Sotech’s commitment to authentic engineering capability has been witnessed over several years in the testing and development of products. First successful fire test carried out in 2006 with Optima TFC applied to masonry wall and in 2008 Optima TFC fixed to and supported by a SFS wall. Both tests gained LPCB Red Book Entry.
In response to the British Standard (BS) technical specifications, Sotech has completed fire testing on Optima TFC at BRE, Watford, Element, Dubai and FPA, Gloucester.
The most recent tests to BS8414-2 were carried out on Sotech Optima TFC+ and Optima FC+. (Refer to test reports below for specification requirements.) Sotech is proud to have a full range of A2 and A1 materials available. And, with the recent improvements to Optima FC+ and Optima TFC+, we can now offer true A1 systems, complete with mechanical fixings in place of adhesive.
BS 8414-2 refers to the fire performance of external cladding systems and is the test method for non-load bearing external cladding systems fixed to and supported by a structural steel frame.
The BS 8414 test methods were developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). They evaluate whether a cladding system subject to fire breaking out of an opening (such as a window) in an external wall, will result in excessive fire spread up the outside of the building and the potential for fire to re-enter at a higher level.
The tests are carried out in specialist laboratories, and are performed on full-scale systems (rather than small-scale samples) incorporating; joints and corner details, fixings, insulation, firebreaks, cavities and other elements of the system construction.
To request a sample, arrange an appointment or ask a question:
Call +44 (0) 191 587 9213
System/Material: 3mm Aluminium, PPC Finish on Optima TFC+
Test Report: 102034.002
Fire Test Performed at: Fire Protection Association, Gloucestershire
Date test performed: December 2019
Steel framing system (SFS) - 150mm Kingframe SFS
Insulation - Rockwool 180mm DuoSlab insulation
Sheathing board - 12.5mm Siniat Weather Defence Board
Bracket - Hilti MFT-MFI-185-L-6.5 or MFT-MFI-180-L-6.5
Horizontal Cavity Barrier - Siderise RH25G-90/30 Horizontal Fire Barrier
Vertical Cavity Barrier - Siderise RV-90.30 Vertical Fire Barrier
Cassette Insert - Siderise open state cassette insert (OSCI)
Carrier Rails - Sotech Optima FC+ Carrier Rails
Panel - 3mm PPC Aluminium Optima FC+ Panel System
System/Material: 3mm Aluminium, PPC Finish on Optima FC+
Test Report: 102034.001.135
Classification Report: 102034.001.8414
Fire Test Performed at: Fire Protection Association, Gloucestershire
Date test performed: December 2019
Steel framing system (SFS) - 150mm Kingframe SFS
Insulation - Rockwool 180mm DuoSlab insulation
Sheathing board - 12.5mm Siniat Weather Defence Board
Bracket - Hilti MFT-MFI-185-L-6.5 or MFT-MFI-180-L-6.5
Horizontal Cavity Barrier - Siderise RH25G-90/30 Horizontal Fire Barrier
Vertical Cavity Barrier - Siderise RV-90.30 Vertical Fire Barrier
Cassette Insert - Siderise open state cassette insert (OSCI)
Carrier Rails - Sotech Optima FC+ Carrier Rails
Panel - 3mm PPC Aluminium Optima FC+ Panel System
To be considered for buildings over 18m.
System/Material: 3mm Aluminium Cassette Panels (Optima TFC) PPC Finish
Test Report Number: P110646-1000, 3MM ALUMINIUM OPTIMA TFC
Test Date: 28th November 2017
Fire test performed at: BRE Global Ltd, Watford
Generic Cladding Type - Rainscreen
Cavity Depth - 85mm
Relevant Test Method - BS 8414 - 2:2015 + A1:2017
Substrate - Structural Steel Test Frame
Insulation - 180mm-thick Rockwool
External Finish - 3mm-thick Sotech Optima aluminium cassette panels
Vertical Cavity Barriers - Siderise Lamatherm RV-90/30 stone wool cavity barrier (75mm-thick x 235mm-deep)
Horizontal Cavity Barriers - Siderise Lamatherm RH25G-90/30 stone wool cavity barrier with intumescent strip (75mm-thick x 200mm-deep)
System/Material: 3mm Aluminium (Bespoke Optima FC) PPC finish
Test Report: DLR1592
Classification Report: SR1010
Fire test performed at: Al Futtaim Exova, Dubia
Slab bracket - 3mm galvanised angle bracket, 2mm galvanised angle bracket.
Structural insulated panel - 175mm Hemsec Structural Insulated Panel
Sheathing board -12.5mm thick Siniat weather defence board
Breather membrane - Effisus A2 fire rated membrane
Horizontal Intumescene Cavity Barrier - Siderise RH25S-90/30, horizontal intumescent cavity barrier.
Vertical Cavity Barrier - Siderise RV-90/30, vertical cavity barrier
Firestop at Slab Edge - Corofil C450 fire stop
Cassette Insert - Siderise open state cassette insert 100x50mm
Brackets - Envelope bracket F2F anodised 01/FTF/80 with no insolator, F2F box section anodised packed with 100mm Rockwool at bottom, 200mm F2F spigots anodised packed with Rockwool
Carrier Rails - ECO carrier profile anodised with gasket
Panel - PPC aluminium Sotech Optima FC panel, 3mm thick
System/Material: 3mm Aluminium, Anodised Finish on Optima FC
Test Report: DLR1585
Classification Report: SR0988
Fire Test Performed At: Al Futtaim Exova, Dubia
Internal Wall Board - 12.5mm thick British Gypsum Gyproc Fireline board (2 layers)
Steel framing system (SFS) - 150mm Metsec lightweight structural framing system (SFS)
Insulation - 150mm thick Rockwool flexi slab
Sheathing board -12mm thick RCM Y-wall calcium silicate board
Breather membrane - Tyvek Firecurb housewarp breather membrane
Bracket - C-channel, 3mm thick aluminium Top Hat. Helping Hand bracket - VB90S-6.5 Nvelope aluminium bracket with thermal pad, VB90D-6.5 Nvelope aluminium bracket with thermal pad.
Horizontal Intumescene Cavity Barrier - Siderise RH25S-90/30, horizontal intumescent cavity barrier.
Vertical Cavity Barrier - Siderise RV-90/60, vertical cavity barrier
Firestop at Slab Edge - Corofil C450 fire stop
Cassette Insert - Siderise open state cassette insert 100x50mm
Thermal Insulation - 125mm Rockwool Duo Slab insulation
Carrier Rails - Extruded aluminium FC carrier railings 3mm aluminium hook plate
Panel - Anodised aluminium Optima FC facade panel 3mm thick
System/Material: 4mm Alucobond Plus Cassette Panels (Optima TFC)
Report Number: P110649-1000, 4mm Alucobond Plus Optima TFC
Test Date: 5th December 2017
Fire test performed at: BRE Global Ltd, Watford
Generic Cladding Type - Rainscreen
Cavity Depth - 85mm
Relevant Test Method - BS 8414 - 2:2015 + A1:2017
Substrate - Structural Steel Test Frame
Insulation - 180mm-thick Rockwool
External Finish - 4mm-thick Alucobond Plus cassette panels
Vertical Cavity Barriers - Siderise Lamatherm RV-90/30 stone wool cavity barrier (75mm-thick x 235mm-deep)
Horizontal Cavity Barriers - Siderise Lamatherm RH25G-90/30 stone wool cavity barrier with intumescent strip (75mm-thick x 200mm-deep)
System/Material: 4mm Alucobond Plus Hook on Rainscreen (Optima FC)
Test Report Number: P110650-1000, 4MM ALUCOBOND PLUS OPTIMA FC
Test Date: 8th December 2017
Fire test performed at: BRE Global Ltd, Watford
Generic Cladding Type - Rainscreen
Cavity Depth - 80mm
Relevant Test Method - BS 8414 - 2:2015 + A1:2017
Substrate - Structural Steel Test Frame
Insulation - 185mm-thick Rockwool
External Finish - 4mm-thick copper-coloured Aluminium Plus hook-on cassette panels
Vertical Cavity Barriers - Siderise Lamatherm RV-90/30 stone wool cavity barrier (75mm-thick x 235mm-deep)
Horizontal Cavity Barriers - Siderise Lamatherm RH25G-90/30 stone wool cavity barrier with intumescent strip (75mm-thick x 200mm-deep)
System/Material: 4mm Larson on Optima FC Rainscreen
Test Report: DLR1539
Classification Report: SR0936
Fire test performed at: Al Futtaim Exova, Dubia
Internal Wall Board - 12.5mm thick Knauf Sound Panel plaster boards (2 layers)
Steel framing system (SFS) - 150 x 1.2mm EOS structural framing system
Insulation - 100mm thick Rockwool flexi slab
Sheathing board -10mm thick RCM cement particle board
Breather membrane - Tyvek 3060B Housewarp breather membrane
Brackets - C-channel, Pressed 'X' channel-3mm by Elite Aluminium Fabrications. Helping Hand bracket - 150mm Nvelope aluminium bracket with thermal pad, 75mm Nvelope aluminium bracket with thermal pad
Carrier Rails - Sotech Optima FC Rainscreen system
Horizontal Cavity Barrier - Siderise RH25G - 090/60/224-250 horizontal intumescent cavity barrier. Fire stop cut to 150mm to allow 25mm ventilated cavity.
Vertical Cavity Barrier - Siderise RVG - 090/060/189-228 vertical cavity barrier
Firestop - Colorfil C144 fire strip, 120min fire resistance
Cassette Insert - Siderise open state cassette insert
Thermal Insulation - 150mm thick Rockwool Duo Slab insulation
Panels - 4mm thick Alucoil Larson A2 panel. Top skin - Aluminium, Core - Mineral, Bottom Skin - Aluminium
Safety has always been our primary concern. Sotech’s commitment to authentic engineering capability has been witnessed over several years in the testing of products as they are being developed. All Sotech Optima Rainscreen has been witnessed and certified by CWCT for wind serviceability and safety, air permeability and water penetration. We have completed several successful fire tests and welcome and encourage full scale system testing.
Useful links:
Secret fix hook on panel system, complete with rail and bracket support.
System fully independently CWCT tested and certified.
Download PDF for full details.
Sotech as a manufacturer within the construction industry is striving to provide our clients with accurate digitised product information to help and support our customers and other stakeholders to drive BIM forward.
Established in 1982, Sotech is a leading manufacturer of bespoke metal rainscreen cladding and architectural facade systems. When you choose us, you’re choosing a safe pair of hands.
If you have any questions on fire classification A1 cladding or require advice with design detail and specifications, or you’d like to discuss your project in detail, please contact our technical department who have over 35 years’ experience in the construction industry. The team is on hand to provide knowledge and support at every stage of your project. You can also check out our homepage for an overview on architectural cladding and our dedicated page for rainscreen cladding.
