Exterior Cladding & Facade Inspection

Per ETAG 034, the substrate must be structurally sound, clean, dry, and free from loose material before cladding installation. Surface flatness must meet the tolerances specified in EN 13914-1 for rendered substrates or EN 1992-1-1 for concrete surfaces. Adhesion pull-off strength must achieve a minimum of 0.08 MPa when tested to EN 1542. The substrate moisture content must be within the limits specified by the cladding system manufacturer.

1. Visually inspect the substrate for cracks, voids, spalling, and surface contamination per ETAG 034 requirements

2. Perform adhesion pull-off tests to EN 1542 at a frequency of one test per 100 m², confirming minimum 0.08 MPa bond strength

3. Measure substrate moisture content using a calibrated moisture meter, verifying values are within manufacturer-specified limits

4. Check surface flatness using a 1200 mm straight edge — deviations must not exceed tolerances in EN 13914-1 or the system ETA

5. Verify that all preparatory treatments (primers, levelling compounds) have been applied as specified in the system approval documentation

- Substrate moisture content too high, leading to adhesion failure or trapped moisture behind cladding

- Surface flatness outside tolerance, causing uneven cladding installation and visible defects

- Adhesion pull-off values below minimum due to laitance, dust, or friable substrate surface

- Missing or incorrectly applied primer coat where required by the cladding system approval

Per ETAG 034 and EN 13162 to EN 13171 (depending on insulation type), external wall insulation must achieve the declared thermal resistance and be installed without gaps or thermal bridges. Insulation boards must be bonded and mechanically fixed in accordance with the system ETA. The insulation material must have a fire classification per EN 13501-1 appropriate for the building height and use. Joints between insulation boards must be tight-butted with no adhesive in the joints.

1. Verify the insulation product matches the specification and carries the correct CE marking per EN 13162–13171

2. Check adhesive application pattern and coverage — minimum 40 % contact area for bonded systems per ETAG 034

3. Inspect mechanical fixings for correct type, quantity, and distribution pattern as specified in the system ETA

4. Use a thermal imaging camera to identify gaps, voids, or thermal bridges at insulation joints and around openings

5. Confirm insulation boards are laid in a staggered bond pattern with tight-butted joints and no gaps exceeding 2 mm

- Insufficient adhesive coverage leading to debonding under wind suction loads

- Gaps between insulation boards creating thermal bridges and condensation paths

- Incorrect or insufficient mechanical fixings, particularly in wind suction zones at corners and edges

- Insulation fire classification inadequate for the building height, failing EN 13501-1 requirements

Per EN 13830 for curtain walling and ETAG 034 for cladding kits, fixing systems must be designed to resist the characteristic wind loads calculated per EN 1991-1-4, including local pressure coefficients for corners and edges. Fixings must accommodate thermal movement without inducing stress in the cladding panels. Brackets and rails must be manufactured from materials compatible with the cladding and substrate to avoid galvanic corrosion per EN ISO 12944. All fixings must have verified pull-out resistance for the specific substrate type.

1. Verify fixing type and specification matches the structural engineer's design and system ETA requirements

2. Check fixing pull-out resistance by performing site pull-out tests on a representative sample at a frequency per ETAG 034

3. Confirm bracket spacing and rail centres correspond to the wind load zone layout calculated per EN 1991-1-4

4. Inspect thermal break pads between brackets and substrate where specified to minimise thermal bridging

5. Verify that all fixings allow for designed thermal movement tolerances without restraining the cladding panels

- Fixing pull-out values below design requirements due to substrate variability or incorrect anchor selection

- Bracket spacing not reduced in high wind suction zones at building corners and roof edges

- Dissimilar metals in contact causing galvanic corrosion, particularly aluminium brackets with stainless steel fixings

- Thermal movement provision insufficient, leading to panel buckling or cracking in extreme temperatures

Per ETAG 034 and EN 13119, ventilated rainscreen cladding systems must incorporate a continuous air cavity of minimum 20 mm clear width behind the cladding to allow drainage and drying. The cavity must be ventilated at the base and top with openings providing a minimum free area as specified in the system ETA. Cavity barriers must be installed at each floor level and around openings per national fire regulations implementing EN 13501-1. A breather membrane complying with EN 13859-2 must protect the insulation layer.

1. Measure the cavity width at multiple locations to confirm the minimum 20 mm clear dimension is maintained throughout

2. Verify ventilation openings at base and top are unobstructed and provide the minimum free ventilation area per the system ETA

3. Inspect the breather membrane installation for correct lapping (minimum 100 mm), taping at joints, and compliance with EN 13859-2

4. Confirm cavity barriers are installed at every floor level and at compartment boundaries as required by fire regulations

5. Check that drainage paths are clear at the base of the cavity and that weep holes or drained joints are unblocked

- Cavity width reduced below minimum by mortar droppings, displaced insulation, or misaligned brackets

- Ventilation openings blocked by insect mesh clogged with debris, reducing airflow and drying capacity

- Breather membrane incorrectly lapped or damaged during construction, allowing moisture to reach the insulation

- Cavity barriers missing or incorrectly installed, creating vertical fire spread paths between floors

Per EN 13501-1 and national regulations implementing the Construction Products Regulation (EU) 305/2011, external cladding systems must include fire barriers at each floor level and around openings to prevent fire spread within the cavity. Cavity barriers must achieve the fire resistance classification specified in the system approval. Materials within the cladding system must achieve the reaction to fire classification required for the building height — typically A2-s1,d0 for buildings above 18 m per EN 13501-1. Firestopping around penetrations must be installed per the tested configuration.

1. Verify that cavity barriers are installed at every floor level and at compartment wall junctions per national fire regulation requirements

2. Confirm cavity barrier products carry the correct fire resistance classification and CE marking per EN 13501-1

3. Check that fire barriers are compressed to fully close the cavity with no gaps exceeding 0.5 mm at any point

4. Inspect firestopping around all penetrations (pipes, cables, ventilation ducts) for compliance with the tested system configuration

5. Verify the cladding material reaction to fire classification is appropriate for the building height per EN 13501-1

- Cavity barriers omitted at floor levels or cut short around brackets, leaving gaps for fire and smoke passage

- Fire barrier compression insufficient, leaving gaps that compromise the fire resistance rating

- Cladding materials substituted during construction with products having a lower fire classification than specified

- Firestopping around penetrations not installed in accordance with the tested and approved configuration

Per EN 13830 and EN 15651 (sealants for non-structural use in joints in buildings), all joints in the cladding system must be designed to accommodate thermal and structural movement. Sealant selection must be compatible with the substrate materials and must achieve the appropriate movement class per EN 15651. Joint widths must be designed to accommodate the calculated movement range with a minimum 25 % movement capability in reserve. Sealant application must follow EN 13880 requirements for joint preparation, priming, and bead dimensions.

1. Verify sealant type and specification matches the project specification and carries CE marking per EN 15651

2. Check joint widths are consistent and within the design tolerance to accommodate specified thermal movement

3. Inspect sealant bead profile — depth-to-width ratio should be approximately 1:2, with backer rod correctly positioned

4. Confirm joint surfaces are clean, dry, and primed where required per the sealant manufacturer's instructions

5. Perform adhesion tests on sample joints by attempting to peel the sealant from the substrate to verify bond quality

- Sealant movement class insufficient for the actual joint movement, leading to cohesive or adhesive failure

- Joint surfaces not primed before sealant application, resulting in adhesion failure in service

- Incorrect sealant depth-to-width ratio causing premature cohesive failure under movement

- Three-sided adhesion where backer rod is missing, preventing the sealant from accommodating movement

Per EN 13830 and EN 12154 (curtain walling — watertightness), the completed cladding system must resist wind-driven rain penetration to the classification required for the building exposure. Flashings and drip details must be designed to shed water away from the building envelope per EN 14782 (self-supporting metal sheet for roofing and cladding). Window and door perimeter sealing must achieve watertightness per EN 12208. All interfaces between cladding and other building elements (roofs, soffits, window surrounds) must be detailed to prevent moisture ingress.

1. Inspect flashings at heads, sills, and jambs of all openings for correct installation, overlap direction, and end dam details

2. Verify drip edges project a minimum of 30 mm from the face of the cladding to prevent water tracking back under the panels

3. Check all interface details between cladding and adjacent building elements (roof junctions, ground level, balconies) for weathertight detailing

4. Perform a water spray test to EN 13051 at representative locations to verify resistance to wind-driven rain penetration

5. Inspect window and door perimeter sealing for continuity and correct integration with the cladding system's weather barrier

- Flashings incorrectly lapped or installed without end dams, allowing water to bypass the flashing

- Drip edges too short or bent against the cladding face, permitting water to track onto the substrate

- Interface details between cladding and roof or ground level poorly executed, creating moisture ingress paths

- Window perimeter sealant failing due to differential movement between the window frame and cladding system