Standards Australia has established new cladding guidelines to further address simmering safety concerns.
In 2018, the Building Ministers' Forum requested that Standards Australia develop a permanent labelling system for Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) products. In response, the organisation commenced work with a range of technical experts to establish industry-backed guidance for the identification of ACP products throughout their life cycles.
The results of this work were announced earlier this week. SA TS 5344:2019, Permanent Labelling for Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) Products is a technical specification that provides minimum requirements for the marking of ACPs to enable their identification.
"Fires at Lacrosse and Grenfell have led to this publication, however this is a good news story which is a step towards addressing this challenge for the building sector," says Adam Stingemore, Standards Australia general manager - strategy and engagement.
"There are no doubt challenges for the building industry in regards to the use of this type of product, and the community rightly expects a comprehensive solution.
"We are pleased to have been able to respond to the Building Ministers’ Forum in helping to address this challenge."
The group responsible for the publication covers the entire ACP product supply chain including manufacturers, suppliers, designers, installers, testing bodies, certification bodies, regulators and building surveyors.
"The intent of this project was to improve the ability of consumers and building practitioners to identify ACP-type products and, as a result, to reduce the possibility of product substitution that can result in the wrong product being supplied and installed," says Stingemore.
"Publication of this document is evidence that the experts and representatives involved believe this intention has been met and community concerns have been heard and addressed."
The news comes in the wake of increased pressure from industry bodies demanding the federal government take a more active role in addressing the combustible cladding crisis.
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