Cladding Testing

Our specialists have been heavily involved in cladding sample section removal from high rise and commercial buildings, whilst facilitating necessary formal laboratory testing processes in line with DCLG/BRE guidelines – following certain Aluminium Composite Materials (ACM) being identified as non-compliant with fire and building regulations in 2017.

The Process

1. Operatives remove two 250mm x 250mm sample sections of cladding, one from a low level, and one from a higher level to encapsulate the total cladding grading in place from one installation.
2. Panels are sent to the BRE (HS RoofClad’s fire testing partner company), to be tested in accordance with DCLG guidelines.
3. If the panels incorporate an ACM, they will be tested under BS EN ISO 1716:2010 to screen the core material within the panel and determine the potential of combustion in the event of a fire.
4. If the ACM is identified as combustible, it will then fall into one of the below categories:
5. ? Calorific potential < 3 MJ/kg
6. The result is in line with the requirements for a material of limited combustibility.
7. ? Calorific Potential > 3 MJ/kg and 35MJ/kg
8. The result does not achieve the requirements of the above but does have some limited flame-retardant properties.
9. ? Calorific potential > 35MJ/kg
10. The result does not achieve the requirements above and has no flame-retardant properties
11. A report is issued from the BRE to make building owners aware of the above.

The Next Step

If the initial inspection identifies the ACM as combustible, the next step is to submit a further sample section of the cladding system to be to tested BS EN 8414 – a considerably more intensive removal and testing process.

How will a BS EN 8414 test lead to Fire Safety Compliance under Building Regulations?

Under the guidance of ‘Approved Document B’ (England and Wales) and the ‘Technical Handbooks’ (Scotland), there are three routes to Fire Safety Compliance for Fa?ades on buildings with a habitable storey height of over 18 metres.

Specifically focussing on cladding that has failed initial inspections, these documents identify the collective combustibility of the exterior cladding. Following a further sample section removal of cladding, a large 9 metre rig is recreated to identify whether the building will require a complete re-clad to be compliant with Building Regulations.

Due to the large number of businesses across the UK investigating cladding compliance, there is currently a 12-month waiting list for BS EN 8414 cladding sample testing. Our specialists recommend getting in touch with HS RoofClad as soon as possible, as all testing enquiries are placed into a queue at the Building Research Establishment (BRE).

HS RoofClad are available to facilitate your cladding compliance requirements from start to finish, with direct contact through the BRE and expertise in cladding maintenance and refurbishment.

Why HS RoofClad?

When you choose to work with HS RoofClad, you can be sure that your building is in line with the highest levels of compliancy. Following the identification of non-compliant materials, our specialists are able to offer remedial action and cladding profile matching – book your sample section removal today.