9. Cladding Selection Guideline

EXTERNAL WALL CLADDING SELECTION METHODOLOGY
The below methodology is to be used as a management tool to establish the compliance of cladding products/systems.
All cladding products must be reviewed as per this document and approval PRIOR to placing order, whether or not it's a Design & Construct or Construct only contract.
Step 1. DETERMINE THE BUILDING CLASSIFICATION

• Refer to Section A, Part A3 of the NCC. If the class of your building is between 2-9 then the below steps can be used for selecting external claddings;

Step 2. DETERMINE THE TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION

• Refer to section C of the NCC, and determine the tpe of constructio that is required for the building classification from table C1.1 + associated clauses.
• Its critical this is completed correctly as the starting point of all design/cladding selection
  

Step 3. ATTACHMENT OR WALL?

• To avoid confusion, ALL cladding to TYPE A & B contruction are to be non-combustible regardless of being a wall or an attachment unless there is clear FER/Certifier/authority approval for all alternative solution and this is signed off by The Quality Team and Team leader.
• All TYPE C buildings should be use a non-combustible 1530.1 cladding to exist and subject toThe Quality Team and team leader approval - use non-combustible (preferred) or fire resistent (FR/A2) ACP products and Kingpan or equal wall PIR panels with AS 1530.3 testing to other areas.

Step 4. COMBUSIBILITY OF EXTERNAL WALLS - TYPE A & B

• Specification C1.1 in section C of the NCC states - For Type A & B construction, it is a requirement that all external walls are non-combustible.
• Non-combustibility of a material is defined as - not deemed combustible as determined by AS 1530.1.
• All claddings that are proposed to be used on the external wall of a Type A or Type B construction must be tested in accordance with AS1530.1 (unless the material is noted in C1.12 (a) to (d) as being deemed non-combustible)

• Evidence of testing by a NATA approval independent testing labratory in accordance with this standard must be provided.

Step 5. COMBUSTIBILITY OF EXTERNAL WALLS - TYPE C

• For Type C Construction the cladding must technically meet the requirements of Clause 4 of Specification C1.10 which sets out requirements in relation to the fire hazard properties of linings, materials and assemblies in Class 2 to 9 buildings.
• Above this is Fitness for pupose considerations so the HB position is to use non-combustible claddings at exits and preferably to all locations, however Fire resistant cladding to AS1530.3 tested to C1.10 is acceptable.

Step 6. FIRE RESISTENCE LEVELS (FRL's)

• Specification C1.1 also outlines the requirement for fire resisting construction. Table 3 for Type A, Table 4 for Type B & Table 5 for Type C. Each building element listed in the tables, must have an FRL (fire resistance level) not less than that listed in the Table for the particular Class of building concerned. A tested system must be used to achieve the required FRL.
• If the building has an FRL, and the cladding is connected to the FRL wall, it is not permitted to impact on the FRL - so particularly for lightweight tested systems (eg plasterboard, shaft wall etc), the wall system must be tested to permit the connection or a fire engineer msut provide advice on the performance of the system in the proposed design to confirm the FRL is not impaired. This needs to be noted in the FER.

Step 7. CONFORMITY UNDER THE ABCB CODEMARK SCHEME

• CodeMark certificates are the first step in ensuring the product is able to be used in Australia but does not give you confirmation that the Aluminum Composite Cladding (ACP) or other cladding can be used on the external Facade / fabric of the building unless the Codemark states it has been tested in that specific circumstance. You need to establish the suitability of application for every product for your particular building.
• A CodeMark certificate will generally state which sectio of the NCC that the product complies with, the group number of the material, the fixing method that is required for the product, and any limitations to the certificate.
• Essentially a CodeMark certificate will provide all or part of the information that is required for steps 4 & 5 above.
• A CodeMark certificate and all referenced documents in the certificate must be provided to undertake a review.

Step 8. FIRE ENGINEERING REPORTS

• Locate any Fire engineering advice provided to date that considers the claddings and any limitations around exits etc.

Step 9. FIXING METHOD

• Determine fixing method (Cassette or Adhesive tape) and procure copies of manufacturer tested details of the installation.

Step 10. SEEK APPROVAL OF DRAFT PROPOSAL

• Consolidate a "DRAFT" package for the proposed cladding selection that includes the information that is obtained from steps 1 to 6 above (Class/Type, test reports etc), as well as set of marked-up plans showing the extent of the proposed cladding and any existing FER information.
• Seek approval from The Quality Team & your Team Leader.
• UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS A "PE" CORE MATERIAL TO BE USED.

Step 11. APPROVAL FROM CERTIFIER/BUILDING SURVEYOR/FIRE ENGINEER

• Submit HB reviewed and approved cladding proposals for the building to your Building Certifier/Surveyor for approval. (Include the following with your submission to your Building Certifier/Surveyor: marked-up plans, all test data, fixing methodology, CodeMark certificate & any FER/advice from a fire engineer where applicable).
• The FER where applicable must be updated to reflect the final cladding selection for alternative solutions - no expectations.
• Once approved this becomes the Approved Cladding Documentation.
• SUBSTITUTION OF PRODUCTS IS NOT TO OCCUR ONCE THE CLADDING IS APPROVED AND DOCUMENTED IN THE FER UNLESS THE ENTIRE APPROVAL PROCESS IS REPEATED.

Step 12. PREPARE PROJECT SPECIFIC SHOP DRAWINGS

• Prepare site specific shop drawings as required showing details of cladding, battens and fixings system for QA review and further approval by The Quality Team and consultants + certifier/building surveyor.

Step 13. CONSTRUCT PROPTYPE FOR QA REVIEW

• Procure samples of cladding, battens and fixings systems and where required, construct a prototype on site, for QA review and approval by The Quality Team.
• This is particularly required to connections to windows and the like.

Step 14. COMPLETE WORKS (as per approved Cladding Documentation)

• Complete all cladding works as per your approved documents.
• Perform regular QA checks, to quality of application is maintained as per approved proto-type and materials are installed correctly.
• When inspecting/co-ordinating the works, note client variations, discrepencies and clashes may all alter the detailing. Repeat process as necessary to replan cladding specifications to ensure it is compliant.

Step 15. COMPLETE WORKS (as per approved Cladding Documentation)

• Include complete Cladding Documentation within Hutchinson handover manual.