Plans to Extend Combustible Cladding Ban

THE BAN ON COMBUSTIBLE CLADDING on buildings over 18m could be extended to cover buildings of four storeys following a review announced by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick.

The plan was revealed as part of a number of measures to speed up improvements in building safety standards, which also include a plan to name the owners of buildings which have not taken action over combustible cladding from next month

The Cube in Bolton, which caught fire on 15 November 2019, is just below 18m with some suggesting the limit should be brought down to 11m.

Currently, combustible cladding, as it is referred to by the government, is banned on residential buildings over 18m high. More precisely, the ban covers plastics, wood and products that include combustible materials such as aluminium composite panels in external insulation cladding systems.

The review announced by the Housing Secretary will also look at whether hotels and hostels should also be covered by the ban.

Robert Jenrick MP

Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, said: “The government is committed to bringing about the biggest change in building safety for a generation.

“Progress on improving building safety needs to move significantly faster to ensure people are safe in their homes and building owners are held to account.

“That’s why today I’m announcing a major package of reforms, including establishing the Building Safety Regulator within the Health and Safety Executive to oversee the new regime and publishing consolidated guidance for building owners.

“Unless swift progress is seen in the coming weeks, I will publicly name building owners where action to remediate unsafe ACM cladding has not started. There can be no more excuses for delay, I’m demanding immediate action.”

New Regulator

Other measures announced include a new building safety regulator to be established within the Health and Safety Executive, advice on building safety for multi-storey and multi-occupied buildings, and a fire safety bill.

It also includes the appointment of a construction expert to review remediation timescales and identify what can be done to improve pace in the private sector, with the government also considering offering support the building owners in the form of options to mitigate costs or alternative financing routes.

Chair of the Health and Safety Executive, Martin Temple, said: “We are proud the government has asked HSE to establish the new Building Safety Regulator.

“HSE’s vast experience of working in partnership with industry and others to improve lives will ensure people are confident the creation of the new regulator is in good hands.”

More information on the review of the ban can be found here.

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