A1 Rated rainscreen Cladding: The Ultimate in Fire Safety and Performance
Sotech is proud to provide a range of A1 and A2 rated cladding solutions, meticulously engineered and tested to meet BS8414 fire safety standards in the industry.
With the recent evolution of our Optima FC+ and Optima TFC+ rainscreen façade systems, and the addition of the globally recognised ALPOLIC™ A1 composite material, Sotech can now offer true A1 and A2 rated rainscreen cladding systems, complete with mechanical fixings in place of adhesives, to BS9414 standard.
Please note: certificates are only ever directly related to the build up that was tested, according to BS 8414.Â
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A1 AND A2 RATED CLADDING?
The A1 fire rating is the strictest fire protection standard available, signifying complete non-combustibility and zero smoke generation in case of fire.
Under European classifications A2 rated cladding indicates limited combustibility meaning the material has low contribution to fire and can be used safely in lots of applications to meet safety requirements.
Why choose A1 and A2 Rated rainscreen Cladding solutions?
When you specify A1 or A2 rated cladding solutions, you choose the ultimate protection for new builds and recladding projects.
Sotech’s A1 rated cladding solutions offer architects, builders, and specifiers peace of mind, knowing that every detail – from mechanical fixings to highly durable finishes – has been designed to provide robust fire safety without compromising aesthetics.Â
A2 rated cladding indicates limited combustibility meaning the material has low contribution to fire. Under European classifications, A2 rated cladding can be used safely in lots of applications to meet safety requirements.
applications for a1 and A2 rated rainscreen cladding
Sotech’s A1 rated and A2 rated rainscreen cladding solutions are designed for both aesthetic appeal and high-performance safety in applications such as:
- Exterior facade systems for high-rise and multi-residential buildings
- Internal cladding for public spaces requiring non-combustible materials
- Re-cladding projects aimed at enhancing fire safety and modernising building exteriors
What are the benefits of A1 Rated and A2 rated Cladding solutions?
Unmatched Fire Safety
A1 rainscreen cladding is non-combustible and smoke-free in case of fire, providing maximum safety for occupants. A2 rated cladding has low contribution to fire and can be used safely in lots of applications to meet safety requirements.
Proven performance
Fully tested to BS8414 standards, ensuring reliable protection in real-world conditions.
Durable & impact resistant
Designed for long-lasting structural integrity, withstanding weather and external impacts.
Sustainable and Recyclable
Environmentally conscious materials that meet the needs of modern sustainable building design.
Certified Quality and Compliance
A1 rainscreen cladding is certified with Euroclass A1 and BR135 certifications, ensuring compliance with the highest standards.
versatile application
Suitable for both exterior and interior cladding, adaptable to new builds and recladding projects.
Easy to Fabricate and Install
Lightweight, yet structurally robust, allowing for easier handling and installation on-site.
Sleek Aesthetic Flexibility
Available in a variety of finishes to complement architectural designs without compromising safety.
enhanced structural performance
High strength-to-weight ratio, providing durability and stability across building applications.
Expert Support from Sotech
Access to Sotech’s technical expertise to guide you in selecting and specifying the ideal solution for your project.
industry leading fire testing and certification
Sotech’s commitment to rigorous testing spans decades. Since our first successful fire tests of Optima TFC in 2006, we have continuously refined our rainscreen products to exceed global safety benchmarks.
Each A1 and A2 rated rainscreen cladding solution in the Optima range of facade cladding undergoes full-scale testing to BS8414 standards in certified laboratories such as BRE Watford, FPA Gloucester, and Element Dubai.
This full scale testing method assesses our systems under real-life conditions, ensuring that they meet the strictest safety requirements in non-load-bearing structural applications.
Our A1 rated materials have achieved BR135 classification for fire safety, including the celebrated ALPOLICâ„¢ A1, the only composite panel globally rated A1 under the DIN EN 13501-1 standard.
Fire Classification Ratings
THESE MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR RANGE OF RAINSCREEN SYSTEMS. YOU SHOULD REVIEW THE PRODUCT MANUFACTURES OWN DATASHEET FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION.
A1 NON-COMBUSTIBLE |
A2 – LIMITED COMBUSTIBILITY |
|---|---|
ALPOLIC A1 |
ALPOLIC A2 |
ANODISED ALUMINIUM |
PPC ALUMINIUM |
CORTEN STEEL |
ALUCOBOND A2 |
COPPER |
LARSON A2 |
PRE-PAINT ALUMINIUM |
|
STAINLESS STEEL |
|
ZINCÂ |
The classification is split into three parts, the main classification, the smoke classification and the flaming droplet classification.
The main part of the classification is its letter – A1, A2, B, C, D, E and F. A1 (Non-combustible) is the highest level of performance, with F the lowest performance level (No performance determined).
Products classified in A1 and A2 classes are non-combustible materials and from B to F are combustible materials in ascending order.
There is a smoke classification of s1, s2 or s3. s1 is the highest level of performance and s3 is the lowest performance level. There are no smoke requirements for Class E products.
There is a classification of flaming droplets of d0, d1 or d2. d0 is the highest level of performance and d2 is the lowest performance level.
BS EN 13501-1 provides the reaction to fire classification procedure for all construction products, including products incorporated within building elements. Products are considered in relation to their end use application.
Choosing the right fire-rated cladding is essential for a safe and compliant building. Sotech’s technical team is here to help you navigate the complexities of fire classification, ensuring your project meets the highest standards in safety and design. Contact us today to learn more about specifying A1 or A2 rated cladding for your next project.
A1 and A2 rated materials in focus
Anodised
Anodising is an A1 non-combustible finish. It is an electrolytic passivation process used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of metal parts.
Due to the nature of the anodising process and the tight quality controls on both the aluminium and the surface treatment, anodising has a homogeneous (matching & consistent) appearance.
Colours, textures and patterns can be incorporated in the anodic film, enhancing the natural metallic appearance without affecting the total UV resistance of the rainscreen cladding.
Anodising enhances the natural qualities of aluminium further; it permits a strongly contemporary finish with incomparable corrosion and abrasion resistance.
Aluminium is exceptionally recyclable, requires minimal maintenance and has proven lifetime performance.
CORTEN
A group of steel alloys which were developed to eliminate the need for painting, and form a stable rust-like appearance.
The corrosion process usually takes about 18-36 months. The anticorrosive properties of weather resistant steel are better than those of other structural steels. The material is self-protecting, the rust layer on the surface becomes a tight oxide layer that slows down the progress of corrosion.
The material reaches a stable oxidation point where further oxidation may occur but does not effect the quality of the steel. The visual appearance of the Corten Steel is something that it, the material weathers to a natural brown colour which darkens gradually.
The material is A1 non-combustible, long-lasting and fully recyclable.
COPPER
Copper is an A1 non-combustible material. It is a traditional construction material excelling in durability, malleability and corrosion resistance.
Copper is perfect for architectural cladding, giving a unique aesthetic appearance with low maintenance costs due to a naturally forming, self-protecting patina.
The material is 99.9% recyclable and using only 15% of the energy used in the original manufacture to recycle product.
The material protects itself by developing a patina over time, however patination can be accelerated by a chemical process meaning the material is available in varying shades.
Strong, dimensionally stable, light and low maintenance.
PRE-PAINT
Pre-PAINTED Aluminium is a great choice for large facade cladding projects, tough and hard-wearing.
It is available in a wide choice of colours and surfaces and gives a uniform paint layer and consistent colour minimising shade variation between panels – Euroclass A1 Fire Rating.
In addition to its UV and weather resistance, it is also easy to transform and allows creations of original shapes.
Prepainted metal is the choice for sustainable design, the aluminium coating is an environmentally friendly process and can be recycled without any loss in quality.
STAINLESS STEEL
The appearance of stainless steel panels is easy to maintain, as the material is highly resistant to atmospheric and pure water environments, it is also 100% recyclable and Euroclass A1 Fire Rating.
Rimex offer Stainless Steel patters that are produced by texturing or rigidizing ferrous and non-ferrous metals, increasing strength in all directions.
Textures diffuse light patterns to produce an optical flatness to sheet metals, eliminating the unwanted oil-canning effect. Deep textured metals resist dents and scratches resulting in low maintenance costs.
Richard Austin Alloys provide a complete range of processing services including surface finishing. Using various techniques we can provide you with grades bright, reflective and highly polished finishes.
Stainless Steel is Euroclass A1 Fire rating, the appearance of stainless steel panels is easy to maintain and 100% recyclable.
ZINC
A traditional construction material excelling in durability, malleability and corrosion resistance due to a naturally forming, self-protecting patina.
Naturally resistance to corrosion and virtually maintenance free as the rinsing effect of rainwater performs this task naturally. Zinc lends itself to both traditional and contemporary design. It has a Euroclass A1 Fire rating.
One of the most unique features of Zinc Composite Material is that it uses the effect of air and the elements to enhance it’s finish; available in a natural blue grey, as well as numerous other shades, ZCM’s pre-weathered finish means that it matures over time as it’s exposed to the outside, and the natural patina that develops means that scratches and imperfections are virtually unnoticeable.
The surface only requires minor cleaning and maintenance over its lifetime.
FAQs
BS 8414 – is a large-scale system test that mimics a fire breaking out of a window and exposing a cladding system to a severe fire.  It does not test the individual component parts of a rainscreen cladding system in isolation (i.e. the fixings, fire breaks, cavities or insulation), but rather how the full build up behaves in fire conditions.
BS 8414-1:2020 – This is the fire test method for non-loadbearing external cladding affixed to the masonry face of a building e.g. concrete. Typically, we see this applied in older buildings, originally constructed in concrete.
BS 8414-2:2020  – This is the fire test method for non-loadbearing external cladding systems fixed to and supported by a structural steel frame. Typically, we see this in new builds with modern building materials.
The BS 8414 standard was first published by British Standards in 2002 and is the standard used in the UK, the Middle East and Australia.
BR 135 sets out the criteria, design methodologies and fire spread performance characteristics that an external cladding build up must meet in a full-scale fire test.
So, BR 135 is the fire testing criteria (or standard) whilst BS 8414 is the testing methodology (how the test is performed).
Put another way, a full scale system test is carried out according to the BS 8414 methodology, and a fire test certificate is always issued to summarise what happened in the test, even if the build-up did not meet the criteria set out in BR 135. The BS 8414 report is simply a report of what happened and how the build-up performed. If the build-up meets the stringent criteria for performance as set out in BR 135, then a BR 135 Fire Test Certificate is issued.
Any certificate issued as a result of a full-scale fire test relates specifically to the materials and build up used in that test only.
However, as a result of BS 9414, a test can be applied to a build up where better materials are used in place of those tested because BS 9414 takes into account what has already been tested.
For example, if a test is completed using A2 rated powder coated panels at a cavity barrier and meets the criteria set out in BR 135, then the powder coated panels could be substituted for A1 rated anodised panels as they are graded better for non-combustibility.
This does not apply in reverse. If an A1 material and finish was tested as part of a large scale test, it is not then possible to swap this material for an A2 material under the same certification. A new test would need to be arranged.
As a company, we often test the lowest common denominator so that improved materials (such as A1 materials) could be substituted in without the need for a new test.
Extended application enables a prediction to be made on the expected fire performance of a system under specified fire conditions if one or more the components or parameters which had been evaluated as part of the test specimen were to be changed. In the specific case of external cladding systems, such predictions are based upon the need to abide strictly with the fundamental principle that the fire performance of the modified system would be equal or better if it were to be subjected to a BS 8414-1 or BS 8414-2 test.
The BS 9414 standard covers insulated, and ventilated rainscreen systems, external thermal insulated composite systems and self-supporting double skin metal faced insulated sandwich panels. It is specifically referenced in section 2 of the updated Scottish Technical Handbook.
The latest news in fire safety and testing:
Sotech demonstrates its commitment to fire safety through rigorous testing and development of its products, offering true A1 and A2 rainscreen solutions ahead of the market. Contact us today to learn more about specifying A1 or A2 rated cladding for your next project.
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