The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has discovered a wall cladding system consisting of Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding which passes fire safety tests.

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in June, the organisation has been testing various ACM cladding systems to see if they're compliant with current Building Regulations when installed and maintained properly.

The successful test consisted of ACM cladding with a fire resistant polyethylene filler (category 2 in screening tests) and stone wool insulation (a form of mineral wool).

-- Advertisement --

There are 13 buildings over 18 metres tall known to have this combination of materials.

In a statement, the Government said: "However the Expert Panel note 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.

"Therefore the clear advice from the Expert Panel is that 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 test results published today (11 August 2017) will help inform this work but they must also take into account the specific circumstances of their building."

(LM/MH)