SUPAWOOD developed ALUCLICK as a lightweight click-lock external beam attachment several years ago to provide designers and builders with an aesthetic robust alternative to solid timber and metal features, ensuring lower material and installation costs.
Engineered Solution?
ALUCLICK is supported with a fully independent structural engineering report that covers the various considerations of Wind Loading, Crowd Load, Dead Load, Earthquake Loading and Combination Loading. The details encapsulating these requirements are contained within the ALUCLICK Design and Detailing Manual.
ALUCLICK comes in standard configurations of 50x50mm, 50x100mm and 50x150mm with several custom solutions available depending on the project’s requirements. It is important to understand that these customised engineered solutions are available on request and that the detailing for these is not typically found within the Design and Detailing Manual. So, if you do not see the details, do not assume it cannot be done – simply call us.
Ancillary or Integral to the External Wall?
ALUCLICK is not a facade system; it is viewed as an Attachment or an Ancillary Element under NCC (National Construction Code) 2019 as it is not considered to be essential or integral to the performance of the external wall. By NCC definition, ALUCLICK is “an element that is secondary to and not an integral part of another element to which it is attached”.
Fire
ALUCLICK is deemed not combustible according to the test criteria for combustibility specified in clause 3.4 of AS 1530.1:1994(R2016).
ALUCLICK is manufactured wholly with aluminium. Aluminium cannot burn; it can melt once it is exposed to temperatures of 660.32°C and above. However, the average burn temperature in a multi-level building is about 593°C, lower than aluminium’s melting point. Therefore, ALUCLICK is considered to be Non-Combustible under the definition within NCC 2019 Part C1.9 (e), “Pre-finished metal sheeting having a combustible surface finish not exceeding 1mm thickness and where the Spread-of-Flame Index of the product is not greater than 0”.
This means it can be used externally in all commercial building designs. Additionally, it can be used in situations where Group 1, 2 or 3 is required for Classes 2 to 9 commercial building interiors and also in BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) zones.
Wind
The clearspan and maximum cantilever of ALUCLICK is determined by a combination of considerations including beam size, wind load and fixing method. Australia has four Wind Regions. Region A is Normal, Region B is Intermediate, Region C is Cyclonic, and Region D is Severe Cyclonic. All of New Zealand is Region A except for the coastal areas of Wellington and Blenheim, which are Region W.
ALUCLICK is supplied in 6500mm length of which 6400mm is useable. In some instances, it can clearspan six metres – this is determined by the Wind Region in which ALUCLICK is used.
Click here for our ALUCLICK wind loading span table and map.
The exterior screens on the building have been constructed from two profiles, 100x50 and 150x 50, ALUCLICK aluminium non-combustible beams. SUPAWOOD worked closely with the architect and builder to formulate engineering for a 6m beam span between fixings on one area of the building. As there were also other areas where 4.5m spans were required, SUPAWOOD reengineered our ALUCLICK fixing system to suit the extra-long lengths. These external screens are in 3 different SUPAMETAL Aluminium finishes, Lunar Grey with highlights of Timberland Grey and large areas of Western Red Cedar Woodgrain.
Sustainability
ALUCLICK is a locally extruded aluminium product – we do not use imported materials. What is little known about aluminium in the building industry is that it can be recycled, with a saving of energy of 95% of that required for the production of new aluminium, even when the cost of collection, separation and recycling is considered. Considering that 90% of the aluminium used in the building industry is recycled after demolition and that it can also be recycled indefinitely (if uncontaminated), makes for a great sustainability success story.
Acoustics
ALUCLICK is an aluminium product with acoustic benefits. As with the complete SUPAWOOD product range, ALUCLICK uses only NATA Certified Laboratory data and measured in accordance with:
- AS ISO 354-2006 “Acoustics Measurement of sound absorption in a reverberation room”
- AS ISO 11654-2002 “Acoustics Rating of Sound Absorption – Materials and Systems”
It is important to understand that all tests are conducted with framing behind that replicate installation conditions.
ALUCLICK forms part of our SUPAMETAL range of non-combustible panels, slats, beams and blades, which meet all compliance criteria for use both internally and externally on commercial buildings.
