Frequently asked questions
Find answers to some of the most common questions about the Barracuda brick slip system, from brick compatibility and installation to testing, performance and specification.
For project-specific questions, the James & Taylor team is available to help.
General
What is a brick slip system?
A brick slip system allows the appearance of traditional brickwork to be achieved using brick slips fixed to a supporting structure rather than laid as full masonry.
The Barracuda Brick Slip System uses stainless steel rails and brick slips cut to 40 mm thickness. These slips are inserted into the rail system and then mortared, forming the visible outer layer of the façade.
What makes the Barracuda Brick Slip System different?
Barracuda was developed to solve problems inherent in many brick slip systems on the market.
The system uses a fully mechanical fixing methodology and aligns the top surfaces of the brick slips so that the finished façade closely replicates traditional brickwork.
It is also compatible with virtually all brick types, giving architects greater design freedom.
Can a brick slip system use real bricks?
Yes.
Barracuda uses real bricks that are cut into simple brick slips. In many cases, one parent brick can produce two slips, particularly with stock bricks, handmade bricks and solid bricks.
This allows projects to retain the aesthetic qualities of real brickwork.
How is a brick slip system specified?
Brick slip systems are typically specified as part of the external wall façade design.
Specification will normally include the brick type, slip thickness, rail components, mortar type, backing wall construction and performance requirements such as wind resistance, impact resistance and watertightness.
The Barracuda website provides a full specification and technical documentation to support this process.
Has the Barracuda Brick Slip System been tested?
Yes.
Barracuda has undergone extensive independent testing including wind resistance, watertightness, impact resistance and durability testing.
Testing demonstrates that brick slips retained within the system can withstand pull-out forces equivalent to wind speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour even in their un-mortared state.
Is the Barracuda system fire safe?
The Barracuda Brick Slip System is made from stainless steel and aluminium components.
Both materials are classified as A1 non-combustible under the European fire classification standard for construction products.
Product
What type of bricks can Barracuda accommodate?
The Barracuda system can accommodate bricks of virtually any shape or type from a wide range of brick manufacturers. This includes bricks with large frogs, large core holes, numerous smaller core holes and solid bricks. Bricks can be extruded, pressed or handmade.
Does Barracuda rely on glues or resins?
No. Barracuda uses a fully mechanical methodology and is not reliant on glues or resins.
How are the brick slips installed?
The brick slips are a simple push fit and the system can be supplied with a complementary pre-gauged backing structure that further speeds accurate installation.
How does Barracuda align the brick slips?
The differential-length teeth bias the brick slip upwards so that its top surfaces are aligned, as is the case with traditionally laid brickwork.
What role does mortar play in the system?
The mortar forms an effective shear key with the lateral surfaces of the brick slip and is secured to the substructure or backing wall by the teeth projecting from the Barracuda profile. The mortar is locked into place by enveloping the teeth.
How long can Barracuda Brick Slips remain un-mortared?
Brick slips should be mortared as soon as it is possible and practicable to do so and must not be left un-mortared for longer than a two-week period.
Is installer training available?
Yes. Installer training can be tailored to meet individual client requirements and typically lasts one day, including theoretical and practical aspects of the Barracuda system.
How thick are the Barracuda brick slips?
Barracuda brick slips are cut to a finished thickness of 40 mm. The datum cut is taken accurately from the front face of the brick and the cuts must be planar and parallel to the front face.
View brick cutting information here.
Why Barracuda?
Can Barracuda accommodate normal brick manufacturing tolerances?
The Barracuda system can accommodate the wide range of brick-size manufacturing tolerances stipulated within BS EN 771-1. Real bricks can exhibit a very wide range of dimensional variation, particularly variations in brick height or distortions that affect brick height.
Why are brick tolerances important in a brick slip system?
Yes. The Barracuda system can accommodate the wide range of brick-size manufacturing tolerances stipulated within BS EN 771-1. Real bricks can exhibit a very wide range of dimensional variation, particularly variations in brick height or distortions that affect brick height. Barracuda testing has included brick slips ranging in height from 58 mm to 70 mm.
How does Barracuda retain the mortar?
The mortar forms an effective shear key with the lateral surfaces of the brick slip and is secured to the substructure or backing wall by the teeth or fronds projecting from the Barracuda profile. The mortar is locked into place by enveloping these teeth.
How does the Barracuda substructure help installation?
Barracuda L and T aluminium substructure rails feature integral brick-course gauge tabs.
These gauge tabs enable more rapid and accurate installation of the Barracuda rails.
Is a design life warranty available?
Design life warranty information is available for the Barracuda Brick Slip System. The applicable design life, project requirements and warranty terms should be checked against the current warranty document.
Where can I find more detailed installation information?
Full installation information, including System Substructure and Mortar & Pointing guidance, is available on the Product page.
Testing & Performance
Has Barracuda been independently tested?
The Barracuda system has been rigorously independently tested to ensure that it provides the very highest levels of performance.
What size test panels were used?
In all cases the minimum test-panel size is 3 m high x 3.6 m wide, with a backing-wall construction that exhibits deflections equal to or exceeding those likely to be encountered on most actual project constructions.
Were different brick-slip heights tested?
Barracuda test panels incorporate brick slips that represent the full brick-slip height tolerance range in which bricks compliant with BS EN 771 might be supplied.
Testing demonstrates performance with brick slips ranging in height from 58 mm to 70 mm.
Has Barracuda been tested in its temporary un-mortared state?
Yes. Barracuda has undergone pull-out and impact testing with the brick slips in their temporary un-mortared state.
What is the fire classification of the Barracuda system?
The Barracuda Brick Slip System has been classified A1 in accordance with BS EN 13501-1:2018 by UKAS-accredited reaction-to-fire testing specialists System Laboratories UK.
Supporting fire classification and cavity-barrier test information is also available.
Where can I access Barracuda drawings, specifications and test reports?
Barracuda technical documents are available within the Downloads library, including the Barracuda Specification, system drawings, installation information, brick cutting details, fire documentation, cavity-barrier reports, test reports, Arup specification/evaluation documents and the Design Life Warranty.
Are cavity barriers available for use with Barracuda?
SIDERISE has carried out testing to verify the suitability of horizontal and vertical cavity barriers for use within the Barracuda system. The testing covers the RH25 90/30 open-state cavity barrier and the RV 90/30 cavity barrier, accommodating cavity widths from 26 mm to 425 mm. All cavity barriers must be installed in accordance with SIDERISE guidance.
Is there guidance for comparing or specifying brick slip systems?
Yes. The Barracuda Specifier Checklist provides a structured way to review some of the key technical considerations when assessing a mechanically fixed brick slip system. It covers mechanical fixing, brick tolerances, independent testing, durability, temporary un-mortared performance, mortar retention, fire performance and design life.
Use the Specifier Checklist