Aluminium is an extraordinary substance with an incredible life span, natural corrosion inhibitors,...
Hundreds of buildings in inner Sydney and nearby areas have been told to replace flammable cladding with estimated cost of up to tens of thousands of dollars. Quattro Apartments owners in particular fear the materials they plan to use might not comply with the upcoming regulations.
A reminder of Australia’s non-conforming cladding crisis
18 months ago, testing showed aluminium composite panels on Quattro Apartments were a fire hazard and owners were ordered to replace cladding with fire-safe products. However, it is unlikely that NSW Building Commission agency can advise on suitable cladding materials until early 2021. As a result, apartments’ owners fear that they are installing cladding that can be non-conforming and non-compliant in the future.
The lack of clarity reminds us of an even larger non-conforming cladding crisis that will cost the industry approximately $6.2 billion to fix. Generally speaking, composite cladding panels consist of two thin aluminium skins and an insulating core. In case of extreme heat, the glues in-between the aluminium skins lose adhesion and deform, thus exposing the insulating core. The exposure of the core creates an inherent fire.
In response to the non-conforming combustible cladding crisis the Australian building industry is in urgent need of conforming cladding solutions.
Evershield® AQ Sheet – a fire-safe solution for cladding
With over 40 years of experience, AAF understands that with appropriate pre-treatment and preparation, exterior cladding and finishing could be fire-safe, fit-for-purpose, and compliant while staying aesthetic and economical. That’s why we have introduced the innovative Evershield® AQ Sheet – a smarter, full-service solution for anodised façades.
Utilising Evershield® High-Grade anodising, we ensure anodised aluminium finishes are non-combustible and have the appropriate fire testing. Not to mention the cladding is 100% recyclable. Evershield® high grade finishes achieve exceptional hardness and durability that exceed both the AAMA 611 and AS1231-2000 performance standards. AAF also has Third Party Accreditation through The Australasian Institute of Surface Finishing (AISF). The “AnoAudit” helps reassure builders and fabricators that specified Evershield® finishes are fully compliant, non-flammable and of best practices for exterior cladding.
For more information on this innovative solution and how to specify, simply contact us for consultation or check it out here.
