Hiba Mahamadi 03 August 2017

90 council-owned buildings fail new fire safety test

Nearly 100 buildings owned or managed by councils and housing associations have failed the latest fire safety tests conducted in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.

The independent expert panel on safety put together by the Department for Communities and Local Government recommended in July that a new test should be conducted on high-rise buildings.

Previously, the Government-commissioned Building Research Establishment (BRE) only tested the safety of cladding on buildings.

Now a 'system' test has been conducted to determine whether the cladding, filling and insulation as a whole is safe.

The test results showed that 90 buildings owned or managed by councils and housing associations do not meet the current building regulation guidance.

A total of 111 buildings have now failed to meet the guidance.

Chair of the Local Government Association's (LGA) safer and stronger communities board, Simon Blackburn, said: 'The 16 councils which own high-rise blocks with different combinations of ACM cladding and insulation have already taken steps and put in measures to reassure residents about safety.

'Councils will continue to get on with what they need to do to ensure people are safe in their homes. This includes replacing materials on high-rise blocks affected by these fire safety tests.'

Cllr Blackburn stressed that the cost of any remedial work done by councils must be met by the Government, adding that the Grenfell Tower fire had highlighted a 'systematic failure' of the current regulations.

Repeating the LGA's previous call for the BRE to release the results of fire safety tests, Cllr Blackburn said: 'Everything must be out in the open and this needs to happen as soon as possible.'

Last week, the Government announced an independent review of building regulations and fire safety.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Pupil and Young Person Supervisor

North East Lincolnshire Council
NJC 3 £25,614 FTE
We are seeking to appoint a Pupil and Young Person Supervisor North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Bricklayer

Mansfield District Council
£29,786
We are looking for a suitably qualified tradesperson who must be competent Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

Revenues and Benefits Apprentice

Mansfield District Council
National Minimum Wage rate
The Council’s Revenue and Benefits team are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and hardworking person to join us as an apprentice. Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

User-Centred Design Apprentice (Service Designer Level 6)

Essex County Council
£28003.0000 - £32944.0000 per annum + + local Gov benefits
User-Centred Design Apprentice (Service Designer Level 6 Apprenticeship)Fixed Term, Full Time£28,003 - £32,944 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Sheltered Housing Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£34359 - £35359 per annum
Support residents to live independently in safe, welcoming homes - making every day easier, safer and more connected.Support residents to live indepen England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner