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A wall cladding system consisting of aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding with a limited combustibility filler and PIR foam insulation has become the second type to pass fire safety tests.
The latest wall cladding combination is the fifth to be tested as part of the government’s series of large-scale fire safety tests following the Grenfell fire and has been found to meet current Building Regulations guidance.
While the government has not been informed of any tall buildings over 18 metres in England using this particular combination of materials in their wall system, it could offer a possible solution for some buildings with other cladding systems which have been identified as a fire hazard through previous large-scale tests, says the DCLG.
The fourth large-scale fire tests carried out by the BRE in the wake of the Grenfell disaster found a combination of aluminium composite material (ACM) panel and insulation that passes the Building Regulations.
This fourth test was of a wall system consisting of ACM cladding with a fire-resistant polyethylene filler (category 2 in screening tests) and stone wool insulation (a form of mineral wool).
A total of 13 buildings above 18 metres tall in England are known to have this combination of ACM.
However, the government’s Expert Panel noted that cladding and insulation materials can vary between manufacturers and can have different calorific values.
The way materials have been fitted and maintained can also affect the safety of the cladding system and it advises building owners need to continue to take professional advice as to whether any remedial work is necessary to ensure the safety of their building.
The positive results come after three different ACM panel/insulation combinations failed – totalling around 200 towers.
Meanwhile, the first refurbishment work of tower blocks to get the go-ahead since the Grenfell fire tragedy has been given the go-ahead.
Housing specialist Lovell has been selected by Sandwell Council to carry out a £9.7m revamp of three blocks of flats at the Lion Farm Estate, Oldbury, in the West Midlands.
