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

Managing Director

Cheshire West Recycling
Circa £115,000 (subject to negotiation) plus benefits
Cheshire West Recycling is a wholly owned company of Cheshire West and Chester Council, operating with a clear social and environmental purpose. Chester, Cheshire
Recuriter: Cheshire West Recycling

Head of Adoption Fostering Kinship

Essex County Council
Up to £0.0000 per annum
Head of Adoption Fostering KinshipPermanent, Full Time£73,883 to £86,921 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Repairs & Maintenance Officer

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E, SCP 18 - 25 (£31,537 - £36,363) per annum
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council’s Urban Design & Building Services team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Tenant Engagement Officer

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band F, SCP 26-31 (£37,280- £41,771 per annum)
Sandwell Council has established and continues to develop tenant engagement and the opportunities to shape Housing Services Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

General Assistant - Meals on Wheels

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band A, SCP 2 (£24,413) per annum, Pro Rata
Responsible for assisting in the preparation and serving of quality meals in hygienic conditions. Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner