The independent Expert Advisory Panel has recommended further testing to be carried out as the next step in helping landlords ensure their buildings are safe.
Tests will establish how different types of Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) panels in combination with different types of insulation behave in a fire.
The results will help landlords make decisions on any further measures that may need to be put in place to make their buildings safe. Testing will be carried out by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and will not require any new samples from buildings.
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The further tests – which will look at three different types of ACM cladding combined with different types of insulation – will be in accordance with British Standard 8414 in line with the panel's advice.
This involves building a nine metres tall demonstration wall with a complete cladding system – including panels and insulation – fixed to it, and then subjecting it to a fire that replicates a severe fire in a flat breaking out of a window and whether it then spread up the outside wall.
The Government has now commissioned the BRE to undertake these tests as a matter of urgency, with results to be made publically available.
(LM)
