Understanding what type of cladding is on your building is the essential first step in assessing fire safety risk. London's residential stock includes a wide range of cladding systems, from aluminium composite panels to rendered insulation systems. A facade investigation can confirm the materials present and inform the next steps.
ACM panels are among the most widely discussed cladding types following the Grenfell Tower fire. They consist of two thin aluminium sheets bonded to a core. Panels with a polyethylene (PE) core are highly combustible. FR (fire-retardant) and A2 (mineral) cores offer progressively better fire performance. ACM is commonly found on buildings constructed or refurbished between the mid-1990s and late 2010s, particularly on taller residential blocks.
HPL panels are made from layers of kraft paper and resin compressed under heat and pressure. They are lightweight, durable and available in a wide range of finishes. However, many HPL products are combustible and have been subject to remediation requirements where used on residential buildings above 18 metres. HPL can be difficult to distinguish from other panel types without close inspection or access to construction records.
External thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) involve insulation boards fixed to the external wall and covered with a render finish. The fire risk depends primarily on the insulation material: expanded polystyrene (EPS) is combustible, while mineral wool and phenolic foam offer better fire performance. Render systems are extremely common on London buildings, from post-war tower blocks to modern developments.
Brick slip systems use thin sections of brick or clay fixed to a carrier board or track system on the external wall. Terracotta rainscreen cladding uses hollow clay blocks in a ventilated rainscreen configuration. While the facing materials themselves are non-combustible, the fire risk relates to the insulation, cavity barriers and overall wall configuration. A cladding remediation assessment considers the entire wall system, not just the visible face.
Visual inspection alone can be unreliable. A professional facade investigation reviews construction records, inspects the wall visually and, where necessary, carries out intrusive investigation to confirm the materials present.
No. The fire risk depends on the core material. PE cores are combustible, FR cores have reduced combustibility, and A2 mineral cores are considered low risk. A FRAEW assesses the risk in context.
ACM has two aluminium sheets bonded to a core. HPL is compressed layers of kraft paper and resin. Both can be combustible depending on composition. The fire behaviour differs and is assessed through testing and the FRAEW process.
It depends on the cladding system, configuration, building height and overall fire risk. A FRAEW under PAS 9980 determines whether remediation is required. Not all combustible cladding needs full removal.
Desktop and intrusive investigation of external wall systems to identify materials and assess condition.
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