In response to the horrific Grenfell Tower fire, help is now available to private owners, landlords and managers from the Department of Communities and Local Government in checking residential blocks.
While the exact reasons for the speed of the spread of fire have yet to be determined, DCLG have concluded that there are additional tests that can be undertaken to the cladding. They have asked local authorities and social housing providers to identify whether any panels used in new build or refurbishment of their own housing stock are a particular type of cladding made of Aluminium Composite Material (ACM). DCLG are now asking the managers / owners of private buildings to do the same.
DCLG has confirmed that the offer of testing is now open to private residential owners, managers and landlords in Scotland and Wales Click here to download a data form for those wishing to make use of the checks DCLG are offering.
It goes without saying that owners / landlords have robust fire assessments for their properties. It is likely that many of these assessments do not consider the type of cladding used in a building and the DCLG recommends that you look again at your assessments.
