INTRODUCTION TO FR-ACP
(FIRE RETARDANT ALUMINUM COMPOSITE PANELS)

 BACKGROUND
Fire safety is the set of practices intended to reduce the destruction caused by fire. Fire safety
measures include those that are intended to prevent ignition of an uncontrolled fire, and those
that are used to limit the development and effects of a fire after it starts.
Fire safety measures include those that are planned during the construction of a building or
implemented in structures that are already standing, and those that are taught to occupants of
the building.

Threats to fire safety are commonly referred to as fire hazards. A fire hazard may include a
situation that increases the likelihood of a fire or may impede escape in the event a fire occurs.

Incidents of fire across the gulf region are the main issues why more stringent policies need to
be reviewed.

On a related event that happened last December 2015 at a hospital in southern Saudi Arabia,
has killed at least 25 people and injured more than 100 others. The blaze broke out in the
intensive care and maternity departments of the hospital.
 

Another incident that include a huge fire which engulfed part of a luxury hotel in Dubai last
December 2015, where people had gathered to watch a New Year’s Eve fireworks display, has
been brought under control without any fatalities. The Dubai government said one person had a
heart attack as a result of the smoke and the rush to get out of the building. One person was
described as being moderately injured and 16 people were said to have suffered minor injuries.

 DEFINITION

A fire retardant is a substance that reduces flammability of fuels or delays

their combustion. This includes chemical agents, but may also include substances that work by
physical action, such as cooling the fuels, such as fire-fighting foams and fire-retardant gels.

Fire retardants inhibit or delay the spread of fire by suppressing the chemical reactions in the
flame or by the formation of a protective layer on the surface of a material.
 

Contrary to fire retardants, combustibility is a measure of how easily a substance will set on
fire, through fire or combustion. This is an important property to consider when a substance is
used for construction or is being stored. It is also important in processes that produce
combustible substances as a by-product. Special precautions are usually required for
substances that are easily combustible. These measures may include installation of fire
sprinklers or storage remote from possible sources of ignition.
Substances with low combustibility may be selected for construction where the fire risk needs to
be reduced like apartment buildings, houses, offices and so on. If combustible resources are
used there is greater chance of fire accidents and deaths. Fire resistant substances are
preferred for building materials and furnishings.

Before and during fire incidents, fumes produced by smoke happen and part of it is the toxicity
of materials. By definition, toxicity is the degree to which a substance can damage our health
as a person or any other organism.

Toxic fumes are gases that are poisonous or dangerous to people. There are different levels of
toxicity, meaning some fumes are more dangerous than others. Low concentration of toxic
fumes may show mild symptoms like headache while higher concentrations can be fatal and kill
a person. Generally, most toxic fumes are man-made.
 

 OUR COMPANY

TECHNOPANEL is the first ACP manufacturing facility in the kingdom that started its operations
since year 2006. After developing our processes and establish ourselves in the industry, we are
also the pioneers in producing FR-ACP since year 2008. Though the demand during those
periods was not at its peak, TECHNOPANEL was able to penetrate the market and do business
with selective clients for the FR-ACP products.

FR-ACP Processing Facility

Fire Retardant Aluminum Composite Panel

 

 THE PRODUCT

TECHNOPANEL Fire-Retardant Aluminum Composite Panel (FR-ACP) is a high performance

product consisting of two sheets of aluminum bonded to each side of a halogen-free fire-
retardant PE core. It is suitable to use for exterior and interior wall cladding applications or for
buildings under renovation that are designed to reduce the risk of structural fire. It has the
capability of reducing flame spread for a specified intensity and/or duration, low smoke and
delays heat penetration across on it.

 COMPOSITION

TECHNOPANEL FR-ACP is basically composed of the following materials:

Protective Film 
PVDF Coating 

Alloy Sheet 

Bonding Film  Bonding Film
Fire Retardant Core
Alloy Sheet

Back Surface Coating 

 
 

 FIRE RETARDANT CORE

HALOGEN-FREE FIRE-RETARDANT CORE – the main core of TECHNOPANEL FR-ACP that

it has the capability of reducing flame spread for a specified intensity and/or duration, low smoke
and delays heat penetration across it. It acts as a thermal insulation barrier where the role is to
turn polymer into a char, which separates the flame from the material.

There are two important components that can be used as a fire retardant core for polymer
applications. These components decompose at high temperatures absorbing considerable
amounts of heat in the process. In addition to behaving as a fire retardant, it is very effective as
a smoke suppressant when applied to polymers such as polyethylene.

The two components are:

Mg (OH)2 Magnesium Hydroxide or AL (OH)3 Aluminum Hydroxide

In addition to the performance of the FRPE core, it is Halogen-free that limits the use of
hazardous substances on the product. The drive for creating these products is associated with
the green movement as well as health concerns. When fire breaks out and harmful substances
contained in plastics are ignited, toxic fumes are released into the surrounding area. Therefore,
compliance with these directives is important in the preservation of life and the environment.

 OTHER PRODUCT COMPONENTS

Layer Characteristics
PVDF Coating Paint finishing that has high non-reactive and pure flouropolymer coating
High resistance to solvents, acids, bases and heat
Low smoke generation during a fire event
Not susceptible to attack by UV light that offers 20 year warranty
Alloy Sheets 0.50 mm thick Aluminum Manganese Alloy that has excellent tensile
strength, yield strength and elongation rate
High resistance to corrosion
Protective Film Protective layer of the coating during handling, storage and installation
Has high UV resistance with a 12 month warranty

 PRODUCT DIMENSION
Parameters Tolerance
Thickness 3.0 mm to 8.0 mm
Width 800 mm to 2000 mm
Length 2000 mm to 6000 mm or as Customer’s Requirement
Standard Size 1240 mm width x 5800 mm length
 

 COLOR VARIATIONS

Classification Variation

Standard
Colors

Silver &
Metallic Colors

Special Colors

Note: Refer to the product catalogue for the complete set of colors.

 PANEL WEIGHT DENSITY

 
 
ACP Thickness (mm) Panel Weight (kg/sq.m)
4 6.90 ± 0.5
5 8.30 ± 0.5
6 9.70 ± 0.5
 

 FIRE PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES

 
National / International Technopanel Actual and
Test Item
Standard Test Value
BS 476 Part 6: Fire Test
on Building Materials and
Class O Class O
Structures
(Fire Propagation)
BS 476 Part 7: Fire Test
on Building Materials and
Structures Class 1 Class 1
(Surface Spread of
Flame)
EN 13823
Reaction to Fire Tests for
Building Products.
Building Products
For Compliance Compliant
Excluding Floorings
Exposed to the Thermal
Attack by a Single
Burning Item
EN ISO 11925-2
Reaction to fire tests -
Ignitability of Building
Products Subjected to
For Compliance Compliant
Direct Impingement of
Flame
Part 2: Single-flame
Source Test
‐ Smoke Develop
ASTM E84-04
Index (less than Passed
Surface Burning
450)
Characteristics of
‐ Flame Spread Index Passed
Building Materials
(less than 25)
 
 THERMAL / SOUND PROPERTIES
 
National / International Technopanel Actual and
Test Item
Standard Test Value
Coefficient of Thermal
Expansion, <4.0 x 10 -5 0C-1 2.368 x 10-5 0C-1
ASTM D696-08
Heat Deflection
Temperature, >105 0C 118.1 0C
ASTM D648-07
Sound Transmission,
<32dB 28dB
ASTM E413-04
 

 PRODUCT FEATURES

  Surface Coating   

  It has a wide variety of elegant texture and colors adaptable to the 
customer’s requirement. Surface coatings can also be customized 
  according to needs of the design. 

   
Quality of Finishing
 
Through its PVDF coated surface, this paint has the capability to 
  withstand poor weather conditions while maintaining the ACP’s 
remarkable appearance. 
 
 
 

 
Contemporary   
 
ACP’s are advanced building materials that are significantly found 
  in architectural structures. This material is relatively easy to form 

  ranging from basic to intricate designs. 

    Lightness

  The light weight of ACP enables convenience during handling and 
installation process in comparison with other building materials.  It 
  therefore reduces weight load that makes the structure less 
susceptible to calamities such as earthquakes. 
 
. 
 

 PRODUCT FEATURES

 
Environment Friendly   
 
Product components that is recyclable and non‐toxic due to 
  Halogen‐free properties. 

   

    Insulation Capabilities

  ACP’s have extraordinary heat and sound insulation properties 
making it suitable for the occupants of the building structure. 
 
 
 

 
Less Risk to Fire   
 
Through its low smoke generating properties which is found in 
 
FRPE cores, it is less likely to create further damages at the event 
  of fires. 

   
Economical
 
Its value for time and money by adapting reduced maintenance 
  costs and less complicated installation processes. 

   

. 
 

 FINISHING AND MAINTENANCE

Protective Film Removal

It is usual to remove the protective film after installation though 12 months warranty is
provided as supplemental panel protection since the duration of certain projects may differ
from one another. It is still best suggested to mitigate risks at least 3 months before film
expiry.

Peeling-off the protective film is suggested to be done on each corner or substrate of the
installed panel for a more convenient removal of the film.

Do not prolong the protective film removal beyond the warranty limit since it may cause
adhesive retention and film degradation under varying environmental conditions.

Sealant Finishing

During application of sealants in between panel partitions, it is recommended to follow as

illustrated below:

Sealant – Not The Sealant – The

Suitable Condition Suitable Condition

This condition can cause the dirt to This condition is ideal to prevent dirt from
accumulate in between the hollow slots. accumulating in between slots.

Cleaning and Maintenance of ACP

It is important to keep the panel in best condition to maintain the color and glossiness
throughout its lifespan.

a. Plain water and neutral to soft alkali agents are required to clean the surface of the
panel.
b. Do not use strong agents such as acids, solvents and strong alkali. This can damage the
panel surface.
c. Use a clean soft cloth for cleaning the surface. Prevent using cloth or material with
abrasion that can cause scratches or damage on the coating.

 
 

 CONTACT DETAILS

Head Office
Address:
Exit 18, Building 212 to 217 Al Madaen Industrial Zone, New Kharj Road, Riyadh, KSA
PO Box 10342
United Number 920006292

Contact Details:  
Landline +966-11-2447755
Fax Number +966-11-2429040
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.technopanel.com.sa
 
 

 
Factory
Address:
Malham District
PO Box 10342
United Number 920006292