A considerable paradigm change in customer preference in the construction industry has been witnessed in recent decades. This shift has been driven by a special emphasis on safety, particularly from fire-related incidents. As fire safety has taken centre stage, cladding solutions have been the subject of enhanced scrutiny by stakeholders, resulting in increased research & development efforts to design and create fire-safe ACP sheets. The subsequent emergence of fire-safe ACP sheets has addressed fire safety concerns, becoming a critical component in the construction of modern buildings through the utilisation of cutting-edge technology and innovative materials.

However, while tremendous efforts have gone into creating fire-safe ACP sheets to align with customer preferences and industry trends, large-scale adoption has faced particular challenges. These ACP sheets have not only been designed to prevent property damage, but to reduce human casualties – significant aspects that are reshaping how ACP sheets are perceived by all stakeholders. Lack of awareness and knowledge, compliance, affordability and industry malpractices have become the primary challenges restricting widespread adoption, highlighting the need to address these obstacles promptly.

Lack of awareness

The primary challenge restricting the widespread adoption of fire-safe ACP sheets in the construction industry is the lack of awareness among stakeholders. To begin with, potential customers remain unsure about what constitutes fire-safe ACP sheets. While customers have inert ideas about looking for ACP sheets that offer increased protection or prevention of fire, their lack of awareness about what to look for severely restricts their search for fire-safe ACP sheets. However, Industry stakeholders have identified this issue and are working to create a united front to present a multi-pronged approach to address this challenge by promoting understanding and educating customers. A steadfast process, the expectation is to leverage this comprehensive procedure to empower customers.

Certifications

A major aspect restricting the widespread adoption of fire-safe ACP sheets among customers is the lack of knowledge regarding certifications. ACP sheets go through comprehensive testing measures to become fire-rated – which are done by benchmarking vastly different parameters. For example, ACP sheets are available in the market with certifications such as Class A2, Class B, Class O, 2 hour and 3-hour ratings – which are also some of the most popular test certifications, while the latter three are the most commonly used by industry components as they are applied to numerous interior and exterior materials. However, they do not constitute fire retardant ACP sheets since regulations suggest the usage of materials with different requirements for both internal and external cladding purposes. The internationally recognised standards EN 13501 and NFPA 285 are the benchmarks for fire-safe ACP sheets. EN 13501 assesses a material’s reaction to fire, focusing on combustibility and smoke production, while NFPA 285 evaluates fire propagation in wall assemblies, which is crucial for high-rise structures. These standards are certified by leading labs like Exova Warringtonfire and Thomas Bell Wright, ensuring only the safest products are approved.

Customers should look for ACP sheets with EN 13501 and NFPA 285 certifications to ensure top-tier fire safety. Choosing these products guarantees compliance with the highest fire-retardancy standards, offering peace of mind in both interior and exterior applications.

Compliance

Another significant obstacle to this process is stakeholders’ compliance. For example, appropriate fire safety regulations are not followed in many construction projects like high-rise buildings, whereas the norm should be to enhance this aspect by using fire-rated ACP sheets. However, many builders do not use such precautionary measures either because such regulations do not exist or because proper inspections are not done to affirm whether proper fire safety has been used or not. A comprehensive plan needs to be integrated across levels, from industry to governmental agencies, to overcome this barrier which has the potential to directly translate into enhanced occupant and building protection by reducing fire-related incidents. A special focus must also be exercised on educating builders on the importance of using fire-safe ACP sheets to resolve this issue.

Cost of fire-safe ACP sheets

This remains a multifaceted challenge and can be addressed through widespread adoption among customers. Since fire-safe ACP sheets are manufactured using cutting-edge technologies and innovative materials, the cost of these cladding solutions is comparatively higher than regular ACP solutions. However, widespread adoption can assist in reducing costs, but both customers and vendors must be willing to prioritise safety over commercials to address this adversity.

Industry malpractices

While the majority of the ACP industry has worked tirelessly and invested significantly in designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art fire-safe cladding solutions for the construction industry, their efforts are being restricted by malpractices by some constituents. Some manufacturers are pushing sub-par products that are far from the appropriate quality for specific high-value projects since they are economically viable. Coupled with pre-discussed issues like lack of awareness and knowledge and costing challenges, customers are deciding to use these sub-par products in construction and reducing the safety aspect of buildings in the process. Comprehensive guidelines by a central entity to address this challenge can be valuable in overcoming this issue and can reshape the future of fire-safe ACP sheets with growth.