By the Art Space Industries team · 17 Oct 2026
ACP can be fire-safe, but only if you choose the right core. The aluminium skins are not the problem. The risk is in the material sandwiched between them.
Three kinds of ACP core
| Core | What it is | Fire behaviour | Where to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (PE) | Mostly polyethylene plastic | Combustible: can melt and burn | Low-rise signage and small interior features only |
| FR (fire-retardant) | Mostly mineral filler with some polymer | Resists ignition and slows flame spread | Homes, shops, offices, most commercial buildings |
| A2 (non-combustible) | Very high mineral content | Limited combustibility, the highest rating for ACP | Tall buildings, hospitals, schools, public buildings |
Why this matters
Several serious building fires around the world, including the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London, spread rapidly through facades that used combustible PE-core panels. Since then, many countries have tightened their rules. In India, fire authorities increasingly expect fire-rated cladding on high-rise and commercial buildings. Your architect and the local fire department can tell you exactly what your building needs.
6 questions to ask your contractor
- Which core is in this panel: PE, FR or A2?
- Can you show the fire test certificate for this exact product? Common references are EN 13501-1 classifications such as A2-s1,d0 or B-s1,d0.
- Is the brand name printed on the panel or its protective film?
- What insulation and frame go behind the panels? These matter too.
- Are fire breaks planned between floors on taller buildings?
- Will the material in the invoice match the quote, brand and core included?
How we handle it
We recommend FR-core ACP as standard for homes and commercial fronts, and A2-grade materials, metal panels or zinc systems for institutional and taller buildings. On large projects, such as the Anand Vihar RRTS and South Asian University, we work to the project's specifications and approvals.
Not sure what your building needs? Send us a photo and the number of floors, and we will advise you. Compare all three materials in our ACP vs HPL vs WPC guide.
