Abstract: A prefabricated composite panel is disclosed of the type comprising a rigid sheet of cellular polymeric material, a covering layer on the outer face of the foam sheet made of a cementitious material and a plurality of rigid facing elements embedded in and to the outer face of the cementitious layer so as to define an outermost surface of the panel, the facing elements being attached to the outer face in a pattern similar to conventional brickwork. Support strips formed from a rigid material different from the cellular polymeric material engage the foam sheet, the cementitious layer and a plurality of the facing elements to provide support of the facing elements to resist downward sagging of the facing elements on the foam sheet, such sagging induced by heat, combustion or other environmental factors. The cementitious layer is a fire barrier, and can be supplemented with additional fire retardant elements. A method of manufacturing such building panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A prefabricated composite panel of the type comprising a supporting plywood board, a foamed sheet of polyurethane and a covering layer on the front face of the polyurethane comprising a plurality of brick slices with an aggregate in the spaces between the brick slices which is bonded into the front face of the foam is improved in its fire retardancy by providing a plurality of vertical support metal strips on the inside face of the brick slices at spaced positions across the width of the panel. Each metal strip includes a hanger element at the top which engages over a portion of the foam and a plurality of punched tabs each of which engages under a respective one of the brick slices. The support strips prevent sagging of the brick slices when heat is applied to the front face of the panel since that sagging can allow the heat to penetrate cracks in the covering aggregate.