Following recent events, it’s really important to know the fire standards of the cladding you’re using on buildings. By law, all buildings above 18 metres in height need to have cladding which is fire rated. Most cladding has some sort of protection built in, but only those which are FR should be used on these taller buildings.
These ratings range from an A1 to a D in accordance with European Standards EN-13501-1.
Class A1 – Products are described as having no contribution to fire at any stage. BS EN 13501 sets several thresholds for combustion performance when tested to both EN ISO 1716 and EN ISO 1182. One of these thresholds is a maximum heat of combustion of 2MJ/kg. Typical products meeting this classification include most inorganic materials such as metal and stone.
Class A2, s3, d2 – Products are described as having no significant contribution to fire at any stage. BS EN 13501 sets several thresholds for combustion when tested to EN ISO 1182, or both EN ISO 1716 and EN 13823. One of these thresholds is a maximum heat of combustion of 3MJ/kg. A typical product meeting this classification is plasterboard.For comparison, Wood has a typical value of 15 MJ/Kg.
Some products use a slightly different fire classification known as the BR 135 standard, set by the BRE (Building Research Establishment). When using a cladding product that is classified using this method, a full classification report must be supplied to prove compliance with BR 135.
For full information on the fire rating of a specific product, get in touch with us. We’d be more than happy to help.
Graceful and noble grey shades
Nobilis is a grey panel with a translucent, lightly pigmented surface that highlights the fibre cement texture in all its natural beauty and elegance. The sophisticated shades of Nobilis create an effortless aesthetic and elegant lightness. As a naturally dried and lightly pigmented fibre cement panel, Nobilis is restrained and precisely because of this becomes an aesthetic eye-catcher. Whether deliberate combinations of soft grey tones or expressiveness through unity – Nobilis lends simple elegance to facades and interiors. All shades of the Nobilis colour family are also available with a highly resistant coating that offers greater scratch resistance and protection against heavy soiling and graffiti.
»The soft, finely matched shades of grey can also create colour statements, especially on large surfaces.«
comes in a range of colour