Urgent fire safety resolution for upmarket apartment non-combustible cladding

When a fire safety review was required for a large residential complex in Canberra, Risk Assessor Benjamin Hughes-Brown from Vortex Fire (formerly Ignis Solutions) investigated whether the current lightweight cladding was compliant and non-combustible. This is not an uncommon situation. A building may feature resort-like aesthetics but construction materials must stand up to Australian Fire Safety Standards.

This type of review requires in-depth analysis, starting with identifying the materials used on the building. “We would do a survey assessment on where the relevant materials are used and then run tests to identify whether it is non-combustible,” explains Benjamin from Vortex Fire. “If the material is proven to be unsafe and combustible, a total risk assessment is undertaken.”

“I’ve always found bodies corporate extremely proactive. They want the building to comply 100% to the Code – and not deviate – but they also need us to limit any disruption to tenants.”

Vortex Fire assessors work closely with project managers and bodies corporate to find the best solutions to replace existing, non-compliant material. This is always done by a fair and independent evaluation of products on the market that can be used wherever non-combustible materials are required.

“In the case of the Canberra apartment block, it came down to two lightweight cladding options,” said Benjamin. “In the end, the winner was not only compliant but had outstanding warranty and longevity.”

ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 from ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd was chosen for the apartment project for the following reasons:

  1. Ability to match existing colours so aesthetics weren’t compromised
  2. Warranty – The industry-leading full-cover unconditional warranty really shone through as did knowing that the warranty was backed by a globally trusted manufacturer and not a local distributor.
  3. Durability – The paint finish and longevity of ALPOLIC™ are exceptional and have been proven in Australian conditions for over 30 years
  4. Most importantly, the extensive local and international fire testing ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd has conducted on ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 well and truly exceeds the Code requirements.

“Beyond it being the right compliant non-combustible cladding, the process and expertise of Network Architectural, supplier of ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, has been fantastic,” said Ben. “The handling of the project was a testament to an expert understanding of complexities involved,” Benjamin said.

“We worked closely with Project Managers Dowse Projects, Wainwright Facades, and Vortex Fire to get the best possible outcome,” says Clint Gavin, National Sales Manager, Network Architectural.

“In the case of the Canberra apartment building, Project Coordination Australia commissioned Wainwright Facades to undertake the big job of removing the current flammable cladding and replacing it with the compliant, DtS non-combustible cladding ALPOLIC™ NC/A1. While initially several different cladding options were proposed, Wainwright Facades reiterated that ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 was ultimately chosen for its unrivalled warranty, quality, proven durability in Australia and compliance – having passed tests over and above what is required.”

Joseph Wainwright, Director at Wainwright Facades has worked in the industry for over 16 years. “While we have worked with ALPOLIC™ previously, this is the first time we have worked with ALPOLIC™ NC/A1. We found it very good to work with. All the guys in our fabrication workshop love it! It cuts well, we find it is easier on our drill bits, it is great to handle, and product performance is exceptional.”

Alex Shaughnessy, Project Coordinator from Project Coordination Australia had similar feedback on the product: “Because of the ease of manufacturing, cutting, and handling of ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, the project has run much smoother and more swiftly with short-term logistics. Because we are dealing with 330+ units and an existing client base, we’ve had to be reactive in some situations, and the ease of ALPOLIC™ to run through the machines has allowed us to respond to these issues easily.”

Alex couldn’t be happier with this result and is pleased that residents from the building have also openly commented on the finish of the product.


“Working with Network Architectural has been fantastic. I find them to be very accommodating and they know the building industry well and use this knowledge to make the process smoother,” said Joseph.

“Part of the requirement of the project was that the old cladding had to be removed and it needed to be recycled rather than go into landfill. Network Architectural was fantastic in assisting us with the best solution for this and offered a returning truck to Sydney to take the removed material back to the PanelCycle Recycling Centre. This ensured the project was better for the environment and streamlined the process.”

Network Architectural is the proud distributor of ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, the safest and most versatile aluminium cladding on the market. Its superior flatness and durability, and extensive selection of colours and finishes are all backed by rigorous testing for fire safety and compliance to meet Australia’s strict requirements and harsh weather conditions. ALPOLIC™ cladding comes with an industry-leading 20-year, unconditional, full replacement manufacturer’s warranty backed by ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd – no cleaning required! It gives both residents and developers reassurance that the building will stand the test of time.

Project Coordination Australia & Wainwright Facades both look forward to doing future remediation work with ALPOLIC™.

At Network Architectural, we are passionate about what we do. We listen, learn, and always strive to improve and innovate, helping our clients find the best solution for their specific designs and project priorities. Get in touch today with our highly skilled and experienced team for your next project.

Download this case study here.

Metal Ceilings Future-Proof New Sydney Education Precinct

Winner of two awards at the 2022 World Architecture Festival (Colour and Completed Buildings), architects Woods Bagot designed the precinct to fit into the natural landscape and provide a future-focused, agile learning environment to replace Meadowbank Public and Marsden High schools. “The judge came up and said that “it was so easy” [to choose the winner] because “there was a joy in everything” we did,” said Design Leader and Principal at Woods Bagot, Ian Lomas.

The precinct connects students from starting school in Kindergarten through to finishing high school, the architect’s goal was to provide an environment in which students could identify and feel a sense of belonging and community. “Creating a sense of scale and diversity of spaces for kids of all ages has been an important consideration,” the architect added.

With commercial interiors company X-clusive Group Australia Pty Ltd appointed as the successful contractor, Network Architectural, the exclusive distributor of durlum was approached for the metal ceilings, as they could provide the flexibility and modern aesthetics required to match the diversity of colours and design themes required by Woods Bagot. One such challenge was to meet a curved feature brick profile using corrugated feature panels in a range of colour themes within the various learning areas and external access corridors.

“We thought that the technology and design capabilities behind metal ceilings from durlum was everything the architects were looking for – and when they saw the product samples, they did too,” says X-clusive Group Australia Pty Ltd.

Woods Bagot and X-clusive Group Australia Pty Ltd worked closely with durlum designers to create a range of bespoke ceilings that would match the design brief, specifications and budget. The treated metal systems are engineered to last with coatings that provide protection from the elements and ease of cleaning and maintenance. The product is also rigorously fire-safety tested and complies with both Australian Standards and Building Codes.

The metal ceilings included elements of galvanized steel, aluminium, and stainless steel. All steel and aluminium components were supplied powder-coated in an array of colours and the mirror finished stainless steel was supplied with a textured finish for visual effects, all covered by durlum’s product warranty.

The 6,500m2 of bespoke metal ceilings for the Meadowbank Education Precinct look sleek and modern and stand up to the high design standards of concept architecture. The following metal ceilings were selected:

  1. Covered passageways and outdoor learning areas are lined with colour-matched 2mm  multi-coloured bespoke corrugated aluminium panelling to match the feature brickwork
  2. Covered outdoor learning areas (designed for reflection) are lined with 1mm pressed stainless steel panels in a peaceful cloud pattern using durlum’s S7 double hook on system
  3. The gymnasium ceiling consists of colourful, heavy-duty 3mm large-format mesh panels using durlum’s S7 double hook system incorporating locking clips to secure the panels against possible ball impact or wind uplift
  4. Recessed bespoke black service channels in 2mm aluminium were designed to incorporate into the durlum’s S7 system for both the gymnasium and community hall areas
  5. The community hall is lined with 3mm large-format aluminium S7 system mesh panels similar to the gymnasium
  6. Both gymnasium and community hall ceilings incorporate matching perimeter fascia panels that conceal services in the plenum space.
  7. All system components are fully recyclable

Despite the Covid period proving difficult for builders sourcing building materials, the supply contract was fulfilled on time and within budget. Throughout the process both Network Architectural’s and durlum’s design teams worked closely with Woods Bagot and X-clusive Group Australia Pty Ltd, matching ceiling and wall panels with colours and themes and developing conceptual designs, CAD drawings, prototypes, and shop drawings allowing the
metal ceilings to fit seamlessly with existing structures.

“The project management style was meticulous and end-to-end, which meant we never had a problem that couldn’t be solved. The local support and access to the durlum design team was ideal for projects of this size and they have already been introduced and specified onto the next major school project by us,” says Damian Vella, Project Manager for Roberts Co.

Network Architectural is the exclusive distributor of durlum metal ceilings in Australia, which leads the industry in innovative, versatile metal ceilings. We have many years of experience in the building industry, using products from the durlum range in airports, railway stations, shopping centres, office buildings, schools and outdoor structures.

We listen to your needs and understand your pain points and provide a finish that is beautiful, functional, and inviting. Get in touch today. Our highly experienced and skilled team is ready to work with you on your next ceiling project.

Download this case study here.

Fire protection on building exteriors – How to de-risk facade selection

The use of combustible cladding on high-rise buildings has come under increased scrutiny ever since the Grenfell and Lacrosse tower fires. In the years following, the need for fully compliant Deemed-to-Satisfy non-combustible cladding materials has grown exponentially. In response, the New South Wales (NSW) government has created an important oversight panel for this issue, as well as a funding program called Project Remediate to help building owners who are required to replace combustible cladding on their residential buildings.

Fire Protection on Building Exteriors: How to De-Risk Facade Selection discusses the development of Project Remediate, and how it is helping building owners and designers identify fire-safe, fully compliant cladding and reduce risk during the facade selection process. In this paper, we look at what Project Remediate is and the role of the Cladding Product Safety Panel. We then examine the types of facade products that should be used when replacing combustible cladding and what requirements they need to meet, with a focus on fire safety, structural adequacy, durability, and weather tightness.

Network Architectural presents ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, a fully compliant aluminium cladding product that has satisfied all testing requirements for the Project Remediate recladding scheme. This product was introduced exclusively for the Australian construction market and has been scientifically proven to be the safest aluminium facade product in real-life fire tests around the world.

Download this white paper to learn more.

ALPOLIC™ NC/A1’s extraordinary safety and sustainability profile

Launched in early 2019, ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 has since become the gold standard for non-combustible cladding. Four years in the making, this stand-out product is an outcome of a close partnership between ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd and Network Architectural, and has been designed specifically for Australia.

Network Architectural’s flagship product, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 mineral core barrier composite panel is manufactured by ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd and fully compliant with the relevant building codes and regulations in Australia, explains ​​Llewellyn Regler, Technical Manager at Network Architectural. “It has obtained A1 classification according to the European fire protection standard EN 13501-1, which is the highest rating in what is considered to be one of the most stringent component fire test standards in the world,” Llewellyn adds. “To my knowledge, ours is the only aluminium composite panel in the world that actually meets that standard.”

This exceptional fire safety profile of the non-combustible product is matched by its outstanding sustainability credentials. Underscored by ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd’s very own sustainability philosophy – encapsulated by the notion of “Kaiteki” – and verified through an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) produced by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is manufactured in an environmentally conscious manner.

“ALPOLIC and its affiliated materials are 100% recyclable,” explains Mr Hee Kok Koon, General Manager ALPOLIC Division, ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd Chemical Singapore. “In our manufacturing plants, we recover both aluminium (other metals) and the core material for recycling, to keep an environment-friendly operation. Furthermore, our production plants of ALPOLIC are compliant with ISO14001, and also designated as a wide district industrial waste disposal facility. Therefore, we can take back scraps from customers for recycling in our facilities under the proper operating standard.”

But that’s not all – the product requires less energy to produce than solid aluminium, and saves more energy through its insulating properties. “Aluminium requires a substantial amount of energy to produce,” says Mr Hee Kok Koon. “However, ALPOLIC is more rigid than solid aluminium, which means it serves the same function while utilising 300% less aluminium. As a result, it saves more than half the electricity required to produce the solid aluminium panel of the equivalent rigidity.”

The environmental benefits continue after installation. “ALPOLIC reduces the building’s energy consumption due to its thermal insulation properties,” adds Mr Hee Kok Koon. “When the product is used for external or internal cladding, the air space between ALPOLIC and the backing wall forms a thermal insulation layer and increases the wall system’s energy conservation performance.”

On top of that, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 comes with a ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd-backed 20-year full cover warranty. Considered to be one of the most comprehensive in the building industry, the robust warranty means that in the event of a defect caused by the manufacturer, ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd will replace it at no cost to the building owner.

Being the gold standard in non-combustible cladding and the safest product of this kind in the world – and boasting such an outstanding sustainability profile, it’s no wonder ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 continues to be go-to for specifiers who require the best in non-combustible cladding. And, after several months of rigorous testing, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, has now officially met all the testing requirements set out by the NSW State Government as a suitable and safe replacement product as part of the Project Remediate recladding scheme.

“The project will involve re-cladding all the type two residential buildings in New South Wales that have dangerous polyethylene cladding on them,” explains ​​Llewellyn. “It was an extensive testing process, and it’s an extensive project because around 225 buildings in New South Wales will have to be rectified as part of it.”

Press Release: ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 satisfies all testing requirements for Project Remediate

Network Architectural’s fully compliant aluminium cladding product, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, has officially met all the testing requirements set out by the NSW State Government as a suitable and safe replacement product as part of the Project Remediate recladding scheme.

Network Architectural is pleased to announce that our fully compliant aluminium cladding product, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, has now satisfied all testing criteria set out by the NSW State Government-appointed Cladding Product Safety Panel (CPSP) for use in their Project Remediate recladding scheme.

This means that all building owners registered with Project Remediate now have access to the world’s safest and most tested aluminium cladding product in ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 as a replacement product on their buildings as it has been deemed fire safe and compliant with all relevant regulations.

“I am pleased to say that the ALPOLIC NC/A1 now has successfully passed all of the stringent testing set out by the CPSP and has been granted the necessary documentation that ticks all the boxes for approval that are required for use in Project Remediate,” Clint Gavin, National Sales Manager for Network Architectural explains.

“Together with ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd’s 20-year full rectification cover manufacturer’s warranty from a globally-trusted brand, this will provide total peace of mind when installing the world’s most successfully tested and safest aluminium facade material, ALPOLIC NC/A1.”

This approval comes after several months of rigorous testing in line with the standards set out by the CPSP in their November 2021 Industry Briefing in regard to further testing for Bonded Laminate Materials (BLMs).

For more, read our article: ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 meets all NSW Government testing requirements as a DtS non-combustible cladding for use in Project Remediate

We look forward to working together with building owners and industry stakeholders now and in the future to provide safe, fully tested cladding solutions for their construction projects.

For more information please contact:

Network Architectural
Clint Gavin
National Sales Manager
Email: clint@networkarchitectural.com.au
Phone: 0448 480 477

ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 meets testing requirements as a DtS non-combustible cladding for Project Remediate

Combustible cladding materials have become a significant challenge for the construction industry in recent years resulting in the search for alternative non-combustible cladding solutions.

After several incidents involving combustible cladding in residential buildings, both here in Australia and overseas, the demand for a non-combustible, fully compliant cladding material has increased exponentially. All industry stakeholders now want a way to improve the integrity of a building whilst also ensuring the safety of the occupants inside.

Because of this, the NSW Government has worked to establish a key oversight panel for this matter, as well as a funding program, titled Project Remediate, to assist building owners that are required to replace combustible cladding on their residential buildings.

Project Remediate and the Cladding Product Safety Panel (CPSP)

In 2020, the NSW Government commissioned the Cladding Product Safety Panel (CPSP) to provide expert advice to the NSW Cladding Taskforce and the Cladding Support Unit on the suitability of cladding replacement products and wall assembly methods.

At the same time, the NSW Government also established Project Remediate, a funding scheme designed to provide the owners of Class 2 residential apartment buildings in NSW with a 10-year interest-free loan and an assurance service for the remediation of combustible cladding on their residential buildings with CPSP-approved materials.

In April 2021, the CPSP released their first report on non-combustible material alternatives. At the time, they outlined four materials that they had deemed suitable replacements for combustible cladding. While Bonded Laminate Material (BLMs) was not one of these initially approved materials, the CPSP noted that they would give further consideration to BLMs moving forward.

This culminated in the release of additional testing criteria for BLMs just a few months later.

The CPSP’s additional testing criteria for BLMs

In November 2021, as part of an industry briefing, the CPSP announced the following criteria that would be used as additional testing on Bonded Laminate Materials for fire safety and compliance:

  • Tests to be conducted on two representative types of BLM:
    • Aluminium skin – mineral core
    • Aluminium skin – aluminium core
  • Testing will include joints and penetrations
  • BLM (as a whole assembly) will be tested to determine spread-of-flame and smoke development as per AS/NZS 1530.3

The tests for spread-of-flame and smoke-developed indices will be conducted on the front and back of each of the two representative materials:

  1. BLM with no perforations and no joints
  2. BLM with electrical cable-sized perforation (20mm x 20mm)
  3. BLM with bathroom exhaust-sized perforation (200mm x 200mm)
  4. BLM prepared with intersecting horizontal and vertical joints

As part of this testing phase, Network Architectural’s ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 DtS non-combustible cladding was one of two BLM products that were selected to be tested. This phase took close to 5 months to complete, and results were released soon after.

This image is an extract from the CSIRO’s Advisory Report on Additional Testing for ALPOLIC™ NC. View full report.

The final results of the CPSP’s BLM testing

In April 2022, the CPSP released their second report, providing an update on the additional replacement cladding materials that had now been approved for use in Project Remediate.

After undertaking the testing specifications for the purpose of meeting CPSP Report 2 requirements, Network Architectural was extremely pleased to find that our BLM product, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, had ticked all the boxes and passed all necessary testing criteria to be approved for use in the Project Remediate program.

For more, see Press Release: ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 satisfies all testing requirements for NSW Government’s Project Remediate recladding scheme

This means that not only does our DtS non-combustible cladding meet all Australian Standards set out by the National Construction Code (NCC), but it now also meets the additional fire testing safety criteria which has been made mandatory by the CPSP to be considered for use as a replacement for dangerous, flammable cladding under Project Remediate.

Further evidence of the suitability of Bonded Laminate Materials (BLM) as replacement products for Project Remediate can be found in the recently released NSW Government’s Project Remediate Cladding Replacement Pattern Book. Click to download your copy below.

So, whether you’re already registered for Project Remediate or you’re simply looking for the world’s safest, most tested facade material for your next construction project, you can now feel safe in the knowledge that the ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 has been thoroughly tested and approved by the NSW Government.

This image is an extract from the CSIRO’s Advisory Report on Additional Testing for ALPOLIC™ NC. View full report.

Are you looking for compliant, fire-safe cladding for your next construction project?

Network Architectural is your trusted partner for innovative facades and ceilings.

Our ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 fire-safe aluminium composite cladding takes fire protection to the next level. With a non-combustible mineral core containing zero polyethylene, our fully compliant material is far superior to other aluminium cladding alternatives on the market.

Plus, with ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd’s 20-year unconditional full rectification cover manufacturer’s warranty, you’ll have total peace of mind using the world’s most successfully tested and safest aluminium facade material available today.

Additional benefits of ALPOLIC™ NC/A1

ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 has an A1 rating under European testing and is also vastly superior to outdated (solid aluminium) products in terms of environmental sustainability with 500 times better thermal conductivity, a higher energy rating and an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) produced by GECA.

ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 also provides superior flatness and is not susceptible to ‘oil-canning’, an inherent property of solid aluminium. Oil canning is the rippling of metal cladding caused by thermal expansion due to heat. It causes unsatisfactory aesthetics and stress on the structural integrity of the system that is not permitted under Project Remediate guidelines and can lead to a defect notice.

Available from Network Architectural, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 comes in a large selection of colours and finishes, and has an industry-leading 20-year warranty. It has superior durability and impact resistance, and comes standard with Lumiflon FEVE paint technology, making it highly resistant to weathering, UV radiation, corrosion and colour fading.

Learn more about ALPOLIC™ NC/A1

If you would like to learn more about ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, contact us today on (02) 8316 5000 or visit our website here.

Our team of architectural cladding and building supplies experts will be happy to help.

Actions speak louder than words: Our compliance and certifications journey

Whether it’s ensuring compliance with local building standards, demonstrating a product’s fire safety profile or offering an insight into its environmental impact, ensuring the products are independently assessed and verified has become the norm.

Network Architectural hold themselves to the highest of standards, and it is important to them to ensure that their product offering reflects that. In practice, that means going above and beyond the standard certifications stipulated by the Building Code. “That really is the minimum standard that you have to build to,” points out ​​Llewellyn Regler, Technical Manager at Network Architectural. “It’s the bare minimum. We should always try to go beyond it, build beyond just compliance.”

This ambition is aptly expressed in their flagship non-combustible product – ALPOLIC™ NC/A1. The stand-out aluminium composite panel is compliant with the C1.9(e)(vii) clause of the NCC, plus the product obtained A1 classification when tested to the incredibly stringent European fire protection standard EN 13501-1. But Network Architectural and the manufacturer of the panels, ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd, have taken the ambition to go above and beyond further. The signature product is verified through the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) produced by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) and the companies have obtained CodeMark certification through SAI Global. “We want to be as transparent as possible,” Llewellyn states. “And back up our claims with evidence.”

CodeMark verifies compliance with the Building Code through a third-party assessment that involves a detailed review of all relevant test results, as well as a comprehensive audit of the manufacturing facility – in this case, ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd’s factory in Japan – as well as Network Architectural’s Australian headquarters. The process is defined by the independent character of the enquiry and its scrutiny – both welcomed by Network Architectural. “It was an extensive process but we’re very happy to be working with SAI Global, because we’re confident that we have CodeMark certification that stands up to utmost scrutiny,” says Llewellyn.

Another independent certification that doesn’t leave one stone unturned is the EPD produced by GECA – a certification Network Architectural and ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd consider to be one of the initiatives that set ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 apart from other products on the market.

“There are many cladding companies out there who focus on solid aluminium products and brand them as 100% recyclable,” Llewellyn says. “And there is this perception that if something is recyclable, then it has to be good, right? But what about the energy required to recycle the product? Where does it get recycled, and what does it get turned into? An EPD includes all of that. With an EPD, actions speak louder than words.”

ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd, a global leader in aluminium composite panels, has an advanced sustainability agenda, which means they didn’t have to change anything for the purpose of obtaining the declaration because strong sustainable practices were already underpinning their manufacturing processes. Although it took almost nine months to secure the EPD, Llewellyn explains that for ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd and Network Architectural, the initiative is an investment – and a demonstration of the brands’ confidence in their own product. “Knowing that our product has CodeMark certification and an EPD shows the person who buys our panel that we stand by it,” Llewellyn explains. “And I think that definitely sets our product apart from other cladding alternatives on the market.”

Q&A with Llewellyn Regler, technical manager at Network Architectural

Llewellyn Regler - Technical Manager

Tell us about your current role with Network Architectural. How did it come to be?

I’m the Technical Manager for Facades with Network Architectural, and the way this role came about was quite interesting. Not long after I joined the company, the Grenfell Tower fire disaster occurred and the company needed someone who would have the knowledge of – or wanted to learn about – the Building Code and fire standards related to cladding. I took on the role about six years ago and have been doing it ever since.

Network Architectural’s signature non-combustible product, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, took four years to bring to life. Can you tell us what sets it apart from other products in the market?

ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is a mineral core barrier composite panel that was initially manufactured by ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd exclusively for the Australian market to meet Australia’s strict building code requirements. Due to the success and high performance of the product, ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd then launched ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 globally and successfully tested to Euroclass A1 13501-1, the most stringent component fire test in the world.

What really sets it apart – beyond the fact that it passes all the fire tests in Australia, and is manufactured by the world leader in aluminium composite panels – is the fact that it comes with a 20-year full cover warranty backed by the globally trusted ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd. If there is a manufacturing defect in the panels, will replace it at no cost to the building owner. In my opinion, it is the most comprehensive warranty within our industry. Plus, you don’t have to wash the facade or do any maintenance to maintain the warranty.

ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is considered to be the world’s safest aluminium facade product where fire safety is concerned. What has been the compliance journey to get the product certified in Australia?

First of all, for the compliance of a product like this with the C1.9(e)(vii) clause – commonly known as the Bonded Laminates Clause – you have to test each layer to AS 1530.1 for non-combustibility. On top of that, the adhesive layer needs to be less than two millimetres in total thickness within the panel. Our panel passes AS 1530.1. on the aluminium skins and the mineral core, and it has 0.035 millimetres of adhesive on either side of the panel. The panel is then tested to AS 1530.3., and it can’t exceed the spread flame index of more than 0, and the spread of smoke index of more than 3.

Passing these tests – and I’d consider them to be the bare minimum – means that the product can be used in applications where non-combustible materials are required, like Type A or B construction. From our perspective, we wanted to go above and beyond, so we also conducted a large-scale AS 5113 fire simulation test. The test results, by far, outperformed any other aluminium façade material in the country.

Can you talk us through the process Network Architectural and ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd went through to obtain CodeMark certification?

We successfully obtained our CodeMark certification through industry leading certification provider, SAI Global. The certificate demonstrates compliance with the Building Code through an independent assessment, which includes reviewing relevant test results as well as the audit of the ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd factory – which was organised remotely, since the panels are manufactured in Japan. It’s an incredibly extensive process, but we’re very happy to be working with SAI Global, because we’re confident that we will have a CodeMark certificate that stands up to utmost scrutiny. They really pride themselves on the work that they do.

Obtaining the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for the ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 was very important to Network Architectural and ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd. How long did it take and how involved was Network Architectural in the process?

It was an intense and extremely thorough process that probably took the better part of nine months to achieve. The EPD was compiled and produced by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) who were very professional in the way they communicated and worked directly with ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd in Japan on cataloguing their processes and reviewing their practices. As the EPD is a product based environmental declaration, Network Architectural’s role was more to facilitate the communications between GECA in Australia and ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd in Japan.

ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd had the majority of the documentation and processes required to obtain the EPD as they already had extensive sustainability practices in place.

Let’s talk about those. ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd operates under the sustainability principles of “Kaiteki” – what do they entail?

Kaiteki is an original concept of ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd’s grounded in the notion of sustainable wellbeing of people, society and our planet with the mission to create innovative solutions, based on ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd’s core values of sustainability, health and comfort. This philosophy is reflected in the way they conduct their business. For over 20 years they have been producing fire safe products for the Australian construction market. ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd’s decision was based on safety before profit and that really encapsulates how they approach sustainability as part of their broader business ethos.

Network Architectural works closely with ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd. Is their sustainability philosophy reflected in the way your company operates?

Although we’re two separate companies, we’re extremely privileged to work with ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd so closely, and I think we often see ourselves as an extension of their business model, because we’re the exclusive distributors of their products in Australia.

And I think that – like ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd – we conduct ourselves in the most sustainable way. For instance, we recycle any material that can be recycled, we use rainwater tanks which service all the plumbing, we have solar panels which generate more than enough power for us to operate which means some of that energy is fed back into the grid. Like ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd, we’re serious about our commitment to sustainability and it informs all facets of our business and operations.

Case study: NSW Parliament House

Background

A symbol of great historical, political and societal significance, NSW Parliament House consists of a heritage-listed complex of buildings where the Parliament of the state of NSW resides. Located on the east side of Sydney’s Macquarie Street, the edifice has recently undergone a refurbishment by renowned architectural, interior design and urban design practice, Brewster Murray.

As part of the project, the highly flammable and dangerous polyethylene filled combustible cladding on the rooftop had to be replaced with a safer, non-combustible alternative. “That combustible cladding was actually on the list of products banned by the New South Wales Government,” explains Omer Pervanic, the Managing Director of OP Projects Pty Ltd. “So it was really important to find a solution for that.”

Challenges

Apart from bringing the historical building up to standard with a non-combustible product, it was paramount that it had an appropriately engineered substructure, to accommodate the range of weather conditions the roof surface is naturally exposed to throughout the year.

Omer adds that the rooftop space posed quite a challenge in terms of access and safety. “There was no edge protection for our team, so we had to work with life lines and static lines to install the panels,” he describes. As a result, it was paramount for the new cladding product to require little to no maintenance, in order to minimise the need to operate within this difficult to access space.

Lastly, particularly because of the representative character of the facility, it was important for the new product to fit in with the overall aesthetic of the exterior, and match the existing colour of the building for a stately, consistent look.

Solution

ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 from Network Architectural is the world’s safest aluminium facade product, and the only composite material that has been classified for the highest fire protection class A1, according to the European fire protection standard EN 13501-1.

Widely considered the golden standard in non-combustible cladding, the product was a natural fit for this project – and with the largest selection of colours and finishes on the market available, matching the aesthetic of the building exterior wouldn’t be a problem.

After completing a robust feasibility process to remove combustible cladding, as part of the recent re-cladding of all the Telstra Data Centres in Australia, Brewster Murray compared fire test results and performance data on solid aluminium, corrugated core bonded Laminates and the ALPOLIC™ NC/A1. The superiority of the Network Architectural product was clear.

“The Network Architectural product is 100% non-combustible,” Omer says. “It’s passed a range of fire tests – and offers robust documentation to support that. Alongside our recommendation to choose the product we supplied the supporting documentation to the client. As a result, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 was accepted as part of the NSW Parliament House works.”

On top of the outstanding fire safety and durability credentials, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 offers a 20 year full cover warranty, which includes rectification costs for material failure. And due to the superb Lumiflon FEVE paint technology, which makes the cladding exceptionally resistant to weathering, UV radiation, corrosion and colour fading, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 requires virtually no maintenance. “The product is top quality,” Omer enthuses. “And Network Architectural were very responsive. We ordered the product and it was ready to pick up the next day.”

Omer adds that before ordering the panels, his team had to go through the process of inhouse shop drawing, during which the architect and designer on the project asked some technical questions about the bending, cutting and folding of the panels. “We consulted Network Architectural to understand how the product works, and how it reacts in those circumstances,” Omer says. “They were very helpful and provided a selection of technical charts that answered all of our questions.”

 

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