Belfast Transport Hub Features Magply A1 Fire Resistant Roof Build-Up

ONE OF THE MOST notable infrastructure projects to be completed in Northern Ireland over recent years is nearing completion with the specialist roofing contractor involved installing a PVC system across an intermediate level deck.

Originally, marine grade plywood had been specified for the deck, but Thornton Roofing changed this to achieve A1 fire performance by recommending A1 non-combustible Magply boards from the range of IPP Ltd., thereby complying with the province’s fire regulations and mirroring those in the rest of the UK.

Belfast Transport Hub

The development being undertaken for Translink by Farrans Sacyr JV has created a major new transport interchange for the city, featuring 8 railway platforms and 26 bus stands, together with multiple public facilities. Its total value is projected to reach £340m.

The specialist sub-contractor, Antrim-based Thornton Roofing in fact works across all of Ireland and the UK and carries out large scale private, as well as public sector contracts, including on commercial office buildings, schools and hospitals.

All of the 20mm Magply boards have come from merchant JP Corry, one of Thornton’s regular suppliers and a leading distributor for the manufacturer. The 5 metre wide roof deck actually extends around two sides of the building to cover a total area of 850 square metres, bounded by the safety balustrade and a section of standing seam aluminium roof.  The 20 mm Magply boards are screw fixed into the steel purlins that span the deck, with no requirement for thermal insulation in the build-up.

Contracts Manager for Thornton Roofing, Gareth Simpson, commented: “We have been involved on the project since early in 2023 and have installed all of the Kalzip standing seam roof decking and other systems for the project, but this final section of roof required a substantial fire rating, 20mm Magply was chosen because of its A1 rating.

“It has proved very straightforward for our people to cut and fix, before the Armorplan single ply PVC membrane was installed, screw fixed at 200mm centres along the laps and hot air welded to form a watertight surface. Since the specification for this demanding high-profile project, we have opted to use Magply for some further work on the Hub where an A1 fire rating is required.”

A1 Fire Resistant Roof Build-Up

With a Class 1 fire rating and backed by BBA Agrement certification, Magply MOS boards present a fire-safe and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plywood or OSB products. Additionally, the unique production process enhances both the boards’ stability and long-term durability, while they create an ideal substrate for installing the full spectrum of waterproofing systems.  This includes their use in recovery applications and as a temporary protection layer.

The different thicknesses of panel are also widely used as a substrate board for the direct application of proprietary render systems, as well as for flooring and pitched roof build-ups. Additionally, for the conversion or construction of apartment buildings where fire performance is a top priority, Magply is not just being used as part of the cladding build-up, but also internally to form pattresses behind plasterboard drylining to support the weight of cupboards and bathroom fittings, where the material’s excellent pull-out strength is a real advantage.

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