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.

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Waste Collection Manager

Middlesbrough Council
£41,771 - £44,075
We have an exciting role on offer within our Environmental Services as a Waste Collection Manager. Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: Middlesbrough Council

Receptionist / Administrator

Middlesbrough Council
£26,403
Do you have excellent attention to detail and strong communication skills? Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: Middlesbrough Council

Car Parking Notice Processing Officer

Middlesbrough Council
£27,254 - £28,142
We have an exciting role on offer within our Resident and Business Support team as a Car Parking Notice Processing Officer. Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: Middlesbrough Council

Senior Supervisor

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 11 £39,865 - £43,270 per annum
Join our Highways Operations Service as a Senior Supervisor and play a key role in keeping our county moving. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Compliance and Works Coordination Manager

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 12 £44,433 - 47,925 per annum
This role is central to ensuring that all highway activities are delivered safely, efficiently, and in full compliance. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner