Fire Ratings & Your Design - Download Our Latest Whitepaper
Fire Ratings & Your Design Find out what you need to consider to ensure your design meets the BCA Fire Rating requirements in our latest whitepaper.
You would have seen cladding panels in many different shapes, materials, colours and textures. With something to suit any project requirement or budget, the possibilities are seemingly endless. The popularity of fibre cement facades however has always been an attractive alternative to heavy tiles and bricks or high-maintenance and flammable timber for a number of reasons.
The past decade has seen a blitz in creativity in architectural design with imaginative use of large format cladding panels. The current trend away from the construction of traditional housing types, towards more architecturally designed apartment blocks, townhouses and commercial redevelopments has stimulated unprecedented demand for fibre cement cladding panels in the construction sector. In the long term it is likely that this upward trend will continue, as demand becomes underpinned by the need for products that are not only maintenance free and energy efficient but most importantly, are suitable to be used where non-combustible materials are required
Fibre Cement and Colour
Originally uncoated metal or fibre cement would have been predominantly drab. Once paint coatings became cost effective in the middle of the last century dark browns, dark greens and dark greys were the common colours as they reflected the natural colours the man-made cladding panels often replaced.
Over the years, the designer colour palate has become much more diverse with dark greys and charcoals now currently in vogue. However painting FC required an additional step in the process, This not only added to the cost and labour, but it also meant additional maintenance requirements, especially for external facades.
The introduction of through colour fibre cement (TCFC) panels pushed the boundaries for the design and construction world. Companies such as Cembrit, who are one of the leading manufacturers of through colour fibre cement façade systems in Europe, revolutionised the FC industry again as they offered a myriad of colours that had the same colour penetrating through the entire panel – ideal for cut-outs, perforations and edging and it also meant no additional painting or maintenance.
Creativity, facades and fire compliance – does it exist?
The architecture and design industry set the scene for the contemporary construction projects that will be seen for decades to come. The recent changes to fire compliance has shaken things up in this space and designers scramble to find products that can replace the flammable products that many buildings are clad with.
Luckily, the aesthetics don’t need to be compromised, as façade options such as Cembrit through colour fibre cement, which can still maintain the eye-catching finish that designers desire as well as meet stringent fire standards. Cembrit meets stringent industry compliance requirements and can be used where non-combustible materials are required in accordance with C1.9(e)(v) of BCA. Cembrit is also fire tested to EN13501-1 (reaction to fire): classification A2-s1,d0.
The evolution of FC over the years has certainly been significant, and it’s hard to know what’s next for this highly durable, non-combustible product. Atkar Group are proud to be key distributors of Cembrit and look forward to going on the journey with our customers.
Click here to view further details on our Cembrit range or contact our team today for a sample or quote on 1300 333 833 or enquiries@atkar.com.au