A1 Rated Cladding

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A1 Rated Cladding - Bristol - Ash Lacy

A1 Rated Cladding – Why It’s so important

What the law says about A1 rated cladding:

At specification stage, now more than ever it is critical to scrutinise the suitability of (elements and) products that are being used in new build and refurbishment projects, to ensure compliance with the latest UK government regulations and building control requirements.

As of December 2018, the building regulations changed; stating materials of Euroclass A2-s1, d0 or Euroclass A1 are required for certain types of buildings. Specifically, Regulation 7 of the Building Regulations 2010 states that for a relevant building with a storey at least 18 m above ground level, all materials that become part of an external wall or specified attachment of this building should be of European Classification A2-s1, d0 or Class A1, classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009. However, it’s important to note there are ongoing consultations within government to determine whether the 18m threshold could still be lowered to 11m.

Fire performance according to EN13501-1: 2018 – what is A1 cladding?

A1 Rated Cladding

As indicated in the table, European classifications are subdivided into addition performance related codes, with ‘d’ relating to ‘flaming droplets and particles’ observed during exposure to fire, which are indexed as follows:

D0 = none
D1 = moderate
D2 = substantial
‘S’ relates to smoke propagation observed during exposure to fire, which are indexed in a very similar way:
S1 = none/little
S2 = moderate
S3 = substantial

Why is the A1 rating significant?

Globally, the Euroclass A1 fire rating is considered one of the strictest fire performance standards in existence for construction materials. This means that A1 rated cladding is innately a safe choice for high-rise construction, with the added assurance they can be used for exterior or interior cladding and roof coverings in both new buildings and re-clad applications, and for any project where the use of non-combustible substrates and elements is a legal or client’s requirement.

A1 Rated Cladding - Sheffield
A1 Rated Cladding – Sheffield

Which types of materials are classed as A1 rated Cladding?

A1 Rated Brick Cladding

Ash & Lacy’s brick cladding systems, Mechslip and NaturAL-X, are mechanically fixed and classified Euroclass A1 to EN13501-1:2018, making them a safe choice for buildings of any height.
Mechslip system features:

  • Mechanically secured, real brick slips.
  • Tough and lightweight 6063T6 grade aluminium rail support system.
  • Delivers the colour-fast stability and natural weathering behaviour of a traditional clay brick finish.
  • Easy to install, minimising time on site and the associated labour costs.
  • Over 50% lighter than traditional masonry, reducing structural load.
  • A1 rated cladding classified to EN 13501-1.
  • BBA Certified.
  • Satisfies the requirements of NHBC Standards Part 6 Superstructure (excluding roofs), Chapter 6.9 Curtain walling and cladding.
A1 Rated Cladding - Manchester
A1 Rated Cladding – Manchester

A1 rated Aluminium Products

Ash & Lacy’s solid aluminium VariAL rainscreen systems are classified Euroclass A1 to EN13501-1:2018, when an anodised coating or PVDF finish is applied.
VariAL-H system features:

  • A fully secret-fixed system, delivering aesthetically flat, precise panels with no visible fixings.
  • Accommodates a multitude of panel shapes and configurations, offering ultimate flexibility in aesthetic design techniques.
  • Complete system supplied in component form, with no requirement for on-site fabrication
  • Independency of panels allows efficient installation around service areas, and individual demounting for maintenance and repair requirements.
  • Variable joint sizes, with a range of joint profile details and treatment options to suit individual project requirements.
  • Comprises 5 basic mullions ranging from 50mm to 150mm in depth. Mullions can be installed on almost any form of sub-structure or frame, and can span from floor to floor if required
  • No specific installation start point. Panels can be fitted at random, if desired, due to the unique panel carrier, which is fully adjustable and can be locked and unlocked with ease.
  • A1 rated cladding classified A1 to EN 13501-1 when using 3mm Aluminium with an anodised or PVDF coating.