Leviat takes specifiers inside the wall at UK Construction Week

Leviat, a world leader in engineered connections, joined forces with passive fire solutions specialist Siderise and clay brick manufacturer Ibstock at UK Construction Week (UKCW) in May, delivering a panel discussion on one of the most pressing challenges in residential construction: how to design and deliver safe, compliant masonry façades for high-rise housing.

Held at the Housing Action Hub at ExceL London, Inside the Wall: Delivering Safe, Compliant Masonry Façades for High-Rise Housing brought together technical specialists from across the masonry external wall build-up including masonry support and restraint, clay brick, and passive fire protection, alongside the specifier's perspective.

Leviat was represented on the panel by Jonathan Vaughan, Technical Manager – Masonry, who shared the panel with Ian Sutherland RIBA RIAS, Design Advisor at Ibstock Futures; Emmie Panagopoulos, Senior Technical Specification Manager at Siderise; and Peter Gibson, Director at Hunters Architectural and Building Consultancy. The session was hosted by Elan Penn, Training Manager at Siderise.

Designing for the Building Safety Act

Opening the discussion, Peter Gibson set out the regulatory context. Under the Building Safety Act, RIBA Stage 4 design must now be fully coordinated and suitable for construction before Gateway 2 submission, with no items "to be confirmed" or left "subject to specialist design". Achieving that level of certainty, he argued, depends on manufacturers working together rather than testing and developing products in isolation. Collaboration improves design certainty, reduces the risk of incompatible products being specified, and avoids costly redesign and delay on site.

Resolving the congested slab edge

The panel then took the audience on a through-the-wall journey, examining the critical junctions where their products meet. At the congested slab edge, Jonathan Vaughan explained how the position of the masonry support angle is driven by the architect's desired joint location, and how restraint ties must be coordinated with the support system for the design loading to apply. The discussion covered the interaction between masonry support, cavity barriers and cavity trays, and the correct detailing of pistol bricks over support angles.

The exchange captured why no manufacturer can resolve these details alone. "That's a lot of steel going into the slab edge junction, at the same time as you want that important fire protection in," Vaughan told the audience. "Most of the time, some element of steel is going to need to penetrate through the barriers." Emmie Panagopoulos explained how manufacturers can respond: "Maintaining the cavity barrier line is essential, and we understand it's not always possible to avoid those interfaces. Manufacturers who can offer supplementary testing, where the cavity barrier is fully penetrated by the masonry support brackets, can provide major reassurance to the fire engineer."

From balconies to stepped brickwork

The conversation moved on to balcony projections, where Jonathan Vaughan highlighted the need for early structural coordination between masonry support brackets and balcony connectors, both physically and in managing cumulative shear loads at the slab edge. Window head and jamb details followed, with practical guidance on lintel bearing requirements, drop-down masonry support arrangements and reveal support, before the session closed with a look at decorative and stepped brickwork.  The latter being increasingly fashionable, but demanding careful consideration of moisture run-off, wall tie embedment and angle positioning.

Early engagement

The session built on the three manufacturers' ongoing Know Your Neighbour collaboration, a series of joint events exploring the interfaces between their products in masonry external walls.

Jonathan Vaughan said: "The complexity of high-rise masonry façades demands a joined-up, collaborative approach across the supply chain. This session assembled the right voices to lead that conversation, with the technical depth the industry needs."

Closing the session, Elan Penn urged delegates to engage with manufacturers early in the design process, drawing on their technical and design support to resolve challenges before work reaches site.

To discuss masonry support, restraint or balcony connectivity on your next high-rise project, contact Leviat's technical team for early design support.