.
- EPD: EPDs are now available for the system here.
- Meadow: The Optima FC+ framework has been used in the
Optima Meadow
BOOK A CPD WITH ONE OF OUR TEAM
OPTIMA FC+ PANEL VARIETIES AND SIZES
Versatile Sizes and Materials for Every Architectural Need
Optima FC+ Panels offer a versatile and high-quality solution for modern architectural needs, available in various sizes and finishes to accommodate different design aesthetics and performance requirements. With materials ranging from 1.5mm to 4mm and available in Anodised Aluminum, PPC Aluminum, Pre-Paint, A1 & A2 ACM, Copper and Zinc, these panels are designed to meet a variety of architectural demands. Sotech’s state of the art machinery allows flexibility in precision manufacturing of panels upto 3800mm x 1300mm, providing ample coverage for large areas. The option for bespoke sizes ensures that even the most unique design visions can be brought to life. The different material options offer a balance between durability, aesthetic, and fire safety, making them a suitable choice for a wide array of construction needs.
Contact us for maximum and typical panels sizes available
DURABLE AND ADAPTIVE SUBSTRUCTURE
Building a Reliable Foundation with Quality Materials
The Optima FC+ system isn’t just about the panels; the substructure is equally important in ensuring longevity and performance. Built using materials from quality brands, the system guarantees reliability and durability. The system’s adaptability is evident in its suitability for all types of wall constructions, whether for new builds or refurbishments. The fully adjustable system allows for precise alignment and levelling of the cladding zones, accommodating variations in insulation thickness and wall irregularities. This precision ensures a flawless finish and long-lasting performance, keeping the project’s aesthetic and structural integrity intact over time.
INSTALLATION AND VENTILATION SOLUTIONS
Ease and Versatility in Application
Finally, the Optima FC+ system’s installation and backing walls are designed with ease and versatility in mind. Compatible with various types of external insulation and wall constructions, it offers solutions for easy installation. The system’s adjustability, along with the use of wafer head, self-tapping stainless-steel screws, ensures a secure and precise installation. Ventilation zones behind the panels are often designed to exceed CWCT minimum requirements, considering structural rails and other constraints. With such detailed attention to functionality, adaptability, and aesthetic, the Optima FC+ system provides a comprehensive solution for modern cladding needs.
ANODISED ALUMINIUM
Anodising is an A1 non-combustible finish. It is an electrolytic passivation process used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of metal parts.
Due to the nature of the anodising process and the tight quality controls on both the aluminium and the surface treatment, anodising has a homogeneous (matching & consistent) appearance.
Colours, textures and patterns can be incorporated in the anodic film, enhancing the natural metallic appearance without affecting the total UV resistance of the rainscreen cladding.
Anodising enhances the natural qualities of aluminium further; it permits a strongly contemporary finish with incomparable corrosion and abrasion resistance.
Aluminium is exceptionally recyclable, requires minimal maintenance and has proven lifetime performance.
Polyester Powder CoatED ALUMINIUM (PPC)
PPC is an A2 limited combustibility finish.
PPC is a type of dry coating, rather than a conventional liquid paint, and is applied to metal rainscreen as a free flowing, dry powder. The powder is applied to rainscreen panels electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to form a ‘skin’. This electrostatic powder process means we can ensure complete coverage of the panels, even on more complex shapes.
Powder Coating can produce a much thicker coating than conventional liquid coating leaving PPC rainscreen cladding with a hard finish. This is much tougher than normal paint and its strong abrasion and corrosion resistance properties make it extremely durable and long lasting.
If you are looking for a finish to make your project stand out PPC is a great specification choice with a range of 200 standard RAL colours and a wide choice of special effects offer a great alternative to anodised aluminium and stone, natural effects and different textures can be used to add a unique touch to your project.
Fire Performance of PPC
Alpolic A1
ALPOLIC® A1 is a non-combustible composite panel. It is currently the only composite panel in the world that is classified to fire standard Euroclass A1 according to DIN EN 13501-1. This means: non-combustible and also no smoke development in case of fire.
ALPOLIC® A1 is easy to process and shape, weather resistant, impact resistant and has a high degree of flatness. The front side is colour-coated with the high-quality fluoropolymer resin LUMIFLONTM (FEVE), making it highly resistant to weathering, UV radiation, corrosion and colour fading.
Alpolic is 100% recyclable, after installation Alpolic saves energy consumption of the building by thermal insulation effect. The air space between the material and backing wall forms a thermal insulation layer and increases the wall systems energy conservation performance.
PRE-PAINT ALUMINIUM
Pre-PAINTED Aluminium is a great choice for large facade cladding projects, tough and hard-wearing.
It is available in a wide choice of colours and surfaces and gives a uniform paint layer and consistent colour minimising shade variation between panels – Euroclass A1 Fire Rating.
In addition to its UV and weather resistance, it is also easy to transform and allows creations of original shapes.
Prepainted metal is the choice for sustainable design, the aluminium coating is an environmentally friendly process and can be recycled without any loss in quality.
ACM A2
ACM A2 is a limited combustible aluminium composite panel.
It is a popular choice from the range of rainscreen cladding materials that we supply, as well as being fully recyclable and consumes low energy the other benefits include including enhanced durability and strength, and a huge variety of attractive finishes.
We’re dedicated to manufacturing our rainscreen cladding systems with the highest quality of materials, which is why we only work with the best suppliers of ACM A2 to bring your project to life.
Minimum quantities may apply, please consult with Sotech for more information and available specifications.
Copper
Copper is an A1 non-combustible material. It is a traditional construction material excelling in durability, malleability and corrosion resistance.
Copper is perfect for architectural cladding, giving a unique aesthetic appearance with low maintenance costs due to a naturally forming, self-protecting patina.
The material is 99.9% recyclable and using only 15% of the energy used in the original manufacture to recycle product.
The material protects itself by developing a patina over time, however patination can be accelerated by a chemical process meaning the material is available in varying shades.
Strong, dimensionally stable, light and low maintenance.
CORTEN STEEL
A group of steel alloys which were developed to eliminate the need for painting, and form a stable rust-like appearance.
The corrosion process usually takes about 18-36 months. The anticorrosive properties of weather resistant steel are better than those of other structural steels. The material is self-protecting, the rust layer on the surface becomes a tight oxide layer that slows down the progress of corrosion.
The material reaches a stable oxidation point where further oxidation may occur but does not effect the quality of the steel. The visual appearance of the Corten Steel is something that it, the material weathers to a natural brown colour which darkens gradually.
The material is A1 non-combustible, long-lasting and fully recyclable.
Stainless Steel
The appearance of stainless steel panels is easy to maintain, as the material is highly resistant to atmospheric and pure water environments, it is also 100% recyclable and Euroclass A1 Fire Rating.
Rimex offer Stainless Steel patters that are produced by texturing or rigidizing ferrous and non-ferrous metals, increasing strength in all directions.
Textures diffuse light patterns to produce an optical flatness to sheet metals, eliminating the unwanted oil-canning effect. Deep textured metals resist dents and scratches resulting in low maintenance costs.
Richard Austin Alloys provide a complete range of processing services including surface finishing. Using various techniques we can provide you with grades bright, reflective and highly polished finishes.
Stainless Steel is Euroclass A1 Fire rating, the appearance of stainless steel panels is easy to maintain and 100% recyclable.
Zinc
A traditional construction material excelling in durability, malleability and corrosion resistance due to a naturally forming, self-protecting patina.
Naturally resistance to corrosion and virtually maintenance free as the rinsing effect of rainwater performs this task naturally. Zinc lends itself to both traditional and contemporary design. – Euroclass A1 Fire rating
One of the most unique features of Zinc Composite Material is that it uses the effect of air and the elements to enhance it’s finish; available in a natural blue grey, as well as numerous other shades, ZCM’s pre-weathered finish means that it matures over time as it’s exposed to the outside, and the natural patina that develops means that scratches and imperfections are virtually unnoticeable.
The surface only requires minor cleaning and maintenance over its lifetime.
OPTIMA FC+ Testing
BS 8414-2 refers to the fire performance of external cladding systems and is the test method for non-load bearing external cladding systems fixed to and supported by a structural steel frame.
The BS 8414 test methods were developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). They evaluate whether a cladding system subject to fire breaking out of an opening (such as a window) in an external wall, will result in excessive fire spread up the outside of the building and the potential for fire to re-enter at a higher level.
The tests are carried out in specialist laboratories, and are performed on full-scale systems (rather than small-scale samples) incorporating; joints and corner details, fixings, insulation, firebreaks, cavities and other elements of the system construction.
Performance criteria for assessing cladding systems tested using BS 8414 is contained within BR 135 – Fire performance of external thermal insulation for walls of multi-storey buildings. It is important to note that the classification applies solely to the specific external facade system which has been tested.
Any deviations or product substitutions from that which was tested are strictly subject to BS 9414
Performance criteria for assessing cladding systems tested using BS 8414 is contained within BR 135
Fire performance of external thermal insulation for walls of multi-storey buildings.
It is important to note that the classification applies solely to the specific external facade system which has been tested.
Performance criteria of the test was based on BR135 Classification standard.
Optima FC+ cladding solid aluminium panels with PPC finish and rockwool insulation
Test was in accordance with: BS8414-2:2015
Any deviations or product substitutions from that which was tested are strictly subject to BS 9414
- System/Material: 3mm Aluminium, PPC Finish on Optima FC+
- Classification Report: 102034.001.8414
- Test Report: 102034.001.135
- Fire Test Performed at: Fire Protection Association, Gloucestershire
- Date test performed: December 2019
- Steel framing system (SFS) – 150mm Kingframe SFS
- Insulation – Rockwool 180mm DuoSlab Insulation
- Sheathing Board – 12.5mm Siniat Weather Defence Board
- Bracket – HILTI MFT-MFI 155-M-6.5, HILTI MFT-MFI 155-L-6.5
- Horizontal Cavity Barrier – Siderise RH25G – 90/30 horizontal Fire Barrier Vertical
- Vertical Cavity Barrier – Siderise RV-90/30 vertical cavity barrier
- Cassette Insert – Siderise open state cassette insert (OSCI)
- Carrier Rails – Sotech Optima FC+ Carrier Rails
- Panel – 3mm PPC Aluminium Optima FC+ Panel System
Learn More…
The Learning Zone plays host to innovative design workshops, CPD seminars and launch events where designers, contractors and material manufacturers can meet, evaluate and review projects and address technical issues at the very start of the design process.
We also have constructed training walls where installation teams can come and familiarise themselves with our Optima Rainscreen Systems, and products can be tried, tested and handled prior to going on site.
IF YOU’RE AN ARCHITECT/DESIGNER
There is a huge range of materials, finishes, colours and design options, offering the specifier an almost limitless choice of products, presented in a practical and convenient way designed to cut research time for the designer and provide an in-depth technical resource.
IF YOU’RE AN INSTALLER:
Experience the range of systems and choice of materials, explore technical solutions to specific problems, iron out design details and gain an understanding of scheduling requirements. All systems can be examined in detail and real-life applications can be rigorously reviewed and tested.
Napoleons Casino, Leeds
Canaan Lane
Kings Buildings, The University of Edinburgh
OPTIMA FC+ CWCT TESTING
The CWCT ‘Standard for systemised building envelopes’ gives a framework for specifying building envelopes and provides a ‘Specifiers checklist’ showing information that will change from project to project.
This includes:
- Internal and external environment
- Air permeability
- Thermal performance
- Access and safety
- Design life
Tests performed:
Watertightness – dynamic
Wind resistance – serviceability
Wind resistance – safety
Soft body Impact
Hard body impact
SOTECH Optima FC+
Certificate Number: 2020/98
Fire Test Performed at: Vinci Technology
Date test performed: 3rd March 2020
Learn More…
The Learning Zone plays host to innovative design workshops, CPD seminars and launch events where designers, contractors and material manufacturers can meet, evaluate and review projects and address technical issues at the very start of the design process.
We also have constructed training walls where installation teams can come and familiarise themselves with our Optima Rainscreen Systems, and products can be tried, tested and handled prior to going on site.
IF YOU’RE AN ARCHITECT/DESIGNER
There is a huge range of materials, finishes, colours and design options, offering the specifier an almost limitless choice of products, presented in a practical and convenient way designed to cut research time for the designer and provide an in-depth technical resource.
IF YOU’RE AN INSTALLER:
Experience the range of systems and choice of materials, explore technical solutions to specific problems, iron out design details and gain an understanding of scheduling requirements. All systems can be examined in detail and real-life applications can be rigorously reviewed and tested.
Napoleons Casino, Leeds
Canaan Lane
Kings Buildings, The University of Edinburgh
Discovery Quay
Canaan Lane
Peterborough University
West End Quay, London
Percival Street
Lancaster University School of Mathematics (LUSoM)
Kelaty House, Wembley
Plot C1, English Cities Fund (ECF) – New Bailey, Salford Quays
Public Service Hub, Ellesmere Port
OPTIMA FC+ DOWNLOADS
PLEASE ADD WHAT YOU REQUIRE TO YOUR DOWNLOAD LIST.
Once you have added all the files you require to your download list you can gain access to them using the downloads button in the top right or bottom right of your screen. If you have any issues, comments or questions please get in touch and an expert will be in touch as soon as possible.
sotechVR
A NEW WAY TO VIEW OPTIMA SYSTEMS
No VR headset? No problem! SOTECHVR will automatically start a standard 3D version if no headset is detected.
For a fully immersive virtual reality experience, SOTECHVR allows users to examine complete 3D models of our Optima range, change the rainscreen system to a material/finish of your choice, learn more about fire safety and rainscreen testing.