Testing & Performance

Barracuda has been rigorously independently tested to ensure that it provides high levels of façade performance across watertightness, wind resistance, impact resistance, durability and temporary unmortared conditions.

This page brings together the key areas of Barracuda testing and performance in one place. It is intended as a clear starting point for specifiers, façade consultants, contractors and project teams reviewing the system.

Use the sections below to explore the main areas of evidence, or go straight to the supporting documents and downloads.

How the Barracuda Slip System Works

Barracuda has been tested for watertightness under both static and dynamic pressure conditions. 

Static pressure

Test method: CWCT Standard Test Methods for Building Envelopes: 2005 / BS EN 12154:2000
Classification / declared value: R7 / 600 pascals
Result: Pass
Controlled dismantle: Pass 

Dynamic

Test method: CWCT Standard Test Methods for Building Envelopes: 2005
Classification / declared value: 600 pascals
Result: Pass
Controlled dismantle: Pass 

Why it matters

Watertightness testing helps demonstrate that the façade can resist water ingress under pressure and exposure conditions relevant to external wall construction.

PASS

Barracuda has been tested for both serviceability and safety performance.

Serviceability

Test method: CWCT Standard Test Methods for Building Envelopes: 2005 / BS EN 13116:2001
Classification / declared value: +2400 pascals
Result: Pass 

Safety

Test method: CWCT Standard Test Methods for Building Envelopes: 2005 / BS EN 13116:2001
Classification / declared value: +3600 pascals
Result: Pass
Controlled dismantle: Pass 

Why it matters

Wind performance should demonstrate not only how the system behaves in normal use, but how it performs under higher loading conditions relevant to façade safety.

PASS

Barracuda has been tested for soft body and hard body impact in both serviceability and safety conditions.

Soft body serviceability

Classification / declared value: Class 1 / 120J
Result: Pass 

Soft body safety

Classification / declared value: Negligible Risk / 350J and 500J
Result: Pass 

Hard body serviceability

Classification / declared value: Class 1 / 3J, 6J and 10J
Result: Pass 

Hard body safety

Classification / declared value: Negligible Risk / 3J and 10J
Result: Pass 

Why it matters

Impact resistance is important for demonstrating façade robustness both in service and in safety-related scenarios.

PASS

Barracuda has undergone a full durability test sequence including heat/rain cycling, freeze/thaw cycling, cyclic wind load and impact testing. 

Heat/rain

The test panel was subjected to 100 heat/rain cycles. 

Freeze/thaw

The same test panel was then subjected to 100 freeze/thaw cycles. 

Cyclic wind load

The same test panel was then subjected to 7681 wind load cycles, representing 60 years of natural wind exposure. 

Impact testing after durability sequence

Following the full sequence, the same sample was subjected to further impact testing and remained both serviceable and safe, with no visible damage to the panel from a viewing distance of 1 metre.

Result: Long-term durability = Pass
Controlled dismantle: Pass 

Why it matters

A durability sequence is intended to demonstrate system performance after exposure to ageing and repeated loading, not simply in new condition.

PASS

Traditional brickwork is mortared as it is laid. With brick slip systems, slips are typically fitted before being mortared. This means there can be a temporary unmortared state on site. Barracuda has been tested to demonstrate safe performance during this stage. 

Brick slip pull-out testing

Brick slips ranging in height from 58mm to 70mm were required to resist a pull-out load of 100N per brick.
Result: Pass 

Unmortared soft body safety

Classification / declared value: Negligible Risk / 500J
Result: Pass 

Unmortared hard body safety

Classification / declared value: Low Risk / 10J
Result: Pass 

Why it matters

This is particularly important because many systems are vulnerable before mortar is applied. Barracuda testing demonstrates performance during that temporary installation phase. 

PASS

Barracuda test panels incorporated brick slips representing the full brick slip height tolerance range in which bricks compliant with BS EN 771 might be supplied. Testing demonstrated performance with brick slips ranging in height from 58mm to 70mm. 

Most brick slip systems rely heavily on tight brick height tolerances for safe engagement. Barracuda was developed to accommodate real-world variation more effectively. 

Why it matters

Brick tolerances are a key specification issue. A system should be able to demonstrate performance across realistic brick size variation, not just idealised conditions.

Featured Documents

Access the core technical documents supporting Barracuda specification and review:

Testing philosophy

Thorough testing is the essential foundation of successful product development. Barracuda testing has been approached with emphasis on realistic specimen configuration, full panel size and demanding conditions, rather than simply configuring a test panel in the most favourable way to achieve a pass. 

In all cases, the minimum test panel size is stated as 3m high by 3.6m wide, with backing wall construction that exhibits deflections equal to or exceeding those likely to be encountered on actual project constructions. 

Need the full evidence pack?

Access supporting documents, review the specification or speak to the team about a project requirement.