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ACP Reference Library · Approvals · Compliance Documents

ACP Approvals: Aluminium Composite Panel Certification, Fire Reports and Compliance Documents

ACP approvals are the documents, test reports, certificates, listings, authority acceptances, and project submittals used to prove that an aluminium composite panel is suitable for a specific application. ACP approval is not a single certificate and it is not the same in every country.

For facade projects, approval must connect the exact ACP product to the project requirement: core type, fire classification, coating system, panel thickness, aluminium skin thickness, facade assembly, installation method, local code, and Authority Having Jurisdiction.

ACP approvals in one minute

A valid ACP approval package should identify the exact product, manufacturer, core type, thickness, coating, fire classification, test laboratory, report number, field of application, system test evidence where required, installation limitations, warranty conditions, and batch traceability. Never approve ACP only because a brochure says “fire-rated” or “approved.”

Definition
Approval means evidence

What are ACP approvals?

ACP approvals are formal technical and regulatory documents used to support the use of aluminium composite panels in a project. They may include product test reports, fire classification reports, system test reports, civil defence approvals, third-party certifications, product listings, material data sheets, warranty documents, and installation guides.

The meaning of approval depends on the project. A signage ACP approval may be simple, while a high-rise facade approval may require product classification, full wall assembly testing, fire consultant review, facade consultant approval, and local authority acceptance.

For regulatory context, read Global ACP Regulations.

Approval Types
Product, system and authority documents

Main types of ACP approvals

Product Approval

Panel-level evidence

Confirms properties of the ACP product such as core type, thickness, coating, fire classification and physical performance.

System Approval

Facade assembly evidence

Evaluates the complete wall system including ACP, insulation, cavity, barriers, subframe and backing wall.

Authority Approval

Local acceptance

Issued or accepted by the relevant authority, civil defence, building control, or AHJ for a project or product route.

Project Approval

Submittal acceptance

Consultant or client approval based on documents, samples, mock-ups, calculations, and compliance review.

Approval Checklist
What must be submitted

ACP approval document checklist

DocumentWhat it provesWhy it matters
Technical data sheetBasic product properties, thickness, weight, skin thickness, coating and core type.Defines what product is being approved.
Core type declarationPE, FR, A2 or A1-direction core information.Core type affects fire behaviour and regulatory acceptance.
Reaction-to-fire reportClassification such as A1, A2-s1,d0, B-s1,d0 or equivalent.Supports product-level fire performance.
System fire test reportFull wall assembly performance where required.Shows facade system behaviour, not only panel behaviour.
Coating specificationPVDF, FEVE, polyester, special finish, layer system and warranty route.Controls weathering, durability and colour stability.
Installation guideFabrication, fixing, movement, joint, storage and handling requirements.Ensures installed system matches approved details.
Warranty documentCoverage, exclusions, maintenance and claim conditions.Protects long-term expectations and responsibilities.
Batch traceabilityProduction batch, coil batch, colour batch and delivery connection.Supports quality control, claims and future replacement.
Fire Approval
Most critical ACP approval area

ACP fire approval documents

Fire approval is often the most important ACP approval area for facade projects. It must be based on valid test reports and exact product identification. A fire report for one ACP product, thickness, core, coating, or assembly should not be assumed to apply to another product or project.

Fire approval should confirm
  • Exact product name and manufacturer
  • Core type and formulation direction
  • Panel thickness and aluminium skin thickness
  • Reaction-to-fire classification
  • Smoke and flaming droplet classification where applicable
  • Combustibility or calorific value evidence where required
  • Testing laboratory and report number
  • Test standard and classification standard
  • Field of application and limitations
  • Full facade system test evidence where required

Continue with ACP Fire Safety Guide and Fire Testing Standards.

Product vs System
The approval distinction

Product approval is not always facade system approval

A major ACP approval mistake is treating a panel certificate as approval for the complete facade. Product approval evaluates the ACP product. System approval evaluates the complete wall assembly with ACP, insulation, cavity, membrane, subframe, fire barriers, backing wall, openings and installation details.

Approval typeWhat it coversWhat it does not automatically cover
Product approvalACP sheet or product classification.Every facade assembly, insulation type or cavity detail.
System test approvalSpecific tested wall assembly.Different panels, membranes, cavities, subframes or insulation unless permitted.
Authority product listingAccepted product under defined conditions.Incorrect installation or unapproved system changes.
Consultant submittal approvalProject-specific document acceptance.Future projects or different building conditions.

For assembly context, read What Is a Facade System? and NFPA 285 Explained.

Authority Approval
AHJ and civil defence acceptance

Authority Having Jurisdiction and ACP approval

The Authority Having Jurisdiction, often called AHJ, is the authority responsible for accepting compliance in a specific location. Depending on the country, this may include civil defence, building control, municipality, fire department, code official, certification body, or another regulatory authority.

Authority approval may require product documents, system fire reports, facade drawings, installation details, fire consultant review, inspection records, and undertakings from responsible project stakeholders.

AHJ approval may depend on
  • Country, state, city or emirate
  • Building height and occupancy
  • New building or existing building
  • External wall construction type
  • ACP core type and classification
  • Facade system test evidence
  • Fire consultant and facade consultant review
  • Installation inspection and compliance records
Submittal Package
For consultants and contractors

ACP project submittal approval package

For a serious facade project, the ACP approval package should be submitted as a complete technical file. Submitting only a catalogue, colour sample or old certificate is not enough.

Recommended ACP submittal package
  • Cover sheet identifying project, product, manufacturer and supplier
  • Technical data sheet
  • Core type and fire classification documents
  • Full facade system test evidence where required
  • Coating specification and colour sample reference
  • Panel thickness and aluminium skin thickness confirmation
  • Warranty draft and maintenance conditions
  • Installation and fabrication guide
  • Shop drawings and facade system details
  • Subframe, bracket, anchor and fixing information
  • Cavity barrier and fire-stopping layout
  • Sealant and adhesive compatibility documents
  • Batch traceability and delivery inspection plan

For buying control, read ACP Procurement Guide.

Verification
How to review approvals properly

How to verify ACP approvals

Approval documents should be checked carefully before material is ordered. A document may look official but still be irrelevant if it does not match the actual product, grade, core type, thickness, coating or assembly proposed for the project.

Approval verification checklist
  • Does the report show the exact product name?
  • Does it identify the manufacturer clearly?
  • Does the thickness match the proposed ACP?
  • Does the aluminium skin thickness match?
  • Does the core type match the submittal?
  • Does the coating or surface finish match?
  • Is the test standard relevant to the project?
  • Is the laboratory accredited for that test?
  • Is the report still accepted by the local authority?
  • Does the field of application cover the proposed system?
  • Are there limitations, exclusions or conditions?
Common Mistakes
Approval misunderstandings

Common mistakes in ACP approvals

Mistake 1

Approving by brochure

A brochure claim is not a test report, certification, authority approval or project acceptance.

Mistake 2

Using unmatched reports

Reports must match the exact product, core, thickness, coating and assembly.

Mistake 3

Ignoring system scope

Panel classification does not automatically approve every facade system.

Mistake 4

No installation evidence

Approval can fail if site installation does not match tested or accepted details.

Public Clarity
Safety-first approval culture

ACPIA.org and responsible approval awareness

Aluminium Composite Panel International Association, the ACPIA is a Europe-based non-profit association dedicated to public clarity around Aluminium Composite Panel and safe, sustainable cladding systems.

ACPIA promotes awareness of core technology evolution, testing standards, independent sampling by accredited third-party certification bodies, installation inspection, and responsible undertakings by all stakeholders within the facade value chain to the relevant Authorities Having Jurisdiction before any system is used on public buildings.

FAQ
Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

What are ACP approvals?

ACP approvals are the documents, test reports, certificates, product listings, authority acceptances and project submittals used to show that an aluminium composite panel is suitable for a specific application.

Is a fire test report the same as ACP approval?

Not always. A fire test report is important evidence, but approval may also require authority acceptance, system matching, installation details, and project-specific review.

Can one ACP approval be used for every project?

No. ACP approvals depend on local code, building type, height, occupancy, product grade, facade system, and authority requirements.

What is the difference between product approval and system approval?

Product approval relates to the ACP sheet or material. System approval relates to the complete facade assembly including ACP, insulation, cavity, subframe, barriers, and installation details.

What documents are needed for fire-rated ACP approval?

Common documents include core type declaration, fire classification report, combustibility data where required, smoke and droplet classification, full system fire test report where required, tested assembly drawings, and authority acceptance.

Who approves ACP for a project?

ACP approval may involve the Authority Having Jurisdiction, civil defence, building control, fire consultant, facade consultant, architect, client, and main contractor depending on the project.

Does A2 or A1 ACP automatically get approved?

No. A2 or A1-direction ACP still requires valid reports, exact product matching, local authority acceptance, and facade system review where required.

Can installation affect ACP approval?

Yes. If installation does not match approved or tested details, the project may not comply even if the ACP product itself has valid documents.

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