We reported in the last edition of the ARCH Bulletin on the
outcome of the large- scale fire tests and the results of the first
5 tests on various combinations of cladding systems.
The results of the two remaining large scale tests have now been
published:
Test No 6 and the last in the series of
tests to be published was of a wall cladding system consisting of
Aluminium Composite material (ACM) cladding with a limited
combustibility filler (category 1 in screening tests) with stone
wool insulation was published on 25 August 2017 and has passed and
meets current Building Regulations guidance. The government's
expert panel advises that the results show that this combination of
materials can be compliant when installed and maintained properly.
While 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.
The series of large-scale tests initially included 6
combinations of cladding systems but 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. The results of this seventh additional test of this type of wall
cladding system were published on 21 August 2017 and 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. The government say that
appropriate measures have been put in place for all 22 of these
buildings.
The results of all 7 large-scale tests are now available on the
government website and the government has said
it will shortly publish consolidated advice to landlords based on
all 7 tests.