The latest in the government’s series of fire safety
tests of cladding and insulation combinations has been completed by
the Building Research Establishment (BRE).
These large scale tests will allow experts to better understand
how different types of cladding panels behave with different
types of insulation in a fire. The results of the first 5
tests have already been published.
This additional
test was of a wall cladding system consisting of
Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding with a fire
retardant polyethylene filler (category 2 in screening tests)
with phenolic foam insulation.
The government’s expert panel advises that the results show that
the combination of materials used in the test does not meet
current Building Regulations guidance.
Initial screening tests have identified 22 buildings over 18
metres tall in England known to have a combination
of ACM with a fire
retardant polyethylene filler with phenolic foam insulation.
Cladding samples from each of these buildings had already failed
earlier combustibility tests conducted by BRE and their
owners were sent government advice detailing the immediate
interim safety measures that needed to be completed. Appropriate
measures have been put in place for all 22 of these buildings.
Government has also provided these building owners with
additional detailed
advice setting out the actions they need to take to
ensure the safety of residents going forward. Government is
working closely with these building owners to ensure this advice
is being followed.
The series of large-scale tests initially included 6 combinations
of cladding systems. On 8 August 2017, the government announced
that on the advice of the expert panel it would undertake a
further large-scale test of ACM with fire
retardant polyethylene filler (category 2 in screening tests)
with phenolic foam insulation. This is to further build the
evidence available for experts and building owners so they can
make informed safety decisions.
Results of the final large-scale test (ACM with a limited
combustibility filler with mineral wool insulation) – and
consolidated advice to landlords based on all the 7 tests – will
be published shortly.
The government announced an independent
review of building regulations and fire safety on 28
July 2017. This forward looking review will examine the
regulatory system around the design, construction and on-going
management of buildings in relation to fire safety as well as
related compliance and enforcement issues.
