Pre-Coat Aluminium Sheet - tested to BS 8414
Ultimately , PPC does not promote combustibility or fire spread when tested to BS EN 13501-1 . This is further supported by the testing required for London Underground approval , often lauded as a barometer of fire safety . This requires compliance to EN 45545 , where spread of flame is measured objectively ( ISO 5658-2 ) unlike BS EN 13501-1 which involves visual assessment only . Furthermore , PPC smoke production is extremely low or non-existent ( s1 ) with no flaming droplets ( d0 ). On the chart of combustibility , ‘ A2- s1 , d0 ’ sits just under the ‘ A1 ’ classification .
" The test itself involves a 9m high wall with a complete cladding installation , including the fixing of panels and insulation ."
SAFETY , SECURITY & FIRE PROTECTION
It is important to assess the cladding system holistically and not just the performance of the constituent parts under BS EN 13501-1 .
The predominant fire test for the whole external cladding system is BS 8414 . This provides a route to compliance for buildings over 18m that are outside the scope of Part B regulations . This requires materials to meet the performance criteria given in BRE report BR 135 which measures whether the cladding build up is deemed safe for buildings at elevated height . The test itself involves a 9m high wall with a complete cladding installation , including the fixing of panels and insulation . It is therefore a through-the-wall test .
When tested to these stringent fire safety standards , PPC performs as well as anodised and pre-coated aluminium sheet material . The three images for each of the tests show the cladding after the test , then with cladding removed and then with insulation removed to show the membrane .
A blanket specification of ‘ A1 ’ restricts the choices of colour for the facade , also it will no doubt incur increased supply costs and shows a lack understanding of the standards and current best practice . But , irrespective of whether aluminium cladding is ‘ A1 ’ or ‘ A2- s1 , d0 ’ classified , the critical aspect is to ensure the full system is specified , configured and installed correctly . This ultimately governs all safe cladding installations .
The fire classes stipulated in BS EN 13501
A more detailed guidance note is available on the QUALICOAT UK & Ireland website .
The next QUALICOAT UK & Ireland members meeting takes place on 19th October 2021 , at the Arden Hotel & Leisure Club , Solihull , please contact the General Secretary , Jan Lukaszewski , via the QUALICOAT UK & Ireland website , should you wish to attend . For details on the availability of various colours and finishes contact any QUALICOAT UK & Ireland member for more information .
In closing , QUALICOAT UK & Ireland firmly believe that the ‘ perceived ’ reduction in risk is not necessarily mitigated by moving from ‘ A2-s1 , d0 ’ classification to ‘ A1 ’.
Members of QUALICOAT UK & Ireland believe education on the subject is required and will be approaching the relevant property stakeholders , such as insurance companies , local councils , developers and building funders . QUALICOAT UK & Ireland will make representation to protect the industry , to ensure specification freedom and to negate unnecessary surface finish costs .
For updated information about the use and specification of QUALICOAT in the UK and Ireland , please visit the UK & Ireland Association website at www . qualicoatuki . org
107