Grenfell: Panels don’t meet Regs in third set of tests

The ‘large-scale’ tests completed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) were originally undertaken to enable experts to understand better how various types of cladding panels behaved with different types of insulation in a fire event.

The third series of tests 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 PIR foam insulation.

Thirteen buildings

There are now up to 13 buildings over 18m tall in England known to have a combination of ACM with a fire retardant polyethylene filler with PIR foam insulation.

Cladding samples from these buildings had already failed earlier combustibility tests conducted by the BRE and their owners were sent government advice detailing the immediate interim safety measures that needed to be completed.

The results provide building owners with further evidence about fire risks. Government has now provided these building owners with additional detailed advice setting out actions they need to take to ensure the safety of residents.

The government is working closely with the building owners to ensure this advice is being followed.

New test

A new test has also been commissioned by the government to further build evidence available and enable building owners to make informed safety decisions.

This will see testing ACM with fire retardant polyethylene filler (category 2 in screening tests) with phenolic foam insulation. Results of all remaining tests will be published when available.

The government announced the independent review of Building Regulations and fire safety on 28 July 2017.

The review examines 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.