Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding is Non-Combustible

A number of incidents involving fires in buildings having composite sheet aluminium cladding, most recently the awful tragedy in London, has given rise to an increase in the number of queries that the team at Nu-Wall receives regarding the combustibility or otherwise of the product — the perception perhaps being that all 'aluminium cladding' products are created equal.

The fact is that Nu-Wall profiles are manufactured wholly from solid extruded aluminium, with the powdercoat finishes applied being less than 1mm thick; typically between 70 and 100 microns. As such, the product is considered by the New Zealand Building Code to be non-combustible.

Being made from extruded aluminium, Nu-Wall has no similarity to composite sheet aluminium cladding products; particularly it has no similarity to those non fire-resistant materials which have been implicated in building fires in other parts of the world.

The subject of Nu-Wall's non-combustibility is discussed in the BRANZ Appraisals relating to the product (Appraisals 550, 556 and 870) under the paragraph titled 'Control of External Fire Spread'. The subject is also referenced in the recently-published MBIE Codewords Issue 77, which discusses the recent changes to fire safety requirements for external cladding, and the restriction on products which may be used on buildings in excess of 7.0 metres in height.

Horizontal Cladding Profiles

Nu-Wall Cladding

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The Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding System — Horizontal on Cavity is a cavity-based, inter-locking powder-coated aluminium weatherboard system.

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

Pre-Consumer Recycled Content

The Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding System — Horizontal on Cavity has been appraised as an external wall cladding for buildings within the following scope:

the scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; and,
constructed with timber framing complying with the NZBC; and,
with a risk score of 0-20, calculated in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Table 2; and,
situated in NZS 3604 Wind Zones up to, and including, Extra High.

The Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding System — Horizontal on Cavity has also been appraised for weathertightness and structural wind loading when used as an external horizontally fixed wall cladding system for buildings within the following scope:

the scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; and,
constructed with timber and steel framing complying with the NZBC; and,
situated in specific design wind pressures up to a maximum design differential ultimate limit state (ULS) of 2.5 kPa.

See BRANZ Appraisal 550 for full information.

In the opinion of BRANZ, the Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding System — Horizontal on Cavity, if designed, used, installed and maintained in accordance with the statements and conditions of Appraisal 550, will meet the following provisions of the NZBC:

Clause B1 STRUCTURE: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2 and B1.3.4. — meets the requirements for loads arising from self-weight, wind and impact [i.e. B1.3.3 (a), (h) and (j)]
Clause B2 DURABILITY: Performance B2.3.1 (b), 15 years
Clause E2 EXTERNAL MOISTURE: Performance E2.3.2
Clause F2 HAZARDOUS BUILDING MATERIALS: Performance F2.3.1

See BRANZ Appraisal 550 for full information.

BRANZ Appraised

Vertical Cladding Profiles

Nu-Wall Cladding

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The Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding System — Vertical is a cavity-based or direct-fixed, inter-locking powder-coated aluminium weatherboard system.

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

Pre-Consumer Recycled Content

See BRANZ Appraisals 556 and 870 for full information.

The Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding System — Vertical on Cavity has been appraised as an external wall cladding for buildings within the following scope:

the scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; and,
with a risk score of 0-20, calculated in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Table 2; and,
situated in NZS 3604 Wind Zones up to, and including, Extra High.

The Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding System — Vertical on Cavity has also been appraised for weathertightness and structural wind loading when used as an external wall cladding system for buildings within the following scope:

the scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1 with regard to building height and floor plan area; and,
constructed with timber and steel framing subject to specific engineering design; and,
situated in specific design wind pressures up to a maximum design differential ultimate limit state (ULS) of 2.5 kPa.

See BRANZ Appraisal 870 for full information.

The Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding System — Vertical Direct Fixed has been appraised as an external wall cladding for buildings within the following scope:

the scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1; and, ¬ constructed with timber framing complying with the NZBC; and,
with a risk score of 0-20, calculated in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Table 2; and,
situated in NZS 3604 Wind Zones up to, and including, Extra High.

The Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding System — Vertical Direct Fixed has also been appraised as an external wall cladding for steel-framed buildings within the following scope:

the scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Paragraph 1.1 with regard to building height and floor plan area; and,
constructed with steel framing complying with the NZBC; and,
with a risk score of 0-20, calculated in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Table 2; and,
situated in NZS 3604 Wind Zones up to, and including, Extra High.

See BRANZ Appraisal 556 for full information.

See BRANZ Appraisals 556 and 870 for full information.

In the opinion of BRANZ, the Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding System — Vertical on Cavity, if designed, used, installed and maintained in accordance with the statements and conditions of this Appraisal, will meet the following provisions of the NZBC:

Clause B1 STRUCTURE: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2 and B1.3.4 — meets the requirements for loads arising from self-weight, wind and impact [i.e. B1.3.3 (a), (h) and (j)]
Clause B2 DURABILITY: Performance B2.3.1 (b) 15 years, and B2.3.2
Clause E2 EXTERNAL MOISTURE: Performance E2.3.2
Clause F2 HAZARDOUS BUILDING MATERIALS: Performance F2.3.1

See BRANZ Appraisal 870 for full information.

In the opinion of BRANZ, the Nu-Wall Aluminium Cladding System — Vertical Direct Fixed, if designed, used, installed and maintained in accordance with the statements and conditions of this Appraisal, will meet the following provisions of the NZBC:

Clause B1 STRUCTURE: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2 and B1.3.4 — meets the requirements for loads arising from self-weight, wind and impact [i.e. B1.3.3 (a), (h) and (j)]
Clause B2 DURABILITY: Performance B2.3.1 (b) 15 years
Clause E2 EXTERNAL MOISTURE: Performance E2.3.2
Clause F2 HAZARDOUS BUILDING MATERIALS: Performance F2.3.1

See BRANZ Appraisal 556 for full information.

BRANZ Appraised

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