Advice note for external wall systems that do not incorporate ACM
Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) panels are commonly used for cladding buildings, typically as a form of rainscreen. ACM cladding consist of two skins of aluminium bonded to either side of a lightweight core of materials such as polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PUR), profiled metal or a mineral core.
ACM cladding became notorious following the Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017, when ACM cladding with a polyethylene core was thought to have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire up the outside of the tower.
A series of guidance notes were issued following the fire for owners of other high-rise buildings clad with ACM cladding. However, On 11 December 2017, the Department for Communities and Local Government issued Advice for building owners: external wall systems that do not incorporate ACM.
The advice note was developed in consultation with the Department’s Independent Expert Advisory Panel and is intended for those responsible for residential buildings over 18 metres in height, concerned about the fire safety implications of external wall systems that do not incorporate ACM.
The note states:
“ACM is part of a wider range of Metal Composite Materials (MCM) faced with other metals such as zinc, copper, and stainless steel. Like ACM, the filler or core material of MCM panels varies between products and can include combustible materials. In addition, the facing materials of MCM have different melting points, therefore the fire performance may differ depending on the type of metal facing. Building owners should seek professional advice over the suitability of MCM cladding.”
“There are many different types of components used in the construction of external wall systems, for example, high pressure laminates (HPL) and rendered insulation systems, and all perform differently when exposed to a fire. It is, therefore, important that the right combination of products has been installed and maintained correctly, to ensure they adequately resist the spread of fire over the wall to the standard required by current building regulations guidance.”
Separate guidance, Advice for External Wall Insulation (EWI) systems with a render or brick-slip finish, was also published on 11 December.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- ACM cladding.
- ACM cladding testing by BRE.
- Advice for External Wall Insulation (EWI) systems with a render or brick-slip finish.
- Celotex RS5000 PIR insulation.
- Fire performance of external thermal insulation for walls of multistorey buildings, third edition (BR 135)
- Grenfell Tower articles.
- Grenfell Tower fire.
- Grenfell Tower independent expert advisory panel.
- Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
- Independent review of the building regulations and fire safety.
- Lakanal House fire.
- Rainscreen cladding.
Featured articles and news
This CIOB article explores the concept of value in building design and construction.
BREEAM and Measurabl announce integration to improve the financial performance of commercial real estate.
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' release new images of soon-to-open 3WTC tower in New York.
A document can be called a bond or a guarantee. Does the name matter and what is the difference between them?
New briefing note is launched focusing on increasing knowledge of housing that promotes health and wellbeing.
Arbitration is a private, contractual form of dispute resolution used in the construction industry.
The European Parliament has approved a revised Energy Performance of Buildings directive.
One in six MPs supports the ring-fencing of retentions as proposed in the 'Aldous Bill'.
A stakeholder is anyone who has an interest in the process or outcome of a construction project.
BRE launches online self-assessment tool for ethical labour sourcing.
Tower refurbishment failed to meet safety standards on several counts, according to leaked report.