A1 CLADDING – HIGHEST PERFORMANCE FIRE CLASSIFICATION
SOTECH RAINSCREEN CLADDING SYSTEMS TESTED TO BS8414 STANDARDS
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.
Tested to BS8414 standards and gained A2 cladding BR135 classification. We can also offer A1 cladding building up under BS9414 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 |
|
ZINC |
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.