Case Study

Canberra Library Repository

Extension of the National Library of Australia Repository

When a building is going to be housing rare books and irreplaceable artefacts, it is crucial that it can provide a safe environment – one that can protect its contents from both the risk of fire and the effects of extreme weather.

The new extension of the National Library of Australia Repository in Canberra was designed to achieve just that, using Kingspan K-Roc™Evolution Ultima Plus Wall Panels and K-PIR Roof Panels to create a robust and high-performing building envelope.

The 1,005 m² purpose-built facility will contain 18 linear kilometres of shelving to re-home a pre-1990s collection that is temporarily housed at the National Archives of Australia in Mitchell. As well as meeting the requirements for fire performance, a low carbon footprint and energy efficiency were at the heart of the building design objectives, to meet the Government’s Australian Public Service (APS) Net Zero 2030 target.

“The Canberra Library Repository project had specific requirements for non-combustibility and fire resistance of its external walls, while seeking a smooth visual finish” - Joshua Burg, Technical Manager, Kingspan Insulated Panels

Fire performance with a sleek finish:

To be compliant with the NCC two-hour Fire Resistance Level (FRL) requirements whilst providing the desired aesthetic, architects GHD Design specified the non-combustible K-Roc™ Evolution Ultima Plus wall panels. Depending on the thickness specified, the panelscan offer up to a four-hour FRL in accordance with AS 1530.4:2014, combined with a flat profile and secret-fix installation to provide a smooth external finish.

As well as fire resistance, the K-Roc™ Ultima range provides high levels of thermal performance, continuity of insulation, airtightness, weather tightness and large spans, helping to reduce the amount of secondary steelwork needed and supporting speed of installation.

Raising the roof:

The use of polyisocyanurate (PIR) cored K-PIR Roof Panels helps the building to meet the requirement for an environmentally sustainable, thermally efficient construction.

For the Repository building, maintaining a consistent ambient temperature is an important aspect of storing historic materials. The KS1000RW panels installed feature a 120 mm PIR core, which delivers a product R-value of 5.73 m²K/W at 23°C in accordance with AS/NZS4859.1:2018. The panels are manufactured in Australia and have both a Global GreenTagGreenRate™ Level A certification and a CodeMark Certificate of Conformity.

In terms of fire performance, the panels are also FM Approved to FM 4880, Class 1 Fire Rating of Building Panels or Interior Finish Materials and FM 4471, Class 1 Panel Roof, providing a robust assessment of the fire, wind, foot traffic and hail damage resistance of Class 1 Panel Roofs.

Having a thermally efficient building envelope can help to minimise heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, reducing heating and cooling energy demand. In combination with thebenefits of the K-Roc™ Ultima wall panels, this is an example of how a hybrid, full building envelope solution from Kingspan Insulated Panels can help to meet multiple complexrequirements.

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