Architectural cladding plays a vital role in both the aesthetics and protective performance of buildings, and is commonly applied to commercial buildings and high-rise residential premises. Selected appropriately and installed properly, it effectively enhances energy efficiency, insulation, and harsh-weather resistance. When DtS non-combustible cladding is used, it also enhances the fire safety aspects of a building.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Significant fire safety concerns that were uncovered by events like the London Grenfell Tower tragedy have highlighted the dangers of using flammable cladding materials.
• Using “Deemed to Satisfy” (DtS) non-combustible cladding materials is important to help mitigate fire hazards and support safer construction practices.
• DtS non-combustible composite aluminium cladding systems offer a robust, durable, easy-to-install, and low-maintenance solution. Investing in this type of cladding extends beyond merely meeting building codes; it’s a proactive step toward long-term safety and occupant protection.

Cladding is widely used across residential and commercial architecture, regardless of building scale or design complexity.

A building’s exterior is about more than just curb appeal. Cladding is a functional “envelope” that protects the building’s integrity against environmental exposure; it also supports energy performance and interior comfort.

Understanding Cladding and the Role it Plays

Cladding is an external layer, often of sheeting or panels, applied to a building’s structure to serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. It is available in a wide array of materials, colours, and finishes, and it:

• Shields the building from wind, rain, hail, extreme temperatures, UV rays, sea spray, and airborne debris
• Improves energy efficiency by reducing interior heating and cooling demands
• Provides thermal and acoustic insulation
• Enhances fire safety when using Deemed to Satisfy non-combustible products

Most of these systems are constructed with a support frame, insulation, and an external panel. The safety and performance of the building, particularly in a fire, largely depend on the materials used.

Materials commonly used in cladding include metal, wood, stone, vinyl, concrete, composites, and more – and with some far outperforming others.

The Cladding Crisis

Several high-profile fire-related tragedies have exposed the fire risks of combustible cladding over the past decade, revealing how certain materials actively contributed to accelerated fire spread in high-rise buildings.

Problematic cladding materials include:

• Polyethylene-core aluminium composite panels (ACPs)
• Expanded polystyrene (EPS)
• High-pressure laminate (HPL) panels

Investigations and audits following these incidents revealed thousands of buildings, particularly across Australian cities, that were clad in unsafe, combustible materials. These findings triggered massive efforts to urgently remove and replace high-risk cladding to protect lives and mitigate property loss.

What Is DtS Non-Combustible Cladding?

Some examples of non-combustible cladding materials include:

• Solid aluminium
• Fibre cement board
• Glass-reinforced concrete
• Terracotta and ceramic tiling
• Stone
• DtS-certified aluminium cladding with mineral cores

“Deemed to Satisfy” or DtS non-combustible cladding is a recognised external cladding solution whereby cladding panels or sheeting are engineered to resist ignition and not fuel the spread of fire. These systems are specifically designed and built to improve fire safety, limit smoke production, and retain structural integrity under extreme heat.

In Australia, any new cladding materials must now meet AS 1530.1—the national fire testing benchmark.

How Does Non-Combustible Cladding Work?

Unlike active fire protection systems like smoke and fire alarms, fire doors, and sprinklers, non-combustible cladding acts as passive fire defence. It performs constantly by compromising the spread of external flames; minimising the generation and entrance of smoke and toxic fumes to the structure; creating a more stable, safer environment for evacuation; and supporting emergency services by slowing and reducing unpredictable external fire behaviour. This passive barrier buys critical evacuation and response time; this can be the difference between containment and catastrophe.

DtS Non-Combustible Aluminium Cladding: A Modern Solution

Aluminium stands out as a cladding material in terms of fire safety: it doesn’t act as fuel in the presence of flame. Its very high melting point (660.3°C) means it can endure high temperatures while maintaining its form and function.

DtS composite aluminium cladding systems feature two thin aluminium sheets enclosing a non-combustible mineral core that is made from compounds like magnesium hydroxide or aluminium trihydrate. Neither of these will ignite in the presence of flames. These panels offer a combination of advantages: they are lightweight yet structurally strong; they are corrosion- and weather-resistant; they are simple to install and maintain; and they last a long time with minimal upkeep.

A standout example is ALPOLIC™ NC/A1, which was developed specifically for the Australian market. It’s widely regarded as the highest fire-rated aluminium façade product globally, meeting the toughest fire-safety benchmarks.

Final Thoughts

Safety should never be an afterthought, especially in construction. While building aesthetics and code compliance are indeed important, long-term occupant safety must be the priority for architects, designers, builders, and owners. Choosing to remediate/reclad or build with DtS non-combustible cladding is much more than just a box-ticking exercise; it’s a strategic, responsible investment in fire safety, property protection, and the preservation of human life.