Current testing methods are in need of “urgent review”, the Fire Protection Association (FPA) has warned, after the ABI found that real-life fires could burn at temperatures 100C higher than those reached in cladding safety tests.
Experiments also found that building fires could spread faster and persist longer than those created under lab conditions.
“The results of this important research confirm long-held concerns by many in the fire sector that the current cladding test standard requires urgent review to ensure that systems that pass are reflective of the systems that are installed and of the risks to which they are exposed,” said Jonathan O’Neill, managing director of the FPA.
Courtesy of ABI
“We urge BSI (British Standards Institution) to urgently reconvene the group responsible for this standard to consider the results of this research and to make changes to the standard as required.”
Investigators found that test fires are comprised solely of wood, even though the modern built environment contains huge amounts of plastic. Around 20% of the materials involved in modern blazes are believed to be plastic.
Also distorting test results, cladding materials are sometimes tested as a sealed unit, whereas they often include gaps and cover a more extensive area when fitted to buildings.
Finally, materials are tested in immaculate condition, whereas during installation they can be pierced by vents, ducts.
The research has been given to the Dame Judith Hackitt review into building regulations established in the wake of the Grenfell blaze.
Said Huw Evans, director general of the ABI: “Dame Judith Hackitt’s important work post-Grenfell has already recognised the building control system is broken.
“This latest research is yet more evidence that fundamental reform is needed to keep our homes and commercial premises safe from fire.
“It is a matter of urgency that we create the right testing regime that properly replicates real-world conditions and keeps pace with building innovation and modern design.”
A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: “We are committed to constantly improving safety standards.
“We work closely with the British Standards Institution and they stand ready to present these findings to their expert technical committee who will review this accordingly.”
Tests were recently carried out on a door in Grenfell Tower that was intact following the blaze because it was on a lower floor.
The fire door, which should have achieved a 30-minute fire rating, failed during testing in half the time.
Find out more about the tests from the ABI
A group representing all the local authorities in Scotland has called for a “holistic approach” to fire safety in domestic homes and flats.
In response to a consultation on a private member’s bill by MSP David Stewart, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) called for preventative work to encourage safe behaviour, fire and smoke alarm provision and all parties being prepared to “take the right actions at appropriate times”.
The response by COSLA’s policy manager, Nicola Dickie, also questioned whether proposals in the private member’s bill covering only new social housing or retrofitting high-rise blocks would “adequately address risks across Scotland”.
Read more on our sister site, SHP
German carmaker Audi is recalling more than a million of its vehicles over fire safety fires.
Electric coolant pumps in the cars have been found to be faulty, with the potential to overheat and start a fire.
The recall affects roughly 1.2 million Audi cars.
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