What is Combustible Cladding?
Cladding is a skin or covering attached or applied to the external wall (outside) of a building to protect the building from the effects of weather. Usually, the cladding will be non-loadbearing (that is not supporting any structural building loads but able to withstand applied wind loads). It may also contribute to the sound and thermal insulation of a building.
A key feature is the aesthetic appeal of the cladding. It is often used to improve the appearance of buildings. Other characteristics of note include the malleability (ability to bend or shape the material) and lightweight properties of some types of cladding. The terms façade or façade covering can also be used in lieu of “cladding.
Cladding can be installed by fixing the material directly to a support frame on the building or as part of a composite (manufactured) unit comprising the cladding material, a frame and a backing sheet or back pan.
Which buildings are affected?
Buildings that were required to be assessed for combustible cladding:
- Building Class 2-9
- Type A or B construction
- Identified as being built or modified between 1st January 1994 and 1st October 2018
Here you can view: “Guidelines – For Assessing Buildings with Combustible Cladding”
How can we help?
My Repairbuild offers a completely hassle-free process by communicating with QBCC and we have partnered with Fire Engineers and Certifiers to ensure that your Combustible Cladding Checklist is accurately completed. We will provide you with ongoing updates and advice, in order to complete the Combustible Cladding Checklist within a reasonable time-frame and budget.
My Repairbuild are your trusted Building Industry Professional with over 20 years’ experience in working with aluminium cladding panels.
Part 1
Expired 29 March 2019
A building owner was required to register their building using the online system Safer Buildings. Unfortunately, if this was not lodged prior to 29th March 2019, the building was automatically pushed into Part 2.
Part 2
Expired on 31 July 2019
If the building progressed to Part 2, the building owners were required to engage the services of a BIP (Building Industry Professional). The BIP, completed and provided the building owner with a Building Industry Professional Statement indicating whether the building contained combustible cladding. If combustible cladding was not identified the building exited at Part 2. If combustible cladding was identified the building progressed to Part 3. \
Unfortunately, when a BIP was not engaged and documentation was not lodged prior to 31st July 2019, the building was automatically pushed into Part 3.
Part 2 Reassessment
We have some good news!! Buildings that may have progressed to Part 3 incorrectly can be reassessed.
A proportion of buildings have proceeded to Part 3 due to ancillary combustible elements being identified on the building. These products and configurations were not the catalysts for the legislation but due to the wording of the legislation have been captured in the process.
Therefore where combustible attachments or ancillary items have been identified, and those attachments are not representative of “external cladding” our preferred approach is to attempt to interpret the BOLCAR Regulation, the DTS Provisions of the Building Code of Australia, and the Guidance provided by the QBCC to demonstrate compliance so that these elements satisfy the legislation and can safely exit at Part 2.
Contact us urgently at service@myrepairbuild.com.au or 0413 795 922 if you would like more information on this service.
Part 3
Currently in Progress
A building owner was required to engage the services of a Fire Engineer by the 31st October 2019, who will then undertake a further assessment and provide recommendations. All building owners (in Part 3) must have completed the building fire safety risk assessment, fire engineer statement and combustible cladding checklist (questions 7-10) no later than 3rd May 2021 so as to comply with the guidelines.