Fire Safety
Fire-Safe Aluminium Cladding and Fenestration
T
he correct fenestration designs can solve a multitude of challenges. As the face of the building design and construction industry is changing rapidly, safety and security measures have become non-negotiable in the building design and construction industry. As a result, there is an increasing need to ensure the various safety measures to make projects viable. The safety parameters for buildings comprise fire safety measures, structural safety, withstanding harsh weather conditions, safety for accident-prone zones, etc. While many of these measures can be a post-construction add-on, a few should be considered right at the conceptual stage. Fire safety is one such factor which is segregated into three broad categories that one should look at: • Efficient building design to incorporate passive measures • Provision of systems and equipment for active safety measures • Safe and secure evacuation process for occupants
Using façade and fenestration systems to mitigate fire-related hazards
Fenestration and its Role in Fire Safety Measures Systems such as fire alarms, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers are incorporated
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WFM | MAY - JUNE 2022
Designing the layout in accordance with fire safety measures
at the construction stage and sometimes after completion. However, architects should integrate specific measures while designing the structure to ensure enough evacuation space for occupants. It also includes making spatial arrangements for housing the fire-fighting systems, strategically using fire-resistant materials, etc. When it comes to fenestration, with technological advancements, it is possible to provide fire-safe solutions that contribute to the safety of the building. Fenestration, as we know, takes up a significant portion of the building façade. While it dictates the quality of light and ventilation within the building, it can also significantly impact its safety. Besides catering to the appropriateness of material, function, building typology, architectural language and style, providing fire safety is of utmost importance. Fenestration and cladding help with external insulation, which can be a crucial fire deterrent. In order to achieve an efficient building envelope,
it is advisable to opt for fire-resistant cladding materials and check them for their safety. Fire-Safe Aluminium Cladding Options Available Today Aluminium Composite Panel or ACP was previously a popular choice amongst architects and builders because of the numerous advantages aluminium offers. However, the panel has a core of polyethene which is highly combustible in nature, which is a serious disadvantage of ACP. It is a known cause of fire incidents witnessed by the construction industry. An alternative to ACP is Aluminium Composite Materials or ACM, which are fitted with a non-combustible core sandwiched between two aluminium panels, making the cladding fire safe. As a result, it has a lower environmental impact and is versatile and cost-effective. FR ACP or Fire Retardant ACP is also a byproduct of the fire safety measures taken for aluminium-based cladding materials.
