Fire-rated cladding key to safe buildings

Fire-rated cladding key to safe buildings The recent fire-related incidents in two towers in Sharjah have brought the fire safety issue and the deployment of fire-rated cladding materials in modern buildings to the fore. This should become a goal to prevent future incidents. They don't establish a clear distinction between combustible LDPE core materials and non-combustible mineral core materials. The perception of high-cost implications is perhaps the biggest factor in deterring architects and developers from choosing certified fire-rated facades. Lack of clear policy and regulation is another important factor impacting the fire safety of buildings. However the current standards of BS 476 Part 6 and 7 approvals are not fully effective to combat spread of fires. These tests only test the surface of panels and don't actually test the burning characteristics of the core of the panel, which is LDPE and primarily responsible for the spread of fire. The industry needs to embark on a focused awareness programme at the highest level by conducting conferences with architects, developers, fire-testing laboratories, contractors and facade installation companies. Full fire-rated system specifications including Rockwool insulation will contribute towards energy savings. Availability of the top-quality fire-rated facade panels and full systems with accessories matching stringent fire safety requirements is a concern. However, the incidents have also shifted focus to aluminium cladding that covers most high-rise towers' walls. The event took place a few months after another tower caught fire. There are enough reasons for all of them to panic and seek answers to certain questions. One of the major issues is the lack of clear understanding of the correct material technologies and risks involved in the use of low-density polythene (LPDE) core aluminium composite panels as compared to fire-rated mineral core. Cladding is a protective or insulating layer fixed to the exterior of a building. One would assume that all these colour-coated cladding materials are fire-resistant. The incidents have also raised a number of issues, such as the awareness about building safety h; in this case public parks Fire-rated cladding key to safe buildings Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 14/05/2012