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Fourth cladding system fails test

The latest cladding system to be tested by the government has failed, with flames spreading to the top of the system in under half an hour.

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Fourth cladding system fails test

This system used aluminium composite material (ACM) with a fire retardant core. Of the three systems with fire retardant cores that have been tested, two have failed. Of the six total systems to have been tested so far, four have failed.

During this test, flaming debris fell steadily from the system as it burned, in a manner not reported after previous tests. A type of insulation – phenolic foam – was used that had not been part of systems previously tested.

Some of this foam was consumed by the fire after it burned through the ACM cladding and more of it was heavily charred. It was more significantly damaged than both other kinds of foam were after they were used in cladding systems with this type of ACM.


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The test was not initially scheduled by the government, but the expert panel advised earlier this month that a system of this kind ought to be included.

The government believes 22 tower blocks in England have a system combining ACM with phenolic foam, and it has provided the owners of these buildings with additional advice setting out the actions they should take to ensure the safety of their residents.

As more results come in, it has become possible to build up a more comprehensive picture of the different cladding systems.

Category 1 ACM (unmodified polyethylene core) burned quickly regardless of the material used on insulation behind it, failing both tests.

Category 2 ACM (fire retardant polyethylene core) burned more slowly but still spread fire to the top of the system when used with polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation or phenolic foam. When used with mineral wool insulation, however, it passed the government’s test.

Category 3 ACM (limited combustibility mineral filler) passed the tests, preventing fire from spreading to the top of the wall regardless of the insulation material.

The government has advised building owners to take professional advice on what to do with their cladding systems in light of the test results. Systems that have failed these tests should now be considered non-compliant with building regulations, where previously they might have been thought to be compliant.

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