Councils ordered to check rainscreening on all buildings

Aaron Morby 7 years ago
Share

The government has ordered councils and housing associations to carry out urgent checks on whether tower blocks are clad with aluminium composite material.

Ferrier Point in Canning Town is one of 20 London buildings fitted with a similar aluminium rainscreen systems
Ferrier Point in Canning Town is one of 20 London buildings fitted with a similar aluminium rainscreen systems

All social housing owners have until the end of today to compile two lists of buildings.

This includes all buildings with “aluminium composite” panels and all buildings over 18m high in a bid to stop other towers being a death trap.

From tomorrow owners must also send samples of any ACM cladding for government-run fire tests.

The Government has put in place a testing process for any samples, which will be at no cost to local authorities and housing associations.

A letter from Melanie Dawes, the civil service chief of the Department for Communities and Local Government, admitted tests on ACM cladding should be carried out.

She writes: “There has been much public concern and comment about potential flaws in the cladding that was on Grenfell Tower.

“While the exact reasons for the speed of the spread of fire have yet to be determined, we have concluded that there are additional tests that can be undertaken with regard to the cladding.

“It is important to stress that ACM cladding is not of itself dangerous, but it is important that the right type is used.

“Once inspections are completed and necessary work identified, DCLG will work with housing associations and local authorities to identify the most appropriate options for supporting funding.”

Latest news

M&S Marble Arch rebuild approved after three-year planning fight

Plans were delayed when Michael Gove backed carbon campaigners
3 hours ago

PM pledges to fast-track 150 infrastructure schemes

Fresh promise to speed up planning decisions on infrastructure and house building
7 hours ago

Buyers report boom in commercial work

Construction bucks slowdown in general economy
10 hours ago

Plans in for £250m Stockport 8 housing-led scheme

Work to start on phase 1 by the end of next year
10 hours ago

Galliford Try tops monthly contracts league

Contract awards slow down in November
13 hours ago

Erith explosives set demolition record at Sizewell

Watch blast at former nuclear turbine hall: Video
13 hours ago

Vistry to build 950 homes next to Olympic Park

Developer signed for £600m Pudding Mill Lane scheme in East London
13 hours ago

Inflatable formwork used for 45m tall cement silo

Ground-breaking dome silo inflated at Tilbury Docks
13 hours ago

Briggs & Forrester sells maintenance arm

100 engineers to move over to new owner
1 day ago

£2bn Edinburgh ‘West Town’ scheme approved

7,000 homes to be built at 205-acre site
1 day ago

Rayner approves Lancashire super prison

Communities secretary overrules planning inspector for 1,700 inmate prison.
2 days ago

Wates boss returns after collapse of his own contractor

Paul Nicholls was head of the failed Real construction group
2 days ago

Trio secure Birmingham deal to retrofit 3,000 homes a year

Specialist contractors to install insulation, efficient heating and solar panels
2 days ago

Costain confirms £400m HS2 tunnels win

Work to start early next year on tunnel and lineside mechanical and electrical systems
2 days ago

First nuclear reactor installed at Hinkley: Video

Watch precision operation at Somerset site
2 days ago

Winner named for £14m Harbourside revamp

Local Irvine contractor to transform beach front
2 days ago

New Fair Payment Code goes live today

Latest bid to get subcontractors and suppliers paid within 30 days
3 days ago

Lincolnshire concrete supplier files administration notice

Ever Readymix Concrete & Screed operates three depots and a fleet of 20 trucks
3 days ago

Graham lands first deal on Liverpool’s largest brownfield site

Contractor bags infrastructure package on 10.5 hectare site
3 days ago

Bouygues UK boss to step down

Fabienne Viala to leave after eight years at the helm
3 days ago

Galliford Try scoops £87m brace of London jobs

Firm will redevelop a prominent corner building on Sloane Street in Chelsea
3 days ago

New HS2 boss Mark Wild starts amid prep for final TBM drives

Former Crossrail CEO starts with a sharp focus on controlling costs
3 days ago

Ten consultants land Thames Water major upgrade places

Firms will share £400m of fee work over next five years
3 days ago

Rayner ultimatum to fix all unsafe tall buildings by 2029

Recladding work must start on all 18m+ resi buildings by 2027
3 days ago

ISG administrator finds just £35m to pay down £1.1bn debt

Failed firm was set to report £148m blackhole from legacy jobs
4 days ago

Redesign needed on Colas “bridge to nowhere”

Technical challenges continue as £38m scheme faces further delays
4 days ago

Skanska UK shakes-up boardroom team

Four new board appointments as two directors step down
4 days ago

Ultra rich clamour for Mace super prime resi scheme

Topping out at £2bn 1 Mayfair scheme where homes start at £35m
4 days ago

Watkin Jones wins £48m St Helen’s affordable homes deal

Firm to build nearly 300 homes for housing association
4 days ago

Barratt sets start date for High Barnet station scheme

Latest scheme to be delivered by the £1.9bn West London Partnership
4 days ago

Contractor services