Newport cladding tests reveal further safety failings

Wales
Newport
Thursday 3 August 2017 at 1:26pm

Cladding tests on three tower blocks in Newport, carried out following the Grenfell Tower disaster, have revealed further concerns over the safety of the buildings.

The combination of materials used on the three 11-storey tower blocks, in Milton Court, Hillview and Greenwood, was found to be similar to a system that failed a second round of fire safety tests last weekend.

Newport City Homes, which manages the buildings, said it was 'disappointed' by the results.

Our focus is on making sure that residents are safe and feel reassured. Our board have already approved the installation of sprinklers and we are working with contractors to complete this work as quickly as possible. At each of our tower blocks we’re introducing fire wardens who will carry out frequent inspections of the building, throughout the day and night. They will make sure that escape routes are clear and monitor the safety of the building. We are also working with independent experts on a programme of work to remove and replace the cladding. This may take some time but it’s important we do this the right way. This will make sure that any replacement cladding meets or exceeds fire safety standards. The tower blocks have a number of fire safety measures already in place including: smoke/fire alarms; fire doors; fire breaks between every floor and vertically; fire retardant paint; two stairways that act as evacuation routes; and emergency lighting.

The second round of large-scale tests related to category 3 aluminium composite material (ACM) with mineralwool insulation - similar to that used on the three Newport tower blocks.

Safety experts found it did not adequately resist the spread of fire over the wall to the standard required by the current Building Regulations guidance.