PERFORMANCE
70% MORE RESISTANT TO OIL-CANNING THAN SOLID ALUMINIUM
LIGHTWEIGHT WHICH IMPROVES HANDLING AND WORKABILITY ON SITE
EXCEEDS PERFORMANCE OF SOLID ALUMINIUM PANELS
USES HIGH QUALITY PVDF OR FEVE PAINTS KNOWN FOR THEIR EXCELLENT DURABILITY AND ARE THE ULTIMATE RESISTANCE TO WEATHER AND INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION
EASILY AND ACCURATELY INSTALLED IN A PRE-MADE CASSETTE SYSTEM
REQUIRES MINIMAL MAINTENANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
A COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION GIVEN VITRACORE G2 CONTAINS OVER 40% LESS ALUMINIUM THAN SOLID PANELS
MORE EFFICIENT ON-SITE GIVEN ITS LIGHTER WEIGHT, REQUIRING LESS PEOPLE AND ANCILLARY INSTALLATION SUPPORT. FASTER TO MACHINE AND LESS CONSTRUCTION WASTE AS THE TECHNOLOGY USED IN THE CORE DELIVERS PRODUCTION EFFICIENCIES
"Vitracore G2 is not only a fully compliant and safe solution, it’s also the most cost-effective choice.”
Andrew Gillies
Managing Director, Fairview
Q |
Is Vitracore G2 compliance on class 2-9 buildings?
A |
YES. Vitracore G2 is compliant on ALL types of construction. This is independently assessed by the CSIRO and ABCB’s national codemark scheme, as well as other independent industry experts.
Q |
Was Vitracore G2 used on Grenfell and Lacrosse because it ‘got around’ AS1530.1 standards?
A |
Zero Fairview products were used in Grenfell or Lacrosse fire incidents. However, Vitracore G2 was specified as a remedial cladding for Lacrosse after an exhaustive, independent multi-disciplinary review, because it satisfies compliance requirements in a number of different ways.
Q |
Does the AS1530.1 Standard allow for any Flammable adhesive?
A |
The AS 1530.1 standard, tests products to be non-combustible. The Building Code permits a small amount of adhesive in products tested to be non-combustible, and has additional testing requirements. Vitracore G2 has less than 1% combustible content in its core, compared to many FR products which can have round 29% combustible content.
Q |
Vitracore G2 is only used in Australia because our Construction Code uses the wrong Standard to define ‘combustible’?
A |
FALSE. Vitracore G2 composition panels are used in five other countries at present. The AS 1530.1 test pass is based on the international standard ISO 1182 which is adopted in the UK, USA and Europe. Plus, Vitracore G2 also can be compliant in a second way; ie, as part of a performance solution.
Q |
Should we be using the ‘A2’ European Standard (EN13501.1) not AS1530.1?
A |
JUST AN OPINION. There have been no building fires spread by products deemed non-combustible to AS 1530.1, which is a very tough test standard. EN1350.1 actually includes the European version of AS 1530.1 (namely EN ISO 1182). Vitracore G2 achieves A2 status when tested to EN 1350.1 and by that measure is compliant on high rise construction in both Europe and the UK.
Q |
Does Vitracore G2 meet the National Construction Code when tested as an “assembled panel”?
A |
YES. Vitracore G2 has been independently assessed as compliant across several test formats deemed suitable to the National Construction Code. Note, G2 performs better in large-scale tests than most FR or A2 panels do.
Q |
Is Vitracore G2 banned in QLD?
A |
NO. Vitracore G2 is permitted for use in all states and territories of Australia.
Q |
Vitracore G2 is unsafe and should be removed from buildings?
A |
In lab or real-life style tests, Vitracore G2 has been independently assessed as compliant across several test formats deemed suitable to the National Construction Code. Note, G2 performs better in full-scale tests than most FR or A2 panels do. G2 has never been involved in any serious or fatal incident and, in the real world, inhibits fire. Read our case study.
Q |
What independent testing of Vitracore G2 has been done?
A |
The CSIRO has tested G2 using samples independently supplied by Underwriters Laboratories. Codemark. The British Board of Agrement has recently issued independent certification to Vitracore G2’s compliance in the UK. Leading fire engineers have reviewed and rubber-stamped the product's compliance and conformity. NOTE: rigged-to-perform-poorly testing of Vitracore has just been outed (Dec2020) by the Grenfell Inquiry.
Q |
Vitracore G2 performed poorly in the Exova test in Dubai?
A |
Grenfell Inquiry questioning (09/12/20) of Kingspan executives has confirmed that the Exova large-scale testing of a wall façade featuring Rockwool Insulation and Vitracore G2 in Dubai was deliberately pre-engineered to fail and generate maximum flame.
Q |
Vitracore G2 is a highly flammable product?
A |
G2 was the first bonded aluminium panel to be awarded the status ‘deemed-non-combustible‘ under the Building Code of Australia (BCA) under Clause C1.9e(vi) and is tested to AS1530.1 and AS1530.3. To provide further peace of mind and demonstrate full scale performance Vitracore G2 has also been large scale tested to the requirements of AS5113 and BS8414, and did not propagate flame.
Q |
Vitracore G2 is easily damaged by hail?
A |
There are a limited number of Vitracore G2 projects which have faced hail damage; they also saw significant hail damage to other materials considered to be acceptable such as steel roofing. In these cases, only the panels installed horizontally were ever damaged. Vitracore G2 passed the FM 4473 Test, which proves the products ability to perform under impact, in such cases as hail storms.
Q |
Vitracore G2 is a cheap Chinese product?
A |
Fairview has earned its reputation as a supplier of quality products. A dedication to the total fulfilment of our client’s and customer’s expectations is reflected by a complete quality control system, beginning at the point of specification and continuing through to delivery of the guaranteed products.
Q |
Vitracore G2 fails at weatherproofing?
A |
Fairview cladding products are Australian Standards AS4284 tested for high performance; energy efficiency and minimal maintenance. Vitracore G2 has been tested on two substrates to AS 4284 with great results. This is also addressed in our Codemark Certificate.
Q |
Vitracore G2 sales are rapidly decreasing?
A |
Fairview has sold more than one million square metres of Vitracore G2. Vitracore G2 is the proven choice for use where deemed non-combustible cladding must be specified such as hospitals, schools and high-rise buildings.
Q |
Fairview refuses to provide the requested test reports to builders, installers & architects?
A |
Fariview has invested over $800,000 into diverse and stringent testing of Vitracore G2 – we’re serious about this product and we are 100% confident in the product’s credibility. All product assessments stipulating compliance for deemed non-combustible products are publicly available for review.
Q |
The Victorian Building Authority has prohibited the use of Vitracore G2?
A |
The Victorian Building Authority’s current view in relation to Clause C1.9(e)(vii) of the BCA, is that an adhesive layer incorporated in bonded laminate materials, is not required to be tested under Australian Standard AS 1530.1-1994: ‘Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures’, provided that each adhesive layer does not exceed 1 mm in thickness and the total thickness of the adhesive layers does not exceed 2 mm.
Q |
Vitracore G2 has only passed the technical basis only test in order to be marketed as ‘non-combustible‘
A |
No pre-finishes or coated product on the market has met the AS 1530.1 criteria as a complete product – the AS 1530.1 doesn’t allow for testing of the finished product; rather each individual component needs to be tested per the standard. Whilst Vitracore G2 is Deemed To Satisfy, it has also proven its large scale performance by avoiding spread of fire on two building fires which occurred in Australia.
Q |
The Vitracore G2 cladding on many high rise buildings in Melbourne is having to be replaced due to non-compliance?
A |
Vitracore G2 has not been removed from any buildings in Melbourne. Vitracore G2 aluminium cladding has undergone the most demanding and stringent levels of testing stipulated, and it remains among the safest and most certified, complaint cladding products you can choose.
Q |
Vitracore G2 has a chimney effect?
A |
Vitracore G2 has never been involved in the ignition, fuelling or spreading of any facade fire incident anywhere. That’s because it’s not-combustible-material-core has zero polyethylene or other significant fuel load – it only has profiled aluminium layers and adhesive, comparable in thickness to most surface coatings – large scale testing has proven this point.
Q |
The Bonded Laminates Clause is being removed from the National Construction Code?
A |
The Australian Building Codes Board has reviewed the bonded laminates clause in detail, in the first instance asking industry for reasons it should be removed and the second, asking industry for reasons it should remain. Even after this, with no factual evidence presented as to products under this clause being cause for concern, it would be incredibly unlikely this will be reviewed again. Regardless, Vitracore G2 can demonstrably meet the performance requirements of the building code for compliance.
