The test saw 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 panel advised that the results showed the combination of materials did not meet regulations.
It is 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 aims to allow experts to better understand how different types of cladding panels behave with different types of insulation in a fire.
The series of large-scale tests initially included 6 combinations of cladding systems.
Initial screening tests had 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.
The government also provided building owners with additional detailed advice setting out actions to ensure the safety of residents. It is working with owners to ensure advice is followed through.
The government also said that the results of the final large-scale test – an 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.
Tests follow the independent review of regulations and fire safety announced last month, led my ex-HSE chair Dame Judith Hackitt.
The review aims to examine the regulator system around the design, construction and management of buildings in relation to fire safety – and compliance and enforcement issues.
