Fire Safety Update 29th August 2017 

Final large - Scale Cladding Test Result Issued 25^th August

This final test 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.

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.

Results of all 7 large-scale tests are available and government will shortly publish consolidated advice to landlords based on all the 7 tests.

Advice to Buildings Owners after these Tests

All the advice notes to building owners plus other relevant documents can be found on the government’s Building Safety Programme website.

Previous Results

First Large - Scale Cladding Test Result Issued July 29th

The first test was of a wall cladding system consisting of ACM with polyethylene filler (Category 3) and foam insulation, with fire breaks and cavity barriers in place.

The expert panel appointed by government to oversee the tests advised that the results show this combination does not meet current building regulation guidance. 

82 buildings are currently known to have this combination of materials in their wall cladding systems - 47 of which are local authority or housing association owned or managed

Second Large - Scale Test Result Issued 3^rd August

The test was of a wall cladding system consisting of Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding with a polyethylene filler (category 3) with stone wool insulation.

The government’s expert panel advises that the results show this combination does not meet current building regulation guidance.

111 buildings are currently known to have this combination of materials in their wall cladding systems – 90 of which are local authority or housing association owned or managed.

Third Large - Scale Test Result Issued 8^th August

The third 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 PIR 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.

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

Fourth Test Result Issued 13^th August

The fourth test (of 7 planned) was of a wall cladding system consisting of Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding with a fire- resistant polyethylene filler (category 2 in screening tests) and stone wool insulation (a form of mineral wool). This combination of materials has passed the test.

Fifth Large-Scale Cladding Test Result Issued 15th August

This fifth test was of a wall cladding system consisting of Aluminium Composite material (ACM) cladding with a limited combustibility filler (category 1 in screening tests) with PIR foam insulation. This combination of materials has passed the test.

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.

Sixth Large Scale Cladding Test Result Issued 24 August 2017

This 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.

This 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.