3A Composites proved with four BS8414 Large Scale Fire Tests carried out by BRE in late 2016 and early 2017 that the general requirements of the Building Regulation, Approved Document B, provide sufficient fire safety when adopting the European fire classifications...

1. OFFICIAL STATEMENT
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BEING ONE STEP AHEAD
3A Composites proved with four BS8414 Large Scale Fire Tests carried out by BRE in late 2016 and
early 2017 that the general requirements of the Building Regulation, Approved Document B, provide
sufficient fire safety when adopting the European fire classifications:
Rainscreen systems with limited combustible mineral insulation (min. EN-class A2) and ALUCOBOND®
PLUS (EN-class B, s1, d0) shows no spread of flame or critical temperature rise. These systems exceed
the requirement of BR135
The tests commissioned by the DCLG later in 2017 confirmed the following results:
Rainscreen systems with polymeric insulation show a much higher risk for internal and external spread of
flame to the façade system when compared to systems with mineral insulation. Combustible insulation
increases the risk of flame spread and the fire performance depends on all components and parameters of
the façade system such as:
Thermal insulation
• Material /reaction to fire classification / calorific potential
• Thickness and Density
• Fixing Method
Cavity
• Depth
• EPDM’s (water protection)
Fire stops / cavity barriers
• Position (window / floor level, panel joints)
• material (steel / mineral / intumescent)
Substructure
• Material (timber / aluminium)
• Shape
Cladding type
• Calorific Potential
• Panel Size / Shape
• Width and Location of Joint
• Fixing Method (mechanical, adhesive)
Only in combination with limited combustible cladding, particular fixing systems and cavity barriers,
rainscreen systems with polymeric insulation might meet the requirement of BR135.
ALUCOBOND® PLUS is a composite panel consisting of two aluminium cover sheets and a fire-
retardant mineral-filled core (>70%).
ALUCOBOND® A2 is a composite panel consisting of two aluminium cover sheets and a core high-
filled with non-combustible minerals (>90%).
More information can be found – at BRE Global - https://www.bre.co.uk/regulatory-testing
To get more detailed information on our products, please contact us at:
info.eu@alucobond.com
www.alucobond.com