Choosing the Right Contractor Is a Fire-Safety Decision
An ACP façade is only as safe as the panel that goes on the wall and the frame that holds it. The biggest risk in the Ghana market is not a bad finish — it is being quoted “ACP” and being given a combustible PE core with no disclosure, on a sub-frame that was never engineered. The contractor you choose decides which of those two outcomes you get. Alucobond Ghana has specified and installed aluminium-composite façades since 1977, and this guide is the checklist we would want a client to hold us to.
The Questions to Ask Before You Sign
”Which core am I getting — PE, FR or A2?”
This is the first and most important question. If the answer is vague, or just “ACP”, stop. A reputable contractor names the core grade without hesitation and explains why it suits your building’s height and occupancy. The difference between a PE core and an A2 core is the difference between the Grenfell material and a limited-combustibility façade — see the PE vs FR vs A2 fire-safety guide.
”Can I have the panel data sheet and the EN 13501-1 class in writing?”
Demand it before work starts, not at the end. The panel data sheet states the core, the coating and the classification; the EN 13501-1 Euroclass (e.g. A2-s1,d0) is the proof of reaction-to-fire. A supplier who can produce this is selling you a documented product. A supplier who cannot is selling you a guess.
”Who engineers the sub-frame?”
A non-combustible panel on a poorly detailed cavity is not a fire-safe façade. Ask who designs the aluminium sub-frame, the brackets and rails, the cavity and the fire barriers / cavity stops — and whether it is engineered as a system. A proper rain-screen system is calculated for wind load (the kind of performance confirmed by tests like ASTM E330) and back-ventilation, not improvised on site.
”Will the quote separate material from installed?”
An honest quote shows the panel and the installed system as separate lines, so you can see what you are paying for and compare like for like. A single lump sum with no breakdown hides where corners can be cut — usually the core. The cost guide explains why the installed figure is properly priced on survey.
”What do you hand over at completion?”
The right answer is: the panel data sheets and the fire classification, so you can prove what is on the wall for the life of the building. That paper trail is the owner’s protection and their duty of care after Grenfell.
Red Flags to Walk Away From
- “ACP is ACP” — refusing to name the core grade
- No EN 13501-1 classification available, or “we’ll sort that later”
- A lump-sum price with no material-vs-installed breakdown
- A “lower-priced” panel offered as a swap with no core disclosure
- No engineered sub-frame — panels fixed straight to whatever is there
- No data sheets or fire paperwork at handover
What a Good Contractor Looks Like
A contractor worth hiring specifies the core to the building, documents the Euroclass, engineers the sub-frame and cavity as a system, quotes transparently, and hands over the evidence. They will also survey the building properly — height, access and substrate measured on site — before committing a firm figure. For institutional and high-occupancy work, that discipline is not optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask an ACP cladding contractor?
First, which core you are getting — PE, FR or A2. Then ask for the panel data sheet and the EN 13501-1 fire class in writing before work starts, who engineers the sub-frame, whether the quote separates material from installed, and what paperwork is handed over at completion.
How do I know the cladding is fire-safe?
Ask for the EN 13501-1 classification of the panel (e.g. A2-s1,d0 for a non-combustible core) in writing, and confirm the whole system is engineered — not just the panel. For tall or occupied buildings, the system can also be assessed against full-scale tests like BS 8414 / BR 135.
Is the lowest quote the best deal?
Not if the saving is a hidden PE core. A “lower-priced” panel with no core disclosed is a risk, not a saving — on a tall or occupied building it can be a life-safety failure. Compare quotes on a like-for-like core grade with the EN 13501-1 class named.
Should the quote name the core?
Yes. A reputable contractor names the core (PE/FR/A2) and its Euroclass in the specification, so what is installed matches what was approved. If the quote will not name the core, treat that as a red flag.
Hold your contractor to this checklist. Alucobond Ghana names the core, documents the EN 13501-1 class and hands over the evidence. Call +233 27 000 0844 for a survey across Greater Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Lomé, Togo.