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

Digital Support Analyst - Field Engineer, North Essex

Essex County Council
£29647.00 - £34878.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Digital Support Analyst - Field Engineer, North EssexPermanent, Full Time£29,647 to £34,878 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Tree and Woodland Management Officer

Essex County Council
£33490 - £39399 per annum
Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity up to 30/04/2029. This is a unique opportunity to manage Ess England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Professional Development Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 11 - £40,777 - £45,091
Adult Care Quality Assurance and Development Team   Professional Development Officer (Social Work)   As the largest local authority in the North-East Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Project Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 10 £38,220 - £41,771 p.a.
An exciting Project Support Officer – SEND opportunity has arisen within our Home to School Transport team. The role is a maternity cover until appro Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Debtors and Collection Officers

Durham County Council
£26,403 - 28,598 p.a. pro rata (Grade 5)
This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and ever-changing revenues environment. You’ll have the chance to develop your skills, gain valuable Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner