FIR/Specific/TBT-FIR-009

Cladding and Insulation Fire Risk

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Combustible cladding and insulation materials contributed to the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017.
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced stricter requirements for external wall materials on all buildings.
Materials with a Euroclass below A2 are banned on buildings over 18 metres under the amended Building Regulations.
During construction, exposed insulation and partially completed cladding systems are highly vulnerable to fire.
Combustible insulation includes PIR, phenolic foam, and EPS — all burn rapidly when ignited.
Hot works near exposed insulation is one of the most common causes of cladding fires during construction.
Fire breaks and cavity barriers within cladding systems must be installed as the work progresses.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires fire risk management during the construction phase.
Waste insulation and packaging materials left on scaffolds create additional fuel for any fire.
A construction phase fire strategy must address cladding and insulation risks specifically.

Rapid fire spread	Combustible cladding and insulation allow fire to spread across entire building facades.
Post-Grenfell duties	The Building Safety Act imposes strict new duties on material selection and installation.
Construction vulnerability	Partially installed cladding is more fire-vulnerable than completed systems.
Life safety	Cladding fires in occupied or partially occupied buildings endanger residents and workers.

Don't

Verify the fire classification of all cladding and insulation materials before installation.
Install cavity barriers and fire breaks progressively as cladding installation proceeds.
Keep combustible insulation and cladding waste off scaffolds and away from ignition sources.
Obtain a hot works permit before any work near exposed insulation or cladding.
Store combustible insulation materials in a secure area away from the building facade.
Follow the construction phase fire strategy for cladding and insulation risks.
Brief all trades on the fire risks of working near exposed insulation materials.
Maintain fire extinguishers on every scaffold lift where cladding work is underway.
Report any missing or displaced cavity barriers to the site manager immediately.
Comply with the Building Safety Act requirements for external wall material selection.

DON'T install cladding materials that do not meet the specified fire classification.
DON'T carry out hot works near exposed insulation without a hot works permit.
DON'T leave combustible insulation offcuts or packaging on scaffold platforms.
DON'T skip cavity barrier installation — they are critical to preventing fire spread.
DON'T store large quantities of combustible insulation adjacent to the building.
DON'T ignore the construction phase fire strategy for cladding activities.
DON'T substitute specified materials with cheaper alternatives without design approval.
DON'T allow smoking on scaffold platforms near exposed insulation materials.
DON'T leave partially completed cladding systems unprotected overnight.
DON'T assume modern insulation does not burn — many types are highly combustible.

See also: Fire Safety Awareness on Site | Fire Door and Compartmentation

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