Cladding has, rightly so, become a major focus for anyone involved in building projects since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017. Although the necessary task of removing the same type of cladding, aluminium composite material (ACM), from other buildings is underway, project managers are understandably cautious when it comes to specifying fire-safe cladding.
So, which types of cladding have passed fire safety tests and which ones should you avoid at all costs?
Here at LockMetal, we are concerned that a type of cladding called High Pressure Laminate (HPL) had not been included within a standard BS 8414 safety test, according to research group Building Research Establishment.
Given that further research, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, has revealed that HPL cladding materials released heat 25 times faster and released 115 times more heat than non-combustible products, there’s an obvious issue. Thankfully, the government has since recognised concerns and has included HPL in the new fire safety tests.
However, even more concerning is that research suggests that ‘at least’ 160 high rise buildings have been built with materials used in rainscreen cladding systems ‘that have not been accounted for’ in previous government testing. These include HPL panels made from compressed wood or paper fibre.
With the latest fire regulations banning combustible materials from the external walls of new buildings over 59 feet tall, and government advice banning combustible materials on balconies, we’d strongly recommend that HPL is no longer used as cladding.
What do we recommend? We believe that either solid aluminium or mineral based boards instead as these are both non-combustible cladding options.
Solid aluminium remains one of the safest forms of rainscreen cladding available to the industry today and when used in a system where fire rated mineral insulation is employed, presents no fire risk.
There are various types of mineral board cladding available, such as Rockpanel, a sustainable board material which is mostly used in ventilated constructions (facade classing, roof detailing, soffits and fascias). This flexible and robust board can be applied easily in any shape or form. Fibre cement panels are also non-combustible, achieving an A1 and A2 rating, being able to withstand intense heat.
Ultimately, it’s not cladding itself that is a problem but the type that’s used. We hope this article has provided some valuable guidance. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss your project in more detail.