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

Customer Payment Solutions Lead (Business Support) - EFDC

Essex County Council
Up to £15.0000 per hour
Customer Payment Solutions Lead (Business Support) - Epping Forest District Council 30 Hours per Week Part-Time, Temporary Up to 11 Month Contract£15 England, Essex
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Targeted Youth Advisor

Essex County Council
£28514.00 - £33545.00 per annum
Targeted Youth AdvisorPermanent, Full Time£28,514 to £33,545 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Part Time Business Operations Assistant - ACL

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Business Operations Assistant - ACLPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Multi Therapy Assistant

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£35,391 - £42,888 per annum
Multi Therapy Assistant£35,391 - �... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Part Time Business Operations Assistant - ACL

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Business Operations Assistant - ACLPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner