The Fire Risk of Aluminium Painting Panels for Art

Yesterday I said I'd follow up on the use of an aluminium panel by the winner of Episode 4 of Portrait Atist of the Year 2025 (see yesterday's blog post Review: Episode 4 of Portrait Artist of the Year 2025 (Series 12)

I think I'm going to need a LOT more time on this topic....

My next post will follow after a lot of time has been spent researching products, querying suppliers and getting answers to questions. I may do a survey....

FIRE RISK of aluminium panels

There was one VERY BIG and very significant issue which arose when I started querying "aluminium panels".

This post relates to the FIRE RISK issues for aluminium PANELS - and is by way of being a warning to be VERY, VERY CAREFUL if you want to try painting on aluminium.

The fire risk of artist aluminum panels depends entirely on the panel's composition: 

• bare or anodized/painted aluminum is non-combustible (Class A1), 

• but composite panels (ACP) with a flammable plastic core, such as polyethylene (PE), pose a significant fire hazard. 

• The main danger comes from the core material, which can burn rapidly once exposed to fire, releasing a large amount of heat, while the aluminum sheets themselves have a high melting point and do not contribute to the fire. Google AI

Bottom line:

• sheets are safe
• panels are not - if they are sandwiched using a polyethylene core

Various images of aluminium supports for artists

- as seen on Google Images in response to the query

"aluminum composite panels aluminium panels for artists"

I'm raising this concern, because

• the art materials industry appears to be happy to call them "panels"
• in complete ignorance of the horrendous reputation of aluminium composite material panels which caused the Grenfell Fire.

I think they'd be more correct to call them "sheets" - but I'm not actually sure what they are supplying - because of the total lack of technical specification sheets. I also find this worrying given the manufacturers' generally tarnished reputation for being open and transparent about risks - and the inaccuracy of the tech spec sheets they provided.

In principle, Aluminium SHEETS are a uniquely fireproof material - they are solid and non-combustible as pure aluminium.

• it has a natural oxide layer that prevents the metal reacting with oxygen and causing ignition. 
• it is non-flammable: solid aluminium does not catch fire. Solid aluminum itself is non-combustible and is in the highest fire-safety class (A1 or A2). 
• It melts at a high temperature (660°C) and deform
• but it will not combust and does not contribute fuel to a fire.

However, Aluminium PANELS were one of the main reasons why the fire accelerated up Grenfell Tower and killed so many people. 

• These panels were aluminium front and back but sealed with a Polyethylene Core - and it was this core which was inflammable. 
• thin aluminium deforms quickly when exposed to flames/heat - exposing the inflammable core to flame
• These composite panels were used in the refurbishment of the exterior of Grenfell Tower - and were one of the primary causes of the way the fire accelerated up the building at great speed. 
• The polyethelene core burns very fast at high temperatures. ( as in the Building Reseach Establishment had to abandon a fire test on composite panels at the fire safety centre after starting the test - because the fire was totally out of control! See one of the reports where the material completely failed the test)

Such panels can be as thin as 3mm. This is one manufacturer's description.

Aluminium composite panels (also known as Alupanel or Dibond sheets) are a high-quality, lightweight sheet material made of a polyethene core sandwiched between two aluminium skins. Available in a thickness of 3mm and a range of colours and finishes, this rigid product is suitable for both outdoor and indoor applications.

It is possible to make an aluminium composite panel with non-flammable material - but to be sure it is safe this needs a fire certificate issued by a reputable third party.

The problem is that the Manufacturers also refer to the ACPs as "SHEETS" when they are actually panels i.e. marketing is what they use to sell their products! Panels are now the recognised problem so it's "better for the bottom line" to call them sheets.

Obviously there are some crucially important distinctions which need making between literal "Aluminium Sheets" and "Aluminium Panels" and "Aluminium Panels which might be called Sheets"

Artists need to beware that:

• they are only buying from reputable art suppliers 
• who in turn are only buying from reputable manufacturers.
• they MUST NOT use aluminium building panels or any panel with a polyethelene core

The risk issue is not helped by the fact art suppliers are apt to refer to them as PANELS whereas they appear to be SHEETS. 

The other concern I have is there's not much transparency as to which company makes the aluminium sheets. Just as the manufacturers of the aluminium panels on Grenfell were completely opaque to the point of downright lies re the fire risks associated with the panels. The issue here being are the manufacturers actually reputable and trustworthy? 

As in really?

Preliminary conclusion

Make your art on aluminium which comprises two thin aluminum sheets with a polyethylene core and should there be a fire, you may see all your art go up in flames very fast - plus the room / building holding them

Artists wishing to use "aluminium panels" have to 

• be aware of the consequences for anywhere these are stored should a fire occur
• decide whether you are prepared to accept the fire risk associated with composite panels - and all associated and necessary precautions. 

CONCLUSION: I'd like to see 

• complete TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION sheets for all aluminium sheets and panel products
• supplied and visible on the websheets of ALL suppliers of "aluminium panels" for artists.

I've had artists tell me it is a wonderful surface to paint on - but artists also need to be 100% confident that it is also a safe surface to use and store.

READING

• How the products used in Grenfell Tower’s cladding system were tested and sold | Inside Housing
• Grenfell Tower inquiry: 9 things we now know about the cladding | BBC News

(NOTE: I should explain that on night of June 14-15 2017, I watched Grenfell Tower burn all night due to switching to the news before going to bed - after a late night. I also used to live at the top of a tower block after graduation. I went on to become a regular listener to the Grenfell Tower Enquiry podcast during my daily walks and was absolutely appalled at what I heard about the disregard by aluminium manufacturers for people's safety )