Cladding Fire Risk Assessments: A Guide for Building Safety
Cladding Fire Risk Assessments: A Guide for Building Safety
The Grenfell Tower disaster highlighted the fire safety risks associated with cladding. Since then, the UK has made fire safety rules stricter, making cladding fire risk assessments essential for building safety and legal compliance. In high-rise buildings, where fire spreads more easily, a detailed check of the external cladding can stop disasters and save lives and property.
Cladding fire risk assessments are now required by law for buildings over 18 metres and must follow strict regulations. This guide explains why these checks are important, lists the fire risks from cladding materials, and gives advice on reducing fire hazards in high-rise buildings. By learning the process and using professional services, building owners and managers can lower risks and meet UK fire safety rules.
What is Cladding on a Building?
Cladding is an outer layer added to buildings for insulation, protection from harsh weather conditions, and to improve how they look. There are many different types, from composite cladding panels to fibre cement, wood, or metal. The type of cladding used is important for fire safety.
Some materials, like aluminium composite materials (ACM) with a polyethene core, can catch fire easily and have been linked to serious fires, like the one at Grenfell Tower. These materials let fire spread quickly. Safer options, like mineral wool or metal cladding, do not burn as easily and help stop fire from spreading.
Understanding how cladding affects fire safety is important. Using fire-resistant cladding in new buildings or during renovations makes a big difference. Replacing old cladding with fire-safe materials is also a good way to reduce fire risks, especially in high-rise buildings.
Cladding Fire Risk in High-Rise Buildings
For High-rise buildings or a block of flats (over 18 metres) there is a higher fire risk because of their height, the challenge of evacuating people, and the danger of fire spreading on the outside walls. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry found that the flammable ACM cladding helped the fire spread, which sadly caused the deaths of 72 people. This tragedy showed the need for stronger rules and regular fire safety checks.
The Phase 2 Grenfell Report found major failures in the rules for cladding materials, especially those that burn easily. Despite warnings, ACM cladding with flammable polyethylene cores was used on Grenfell Tower, leading to disaster. The report found that many other high-rise buildings in the UK also had dangerous cladding, without enough attention to fire safety.
Now, a full fire risk assessment for high-rise buildings is essential, especially on their outside walls. Buildings with flammable cladding are at higher risk and might not be insured or mortgaged unless repairs are made. The Building Safety Act 2022 and updated Fire Safety Order put a legal duty on building owners to manage and reduce fire risks, especially those linked to cladding.
Importance of Fire-Resistant Cladding
Choosing the right cladding can save lives in a fire. Fire-resistant or fire-rated cladding reduces the risk of fire spreading and helps protect the building. Good choices for fire protection include fibre cement, metal panels, and mineral wool cladding. These materials can handle high heat without making the fire worse.
Fire-resistant cladding creates a barrier that gives people more time to escape and helps firefighters control the fire. For property managers, using these materials improves fire safety and meets Building Regulations. Some cladding is environmentally friendly, making it a better choice for the long term.
It’s also important to install cladding correctly. Even fire-resistant materials can fail if not fitted properly. Gaps, bad fitting, or misuse of fire-stopping products can cause problems. PAS 9980:2022 explains how to make sure cladding installation meets fire safety standards.
If old, combustible cladding is still in place, replacing it with fire-resistant materials should be a top priority, and fire tests should be performed on all cladding materials. This lowers the risk of fire and helps meet UK fire safety laws.
Fire Risk Assessment for External Wall Cladding
A thorough fire risk appraisal of external wall systems can help identify weak points in cladding and prevent fire spread. A cladding fire risk assessment checks the materials, construction, and condition of a building’s outer walls to find fire risks. This is especially important for high-rise buildings where fire can spread quickly. The PAS 9980:2022 standard gives clear instructions on how to do these checks to identify and reduce fire risks.
During the assessment, experts look at the materials used in the cladding system to see if they are flammable or fire-resistant. They also check how the cladding was installed and whether there are gaps, weak points, or missing fire barriers that could let a fire spread. The assessment also considers the building's height, how close it is to other buildings, and whether vulnerable residents might need more time to escape, such as the elderly or disabled.
RiskSTOP offers expert advice on the dangers of flammable cladding and external wall systems. Our consultants give useful tips on reducing fire risks, helping clients manage fire safety. We also give general advice to insurers and brokers, recommending steps like removing combustible material or adding fire-resistant barriers.
For formal fire risk assessments, as required by the Fire Safety Order, it is essential to use companies with sufficient qualifications and experience to ensure full compliance with UK laws.
Strategies to Reduce Fire Risk in Building Cladding
Fire prevention means finding and fixing weaknesses in a building’s cladding. After a fire risk assessment, there are several ways to reduce fire risks:
Replace flammable materials: If the cladding or insulation is flammable, replace it with fire-resistant materials.
Add fire-resistant barriers: These barriers slow or stop the spread of fire between areas, making the building much safer.
Use fire-stopping products: These products block fire from moving through gaps, like those around windows, doors, or vents.
Inspect often: Regularly check the walls and cladding to find and fix problems early.
Taking these steps reduces the risk of cladding fires. The Grenfell Inquiry found that failing to manage fire risks, including poor fire-stopping, made the fire spread faster. By fixing these risks, building owners can protect their properties and follow fire safety laws.
Building Cladding: Legal Duties and Compliance Requirements
Fire safety is now a legal responsibility for building owners and managers due to the Building Safety Act 2022. The Act and the updated Fire Safety Order require fire risk assessments and actions for high-risk buildings, including those with cladding systems.
PAS 9980:2022 provides clear guidance on how to assess fire risks in external walls, helping building owners follow the law. Not following these rules can lead to fines and make properties uninsurable or unmortgageable.
At RiskSTOP, we help clients understand fire risks related to cladding and what they need to do to comply with the regulations.
Although we specialise in risk management advice, we recommend working with approved companies to carry out formal fire risk assessments. This ensures full compliance with standards like PAS 9980:2022 and protects people and properties from fire risks.
Conclusion
Cladding fire risk assessments are crucial, especially with the recent changes in fire safety. The type of cladding on buildings has a big impact on the fire risk and should be carefully considered during construction or renovations. Regular assessments and fire-resistant materials will reduce fire risk in high-rise buildings. By complying with regulations such as PAS 9980:2022 and the Building Safety Act 2022, you can protect your residents and your assets.
Need some advice on cladding fire risk management? For more information, get in touch with RiskSTOP.
Find out more at riskstop.co.uk.