As a result of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in London and the Lacrosse high-rise building fire in Melbourne, building regulators in Australia have banned the use of aluminium composite panels in building construction. Often used on facades, ACPs are constructed from two aluminium sheets bonded to a central core which contains polyethylene, a flammable product.
In NSW, the Commissioner for Fair Trading imposed a ban effective from 15 August 2018 on certain external combustible cladding in accordance with Section 9 of the Building Products (Safety) Act 2017. The ban applies to the use of aluminium composite panels with a core comprised of greater than 30% polyethylene by mass in any external cladding, external wall, external insulation, façade or rendered finish in Class 2, 3 and 9 buildings with three storeys or more and Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 buildings with four or more storeys (Type A Construction) and Class 2, 3 and 9 buildings with two or more storeys and Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 buildings with three or more storeys (Type B Construction).
The presence of aluminium composite panels on a building does not mean it is non-compliant or a safety hazard. The configuration of the cladding, how it has been used and other fire safety measures installed in the building will also be relevant. However, the new regulations mean builders and developers need to comply with the ban on ACPs for future developments and re-cladding of existing buildings.
Tomark Group can supply and install compliant aluminium panels
Tomark Group has moved quickly to be able to supply compliant 3mm solid aluminium panels to the building industry. Tomark Group has achieved accreditation for the supply and installation of leading non-combustible aluminium panel products from all manufacturers including all type of facade products. With access to these fully-compliant panels, Tomark Group can handle any new building project or re-cladding assignment with its renowned professionalism and attention to detail, guaranteeing client satisfaction.
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