What is non-combustible cladding?
Cladding is more important than ever when it comes to buildings and their architecture as it serves both a functional and aesthetic purpose. Functionally it is important to choose cladding that provides protection against the harsh Australian weather elements such as rain, wind, and sunlight, while also enhancing insulation and energy efficiency. Aesthetically, cladding can give a building a distinct appearance, as it comes in various materials and finishes, including wood, metal, brick, stone, or composite materials.
Non-combustible cladding in simple terms means that the cladding does not catch fire and is designed to resist burning and prevent the spread of flames in case of a fire. Instead of being made from flammable substances (such as wood and polyethylene), non-combustible cladding is typically composed of materials like aluminium, concrete, or even certain types of rock. These materials have a high resistance to heat and fire, making them safer choices for constructing buildings and reducing the risk of fires spreading rapidly.
At Network Architectural, our non-combustible cladding options are extensively fire tested for compliance, taking the risk out of your cladding decisions by offering you complete peace of mind with our superior range of high-quality materials for any project, with industry leading manufacturer warranties and full project support from our inhouse architectural and technical team.
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Non-combustible aluminium cladding – ALPOLIC™
Exceptional building projects deserve only the very best materials – and in terms of architectural cladding, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is the superior choice.
Meeting all NSW Government testing requirements as a *non-combustible cladding material for use in Project Remediate, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is the safest and most versatile aluminium cladding product on the market.
Delivering unparalleled durability, flatness, and maintenance-free, this product is available in the largest selection of colours and finishes in the non-combustible aluminium cladding market. Of the highest industry standard, it is backed by rigorous testing for both fire safety and performance under Australia’s harsh weather conditions and offers endless design possibilities to suit any construction project.
What is non-combustible aluminium composite cladding?
Dangerous composite cladding incorporated a highly flammable polyethylene core between layers of another material. Not only did this represent an inherent fire risk, but also additional hazards in the event of ignition including generating toxic fumes and explosion risk.
Particularly in light of catastrophic incidents (like the Grenfell fire disaster in London in 2017), building standards have been stringently reconsidered and non-combustible cladding must now be used in all new buildings in many countries globally, including Australia. Older buildings must also be remediated (and reclad) to improve safety.
Non-combustible aluminium composite cladding incorporates two thin layers of aluminium with a non-combustible mineral core. Lightweight, strong, and durable, this type of cladding material is easy to install and maintain, and dramatically improves the safety of a building in the event of a fire.
Where fire safety is concerned, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is considered to be the world’s safest aluminium façade product. ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 cladding is safer than solid aluminium in a fire, outperforming on all criteria of the AS5113 Large Scale Fire Test. It is also the only composite cladding material to achieve the Euroclass A1 classification – the highest fire-rating standard in the world.
About ALPOLIC™
ALPOLIC™ is a global leader in fire-safe aluminium composite cladding. Unrivalled in its commitment to quality, sustainability, and fire safety, ALPOLIC™ aluminium composite cladding is ideal for architectural projects due to its lightness, ability to fabricate into complex forms, and ease of installation.
What is ALPOLIC™ NC/A1?
Initially manufactured exclusively for the Australian market, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is a mineral core barrier composite panel. It is a high-performance cladding material that meets Australia’s strict building code requirements and, since launching globally, it has successfully been tested to Euroclass A1 13501-1, which is the world’s most stringent fire-rating test.
The NC mineral core barrier contains no polyethylene, and it resists fire penetrating through the barrier, maximising safety and fire resistance. Furthermore, it does not shed large chunks of molten aluminium in a fire situation.
The benefits of ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 cladding extend beyond maximising the fire safety of your building. With an extensive range of standard colours and finishes, ALPOLIC™ also offers the ability to specify any custom colour. As such, there is no limit to your creativity for a truly bespoke result.
Maintenance-free, ALPOLIC™ comes standard with Lumiflon FEVE paint technology that protects it against weathering and corrosion and ensures a paint colour that maintains its depth and lustre. On top of this we offer an unrivalled 20-year full replacement warranty backed by the globally trusted Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd, giving you complete peace of mind for your project.
Why choose ALPOLIC™ DtS non-combustible aluminium cladding?
- Exceptional Durability & Rigidity
- Superior Impact & Hail Resistance
- Exceptional Flatness
- High Resistance to Weathering, Corrosion, UV Radiation, & Colour Fading
- Unique Colour Consistency
- Exceeds Industry Safety & Compliance Requirements
- Full Compliance with BCA2019 and BCA2022.
- Codemark Certified and Tested to AS5113 Large Scale Fire Test.
- Recognised by the Insurance Council of Australia as having the highest possible safety rating.
- 20-Year Unconditional Warranty
Full manufacturer’s warranty includes materials, labour, and rectification costs. Cleaning is NOT required to maintain the warranty. - Sustainability
- Produces 300% fewer CO2 emissions during the manufacturing process than 3mm thick solid aluminium.
- More than 500% lower heat transfer than solid aluminium.
- Manufacturing processes committed to recycling and renewables.
- Holds an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) by the Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Certification Program.
ALPOLIC™ architectural cladding offers far superior performance compared with other cladding products on the market (including solid aluminium cladding). With proven durability for over 20 years in Australia’s unique conditions, there is no better fire-safe cladding product on the market.
CEMINTEL non-combustible fibre cement facade
Cemintel takes a fresh and intuitive perspective on cement-based cladding materials, which allows for a wide variety of non-combustible options such as fibre cement and cement-bonded fibrous wood particle panels.
Cemintel offer a wide range of architectural wall cladding options, choose from their diverse range of products such as:
- Cemintel Territory: A natural cladding range that derives from the values of simplicity, nature and quality. Territory prefinished cladding simulates materials like stone, timber, concrete, metal and smooth render, in a sophisticated way that enhances building façades and interior spaces.
- Cemintel Surround: Allows you to mix and match colours with confidence, Surround has a core palette of 5 neutral colours and discrete patterns with a secondary palette of 16 colours designed to highlight and complement the core colour offering.
- Cemintel Barestone: Provides a natural, raw concrete appearance that blends seamlessly into its environment and easily adapts to modern, contemporary designs. Ash, Lunar and Graphite add colour depth, while maintaining the raw, natural appeal of the much loved Original.
Fibre cement can also be used where non-combustible materials are required under the NCC 2022 Volume One, Clause C2D10 [NCC 2019: C1.9]. Along with this it has the flexibility to bring any building design to life.
- Can be manufactured into numerous panel sizes and thicknesses.
- Ability to cut into various shapes and patterns.
- Compressible for high strength applications.
- Suitable for use in acoustic systems.
- Can be used as a superior wet area lining product.
- It can be painted or tiled.
Cemintel’s range of architectural cladding options allows architects, designers, and builders to create beautifully designed homes and buildings with fire safe materials.
Full service & support
Enjoy the benefits of partnering with Network Architectural when you work with ALPOLIC™ or Cemintel non-combustible cladding. We are with you from specification to the completion of your project, offering support every step of the way.
For outstanding aesthetics and peace of mind, on your next project contact us today.
*Deemed to Satisfy
FAQs
Navigating Australia's building compliance requirements can be complex, particularly when selecting cladding and façade materials. Below, we answer some of the most common questions to help architects, builders and project stakeholders make informed decisions about NCC-compliant, non-combustible aluminium cladding.
Australia’s National Construction Code (NCC) sets the minimum requirements for building design and construction, including exterior cladding, with fire safety being a key consideration. Compliance with the NCC can be achieved through either a Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) pathway or a Performance Solution; however DtS remains the most commonly used pathway. For new constructions, renovations, and recladding projects, particularly in commercial, industrial, and high-rise residential buildings, this includes the use of DtS non-combustible cladding products such as aluminium composite panels with a non-combustible mineral core, including ALPOLIC™ NC/A1.
Traditionally, ACPs incorporated a combustible core made from polyethylene or a similar material. This material poses a severe fire hazard in the presence of extreme heat, sparking, or flame, and is now non-compliant; the use of combustible ACPs on the exterior of new projects is entirely prohibited in Australia. NCC-compliant ACPs for exterior cladding are allowed in Australia. This means they must be a Deemed-to-Satisfy non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding product, such as Network Architectural’s ALPOLIC™ NC/A1. This world-class product is designed specifically for the Australian market, passes the AS 1530.1 fire test, and has been successfully tested to the world’s strictest fire-rating test (Euroclass A1 13501-1).
ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding is a high-performance NCC-compliant option that is not just fire-safe but also delivers in terms of exceptional durability and weather resistance. It is 100% recyclable, environmentally-sustainable, energy-efficient, visually appealing, and withstands exposure to heat, cold, wind, rain, humidity, pollution, hail, snow, and coastal conditions. The durability of ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, for example, is proven, and it comes with a 20-year full replacement warranty with no maintenance clauses for cleaning. It is a robust exterior cladding product that is built to last for decades.
When the ideal cladding product is chosen for your new building, renovation, or recladding project and it is installed correctly, non-combustible cladding requires very little to no ongoing maintenance. For example, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 (a non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding product suited to commercial, industrial, and high-rise residential applications) is specifically designed to withstand Australia’s harsh climate, and it features unique Lumiflon FEVE paint technology. This protects the cladding against corrosion and weathering. Unlike other DtS non-combustible cladding ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 no cleaning is required to maintain its unparalleled 20-year full replacement warranty.
In terms of non-combustible cladding, costs depend on the material used as well as the scope of the project and the substrate. For example, fibre cement cladding is generally cheaper than metal cladding, while natural stone cladding can be very expensive. Installation influences cost as well.
The cost of cladding must be considered in terms of cost vs benefit over the life of the cladding. You need to consider your choice in terms of the best product available to you in terms of durability, longevity, visual appeal, fire safety, energy efficiency, and sustainability. A superior non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding product such as ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 may seem expensive at the outset, but it more than delivers and pays for itself over its lifetime – which, under some conditions, may be up to or even over 50 years. It may also increases the value of the property and may help reduce payable insurance premiums for the premises, potentially saving a lot of money overall in the long term.
Note that it is now illegal to use combustible cladding on new commercial, industrial, and high-rise buildings and renovations in Australia.
Product warranty is a significant factor to consider when selecting your external cladding system. A generous cladding warranty provides confidence and peace of mind, indicating that your chosen product is the best value for your budget and is made to perform and last over many years.
Product warranties are as diverse as products themselves. Among the very best warranties available for architectural cladding is that of Network Architectural’s ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd. Designed for use on commercial, industrial, and high-rise/large-scale residential buildings, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 and ALPOLIC™/fr come with a 20-year FULL manufacturer’s (i.e. Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co. Ltd.) replacement warranty. This covers material, labour, and rectification costs for faulty materials and has no cleaning clause to maintain the warranty.
Furthermore, Network Architectural provides their customers with full in-house service and support throughout the completion of your project.
“Fire-safe” or non-combustible cladding made from mineral-core aluminium composite panels is available in a diverse range of colours and finishes to suit your building and brand’s aesthetic. At Network Architectural, their ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 range (designed for commercial, industrial, and high-rise/high-occupancy residential facades) and ALPOLIC™/fr range (designed for high-end residential facades of up to 3 stories) offer unrivalled design flexibility with a wide array of UV-stable colours and finishes for sophisticated style and a unique look. These include a variety of shades in metallic, solid, sparkling, matte, timber series, stone, and prismatic finishes (inspired by natural golds and gemstones). The manufacturer, Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd, are also able to colour match to ensure brand consistency where required.
Many apartment buildings in Australia built before 2019 have combustible cladding within their facades. Remediation of this old cladding via a recladding project with a non-combustible cladding material is important to maximise the safety of these buildings and their occupants in case of a fire. The superior choice for replacing combustible cladding is to reclad the apartment building with ALPOLIC™ NC/A1; this is the gold standard in compliant, Deemed-to-Satisfy non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding. It carries the highest possible safety rating with the Insurance Council of Australia, meets NCC testing requirements, and is the only aluminium composite material to pass the world’s strictest fire protection standard (Euroclass A1). It is lightweight and easy to install, streamlining and making installation more cost-efficient. It is a superior cladding product that delivers building managers, strata owners, and occupants peace of mind.
Yes! Retrofitting with non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding is a great way to update and modernise any building, improve its energy efficiency, and enhance its fire safety properties. Whether adding exterior façade cladding for the first time or replacing existing cladding (especially combustible cladding), upgrading the building’s façade is one of the best methods of enhancing its look and appeal and, at the same time, increasing its value and longevity. In the Australian commercial/industrial building environment, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is considered to be one of the safest and most versatile non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding products on the market.
Green Star Rating is a sustainability rating system for buildings, homes, and communities that is recognised internationally. Founded in 2003 by the Green Building Council of Australia, it evaluates and rates projects in terms of water, energy, materials, operational performance, planning, and more.
NABERS is the National Australian Built Environment Rating System; this government program assesses the environmental performance of commercial and apartment buildings. It covers energy, water, waste, and the quality of indoor environments. It rates the overall operational performance of buildings themselves.
ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding that meets the requirements of the Australian National Construction Code (NCC) 2022. It has a registered Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) from Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA).
ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is 100% recyclable and requires less energy to manufacture than solid aluminium. All of its production plants are ISO14001-compliant, and it contributes environmental benefits after installation through its energy efficiency properties. It is a sustainable cladding choice that contributes to high Green Star and NABERS ratings.
Network Architectural’s premium-quality, non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding is designed and engineered specifically for Australian weather conditions. ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 aluminium composite panels, when professionally installed, has a design life of 50 years (or longer), withstanding Australia’s harsh and diverse climate. These cladding products boast exceptional weather resistance and help safeguard the integrity of buildings regardless of temperature extremes, UV radiation, rain, wind, hail, snow, debris/pollution, humidity, and coastal conditions. ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 cladding is inherently corrosion-resistant and will not rust or degrade; it also resists UV rays, which minimises fading and heat absorption and actively reduces building cooling costs.
Network Architectural’s ALPOLIC™ range of aluminium cladding are sleek, durable, and have no specified maintenance requirements. Occasional inspections may be carried out; no routine maintenance or cleaning is required to maintain the 20-year Full Replacement Warranty on ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 and ALPOLIC™/fr. Rainwater alone is enough to keep the panels clean in most circumstances.
ALPOLIC™ is available in a very impressive range of colours, patterns, and finishes. These include (but are not limited to) stone, timber, metal, and abstract patterns; solid, metallic, sparkling, and prismatic colours; and matte colours.
Options may vary somewhat between the ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 and ALPOLIC™/fr product range.
You can download our colour range brochures here.
It can! ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 and ALPOLIC™/fr are available in a diverse range of finishes that mimic the look of natural wood and stone.
Timber-look options for ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 include Japanese Birch, Maple, Teak, Wild Plum, and Walnut, while a natural stone aesthetic is available in White Marble or Black Granite.
The ALPOLIC™/fr (residential range) offers even more options, including Mahogany, Zebrawood, Beech, Oriental Cane, Provence Oak, Travertine, Blue Pearl Marble, Green Marble, several Granite colours, and more.
You can download our colour range brochures here.
ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is a Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding product. This means that it has been tested as compliant with NCC 2022 C2D10 (6) (g) (i) (ii) (iii) and is Codemark certified and tested to AS5113 Large Scale Fire Test. It is a fire-safe cladding material, has a non-combustible mineral core, contains zero polyethylene, and will not ignite or spread flame when exposed to extreme heat or in a fire. ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is currently the world’s ONLY aluminium composite material to have passed Euroclass A1, which is the strictest fire protection standard worldwide.
ALPOLIC™/fr is a fire-retardant cladding material suited for high-end buildings of up to 18m tall – making it a great option for residential homes and small commercial applications. It is fire tested and Codemark certified, and meets all requirements of the Building Code of Australia.
The NCC (National Construction Code of Australia) upgraded requirements for external cladding in 2022, and cladding products must comply with and adhere to strict Australian Standards. For commercial, industrial, and high-rise/high-occupancy residential buildings, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is a fully compliant DtS non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding product. Not only does it meet standards for fire safety, but it also meets standards for weatherproofing, thermal performance, energy efficiency, and installation accessibility. Furthermore, it meets key Australian Standards for sustainability.
The right choice of exterior cladding product can indeed save money in the long term. ALPOLIC™ aluminium cladding panels require no ongoing maintenance or cleaning to meet the terms of the product warranty (20-years). It is also a cost-effective choice in terms of energy efficiency and money saved on heating and cooling costs for the building, a fast and easy installation process, unrivalled durability and longevity, and the potential for reduced insurance premiums for buildings with ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding.
This is individual-product-dependent, and not all aluminium cladding is created equally. By far the superior option, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 and ALPOLIC/fr by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd both come with an industry-leading warranty: an unparalleled 20-year full replacement manufacturer’s warranty. This has no cleaning or maintenance clauses and covers material, labour, and rectification costs for faulty materials.
This product is expected to last much longer than 20 years – up to and even beyond 50 years under the right conditions.
Absolutely! ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 external cladding systems help insulate buildings, improving their thermal performance and energy conservation, and reducing the requirement for heating and cooling. Their production consumes much less energy than it does to produce solid aluminium, and almost 50% less carbon dioxide emissions than manufacturing 3mm solid aluminium does. It is also less labour-intensive to install, requires less sub-structure, and is 100% recyclable.
