Why use non-combustible cladding panels

Posted: 21st May 2018

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, the UK government has introduced an amendment to the Building Regulations which prohibits the use of combustible cladding in high-rise residential buildings above 18m. The amendment came into force on the 21 st December 2018 and requires materials anywhere in the external wall of high-rise buildings over 18m above ground level to be non-combustible.

At Metalline, product safety is of the upmost importance and that’s why only non-combustible materials are used in the production of our UNITY rainscreen systems. With both A1 and A2 fire rated cladding panels available (in accordance with EN 13501-1), safety really is at the heart of what we do.

 

What are non-combustible cladding panels?

Regulation 7 of the Building Regulations state that materials which become part of an external wall of a relevant building must be European Classification A2-s1, d0 or A1, classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-12007+A12009.

The UNITY range of non-combustible rainscreen cladding meet these regulations and Metalline have gone a step further with the full-scale testing of our UNITY A1 system to BS 8414-2:2020. This demonstrates how the non-combustible cladding system will perform in the event of a fire.

UNITY A1 has been tested to BS 8414-2:2020 and meets the criteria of BR135.

 

What are the key features of non-combustible cladding panels?

Non-combustible cladding panels are designed to withstand the spread of fire up the outside of a building and to help prevent fire re-entering at a higher level.

Metalline’s UNITY range of non-combustible aluminium panels are available in a wide range of finishes including anodised anolok, pre-coated and polyester powder coated (PPC). The panel finish is selected in conjunction with the project design team to ensure it delivers both technically and aesthetically.

With over 30 years of experience, Metalline are one of the leading fabricators of non-combustible cladding and architectural metalwork within the UK.

For more information about non-combustible cladding panels and for more details on our UNITY range please click here or contact us today.