FAQ

What means the term ‘fibrecement’?

Fibrecement is a composite building material, made of a mixture of cement, fillers, organic reinforcement fibres and water. This mixture is shaped to thin sheets and cured and dried  subsequently. There are different raw material compositions and curing technologies in use for production of fibrecement building boards. FASSCO panels are traditional cement boards, reinforced by high performance textile fibres, densified and cured in natural atmospheric environment. Other technologies use cellulose fibres for reinforcement, but need to transform cement to calcium silicate minerals by high temperature treatment in a pressure vessel (autoclave reaction). 

What is the difference between FASSCO panels and common fibrecement products?

FASSCO panels are made of durable, high density fibrecement boards that are resistant to water and to influences of atmospheric weathering in general. Common fibrecement building boards (MD boards) are of lower density and much higher porosity. Absorption of water and influences of weathering lead to reduction of mechanical strength and excludes their use as panel in ventilated facade systems.  

What is the difference between FASSCO panels and common fibrecement products?

FASSCO panels are made of durable, high density fibrecement boards that are resistant to water and to influences of atmospheric weathering in general. Common fibrecement building boards (MD boards) are of lower density and much higher porosity. Absorption of water and influences of weathering lead to reduction of mechanical strength and excludes their use as panel in ventilated facade systems.  

How durable is a ventilated facade with FASSCO panels?

The individual performance of all elements of a ventilated facade defines its ultimate service life. Provided high durability of all parts of the sub-structure and proper installation, FASSCO panels have an estimated service life of minimum 50 years in average climatic conditions of South-East Asia. This estimation is based upon real time ageing experience and accelerated durability testing according to the European Standard EN 12467.

Are the colours of FASSCO panels weather resistant?

The coating system on FASSCO panels consists of several layers of polymer resins with high resistance against water and sunlight radiation (UV radiation). All plain or printed colours and optical effects are obtained by entirely UV resistant, mineral pigments and additives that are imbedded in these resins. FASCCO uses exclusively mineral (inorganic) pigments, that makes colours on FASSCO panels weather resistant and durable.

Do FASSCO panels contribute to fire safety of a ventilated facade?

FASSCO fibrecement panels are made of incombustible cement and a small amount of organic reinforcement fibres. FASSCO panels resist to high temperatures without burning, desintegration, delaminating or melting. They are classified  „non-combustible“ according the European Standard EN 13501-1. This allows to design a facade without fire barriers on each floor and draw full benefit of the chimney effect of the ventilated facade.

Can FASSCO panels be installed with standard technology for ventilated facades?

FASSCO panels can be fixed to standard sub-structures of aluminium or galvanized steel elements. There is a choice between standard mechanical fixing by rivets and non-visible, concealed fixing by adhesive or by a mechanical anchor system. The exact fixing parameters will be provided by FASSCO.

 Are the colours of FASSCO panels weather resistant?

The coating system on FASSCO panels consists of several layers of polymer resins with high resistance against water and sunlight radiation (UV radiation). All plain or printed colours and optical effects are obtained by entirely UV resistant, mineral pigments and additives that are imbedded in these resins. FASCCO uses exclusively mineral (inorganic) pigments, that makes colours on FASSCO panels weather resistant and durable.

Can FASSCO panels be used in interior wet areas?

Yes, they can. FASSCO high density fibrecement panels are intrinsically water resistant. All surface treatments and coatings on FASSCO panels are equally water resistant. The panels are therefore fit for installations in wet areas. The panels are coated on six sides. However, in order to avoid accidental excessive water absorption through cut edges, it is recommended to close joints between panels by a standard silicone based joint filler. For this, we recommend our Interiore by FASSCO brand.